-Reflections on the  production process for my 60-second KOUG radio newsclip.

Clay Shirky said, on page 77 of Cognitive Surplus,

Taking on a job that is too large and complicated can be demoralizing, but taking on a job that is so simple that it presents few challenges can be both dull and demoralizing. The feeling of competence is often best engaged by working right at the edge of one’s abilities.

Is it true? Do we work best when we feel as if we’re ready to fall off the brink?  I’m depending on the next three months of my life to tell me, “Yes”.

Problem 1.

In order to create the 60-second KOUG radio piece for its January 30 deadline, I need to have it completed no later than the evening of January 27. This week, as every week, my job and class schedules are such that I have to complete all my homework assignments during the weekend. When reviewing the meeting times for various campus clubs and activities, hardly any meet then, or would require multiple hours of time I can’t afford to spend engaging in recreational activities.

Problem 2.

I’m dysfunctional at intuitive digital age audio and visual widgets.

Problem 3.

My on-campus social acumen is zero. Worse. It’s pathetic. I’ve been studying at WSU since 2009 and have not yet visited the student center nor the cafeteria. I have excuses, several of them, but they don’t change the facts.

Problem 1 addressed.

I’m fighting my feelings of hopelessness by working on the parts I can do, rather than the parts that seem impossible. If it is already too late for the 60-second clip and I fail to get audio, I can at least try and get points for the reflections (5 points) and for comments on others’ blogs (5 points), and I might even be able to write a script and have at least the voice-over report even if I don’t have an interview (5 points).

Problem 2 addressed.

Page 188-90 of Briggs‘ journalism NEXT explained how to use the audio editing tool, Audacity, in terms I could understand. Then, after learning in class that there is a place called SoundCloud (don’t laugh, there may yet be other ignorants on earth besides me), I opened an account, and read the help files until I learned how to attach  audio files along with their visual widgets into other media, like WordPress. (I got it on the third try)

Problem 3 addressed.

60-second piece. In one of my classes there is a lady who is, I think, active in the non-traditional students association. Through Angel, I probably have her email address.  Maybe I can interview her and maybe she has a friend who can provide the second source.

120-second piece. My Biology LAB ends at the same time and place as class for the high school science students, and they are always milling around their buses on Wednesday at 4:05.

180-second piece. Umm, still working on it.