203, Mass. Comm.- Future Career Ideas

Decisions! Decisions! It’s really difficult to choose exactly what I wish to do in the future, because there is so much to learn and experience in the field of communications. While browsing through Careers In Communications, by Shonan Noronha, I’ve gained more insight and information on what I was already interested in, and some new paths that sounded intriguing.

 The chapter that I focused my attention to the most was chapter four, which talks about film.  Reading through the text, I was most absorbed with all of the information about editing film. I believe that it is one of the most important processes of filmmaking.  Noronha states, “-it is perhaps the most crucial stage in filmmaking”(82).  I am most drawn to the creative career of editing because it’s like putting a story in order from start to finish. I believe I could be of help to directors with editing because I enjoy analyzing, modifying, and organizing film.  I also have a good eye for detail, and I would really enjoy helping to effectively capture all of the emotional aspects that come with shaping a film’s story or main message.

Another career path that sparks my interest is cinematographer. This involves communicating with the director to determine what photographic style the film should portray. I like the artistic responsibilities that a cinematographer carries out. “The selection of different types of shots and the lenses required for them is one of the cinematographer’s major tasks, ” some of the many neat jobs Noronha mentions of a cinematographer (80). They also help with lighting and the positions of the camera. What a wonderful hands on experience that would be!

I know that the film industry is a difficult to break into, especially for the careers I’ve mentioned above, but I am willing and ready to work from the bottom up.  Noronha writes, “ This career path requires a tremendous amount of patience and perseverance” (84).  I fortunately have always been a patient person and am one of those people who believes in the adage, “if at first you don’t succeed, try again.” This path offers many jobs that I am interested in so therefore I am motivated and willing to take any job that will reach my goal of getting where I eventually want to be. 

                                        Works Cited

Noronha, Shonan.  Careers in Communications. McGraw Hill, 2005.  Print.  P. 71-88.

203, Mass. Comm.- My First Blog Entry

    

        

 First and foremost, let me introduce myself to the growing community of bloggers. My name is Hannah Parker, and I am currently a sophomore at Shepherd University. The areas of study that I'm most interested in are mass communications and photography, my major and minor. What sparked my interest into these two growing and eye-catching fields of study?  Let me tell you!

       I've always been fascinated and quite entertained by the creativity of television and film. Looking back at my younger days of being a kid, I can remember watching morning cartoon classics like Bugs Bunny and the Road Runner, joyfully laughing, and appreciating the illustrations and silly dialogue between the characters. My eyes would light up when my dad would suggest renting a movie at Video Den to enjoy watching over the weekend. Whether it was taking in the adventures of Jim Henson’s Muppet Treasure Island or being spooked and prepared for a nightmare after viewing Stephen King’s It, I always had questions and comments such as, "How did they do that?” or “I want to try that!”  

            A very significant time in my educational experience that led me to consider a career in communications was in middle school. I was involved in the morning announcements as an anchor. We filmed the school news every morning in the library with all of the works: lights, camera, and action! I went on to do the morning announcements and did on-the-scene reporting for JCSTV for several years during high school, as well. I experienced a rush of delight after delivering the school’s daily news on camera. I was intrigued by how the cameras worked and captivated by all of the effort that goes into producing a ten-minute news report.

            My interest in photography has developed over quite sometime also. I’ve always loved and admired works of art. I have been fortunate enough to live in an area that is close to D.C., which is very rich in culture. I have been to our nation’s capitol to visit and gaze upon fine pieces of classic and contemporary art. My hometown, Shepherdstown is also abundant in creative, original art forms that inspire and move me. I’ve always been the one in my family who was the videographer or photographer at family events, vacations, or other special occasions. I love coming up with creative and original ways to document events. 

            The creative elements of video and photography go hand in hand.  I am eager to learn much more about the ins and outs of each while studying at Shepherd University. I am ready to become skilled at using digital film to entertain others and as a tool for communicating messages to the world.  I also want to be knowledgeable on how to edit and effectively create films. I am also looking forward to taking photos that speak to people and relate to them in some way.

            Although I’m not specifically certain of the exact career I want in the field of mass communications, I am sure that I want to do something in the field of filmmaking either behind the scenes or in front of the camera.  I look forward to exploring my career options in communications while here at Shepherd University, and to getting the expert training that I’ll need.