Broadcast Media Experience with TBC Broadcasting Station Yvonne - Essay Example

Broadcast Media Experience with TBC Broadcasting Station Yvonne This is a summary of my learning experience during a particular stint with TBC Broadcasting Station in Korea that allowed me a rewarding hands-on practice with drama editing. As a whole, this is an evaluation of the actual practice that served as the ultimate guiding factor towards a career path in the broadcast media. Yvonne Marie Leyson Professor Doe Broadcast Media Experience 16 May 2006 Broadcast Media Experience with TBC Broadcasting Station A. DIARY (an actual experience) March 20, 2006 The first time I set foot in the station, I can’t even begin to describe the excitement I felt like a kid entering for the fist time a gigantic showroom of toys. When I signed up for this particular experience, I had no idea that checking on the whole station and given a quick tour around the vast building would afford me the chance to see in person the people we often hear and see on TV. Mr. Jo Sun Sim, the head of the Scriptwriting department was quick to orient me with the whole scenario after which I was allowed to observe the actual preparations of drama casting. March 21, 2006 I was a bit anxious on what today might have in store for me. I was introduced to Mr. Lee Hey Kyung, who will be my mentor for the next few days of exposure in this area. Mr. Kyung works in the drama department, as an editor and a scriptwriter on our famous Korean television drama series. He is a very easy-to-get-along type of person and takes his job seriously. I was then told to just observe his work so I may learn while pointing out some errors on the scripts. March 22, 2006 I go the chance to read a few scripts on an on-going television series that was submitted. Due to the hectic schedule, I was thereby asked to go over some lines and recognize any errors I could find. These are printed materials that are to be used for the incoming days practice and actual shoot on the set. Considering the volume of a single day’s shooting, I was occupied the whole day for its preparation. Mr. Lee, went over my work and called it a day. March 23, 2006 The whole studio is buzzed with activity today. Certain preparations were made for tomorrow’s actual shooting and Mr. Lee’s department were bombarded with chaos and the usual preparation problems according to the staff for the resumption of another shooting segment. I had to run around for errands, glad to be of help and in the same effort learn a lot from these minor assignments. Although pretty exhausting, at least I get the chance to see how the preparations are made. March 24, 2006 The work that Mr. Lee edited that I was tasked to run through for minor errors was on roll today. I got to see the how the entire scenario that was edited was turned into a dramatic segment before my very eyes. I get to see how actors do their part to study their certain roles and memorize the lines that Mr. Lee’s department including me as a practicum evolved into life in full color for all the daytime soap lovers. March 27, 2006 Today, after a few days rest, I am back to the studio office. The workstations were seemingly quite while people went through with their daily preparations for coming segments and shows. Mr. Lee called me to check direct from the computer stuff that the scriptwriters had prepared and scout for any errors. I also go to meet one of the scriptwriters who gave me enough time during breaks to answer the questions I have prepared for this assignment. This occupied my day as I was again handed entire scripts were quite lengthy for a continuous shoot in the next several days. I completely forgot about the time and walked home exhausted. March 28, 2006 A lot of work needs to be done on some pages of a script that was hastily done. This occupied enough of my time again today and I did not have the chance to roam around the studio and watch actual airing and shootings. By noon break, I got the chance to talk with other trainees and discussed among ourselves the complexities of the work in the studio. Though complex, we all agreed that the job is quite interesting seeing a scriptwriter’s work come to life. March 29, 2006 In an effort to learn a lot today, I resisted the urge to watch a shoot and stayed in the office/workstation. Mr. Lee was glad that I chose to stay behind and instead gave me the full editing job. Glad to be given the chance, I put my full effort in what I was tasked to do o edit the scripts that were submitted. Though lengthy, it was quite interesting and I soon forgot about the time spent on working until someone called it a day. March 30, 2006 Today is my last day of exposure in this area. Mr. Lee and Mr. Jo lauded me for the work I have done to ease a bit of their busy schedules. I told them of my future plans and they were also willing to listen. I was given the chance to observe the actual shoot of the work that was I was doing. I am completely satisfied albeit the short experience I was given the chance to show my talent and learn a lot from the industry. I will surely miss this job. Client Contact Report A. Employer Questionnaire 1. In the definition of Korean culture, do you think it is important in the 21st century to transmit this idea to the public through television? 2. With the way Korean drama is distributed to other counties, do you think this should create a trend to apply western culture to allow diversity? 3. Considering the budget expense incurred in making actual movies, do you think that television should necessitate an overhaul to create a competition against moviemakers? 4. In scriptwriting, do you work around the roles to fit the present actors employed in the studio? 5. Do you often encounter instant script modifications? 6. How do you treat these at such a short time to suit the director? 7. Do you also work hand in hand with the costume designers? 8. Which type of scripts and stories appeal to audience according to the ratings? 9. Which scripts eventually sell? Drama or Sci-fi? 10. Do you think mass commercialization has greatly affected the creativity of our films? 11. What does it entail to become a good scriptwriter? 12. What advise can you give to aspiring scriptwriters? B. Self-Evaluation 1. What does the job entail? 2. Is the over-all experience worthwhile? 3. What have you learned in the broadcasting station? 4. What is the specific area that has aroused your interest? 5. What were the duties delegated to you? 6. What is your observation of the job that was tasked? 7. Do you think that the job is your career path? 8. Is there a demand for this job? 9. What are the qualities needed for one to excel in this job? 10. Is there a need for a continuous experience for you to create a mastery of this job? B. Report Mr. Lee, as my direct mentor has afforded me the chance to learn on the best possible way though a hands-on experience. On my daily association with him and a talk with one of the scriptwriters, I have learned how culture is associated with scriptwriting to assert the need to reach out to a particular audience. Korean scripts and soap is widely distributed throughout Asia due to the simplicity of its plots that are easily accepted by viewers who are currently shifting from radio daytime drama to television entertainment. Fashion in a sense is carried over to that covets the Western culture hat is highly in demand by teen population. The Western culture is not necessarily important to be depicted in this media; however some of the good points would necessarily help for diversity especially when the audience is diverse in nature. There is no actually no necessity for TV to incur high budget expense that can actually be covered by camera tricks to compete against films. Television is television; the necessity of reality is adhered to rather than the surreal. According to Mr. Lee, ideally the actors should work around and fit themselves on a specific script. Sometimes though, the demand of popular actors on-screen makes it ultra hard, thus scriptwriters are forced to work around them and modify roles for them. This usual practice has brought in instant necessary modifications in the job which is why scriptwriters and other set designers have to be present during shoots and in between intervals. Normally costume designers will have to check out for themselves the actual scenario rather than deal with scriptwriters; however they do consult scriptwriters for opinions. The present ratings in the industry revealed according to Mr. Lee and Mr.Sim, a great demand for love stories in drama. Science fiction has created advocacy among the younger generation which the older generation would have a hard time relating to. Scriptwriters and editors with their talents need to be able to adapt to the needs of the changing society. Commercialization has affected the art of scriptwriting but it is the bread and butter for every writer. In my short experience with the TVS Broadcasting station, I have learned that scriptwriters and editors need a lot of talent in their field to equally compensate the demands of the job and the public. Without good scripts, Korea cannot produce high quality films, TV dramas and documentaries that the public wants to see. It is also not enough to simply train or further train scriptwriters. The good scripts must translate into good films or programs for television. Good and interesting scripts that are written and developed as part of the TBC training courses should be promoted and efforts should be made to use them considering how TBC seeks to promote Korean linguistic and cultural diversity. To this effect, support must be afforded to scriptwriting in Korea so that there is a supply of high quality scripts produced throughout that shall strengthen and enhance the future of the television industry. Initially, I had prepared myself for a scriptwriting experience but the short period has allowed me to deal on script-editing instead as an actual hands-on experience. However, this has allowed e enough space to study the techniques of scriptwriters who are enjoined to develop a certain plot in a short period of time to modify the needs of the director and producers for public consumption. It is also noted that the commercial elements of storytelling to the required comprehensive level. According to Mr. Sim, most media critics and audience prefer mainstream films which offer an active participation in their content message hidden in the images codes. Normally, daytime soap and drama sells to the audience but shows that gives out a little courage and good will, with a little bit of skill talent and invention offers us a leading artistic and commercial element that most producers would like. In these modern media times we can recognize reality much more through its industrially made media picture than from our own experience. Scriptwriters and TV moderators along with everyone work hand in hand to teach us how to see the world that they have depicted. There is neither manifest nor manual to help us in the battle that goes on in the media industry. The most important is the moment of invisible changes of the elements in story-telling structure. The knowledge gleaned for the experience has afforded me the chance to learn that commercially-oriented shows are dominating in creative tendencies that it is sometimes hard to recognize the border between commerce and higher art. But as Mr. Lee and Mr. Sun clearly put it, commercials are the bread and butter of the industry. One cannot act without the other, thus scriptwriters could not help but sacrifice art to accommodate this as a necessary evil. For me however, good scriptwriters do not necessarily have to sacrifice the art of writing. One just need enough expertise to adapt to the demands of the society and meet halfway albeit in a decisive yet flexible way that opens more possibilities. It is truly one big challenge for me as an aspiring scriptwriter! Read More