So… I’m a Media Prosumer

Blumler and Katz’s theory outlines that people who are consuming media typically do so to fulfill a certain need. These needs fall into four categories:

  • Entertainment/Diversion – Escapism, aesthetic enjoyment, filling time
  • Social Interaction – Basis for relationships, identification with others
  • Personal Identity – Reaffirmation of behavior, values, sense of self etc
  • Information/Surveillance – Education and advice

In order to display Blumler an Katz’s Uses and Gratification theory, I created a collage of some of the media that I enjoy consuming.

Media Prosumer Collage

After creating this collage, I then considered which subcategories of Blumler and Katz’s theory that the media I consume tends to fall under.

I found that for personal identity, I tended to gravitate more towards music, such as dodie, girl in red, Frank Hamilton and Cavetown, as the lyrics tend to be on subject matters which I can relate to and identify with.

For social interaction, I found I gravitated more towards TV shows and movies, as I often begin watching based on recommendation or when with others. For example, Brooklyn 99 and The Umbrella Academy were both shows that my friends watched and recommended, and I watched Sinister, Orphan and Rocky Horror when with others, which then became topics of conversation and bonding, as well as things that I enjoyed personally.

Finally, I found that every item in my collage related to entertainment and diversion, as when I seek media, it’s mostly for escapism or aesthetic enjoyment.

My media collage fits Blumler and Katz’s theory relatively well, as while I do also consume informative media, it’s not generally something that I actively seek out in order to fulfill a need. However, on the other three criteria, my collage is a strong example of the desire for fulfillment from the media, with many of the items even  fulfilling multiple criteria at once.

With this in mind, I need to consider the way in which Blumler and Katz’s theory can impact the way in which I will produce my music magazine. In order to create an effective magazine, I will try to cover every area outlined in the theory in order to create as successful a text as possible – a text which is entertaining, a potential topic of conversation, relatable, and informative.

Media Ecology

The overall principle of Media Ecology states that all components of the media are interlinked, and depend on each other in order to succeed. The 8 main aspects of Media Ecology are:

  1. Money
  2. Institutions
  3. Audience
  4. Government
  5. Creators
  6. Distribution
  7. Social Media
  8. Technology

In my opinion, the idea that every one of these components is necessary is a valid reflection of how the media works, as, with deeper research into each of the connections, it becomes highly apparent that they all need each other to work effectively, and are all contributors into how and what the receiver will consume.

The component that my partner and I investigated was the importance of audience, and our thoughts are detailed in the image of our mind-map below.

Mindmap: Audience role in Media Ecology

 

Media Ecology Mindmaps: How other components play their roles in Media Ecology

In order to create my magazine, I will utilize the concept of Media Ecology in order to appeal to my audience, as if the content doesn’t match the expectations of the target audience, the magazine would lose engagement, as well as profit. I will also consider all other components of the media ecology, and while every aspect is important to its success, I feel these key components are the most relevant alongside the consideration of the audience: money, as without it the magazine would unlikely be able to go into print, institutions, as they will likely be the ones producing and publishing the magazine, and distribution, because without it the audience would be unable to receive the magazine at all.

In conclusion, I must remember that all components are deeply important in the media, and that it is vital that I consider all aspects of Media Ecology in order to be successful with this task.

Hello Media Studies!

I have always had an interest in the media – I would come home from primary school and immediately switch on the TV, I’d read everything I could get my hands on, I’d wake up early to listen to the radio for 2 hours before school. While the way I consume media has changed since then, the fact that I consume as much media as possible hasn’t, and that’s why I have a particular interest in this subject: I want to learn about what has always been an integral part of my life.

On this course, I am hoping to study a manner of skills surrounding consumption and production of Media. One aspect which I am particularly looking forward to learning is video editing, as I am interested in learning how to use software to create an end product which I can feel proud of. I’m also excited to learn a bit about cinematography, as I have always been intrigued to know how much work is put into making one shot as aesthetically pleasing as possible.

A skill that I already have is photo editing, and, since i was 12 years old, I have enjoyed utilizing various skills and softwares to make edits of some of my favourite media. However, I have little experience in Photoshop, and, as it’s one of the most prominent editorial softwares, I would like to improve on my skills over the course of the following years.

Finally, I think that the skills I will learn from Media Studies will be transferable to my life, as not only will the course aid me in improving my technological skills, it will potentially aid me in my future career, as I am interested in pursuing a career in the Media, possibly in journalism. I feel the course will aid me in my understanding of how the Media works, as I will be dismantling everything that goes into successful examples, and that it will also help me to become more skilled at managing my time efficiently. Finally, I hope that the course will create more creative opportunities for me, as over the years I’ve began to lose touch with my creative side, and it’s a passion that I’d love to re-kindle.