I believe that my understanding of speaking and scripting has improved dramatically through the completion of the assessment piece. The various audio and visual recordings included in this blog are a testament to that. Going into this course, my experience was definitely limited in regards to script writing and this assessment task has certainly worked to broaden that experience.
I have found the exercise of blogging every week to be an extremely useful learning task. Breaking down the week's study module each week into practical exercises in the form of a workbook, helped me to better retain the information each week. I also found it very useful that the tasks for the submission of Assignment 2 were included in workbook exercises. The PAIBOC exercise was extremely useful in mapping out Assignment 2 and the script writing tasks included in Week 8 and 9 helped to instill in me a high level of confidence going into the final assessment task.
The other exercises that I found to be most useful to my learning experience were the ones in which I reviewed and reflected on my own performance. These included the piece to camera exercise from Week 7 and the collection of voice recordings that were completed across the task. I had always thought myself to be quite a strong public speaker and I found it very interesting to see how that actually translated onto film and audio footage.
I have also enjoyed reviewing the academic articles assigned throughout this task and learning how speeches work on a number of different levels. While it is universally understood that having good content and a capable speaker are the basis for producing a good speech, it was extremely useful to learn the other aspects that can contribute as well. For example the Heritage & Clayman (2010) reading on the techniques used to create a greater response from an audience was an excellent learning material for me. It was also interesting to consider the way in which speeches are reported by media outlets and the use of quotes versus quotational sequences (Clayman 2010). I think learning about all the different levels that go into creating an effective speech has definitely increased my level of understanding of speaking and scripting.
Overall I found this blogging assignment to be a very effective learning tool. The tasks have helped me to become better versed in the world of speaking and scripting and the weekly tasks have helped to keep me accountable to a study schedule. The task has also helped to better prepare me for Assignment 2.
References
Clayman, S. (1990). From talk to text: newspaper accounts of reporter-source interactions. Media Culture & Society, 12, 79- 103.
Heritage, J & Clayman, S 2010 Talk in Action: Interactions, Identities, and Institutions, WileyBlackwell, West Sussex, pp. 263-287.
Week 9 - Draft and Delivery of Script
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Vision Slide
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Audio
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LS: dry farming landscapes.
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Drought affected areas of Central Queensland will find their issues
being brought to the forefront of Parliament by new local State MP, Lachlan
Millar.
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MP shaking hands and having conversation with farmers.
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Mr Millar says his focus will be on giving local farmers and
residents the support and attention that this serious issue deserves.
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CU: Millar speaking to camera
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“For too long this drought has been really hurting the people of
Central Queensland and we need to call on all levels of parliament to work
together to provide the support needed to implement proper drought assistance.”
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LS: Millar walking and talking with workers on a mine site.
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Mr Millar will also put forth the importance of state funding to
create more jobs in the area.
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Shot of Millar speaking.
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“Central Queensland is a beautiful place to live but unfortunately
due to the downturn in the mining industry, there are just not enough jobs
available in the communities. This is something that I am committed to
changing.”
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CU: Millar shaking hands with Local Mayor
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Mr Millar is working closely with Emerald Mayor Kerrie Hayes to
ensure the needs of the community are being met.
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LS: Millar and the mayor walking through council offices talking.
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Mr Millar and Mayor Hayes have been in discussions about the best
ways to get money back into the local ecomony.
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Millar speaking to camera.
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“I will continue to fight to make sure Central Queensland gets the
appropriate funding and projects necessary to inject some life back into our local
economy.”
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Week 7 - Clayman Review
In 'From talk to text: newspaper accounts of reporter-source interactions', Clayman (1990) discusses the use of quotations in news stories and how their interpretation can differ when they are reported as stand alone quotes as opposed to through quotational sequences that portray interactional context.
Clayman (2010, p.97) argues that including the context of specific interactions as opposed to an abstract quote, allows readers to better develop a sense of the character of the speaker, their motives, role obligations and other circumstantial factors that can influence a reader's response to a speaker.
Quoted questions are particularly useful in portraying the resistance of a speaker to questioning (Clayman 2010, p.97). News reporters are required to remain objective in their reporting and therefore are often unable to use overly descriptive terms to describe a speaker's behaviour (Clayman 2010, p. 98). If an interaction is reported in the place of a single quote, the reporter is better able to show the reader what took place and therefore allow them to see for themselves without the reporter losing the credibility of remaining objective.
Clayman (2010, p.82) states that political news stories are often reported to include an audience response. This is certainly something to keep in mind when constructing the speech for Assignment 2. The research done by Heritage & Clayman (2010) into ways of eliciting greater responses from an audience will definitely need to be applied here. The correct inclusion of pausing in combination with the various techniques discussed by Heritage & Clayman (2010), such as the use of lists and contrasts throughout a speech, would be invaluable if a news reporter was able to include a phrase such as "Mr Millar MP said "QUOTE" and this was met with strong applause from parliament".
When constructing the maiden speech for the local State MP, it will be important to consider how the speech can be reported when stand alone quotes are used, as they can in some cases entirely remove the context of the quote. It will be important to ensure that the speech operates well outside of the initial context (ie. parliament) and translates well across a variety of media platforms.
References
Clayman, S. (1990). From talk to text: newspaper accounts of reporter-source interactions. Media Culture & Society, 12, 79- 103, viewed 27th April 2016, http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/soc/faculty/clayman/Site/Publications_files/Clayman%201990%20Talk_to_Text.pdf
Heritage, J & Clayman, S 2010 Talk in Action: Interactions, Identities, and Institutions, WileyBlackwell, West Sussex, pp. 263-287.
Clayman (2010, p.97) argues that including the context of specific interactions as opposed to an abstract quote, allows readers to better develop a sense of the character of the speaker, their motives, role obligations and other circumstantial factors that can influence a reader's response to a speaker.
Quoted questions are particularly useful in portraying the resistance of a speaker to questioning (Clayman 2010, p.97). News reporters are required to remain objective in their reporting and therefore are often unable to use overly descriptive terms to describe a speaker's behaviour (Clayman 2010, p. 98). If an interaction is reported in the place of a single quote, the reporter is better able to show the reader what took place and therefore allow them to see for themselves without the reporter losing the credibility of remaining objective.
Clayman (2010, p.82) states that political news stories are often reported to include an audience response. This is certainly something to keep in mind when constructing the speech for Assignment 2. The research done by Heritage & Clayman (2010) into ways of eliciting greater responses from an audience will definitely need to be applied here. The correct inclusion of pausing in combination with the various techniques discussed by Heritage & Clayman (2010), such as the use of lists and contrasts throughout a speech, would be invaluable if a news reporter was able to include a phrase such as "Mr Millar MP said "QUOTE" and this was met with strong applause from parliament".
When constructing the maiden speech for the local State MP, it will be important to consider how the speech can be reported when stand alone quotes are used, as they can in some cases entirely remove the context of the quote. It will be important to ensure that the speech operates well outside of the initial context (ie. parliament) and translates well across a variety of media platforms.
References
Clayman, S. (1990). From talk to text: newspaper accounts of reporter-source interactions. Media Culture & Society, 12, 79- 103, viewed 27th April 2016, http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/soc/faculty/clayman/Site/Publications_files/Clayman%201990%20Talk_to_Text.pdf
Heritage, J & Clayman, S 2010 Talk in Action: Interactions, Identities, and Institutions, WileyBlackwell, West Sussex, pp. 263-287.
Week 7 - Piece to Camera
I have uploaded two videos for this task. I did several takes and these were unfortunately the best two. This task was definitely harder than expected!
It is clear from these two videos that I need much more confidence speaking to camera. My voice comes across much quieter than I think it should. I also tend to talk too fast and I appear quite awkward. I also found that I seemed to forget everything that I had planned to say as soon as I started recording! When watching the recordings playback I also noticed that I had a tendency to look away from the camera as I was talking which does not look very professional and I certainly need to work on what I am doing with my hands as well.
Overall I found this tasks to be very interesting. It is interesting to learn how hard things that professionals make looks so easy can be!
Week 7 - Features of a Genre
Ames (2016 p.1.) states that the seemingly trivial talk that takes place during chat-based programming is actually "important talk that helps to construct a sense of community among listeners". An excellent example of this is the drive home radio show "Hamish and Andy". The show's two presenters Hamish Blake and Andy Lee have created an extremely popular radio show that resonates with their community of dedicated listeners.
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| Image via http://mumbrella.com.au/ |
This show is also an excellent example of the way in which chat-based programming is oriented towards personal. Throughout the segment the two hosts use personal anecdotes both for humour and to create a close relationship with listeners. The whole show appears very conversational and unscripted and this allows the hosts to reinforce the sense of community they are trying to develop with their listeners.
The 'Hamish and Andy' show also risks transgression regularly by prompting laughter from listeners and each other throughout the show. As Ames (2016 p.1.) states "all talk in this format of programming is for an overhearing audience, so even if it’s conversational, it’s still ‘performed’". The Hamish and Andy radio show shows that as a host in this format, you need to be able to make the listener unaware of any performance which is happening and make your interactions seem natural and unplanned. It also shows the importance of creating a successful dynamic with a co-host.
References
Ames K 2016, COMM12033 Lesson 7 Genres of Speech - Media, CQUniversity
Hamish and Andy, Tuesday 26th April 2016, http://www.hamishandandy.com/listen/3/
Tolson, A 1991, ‘Televised chat and the synthetic personality’, in Broadcast Talk, ed P. Scannell, Sage Publications, London, pp. 178–200.
Week 6 - PAIBOC Task
Maiden Speech PAIBOC (The local State MP for Emerald QLD is Lachlan Millar)
Purpose - The purpose of the speech is to promote the new state MP, his party and to reinforce key electoral issues and garner attention needed for issues in his electorate.
Audience - fellow members of parliament, however as maiden speeches often get media coverage, it is important to keep the wider, public audience in mind. Media coverage for drought issues/economic downturn is important.
Information - reinforce electoral promises and local issues, promote the LNP party. In this case the local issues include addressing the drought crisis facing Central Queensland as well as the need to create more jobs in a region suffering through the mining downturn.
Benefits - to promote position and political party.
Objections - maiden speeches can often be long and therefore may loose the interest of listeners. Therefore it is important to include the relevant techniques (such as those discussed by Heritage & Clayman (2010) last week, ie. contrasts, lists and problem/solutions) to help mobilise audience response. Also important to include key quotable areas of the speech that can be easily picked up by the media for use in news stories.
Context - Political/Social/Televised
Video News Release PAIBOC
Purpose - to promote Mr Millar and to emphasise the key electoral issues addressed in the maiden speech, The purpose is to highlight to the voters both in the electorate and state-wide that the new member is already addressing their needs in parliament and that they made the right choice in voting for them.
Audience - people in the local electorate but also citizens state-wide.
Information - the focus of this piece is to attract media attention and the included information needs to reflect that. Include quotes on the importance of getting funding to drought affected areas and promoting jobs in a region that is suffering a prolonged mining downturn.
Benefits - promote Mr Millar in his new position, as well the policies of his party. Crafted to gain/cement favour in the community.
Objections - address the doubts of those who didn't vote for the party. Further explain how the issues being raised by Mr Millar will benefit the entire electorate.
Context - Television/Political/Social
Purpose - The purpose of the speech is to promote the new state MP, his party and to reinforce key electoral issues and garner attention needed for issues in his electorate.
Audience - fellow members of parliament, however as maiden speeches often get media coverage, it is important to keep the wider, public audience in mind. Media coverage for drought issues/economic downturn is important.
Information - reinforce electoral promises and local issues, promote the LNP party. In this case the local issues include addressing the drought crisis facing Central Queensland as well as the need to create more jobs in a region suffering through the mining downturn.
Benefits - to promote position and political party.
Objections - maiden speeches can often be long and therefore may loose the interest of listeners. Therefore it is important to include the relevant techniques (such as those discussed by Heritage & Clayman (2010) last week, ie. contrasts, lists and problem/solutions) to help mobilise audience response. Also important to include key quotable areas of the speech that can be easily picked up by the media for use in news stories.
Context - Political/Social/Televised
Video News Release PAIBOC
Purpose - to promote Mr Millar and to emphasise the key electoral issues addressed in the maiden speech, The purpose is to highlight to the voters both in the electorate and state-wide that the new member is already addressing their needs in parliament and that they made the right choice in voting for them.
Audience - people in the local electorate but also citizens state-wide.
Information - the focus of this piece is to attract media attention and the included information needs to reflect that. Include quotes on the importance of getting funding to drought affected areas and promoting jobs in a region that is suffering a prolonged mining downturn.
Benefits - promote Mr Millar in his new position, as well the policies of his party. Crafted to gain/cement favour in the community.
Objections - address the doubts of those who didn't vote for the party. Further explain how the issues being raised by Mr Millar will benefit the entire electorate.
Context - Television/Political/Social
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