In my Intro to Communications class, I was asked to produce a website that professionally represents myself. Prior to the class I have already obtained a website for my wedding videography business. However, these past couple of months I have wanted to redesign my website. Therefore, I found this to be a great opportunity to release my new website, with its new design. You can find the new website posted on:
http://www.stevenson-productions.com/
Also, here are some links to the old website design, although they are unconnected and not formatted to web standards now:
Home: http://stevensonproduction.ipage.com/Old%20Web%20Site/index.html
Gallery: http://stevensonproduction.ipage.com/Old%20Web%20Site/Gallery.htm
Weddings: http://stevensonproduction.ipage.com/Old%20Web%20Site/Weddings.htm
Contacts: http://stevensonproduction.ipage.com/Old%20Web%20Site/Contact%20Us.htm
If you take a look at the differences in the new and old website, you will find that the new website sends a very different message than the old website. This is because of these factors:
Design – The design is cleaner and more organized making it easier for potential clients to navigate. This could communicate that doing business with me is easy and simple.
Testimonials – This new addition will give a potential client the “word of mouth” feeling when he or she is viewing my site.
Simplicity – There are less links and words, which I believe simplifies the website and makes communicating easier.
More facebook links – This encourages the visitor to stay connected and continue communication.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Facebook Usefulness
As a business owner, I rely on the word of mouth very heavily. Yes, I do participate in online advertising in various areas and I often spend a little more than I should on advertising. However, there is nothing more valuable than word of mouth. For one, it is free. Also, word of mouth is effective. For example, a bride may be looking for a wedding videographer. She will look online and find dozens of wedding professionals in her area. Often, the bride will become confused because each potential vendor will claim to be “the best”.
However, If the bride asks a friend or family member that had been recently married which wedding videographer the bride should choose, the friend will most likely recommend the vendor he or she had at their wedding, that is if he or she enjoyed the vendor. Therefore, it is important to not only do a good job when working for a client, but to establish an identity and to remind the client that you are still there for him or her. I have found that the greatest way to sustain this relationship with previous clients is to establish a facebook page much like the Communications Department does with their facebook page in relation to their students.
Currently, almost everyone has a facebook, particularly those of age of marriage, in which is, of course, is the target audience of my business advertising. After almost every wedding booked, I have a habit of friend requesting the client and suggesting my facebook page to them. This is useful for two reasons: quick feedback and communication with the client (which usually ends up in a friendship), and, more significantly, to keep my company’s name in the back of the clients mind. This is so the client will not forget about my business when another potential client asks about me. Also, my facebook page is a quick reference to information and contacts for my business to clients.
Similarly, the Shepherd University Department of Communications does the same. Their facebook page updates their students on the upcoming events that the department or students are involved in. For example, the department had a student film festival earlier this semester. Although my professor had already told my class about this event, facebook was the first place I heard about the event. Also, many potential employers are joined on the facebook page which gives students opportunities for jobs and internships. Consequently, facebook has connected their students to the department even more and established a much stronger identity.
Overall, facebook is a huge opportunity for all organizations and businesses. Facebook allows people and peers to connect easily and quickly. Many business owners like me take advantage of facebook with previous and potential clients. Also, to establish my business to my friends and family. On the other side, organizations like the Shepherd Communications Department utilize facebook to announce and organize events and to connect the department together.
However, If the bride asks a friend or family member that had been recently married which wedding videographer the bride should choose, the friend will most likely recommend the vendor he or she had at their wedding, that is if he or she enjoyed the vendor. Therefore, it is important to not only do a good job when working for a client, but to establish an identity and to remind the client that you are still there for him or her. I have found that the greatest way to sustain this relationship with previous clients is to establish a facebook page much like the Communications Department does with their facebook page in relation to their students.
Currently, almost everyone has a facebook, particularly those of age of marriage, in which is, of course, is the target audience of my business advertising. After almost every wedding booked, I have a habit of friend requesting the client and suggesting my facebook page to them. This is useful for two reasons: quick feedback and communication with the client (which usually ends up in a friendship), and, more significantly, to keep my company’s name in the back of the clients mind. This is so the client will not forget about my business when another potential client asks about me. Also, my facebook page is a quick reference to information and contacts for my business to clients.
Similarly, the Shepherd University Department of Communications does the same. Their facebook page updates their students on the upcoming events that the department or students are involved in. For example, the department had a student film festival earlier this semester. Although my professor had already told my class about this event, facebook was the first place I heard about the event. Also, many potential employers are joined on the facebook page which gives students opportunities for jobs and internships. Consequently, facebook has connected their students to the department even more and established a much stronger identity.
Overall, facebook is a huge opportunity for all organizations and businesses. Facebook allows people and peers to connect easily and quickly. Many business owners like me take advantage of facebook with previous and potential clients. Also, to establish my business to my friends and family. On the other side, organizations like the Shepherd Communications Department utilize facebook to announce and organize events and to connect the department together.
VALS Test - My Consumer Behaviors
In my Intro to Communications class, I was asked to complete the VALS survey. In this survey I was asked particular questions about my personality and my look on how life should be lived. Specifically, the test looks at my attributes in relation to the Survey of the American Consumer to determine what VALS type I am. After completing the test, I discovered that my primary VALS type was an experiencer, with a secondary VALS type as an achiever.
The test explains that experiencers are “motivated by self-expression. Young, enthusiastic, and impulsive consumers, Experiencers quickly become enthusiastic about new possibilities but are equally quick to cool.” Because I own a wedding video business, I can agree with these characteristics that my purchases are often impulsive, especially with business expenses when I find myself purchasing the newest and greatest video equipment or accessories just because a larger, national video company did the same. In fact, the site’s description of “experiencers” go on to say that “Their purchases reflect the emphasis that they place on looking good and having "cool" stuff.” Which I can also admit describes me.
However, I believe that one can grow out of these attributes. Perhaps my impulsivity of a young and enthusiastic consumer may grow out of me when I graduate; additionally, because of a larger budget where I may have to pay more bills. Arguably, age plays a large role in the VALS type. Perhaps most students will receive an “experiencer” rating.
Moving on, the site describes my secondary VALS type, which is an achiever. The site describes an achiever as “Motivated by the desire for achievement, Achievers have goal-oriented lifestyles and a deep commitment to career and family. Their social lives reflect this focus and are structured around family, their place of worship, and work. Achievers live conventional lives, are politically conservative, and respect authority and the status quo. They value consensus, predictability, and stability over risk, intimacy, and self-discovery.” For the most part, this well describes me. First of all, most activities are based around goals that I wish to achieve for future jobs and business. For example, I hope to become a national wedding filmmaker. In response, I look to make every one of my local wedding videos superior, in hopes to spread my business further. The VALS description goes on to describe attributes that repeat those of “experiencers”. Also, the site states that I am likely to buy time-saving products. Which is very true, for my business takes up a lot of my time. For example, this year I purchased a CD/DVD duplicator, which saved me a lot of time on large projects.
Overall, The VALS test accurately describes the consumer needs and behaviors. As a business person and wedding professional, I find this very interesting and useful. For example, I find that many brides and grooms, although not financially stable, are very young and therefore, may be in the “experiencer” category. I believe this because lots of their friends and family will be at the wedding and they may want to newest and best things to impress their peers. Therefore, flashy and new items may be in the market for the wedding business. I only wish that I could receive test results of potential clients so that I may find what they need.
The test explains that experiencers are “motivated by self-expression. Young, enthusiastic, and impulsive consumers, Experiencers quickly become enthusiastic about new possibilities but are equally quick to cool.” Because I own a wedding video business, I can agree with these characteristics that my purchases are often impulsive, especially with business expenses when I find myself purchasing the newest and greatest video equipment or accessories just because a larger, national video company did the same. In fact, the site’s description of “experiencers” go on to say that “Their purchases reflect the emphasis that they place on looking good and having "cool" stuff.” Which I can also admit describes me.
However, I believe that one can grow out of these attributes. Perhaps my impulsivity of a young and enthusiastic consumer may grow out of me when I graduate; additionally, because of a larger budget where I may have to pay more bills. Arguably, age plays a large role in the VALS type. Perhaps most students will receive an “experiencer” rating.
Moving on, the site describes my secondary VALS type, which is an achiever. The site describes an achiever as “Motivated by the desire for achievement, Achievers have goal-oriented lifestyles and a deep commitment to career and family. Their social lives reflect this focus and are structured around family, their place of worship, and work. Achievers live conventional lives, are politically conservative, and respect authority and the status quo. They value consensus, predictability, and stability over risk, intimacy, and self-discovery.” For the most part, this well describes me. First of all, most activities are based around goals that I wish to achieve for future jobs and business. For example, I hope to become a national wedding filmmaker. In response, I look to make every one of my local wedding videos superior, in hopes to spread my business further. The VALS description goes on to describe attributes that repeat those of “experiencers”. Also, the site states that I am likely to buy time-saving products. Which is very true, for my business takes up a lot of my time. For example, this year I purchased a CD/DVD duplicator, which saved me a lot of time on large projects.
Overall, The VALS test accurately describes the consumer needs and behaviors. As a business person and wedding professional, I find this very interesting and useful. For example, I find that many brides and grooms, although not financially stable, are very young and therefore, may be in the “experiencer” category. I believe this because lots of their friends and family will be at the wedding and they may want to newest and best things to impress their peers. Therefore, flashy and new items may be in the market for the wedding business. I only wish that I could receive test results of potential clients so that I may find what they need.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Talking about Videogames
Although I have discussed the effects of video games and violence in society of having no effect; videogames can, however, affect one socially. With many new ways to socialize and communicate in new videogames, gamers are finding videogames a social event rather than an activity spent alone. This applies to both multiplayer videogames such as World of Warcraft and single player games such as many adventure games like the Zelda series. Another article in A Media Studies Reader describes how the video game players are now engaging in socializing while playing videogames in “Talking about Videogames” by James Newman.
The first aspect of socialization in videogames comes from the new technology of communication while engaging in gameplay. Typically, this communication is in the form of voice from a microphone headset that both sends and receives sounds from other players playing the same game at the same time. Also, the player can type and receive messages while playing. This new form of communication makes videogames a social event rather than a single player activity. Previously, videogamers were struck with a stereotype of a socially awkward and lonely person that spends most of his or her time alone playing videogames. However, because of this new technology, the player can socialize and play the game at the same time, creating a new social network that gives the player a more social experience rather than a social disconnected experience.
Before the new technology of microphone headsets in gaming, gamers still were socially linked by connecting with other videogamers that are playing similar games.
For example, if a very popular videogame (without an online multiplayer option or without a microphone headset option) releases on a particular day and most players purchase and play the game on the same day, the players will often socialize significantly when he or she is not playing the game. This concept is known as the “watercooler movement” (466) and usually occurs at work or at school.
The article also attempts to contradict the “watercooler movement” by stating that different players have different skills and consoles (which result in different gameplay and/or release date) that will separate each player socially. However, I argue that this can either create more conversation and socializing or it can result in social stratification of the players. For instance, those that are really good at the game will join into a group and those that are average players will join into a group. Or, the two groups could socialize about the differences between the gameplay of the two platforms or positions in the game. Furthermore, the “watercooler movement” shows that videogamers are in tune with the social community.
The first aspect of socialization in videogames comes from the new technology of communication while engaging in gameplay. Typically, this communication is in the form of voice from a microphone headset that both sends and receives sounds from other players playing the same game at the same time. Also, the player can type and receive messages while playing. This new form of communication makes videogames a social event rather than a single player activity. Previously, videogamers were struck with a stereotype of a socially awkward and lonely person that spends most of his or her time alone playing videogames. However, because of this new technology, the player can socialize and play the game at the same time, creating a new social network that gives the player a more social experience rather than a social disconnected experience.
Before the new technology of microphone headsets in gaming, gamers still were socially linked by connecting with other videogamers that are playing similar games.
For example, if a very popular videogame (without an online multiplayer option or without a microphone headset option) releases on a particular day and most players purchase and play the game on the same day, the players will often socialize significantly when he or she is not playing the game. This concept is known as the “watercooler movement” (466) and usually occurs at work or at school.
The article also attempts to contradict the “watercooler movement” by stating that different players have different skills and consoles (which result in different gameplay and/or release date) that will separate each player socially. However, I argue that this can either create more conversation and socializing or it can result in social stratification of the players. For instance, those that are really good at the game will join into a group and those that are average players will join into a group. Or, the two groups could socialize about the differences between the gameplay of the two platforms or positions in the game. Furthermore, the “watercooler movement” shows that videogamers are in tune with the social community.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
What is a Game?
My class has recently brought up the topic of violence in video games and media. It is believed that media, especially video games, is causing a violence in real world society. However, I have reason to believe that violence is not caused by the video gaming industry according to A Media Studies Reader’s article: What is a Game?
In this article, Johan Huizinga finds a common theme in video games as well as normal games such as chess and poker. Huizinga finds that “games construct a ‘magic circle’ which separates the game from the outside world” (153). He goes on to say that no matter what happens in the game itself, it has no effect in the real world. For example, if one is playing a game of solitaire, no matter how long one plays the game or wins or loses the game, it will have no separate effect on the real life world. Thus, a “magic circle” is created around the gamer that creates a separation between the gamer and the real world.
Although Huizinga makes a great point about the matter of gaming, it is believed that some real life consequences can result from games. Edward Castronova, for example, argues Huizinga’s point of the “magic circle” by listing several consequences that games can cause. For instance, games require time to play that can take time away from other activities in life such as sleeping. Castronova adds that games can affect our moods and behavior. For instance, America’s Army is used as an effective recruitment tool for the United States Army (154).
Although both authors make a valid point, I am left to believe that gaming does not have a direct affect on violence in society. Although Castronova arguably proves that gaming can directly affect someone’s mood and decisions, there is still a “magic circle” that the gamer is aware of that separates the game from reality. Although the game can manipulate the gamer’s mood, the gamer is very aware of the boundaries of the “magic circle” that the game creates; because of this circle, it is unlikely for the gamer to make rash decisions based on a world or concept that the gamer knows is not real. For example, if a gamer is playing “Call of Duty”, a war game, and the gamers opponent has destroy the gamer, making the gamer lose the game, the gamer can become angry and enraged because he or she lost the imaginary game. However, the gamer will not become angry because he or she had lost real world supplies and lives. This is because the gamer is very aware that there is a “magic circle” that separates him or herself from the real world. Therefore, violence is arguable not caused by violent video games.
In this article, Johan Huizinga finds a common theme in video games as well as normal games such as chess and poker. Huizinga finds that “games construct a ‘magic circle’ which separates the game from the outside world” (153). He goes on to say that no matter what happens in the game itself, it has no effect in the real world. For example, if one is playing a game of solitaire, no matter how long one plays the game or wins or loses the game, it will have no separate effect on the real life world. Thus, a “magic circle” is created around the gamer that creates a separation between the gamer and the real world.
Although Huizinga makes a great point about the matter of gaming, it is believed that some real life consequences can result from games. Edward Castronova, for example, argues Huizinga’s point of the “magic circle” by listing several consequences that games can cause. For instance, games require time to play that can take time away from other activities in life such as sleeping. Castronova adds that games can affect our moods and behavior. For instance, America’s Army is used as an effective recruitment tool for the United States Army (154).
Although both authors make a valid point, I am left to believe that gaming does not have a direct affect on violence in society. Although Castronova arguably proves that gaming can directly affect someone’s mood and decisions, there is still a “magic circle” that the gamer is aware of that separates the game from reality. Although the game can manipulate the gamer’s mood, the gamer is very aware of the boundaries of the “magic circle” that the game creates; because of this circle, it is unlikely for the gamer to make rash decisions based on a world or concept that the gamer knows is not real. For example, if a gamer is playing “Call of Duty”, a war game, and the gamers opponent has destroy the gamer, making the gamer lose the game, the gamer can become angry and enraged because he or she lost the imaginary game. However, the gamer will not become angry because he or she had lost real world supplies and lives. This is because the gamer is very aware that there is a “magic circle” that separates him or herself from the real world. Therefore, violence is arguable not caused by violent video games.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
My Learning Style
As I continue my college career, I ask myself how I can better my learning skills to further improve in my studies. By changing my learning styles, I can more accurately learn subjects by simply changing the media in which I study with, or by changing the strategy of how I study a particular subject. For example, I could watch a demonstration of a science experiment rather than reading about the scientific concept. Or, I could learn about the human body in parts rather than as a whole. Overall, the learning style of a student can determine how the student learns from particular methods of teaching.
I have taken several questionnaires that examine my particular learning style and I have discovered that I am an excessive visual thinker. In fact, I have been told that I may have real difficulties with verbal learning such as lectures. I can use this information to help my studies in school. Perhaps I could study more with online videos and demonstrations to help me study.
I have also been told that I have a strong kinesthetic learning preference. This means that I learn by “doing” rather than reading or hearing. This information suggests that I do more “hands-on” learning.
Finally, I found that I learn more globally than sequentially. A global learner learns better when the subject is taught in pieces rather than altogether and in order. For example, if I were to learn about U.S. History, I would prefer to begin at WWII and then back to the Civil War. On the other hand, a sequentially learner may want U.S. History to begin at Christopher Columbus and then the Mayflower, and so on. Since I am a global learner, it may benefit me to learn the subject out of order, so that I may learn the subject as a whole and more accurately.
I have taken several questionnaires that examine my particular learning style and I have discovered that I am an excessive visual thinker. In fact, I have been told that I may have real difficulties with verbal learning such as lectures. I can use this information to help my studies in school. Perhaps I could study more with online videos and demonstrations to help me study.
I have also been told that I have a strong kinesthetic learning preference. This means that I learn by “doing” rather than reading or hearing. This information suggests that I do more “hands-on” learning.
Finally, I found that I learn more globally than sequentially. A global learner learns better when the subject is taught in pieces rather than altogether and in order. For example, if I were to learn about U.S. History, I would prefer to begin at WWII and then back to the Civil War. On the other hand, a sequentially learner may want U.S. History to begin at Christopher Columbus and then the Mayflower, and so on. Since I am a global learner, it may benefit me to learn the subject out of order, so that I may learn the subject as a whole and more accurately.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Careers in Communication - Comm 203
I have recently researched a possible future career in “Careers in Communications” by Shonan Noronha. I chose to focus on the filming industry. Although it seems impractical, I chose to study positions the film industry as a possible “dream job”.
Film contains lots of different positions that form a bureaucracy of how the film is created. Similar to any job, one is expected to work from the bottom up. These lower jobs often entail taking orders or doing boring and repetitive tasks. The higher jobs such as the director, editor, and producer are never entry level jobs. These positions take years of hard work to achieve. Nevertheless, these high positions all have an organization of who tells who what to do.
My position of interest was an editor. However, the editor also has lower entry-level jobs such as the dubbing editor, assistant editor, and the editing room assistant. Although these positions are considered uninteresting and tedious, they are the basic skills of editing that an aspiring editor must learn.
After reading about the film industry, I have realized that I may not want to work for these large companies. Most jobs in film are in various locations that are far away from my hometown. Also, the job market is very tight in these markets.
Therefore, I believe that it would be more beneficial to work independently. At the moment, I am already working independently on smaller jobs such as weddings and personal videos. However, I hope to expand in the future and start to shoot commercials for local business or make documentaries for local television stations. Hopefully in the future, there will be many new markets to allow me expand my interest in the film industry.
Film contains lots of different positions that form a bureaucracy of how the film is created. Similar to any job, one is expected to work from the bottom up. These lower jobs often entail taking orders or doing boring and repetitive tasks. The higher jobs such as the director, editor, and producer are never entry level jobs. These positions take years of hard work to achieve. Nevertheless, these high positions all have an organization of who tells who what to do.
My position of interest was an editor. However, the editor also has lower entry-level jobs such as the dubbing editor, assistant editor, and the editing room assistant. Although these positions are considered uninteresting and tedious, they are the basic skills of editing that an aspiring editor must learn.
After reading about the film industry, I have realized that I may not want to work for these large companies. Most jobs in film are in various locations that are far away from my hometown. Also, the job market is very tight in these markets.
Therefore, I believe that it would be more beneficial to work independently. At the moment, I am already working independently on smaller jobs such as weddings and personal videos. However, I hope to expand in the future and start to shoot commercials for local business or make documentaries for local television stations. Hopefully in the future, there will be many new markets to allow me expand my interest in the film industry.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Introduction to My Blog -Comm 203
Hello and welcome to my Blog. My name is Joey Stevenson and I hope to share my communication skills with the public. I am currently enrolled in Shepherd University as a Mass Communications major with a concentration in Digital Filmmaking. Also, I minor in Photography. Throughout my college career I hope to share my school projects with the blogging community. Furthermore, I hope to share some of my more professional projects as well.
I currently own and manage a small event videography business by myself. My business produces short films that I plan on sharing in addition to my school work.
I appreciate any comments and feedback on my blog and I hope you enjoy it.
Joey Stevenson
I currently own and manage a small event videography business by myself. My business produces short films that I plan on sharing in addition to my school work.
I appreciate any comments and feedback on my blog and I hope you enjoy it.
Joey Stevenson
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