Relationship to Communication Arts Program
Critical thinking Skills – TV Drama COM 320
The critical analysis course that can be tied into my internship is ironically, TV Drama. In this course we were taught to analyze not only a television program but also society, and depict how the extraordinary deeds in a society are frequently looked at as ordinary. In a sense, in the entertainment industry this is seen on a daily basis. You have extraordinary people and gatherings almost every day of the week, as a form of entertainment to the mundane persons, and as a promoter the unusual lifestyle of the famous becomes a reality and no longer something strange. TV Drama helped understand this reality, as not only something that is seen on a small screen but also in real life. It makes one analyze life in a different perspective.
Writing Skills – Writing for TV COM 303
In writing for television, we implemented the techniques for writing PSA, Commercials, News Reports and etc. In addition, the course stressed the importance of when to write in ways of infotainment and when no to. The course also showed how to infotainment effectively and gracefully without overdoing it. This became helpful during my internship when updating the radios’ websites and events section. It helped me make the plain facts into something interesting and captivating for our listeners to read and be drawn into attending the events.
Production, Current Technology & Leadership Skills – TV theory and practice COM 310
The course which enhanced my production, current technology and leadership skills the most was television theory and practice, which is too in a sense relatable to my internship even though I am not interning for a television station. In this course I learned a lot about production overall, not only was it about camera configuration and lighting, but also small details such mike checks, and overall connections in order to feed accurate video and audio. This aspect of production helped me in my internship while helping set up for live broadcasts, remotes and other events where we must set up an iPod to the large speakers and connect them to the system within the vehicles. In addition, TV Production enhanced my leadership skills, when I produced the first episode of The Bob, a sports and entertainment show. Here I was given the opportunity to take control of a production, while also focusing on the public relations aspect of production; being the one that came in to contact with student life and athletes, of course with the help of my director. I took this initiative to lead into my internship by always giving new ideas when concerning contests inside of some of our club events. Also, by taking a stand and approaching others during events, to play our games, without anyone telling me to do so.
Oral Skills – Oral Interpretation COM 306
The most relatable oral skills courses to my internship were Oral Interpretation and Speech. In these classes we were taught how to articulate and pronounce words correctly, with the help of different exercises. This has helped me in my internship to not only communicate better with others, but also there has been occasions when I have spoken on the microphone, to get the attention of the listeners, so that they would pass by the Kiss Country or Power 96 table to win prizes. Therefore, oral interpretation helped me articulate better in front of large crowds, as well as being able to communicate with others for long periods at time without losing my voice, which was also taught. Moreover, oral interpretation taught me breathing exercises that also help in the projecting of my voice, which has too helped me during promotions.
Ethical Skills – Media Ethics COM 208
The internship made the media ethics class, which I previously took, come alive. In the class we learned about the ethics one should have when dealing with the public. For example what to consider when working with a community, in the sense of sensitivity to a specific audience, when is something publishable --videos, pictures, and other visual aids-- and briefly through the rights of the media and its people. During the internship, I had to reflect at one point or another, what actions were appropriate for the occasions keeping in mind that the stations are family oriented, and we do not want to defame any individual through photos or even during on air spots. At every type of events, we take pictures for our clients and also to post them on the stations’ websites. In my case, I do take most of the visual aids, such as photos, during the events that I work, in addition to promoting whatever it is I am promoting at that event –varies with each promotion. Some of the choices that I have to make at every event are what kind of photos I should be taking. Considering that we do various nightlife events, we have to make sure that the photos we take do not promote any type of obscenities or alcohol, in other words they must be clean. Since it is a rapid paste job, you have to think quickly on whether or not it is ok for such images to be sent to our clients –since it is how they will judge us, as well. Adding on to the fast paste of the job, you must always have a positive outlook to others and treat them with courtesy, no matter how they treat you; being considered “the promos girl” at the time of the event, I am for that time the station no matter if I’m just an intern. From the time that I walk in to a venue, I am considered part of the media, and therefore must think like the personality.