USFtv in NYC...for a conference...on media...just read...

Hey Cronies!

So for the second half of Spring Break last week several of us from USFtv went over to New York City to attend the annual College Media Advisors Spring Conference. The conference was from March 15 - 17 and was held at Manhattan's Roosevelt Hotel http://www.theroosevelthotel.com/.



Over the next few days we will be posting a summary of what we experienced and learned at the conference during our stay in New York City. While there we each attended different sessions (few as rewarding as we expected) on topics like journalism in the digital age, journalistic ethics and practices, updates on new video technology, as well as some interesting broadcasting sessions. We also had a fun time after the conference each night do look forward for photos documenting THAT experience.

- Dave

CMA Conference

Stay tuned...photos, comments, and more from USF-TV at the 2007 College Media Conference in New York, coming soon.

-Bobby

Is it just me....or was the Academy Awards show WAY too predictable?

I'm a little disappointed after having watched the Oscars. I mean, it was a spectacular show...those silhouette tumblers, those were pretty sweet, but the whole reason we are watching this show, other than judging glitterati, is to see WHO'S GONNA WIN?!

It was all too predictable: best actress, best actor, best picture, best director...we knew they'd win!

The only two exceptions were best supporting actor and actress. I was happy with Alan Arkin's win (go low-budget indie films!), and slightly happy with Jennifer Hudson's win (she has a great voice...)

One amazing aspect of the award show was the signifact amount of international artists present as well as being up for awards. I think we need to see this more and more. We need more international and independent movies in the runnings. "The Departed" having won for best picture, totally impedes on that. "The Departed" was a good movie, but really folks, was it TRULY worthy of receiving the man of gold?

Newest USFtv Cablecast!

Hey USFtvers!

Be sure to check out our latest...AND BEST...cablecast on USFtv Channel 35. For those of you who live off-campus, don't have a TV...or simply do not like engaging with technologies outside of the computer, look for USFtv online the third week of March.

This cablecast has the most original programming EVER, including USFtv News 35, our first official sports news segment, student films curated for the Human Rights film festival, USF Talks, and more!

- Dave

America's Next Top Producer...

Hey There Media Kats,

I was reading through Variety.com the other day and discovered an interesting article on a new reality show being produced by the TV Guide Channel. The show would be titled: "America's Next Top Producer" and will feature several ambitious producers competing to determine who will have the best and most original new reality show idea. The winner receives a $100,000+ development deal with the TV Guide Channel. Below is a link to the Variety.com article that summarizes the project followed by a blogger commenting on this development.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117959747.html?categoryid=14&cs=1&query=reality

http://televisionary.blogspot.com/2007/02/americas-next-top-producer-has-reality.html

Personally, I like the idea of this show, but am shocked anyone would actually produce it.

First, why is the TV Guide Channel producing original content?!? They should stick to airing show times and fluffer pieces for Fox: what they do best. It's crowded enough in our multi-channel universe, why add to the fray?

Second, as exciting as the idea of being a producer is, the work that goes into maturing an idea into a product is tedious, arduous, and occasionally...mostly boring. Why would anyone want to watch this?!?

Third, reality is on it's way out. Americans are burnt out from the genre, and while reality programming is here to stay in one form or another, producers should be looking for something new and off-beat, no one (as mentioned above) will watch the TV Guide Channel for anything but fluff and showtimes...simple.

Fourth (and final), as shocked as I am that this show has been greenlit, I am simultaneously intrigued. It's being produced by the Magical Elves' team behind Project Runway and Top Chef. If anyone can make seemingly impossible reality shows work, they can. Perhaps USFtver's will join Season 2?

- Dave

Citizen Journalism in the Bay?

Clear Channel-owned TV50 KFTY Santa Rosa axed it's fledgling news operation on January 26th, in favor of an all citizen journalist format. What does this mean for Bay Area news stations? Another news experiment that will ultimately fail.

Citizen journalism is a recent trend in network news, asking viewers to send in their own footage or report on news that affects them. The idea is that local news can become more localized when the viewers generate the content rather than someone sitting at a news desk for eight hours a day (a la YouTube). Proponents of citizen journalism point to falling advertising revenue and viewership necessitating the need to turn the traditional news making model upside down.

What does this mean for viewers of TV50? News with low journalistic standards and inconsistent coverage of news in the Santa Rosa region. In fact, KFTY's station manager admits that the quality of news will suffer. When will corporate-owned media wake up? TV is no longer the primary medium in which people will receive their news.

The Internet and blogs has become the main source for writing, viewing and reporting news. In my opinion, TV, radio, print will take a back seat to the Internet, but will never fade into oblivion, as some have suggested.

If I were to generate a new model for news, I would offer up the idea of "super-regional news." For example, in the Bay Area, there would be nine news bureaus in each of the nine Bay Area counties. News would be constantly updated online and through various channels (mobile phones, SMS text message, etc). Twice a day, there would be a half-hour local newscast focusing on news from your county, tossing to a super-regional newscast which cherry picks the most important news happening in each county and combines it with state, national, and international news.

What are the benifits of this model? The majority of the resources will be focused online, rather than producing multiple TV newscasts. But those who still choose to view the news on the boob tube will get a newscast that's more relevant to them. More viewers, more advertising revenue, happier people. You heard it here first...let's see if anyone actually gives the super-regional news model a try!

Feel free to add your comments on this idea. Also below, you'll find a link to the KFTY story. Don't forget to tune into USF-TV News 35!

http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070127/NEWS/701270302&SearchID=73270437725947

-Bobby