Coventry Conversation: Evan Davis

The visit from Evan Davis was probably the most anticipated Coventry conversation I have attended. The lecture theatre was filled with students from a wide spectrum of courses, all seeking an insight into his life and experiences to gain advice towards advancing their own careers. I enjoyed feeling involved with the conversation and listening to what he had to say; the questions asked provided useful answers that gave me information I believe I will be able to use in the future to my benefit.

Davis spoke of being engaging and interesting when delivering content to an audience; his own style had always aimed “to raise the sum of human knowledge”; it was not necessarily the path I had always aimed to take for myself but I was interested in the position and direction he took when speaking to the group. Relating what he had said to the work I have been doing at university I can see that we are always required to produce unique content which should also be captivating to the eye and satisfying to the viewer; by focusing the style of production I wish to take out I can become more established as a recognised media producer.

Speaking about his style of interview, Davis explained how it is crucial to know when to be firm in an attack style format and when to be more reserved and soft whilst speaking to a guest or interviewees. I understand that interviews are very useful in production, where it be for a documentary, a journalistic approach or in television production; they can be the key towards making a story a decent one or a strong one that is remembered and revolutionary. Respect for those you speak to is something we take for granted, by recognising that conducting an interview can formulate hostile situations I can see that by establishing a comfortable setting I am more likely to receive positive responses.

We also discussed how essential it was to not keep the knowledge gained to ourselves but to instead expand our knowledge to other areas of study. Understanding that we are all important in the progression of the social economy is something I may have previously taken for granted before, to seek knowledge and share it with my peers and networks is now something I aim to develop within myself as Evan said: “to know the size and shape of the world” requires interest and determination; something I believe I possess.

Evan Davis’ conversation became one of inspiration as he continued to speak of how we are to improve ourselves through confidence and projection, in an explicit exhibition of ourselves. I know that I am determined to succeed and will continue to do so as long as i remain resilient and willing to learn. Davis said “if you’re willing to look weak, you actually look strong”; this comment allows me to feedback constructively and build upon what others say to improve. I appreciated the visit from Evan Davis, it gave me optimism towards the continuation of my career. I look forward to hearing from other practionists and attending future Coventry conversations.

Coventry Conversation: Debbie Isitt

It was very pleasant experience having Debbie Isitt visit us in Coventry Conversations; her joyous personality seemed to spread around the room, as we listened to what she had to say. The discussion was mainly centred around her new release of the film Nativity, she also spoke of how she had achieved her successes and gave us advice towards what steps we would have to take to establish a career for ourselves.

Speaking with Debbie helped me put things into prospective and see that I did not have to follow the traditional methods of carrying out my work to be accepted in the industry; it was rather through having confidence in myself and the work I produced that I would be successful. Debbie is renowned for her usage of the unorthodox improvisational technique, we spoke of how she enjoyed the thrill of her work and that although she took risks, when they were performed well it was to her own credit and benefit.

Trial and error is an essential practice we partake in regularly, by learning from what we have done previously we can begin to produce and be actively involved in the creative aspect of any work being conducted; Debbie highlighted this idea and spoke of how important it is to have authenticity. Relating what Isitt had said to the things I have been learning in university, I can see that as I develop a style of work I want to produce I will be able to focus myself towards achieving goals I set. My degree involves a significant amount of group work and participation, from listening to Debbie I have also realised the importance of my peers and colleagues; to establish respect for each other will only benefit the projects we conduct.

Debbie rounded up the conversation with some inspirational words which left me thinking. Belief, confidence and persistence are things I believe I already possess, I must make sure I do not take for granted the gifts and talents I have been blessed with. In reference to the professional aspect of my career, Isitt also spoke of how it is essential to be decisive and be tenacious; this is something I agree with as it is those who make an impact that are remembered and considered highly in the industry. The concept that patience is a virtue also came about as success does not happen overnight when hard work is involved.

Coventry Conversation: Steve Cropley

Steve Cropley’s conversation was one that helped me understand how competitive it was to obtain and sustain a job in the media industry. From his visit I was able to note down what he said and reflect upon it; this helped me put it into retrospect and relate to myself. Having knowledge of Cropley’s experiences and achievements made what he said all the more enticing, as he had already gone through most of the emotions we are facing and will feel in our careers.

The competitive nature of the media industry was the point of focus as we began discussing how important it was for us be skilled at what we specialised in a remain determined. The inevitable fact was that ‘positions are rare’ and it will be the people who are at the top of their game that establish themselves in this business. Thinking about the work I am conducting already, I can see that we as students and peers are already competing against each other as we carry out group work and decide roles for each other; this shows how essential it will be for us to refine the skills we are learning now to use to our advantage. Although we may find employment,  Cropley also spoke of how ‘security is indispensible’ and that we must be versatile to remain useful in the industry as jobs come and go.

Teamwork is a very essential practice if we are to be successful in media. Cropley spoke of how important it was for us to get used to working in groups and establish a cohesive unit where our shared work ethic would achieve great things; thinking about the projects we are completing now, I can see that each member of the group must be committed for the work to be completed efficiently.

Cropley also spoke of it can not be by mistake why we are successful in media. Literacy is a very important area where we must be confident to express our style and voice in a creatively professional manner. Carrying out work in the media should never be easy but yet it can be enjoyable; Cropley expressed his urge that we must remain observant and pay “attention to detail” when we are doing projects. Looking upon my experiences in the media already and how we as students aim to be innovative with the artefacts we are producing, I see that taking a greater deal of care with my work will help me  a long way.

The conversation with Mr Cropley was one I enjoyed participating in as he seemed more than willing to answer questions we had for him. We rounded up with his message that “good readers make good writers” and how it would be important for us to sustain an interest in the topics we were studying, so that it would be more enjoyable for us as we carried out our tasks.

Coventry Conversation: Nick Pollard

The conversation with Nick Pollard was centred around the topical question “Does Television news have a future?”. It was very interesting to heard what he had to say, as the subject matter related to some of the career paths I am considering taking. Knowing that Pollard was the former boss of Sky News made my listening of the conversation more attentive; I was interested in taking up as much valuable knowledge from the time we had with him.

Video Journalism was the first area of discussion we engaged in, the idea that “anybody in the world” could be a journalist as long as they could upload their content to the web and post it on national and global levels. The concept of us having ‘specialists’ in this present time is one that seems to be withering away as debates continue to arise over the traditionalist’s approach of authentic journalism and the new medium that is mainly amateur driven. A concern poised by media providers also circulates around the idea of regulation and control; to have a brand of media that represents the message one is portraying is very important in today’s world of biased decisions.

Pollard went on to speak about the advances in technology, bandwidth expansion and how they are the reason for the changes for most of the changes in society; because of their ease of use and versatility. People have been able to begin posting content and footage ‘on-the-go’ in what seems to be a race of who can get the most exciting stories first. As journalism becomes a more universal practice it continues to evoke the eradication of its professionalism; people are transforming it into a hobby rather than an actual career, considerations have been taken towards establishing the difference between the two. Because of the emergence of free journalists events such as the writer’s strike have taken place, which is unhealthy for business.

The conversation with Pollard was inspirational as he took us on a journey of his career, which also covered the transition from broadcast to live streamed footage. It was good to hear what advice he had for students who are encountering choices in life that will shape the successes and achievements we go on to gain. Determination and technical skill are the key to being part of the scene in media, as I continue to develop my own skills and gain experience I too look forward to what the future holds for my career.

Coventry Conversation: Paul Abbot

The Coventry conversation with Paul Abbot was a very inspirational one; he spoke of life in a very interesting way and I was followed and enjoyed since its introduction to television, finding out that the creator of the show was coming to Coventry intrigued towards listening to what he had to say and learn from his experiences in life. Shameless is a channel 4 series that I have automatically made it essential for me to attend the conversation. From listening to Paul Abbot’s story; I took it upon myself to take my interest further and include his biography in a case study I was conducting in my Add Vantage module.

During the conversation Abbot spoke of the methods towards his success and ways in which he conducts himself whilst carrying out his work. I will highlight quotations from Abbot that I regard very useful. To “exploit yourself into pieces” emphasised the way in which it is essential to remain versatile and continue to be able to fit into different situations; this relates to my work during university and the way in which challenges arise. Overcoming obstacles is paramount towards being a success in life. The conversation enabled me to focus on my own characteristics and how I could use them for my benefit.

A concept that caught my attention was how Abbot spoke of ‘emotional honesty’ being the key to good production and writing. The production aspect of my degree is very significant as we continue to produce artefacts throughout our time in Coventry. Abbot said “don’t make it if you wouldn’t watch it”, this drew upon the way in which production should be personally satisfying to the producer before it is ready for release to an audience; this topic progressed on to how it is important to “surround yourself with excellence” so that you have positive influences around you, thus establishing a creative work ethic and portraying a voice of sophistication in production.

The recurring motif during our conversation with Abbot was that it was all about “quality not quantity” and how we must pay attention to detail. To have “intellectual and creative support” so that we “absorb criticism positively” is an aim we must set ourselves. The conversation with Abbot is one I regarded highly; it made me consider how I would conduct myself in future projects. The concluding quote Abbot left us with was that “if you stand still, you go backwards” and how it was crucial that we keep progressing.