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Reality television may only be a vestibule to get us used to the idea of “Big Brother”. The concept of Big Brother as a character emerged in George Orwell’s novel “1984″ The term “Big Brother is watching”, was a line of propaganda used to scare others. The movie Gattaca continued to deal with the idea of the government watching every step and being omnipotent. The notion of Power and control is an interesting idea to further explore. As media becomes more and more convergent, our private lives are less private. When I first watched Gattaca I wondered how it was possible that society slowly allowed itself to be so policed. However, as different technological tools continue to impact and converge on one another reality shows may only just be embracing what is the norm. It may be that one then just begins to question less and less when in such circumstances.

It could be contended that all reality shows incorporate the idea of Big Brother. Cameras watching contestants from every angle, at every moment. Although reality shows are termed “reality” when we look at the number of script writers and directors we are forced to ask the question “is reality television truly reality?” People on reality shows do not act as they normally would because:
* They are not in normal circumstances.
* Impression management (the idea that we behave well when we are being watched).
* Social desirability bias (we follow social rules when we are being watched) and other contributing variables.

Furthermore, editors and directors are able to manipulate the sequence and format in which we view an event.

The idea that reality shows are not true reality might, in time, encourage producers to create a real “Truman Show”. The “Truman Show” depicted a man raised in an artificial environment from birth for the purposes of a reality television show. As producers and studios continue to try and top each other for their next ratings we might soon see people depicted in artificial environments without their consent for long periods of time.

One of the main reasons reality shows have become so popular is because of their use of convergent media. Reality shows have managed to harness not only the television set, but also the use of cell phones and the internet. Reality shows have raised the bar on potential marketing strategies. Advertisers are no longer forced to only communicate through print media and television advertisements; they are now able to advertise on the internet and cell phones. As digital recording devices, such as Tivo, progressively become more widely spread people are able to easily skip through commercial breaks on television. Consequently, advertisers are forced to find new avenues through which to market their products. It may eventuate that mobile phones will become more utilised by advertising agents (and in turn this will bring mobile phone fees down).

When reviewing an article on the Future of Reality television Gary Carter, a key figure in the global distribution of Big Brother commented that “audiences now demand a great deal more than in the past. Expectations have grown so much that viewers now expect a degree of control over their programming that has gone as far as exercising control over the final outcome of a show.” Internet Reference . While reviewing the article one may ask why have we not marketed non-reality shows in the same fashion? There is nothing to stop television dramas from being affected by viewer opinions, or create special segments to only be viewed on the internet or on a mobile phone. DVD distributors add special features to Movies when you watch them on DVD so why then have television dramas not as yet added special features to their formats?

When reality shows first started airing, many believed that it was just a passing phase. However, reality shows seem to have worked their way into the norm. The following is only a small assortment of what reality shows are currently airing:

“The Benefactor”: Mark Cuban, billionaire, gives away a million dollars to a stranger.

“Survivor”: A group of stranger’s compete in a number of different tasks on a deserted island to win a million dollars.

“The Billionaire: Branson’s Quest for the Best”: This is a take off of The Apprentice but with Richard Branson.

“The Apprentice”: A group of upcoming businessmen and women compete against one another to become Donald Trumps new apprentice with a salary of $250,000 a year.

“The Partner”: Top law school graduates compete against lawyers from less privileged schools for a spot at one of the top law firms in the US.

“Big Man on Campus”: Sorority sisters pick the “coolest” Fraternity boy.

“Wannabes”: Comedian Jamie Kennedy tries to show people what it is like to try and make it in Hollywood, with a group of ‘wannabes’.

Reality shows have simply become another genre with which to interact. The use of convergent media in reality shows has also given us a prototype by which we might change the format of both movies and television shows.

Reality shows have allowed the all Seeing Eye to not only exists in our society but to be embraced!

References:
Reality Television

Excellent Wiki on Convergence And Television

Very Funny Article on Why More Reality Shows Are Needed

New Reality Shows For 2005

Flew T, New Media: An Introduction (2nd Ed)

The illegal downloading of songs from the Internet is, in my belief, only a small illustration of what is yet to occur in the film and television industry. If current recording labels wish to maintain both their power and wealth they will have to re-think their existing roles. …….. foresight in creating the IPOD is the sort of forward thinking that everyone in the entertainment industry will need to make. I believe that unless power houses such as Paramount, Fox, Warner etc actively change the way in which they distribute their products there will be a re-distribution of both wealth and power. This is the perfect platform for forward thinking innovative individuals to make their mark on the “Entertainment” industry.

As a student interested in “Producing”, possibly one of the positions most likely to feel the current climate changes, it is impetrative that I acknowledge the changes set to take place and explore the changes to set to occur in that job profile. One of the primary issues of concern, with the ever-increasing emergence of the internet, is the lack of “necessity” for distribution houses and other such vestibules. In some instances the role of the producer, if not tied to another position such as a director, may become unnecessary. In the current film industry Producers are the most power players. Thus question posed is what can they do to maintain their power?

Mobile Phones and Movies

Mobile phones have become one of the fastest growing technological tools of our age. Once considered only a business tool now it seems as though every teenager cannot live with out their own mobile phone. Each year mobile phone companies come out with new technologically advanced phones. First it was color, then a cameras what’s next?

I believe we will start manufacturing television shows; music clips and possibly films only for mobile phones. The size of mobile phones means that different types of images need to be considered, for example shots with great depth would most likely appear to hazy on mobile phones, so studios would need to tailor make products directly for mobile phones. A more important opinion to consider is that phones are currently used as communication devises, people buy them in order to communicate with one another, not to listen to music, watch shows or commercials.

However, what if we re-think how mobile phones are used! Many people commute to and from work each morning via public transport or car-pool. What if their cell phone provided them with the option of watching a TV soap each morning and listing to the news on their way home. Moreover, infomercials via a mobile phone would allow a person to do all their holiday shopping on their way to work in the morning, and it may be as simple as an SMS with credit card details. With the rise of TIVO advertisers need new outlets to market their products (Mark Pesce “the new reality for producers”AFTRS 2003. Marketing via mobile phone commercials may become the easiest and most convenient new outlet.

More Views on Mobile Phone Movies

“Teamwork”

As a Master of Media Production student, and a person wishing to enter the entertainment industry it is imperative to grasp the importance of “teamwork”. Successful teamwork can ultimately be the difference between success and failure in the entertainment industry. As I am about to embark on a major team project, which will ultimately take a year and a half to complete, I felt it a necessity to first research what teamwork is, and what makes a team a success or a failure.

“The lone problem solver can’t match the diversity of knowledge and perspectives of a multiperson unit that includes him” (Cialdini.R, August 16th, 2004, pg 1)

In a recent interview with James Watson and Francis Crick, who won a Nobel Prize for their discovery of the double helix structure of DNA, Watson noted a stunning reason for their success “he and Crick had cracked the elusive code of DNA because they weren’t the most intelligent of scientists pursuing the answer. According to Watson, the smartest of the lot was Rosalind Franklin…….Rosalind was so intelligent, observed Watson, that she rarely sought advice. If you are the brightest person in the room, you’re in trouble”. (Cialdini. R August 16th, 2004 pg 2)

Definition of Teamwork:
Teamwork is described as a group of “individuals” who working together in a cooperative environment act in unison in order to achieve a shared vision. This is achieved when team players who display a high level of commitment take on differing roles and coordinate their efforts successfully in order to achieve a desired outcome. (West.M, 2004, pg 5 ).

Teamwork is about many “individuals”, becoming a “unit of one” with the purpose of achieving a common goal, which reflects their shared objective. The most effective teams, it is postulated, are those which are guided by a compelling vision of the teams overall purpose (Maginn. M, 2004, pg 10).

Consequently, the identification of a common goal is an imperative which must exist before a team can function effectively.

Key factors identified as imperative for successful teamwork are:

*Sense of Common Purpose and team identity:
All team members have to focus on a clear common goal. Teams can learn, grow and achieve their ultimate vision by putting their personal interests aside and pursuing goals that are best for the team. “Competent teams are guided by a common and compelling vision of the teams overall purpose” (West.M, 2004, pg 21).

* Commitment and Motivation to Achieve Team Goals - Every team member must be a team player:
All members of the team must be committed to achieving the desired outcome. Teams often posses the power to succeed or to fail dependant on the attitude they adopt towards successfully completing their mission. The attitude adopted by a team can be a compelling factor in the success or failure of the project. Teams that are able to visualize the successful completion of their project create, “a frame of mind (that is) necessary to get them through the inevitable technical and business obstacles” which occur during the organizational stages of a project (Ref). Attitude helps to define a teams identity. Consequently it is important that everyone involved in any given team framework works towards the same goal and the same attitude of determination to achieve that goal.

Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics stresses, “if you think you can, you can. And, if you think you can’t, you’re right.” (Ref).

* Trust In Others:
An important factor identified with teamwork is the notion of “trust”. Effective team members support one-another. They experience a sense of trust and security in their teams ability to follow through with their task and complete their objective with the desired level of success (Maginn.M, 2004).

* Communication:
Team members should be encouraged to communicate openly and supportively at all stages of the organizational process. Active listing and using direct and respectful speech are important in the communication process (West.M, 2004, pg 20). Adequate communication allows for effective, creative and timely solutions in teamwork. A single person cannot match the diversity and knowledge of a mutliperson unit. “We can all recall being led to a productive insight by the comment of a colleague who didn’t deliver the insight itself but who sparked an association that did the trick” ( Cialdini.R)

* No idea is a bad idea:
An effective technique to employ in a team is that of “brainstorming.” It is therefore important that one clearly understands the principles upon which the activity of brainstorming is based. Brainstorming as an exercise underscores the contention “no idea is a bad idea.”

The “no idea is a bad idea,” maxim is constantly verified in the literature that relates to effective practices in teamwork.

For ideas to develop one needs to create a “safe” environment that allows for ideas to be expressed within the workings of the team. Such a “safe” environment in which ideas can be expressed openly is one that shields the innovator from criticism, judgmental or negative comments.

Michael Eisner (CEO of Disney) created the “The Gong Show.” This show provides a forum in which members of Disney, regardless of rank, are given the opportunity to pitch an idea for an animated film. “For this to work, you must have an environment where people feel safe about giving their ideas. And, while we do not pull our punches when people present their ideas we create an atmosphere in which each idea can receive full and serious consideration”( Eisner M. 1998, p 68-70).

*Diversity:
The differences inherent in each team are what makes the team work. Every person on a team originates from a unique context, every person has had a different education, different jobs and different experiences and every person perceives phenomena in different ways. It is the responsibility of a team leader to assemble a team that contains diversity of thought and practice. It is just such diversity that will ultimately result in and promote dynamic arguments, exciting debates and creative problem solving attitudes.

* Identification of the Team Leader:
Effective and successful teams have talented team leaders who influence, guide and facilitate a coordinated team approach when focusing on the issue or project on hand.

Pitfalls associated with the Teamwork approach
Teamwork at the organizational level may fail to achieve a desired outcome due to a number of differing factors:

* “Captainitis” - this is where teamwork fails at the most basic level. The Captain or team-leader assumes all problem-solving responsibilities. By doing so the other team members opt out of remaining accountable of their share of the responsibilities (Cialdini. R, 2004 August 16th)

* “Teamacide” - A psychological situation where the team makes a conscious decision, without discussion, to cause the project to fail. This may be a result of personal conflicts, technical frustration, lack of motivation, etc., (Ref).

*Rewards For Excellent Teamwork.
Teams are supposed to act as body of one; this however does not preclude individuals from being rewarded. Studies have shown that recognizing individual efforts in the “teamwork structure” promotes self-esteem and further motivates workers (Maginn.M, 2004 pg 16).

Rewards to individuals, and teams, do not only have to be monetary they can also be the granting of more responsibility or allowing the group or individual to be given a choice as to what their next project will be.

Bibliography
Eisner. M 1998 “Managing A Creative Organization”, Qantas Club, Summer p 68-70

Maginn.M 2004 “Making Teams Work”, McGraw Hill Companies, USA.

Pulse.S 2002 “Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Once More With Feeling” Twentieth Century Fox, USA.

One of the people I most admire is Avi Arad, the current CEO of Marvel Entertainment studios.

I believe Arad had the forsight to change Marvel Studios and make transform it into one of the most powerful studios in the world.

Avi Arad