Response to Podcast Solutions--Chapter 8 "Video Podcast Production"

Chapter 8 in "Podcast Solutions" peaked my interest when it began with "YouTube" as an example of the frequency in which videos are being produced and uploaded daily. At first, podcasting seemed a very intimidating task. Though it still seems fairly intimidating, thinking of the thousands and thousands of videos on YouTube produced by those both younger and older than me helped me to realize that I too could podcast.

While the technical talk--such as the type of equipment needed to produce a video podcast--was slightly over my head, my attention was revived when this chapter began discussing various film techniques. Since I have already taken a film class and am currently taking another film class, I was familiar with the filming techniques discussed in this chapter, such as the types of shots and types of lighting. Because I was familiar with these techniques, the chapter became much more personal and interesting for me. I especially found it interesting that these film techniques, like using a long-shot, medium shot, or the three-point lighting technique, can be used in both something as small-scale as a personal podcast AND a major motion picture. For instance, this chapter pointed out that both major motion pictures and video podcasts commonly use the "three-point lighting technique" (a method in which three lights are used: the key light, the fill light, and the backlight in order to receive the best image on-screen).

I also found it interesting that video podcasts require casting. During high school, I was in many school plays, so I was able to easily relate to the section about how to go about casting actors for a video podcast. Many of the techniques and methods listed to find the best cast were the same techniques used by the director when choosing actors for our high school productions--such as "call backs" and videotaping each audition. Another technique used both in making a podcast and in my high school productions was marking spots on the floor. My director frequently marked important spots on the floor of the stage with duct tape so that actors would know where to stand and to ensure their placement on stage was consistent during every performance.

By relating what I was reading to my own experiences and knowledge, video podcasting not only became more feasible to me but also more interesting.

How does everyone feel about podcasting? Do you think you might try it? Comments?

Response to Causewired--Chapter 7

While reading Chapter 7 in Causewired, "Spare the Paperwork: The Quick Rise of Flash Causes," I was immediately able to relate to everything author Tom Watson was describing. During this chapter, Watson describes "flash causes," which are "an instant burst of community activism" (120). Examples of "flash causes" include members of a community raising money for a family with a sick child, a group of people joining together to find a missing person, and much more.

Watson's descriptions of these "flash causes" instantly reminded me of the groups on Facebook. It seems whenever I log on to Facebook, I have at least one or two group invitations. Most of the time, these groups are superficially based--i.e. a person creates a group to collect phone numbers when they get a new cell phone or a group is created based on a shared interest--but sometimes, these groups actually concern serious issues. For example, sometimes I receive group invitations that concern issues such as a missing child, a local petition, and other important causes. These many Facebook groups concerning important causes prove Tom Watson's point that using the internet does wonders for philanthropy because it "puts the tools of attention, and fundraising, and action into the hands of any citizen who cares enough to use them" (123).

The most striking example of a "flash cause" given in the book was that of Mukhtaran Bibi, a woman from Pakistan who was sentenced to be raped because of her brother's affair with a high-status woman (her brother was falsely accused). The tribal council of Bibi's village in Pakistan decided that, to punish Bibi's brother, Bibi would be gang-raped by high-status men. Later, Bibi was placed under house arrest in order to prevent her from traveling to New York to speak about human rights. Though this story was from 2002, my heart still ached for Bibi. As I read on, I realized that because of the large response on the internet--mostly from blogs--Bibi was eventually released and now travels in order to speak about human rights. Reading this story inspired me and made me realize just how powerful the internet can be for important causes--from big to small.

Due to this new-found inspiration, I decided to include a few links from groups and causes on Facebook which I think are important to support:

. Missing Girl (Facebook Group)
. Children's Rights (Facebook Causes)
. Breast Cancer (Facebook Causes)

Comment with any causes you feel are important!

Businesses using Facebook...a possible research paper topic?

Recently, I've been trying to think of possible topics for my final research paper. I looked through Dr. Ray's list of possible ideas, and even though "The Changing Nature of 'Friends' in an Online World" and "The Connection Between Writing and Literacy" interested me, I think I will most likely write my research paper on "Facebook and Business."

I was first introduced to this topic during a discussion about the ways in which businesses are using Facebook to better communicate with their customers in a Public Speaking course I took in Spring 2009. Our class discussion was very interesting, and I would definitely like to investigate further ways in which businesses are currently using Facebook.

Within my paper, I plan to discuss the ways businesses use Facebook in advertising, public relations, and hiring. How does this sound as a topic for my final research paper? Any thoughts or suggestions?