What is social media production?

Social Media Production has had many different definitions and they seem to vary almost person to person. beliefs and time play a large issue in how the individual involved views them.

•What was/is the purpose of media production?

Originally the dominant form of receiving information was through Mass Media, television, newspapers etc... aimed to get necessary information to the masses whilst also entertaining, advertising. The downside of this was the lack of communication between seller and consumer and to have the audiences voices heard, this has changed dramatically over the years, especially with the uprising of Social Media.

•What is the purpose of social media production?

Social Media has of course come around through the development of technology, primarily computers and the internet, allowing people all over the world to be connected instantly.
In the same way as the mass media, Social Media has developed to keep people up to date, to let them access the news, entertainment etc... But the main difference is interactivity, a main component in Web 2.0. Social media allows people to correspond, share opinions, to comment on posts (Facebook) to like and share photographs, leading to the rise of the selfie, most predominantly seen now on Instagram.
In this day and age of technology, so much personal information is stored online, and through these social media platforms, it has to assumed that ALL of us are in some way a social media producer.

But, this of course depends on your definition of the phrase, is it someone who uses social media? Who shares things with friends and likes comments on facebook. Or is it still reserved for someone who uses it as a job, to get attention for a business, a celebrity, do you have to be paid and professional to be a social media producer?

•What was/is your place/role/function/identity within traditional media?

My role/place in traditional media is small and growing less. As a consumer I will still go and watch films and the news, I will still read newspaper. But all of this is tinged with social media, I follow the BBC on twitter to keep up with news, I have the app for several newspapers on my phone giving me access whenever. So I feel as Social Media develops and more people become involved this role will lesson. After all, I will even discuss lessons in more traditional media, post production for example with tutors OVER social media platforms.

•What is your place/role/function/identity within social media?

My role in social media how grown massively over the last few years. I do, as a I saw a lot of things I used to do with traditional media through social media. I read news articles online, I shop online, I share images, talk to my friends on facebook and twitter. A lot can be done so quickly and easily, providing you have the internet that some aspects of traditional media seem to be more of a specialty, not needed but to keep that traditional edge some crave.

•What have you been told about what you need to prepare for if you are going to work in the media industries?

Branding oneself is a massive need in new and social media. To develop a career you need to be a brand, so consumers are aware of what to expect and most importantly, you look professional and original. Social Media plays a huge roll in this, linking producer to consumer, allowing feedback and also a sense of fame that will help their career. For example, Singers will often use twitter to form a 'friendship' with their audience, to sell records etc... And I know this is someone that is very important, in this day and age you need to have an online presence as much as a real life one as so much relies on peoples opinion of you as much as your talent and more and more production is arranged over social media forums.

•How do you feel about this advice?

In the workplace in general little has changed since it was prominently traditional media, you must always show enthusiasm, the want to learn new skills. You must be willing to approach people, to network and get your name out there, (this was something that has been drilled into our heads during Entrepreneurship) You have to be known, hence the brand management.
I also expect long hours, traditional in the media business, travelling, to have deadline, stress but to push through it, know to plan well and work to this plan, to schedule and keep to it.

The advice I have been given is crucial  and extraordinarily helpful. I wasn't sure what to expect starting this course and aiming to enter this area but it is different to how I had expected. Everything is far more technical and less glamorous, fitting the stereotype of a media producer almost. But, I have learnt quickly about the amount of work and research needed, to try new things and push yourself, being willing to work your way up. This advice has been invaluable.

•What is being produced in social media production?

Almost all businesses and companies now have a social media sector, a page on Facebook, a website open to comments, a twitter page etc.. Social Media is everywhere and everything. There are millions of people connecting on these forums, talking with producers, other fans, creators and getting much more done and their voices heard than in years passed. Almost everything seems to be linked to some source on the internet, some form of social media.
It has created the chance for people to have their say, to develop a career over social media or enhance someone else's, the interactivity itself has made a huge change in how businesses market themselves and portray themselves to the consumer and this can be seen everywhere.
Social Media produces a lot of the things we see on a day to day basis and we add to this, we upload so much and discuss almost anything. Social Media is the new normal, and is a part of everything.

My short video going over the main points of each question.

- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuDcUwgfedI&feature=youtu.be


Thankyou

much love x