What do we really need to learn to get started in the media industry? Should I join the union to get a union job? How do I stay current in this quickly changing media landscape?
We answer all those questions and more in this uncensored, exclusive interview my mentor Winston Mitchell. 

A two time Emmy winner, currently Assistant Professor of Journalism at the University of the Bahamas, Winston has had a long career in media management and production at major networks including CNN, Eyewitness News WABC-TV, and WNYE (PBS-TV). For 20 years he was News Director at the MTA’s Transit Transit News Magazine, the PBS show broadcast into 22 million homes in the New York Tri-state area. Behind the scenes, this unique internship experience allowed aspiring reporters and filmmakers (like me) to get hands-on training and create a production reel. 

Winston and I discuss how his teaching methods helped more than 200 journalists get a start in the media industry. HINT- it involves a thick skin, curiosity and ambition. ANOTHER HINT- you don’t need expensive equipment. Winston explains why delegating is your best friend, and how he went from 14 hour work days to a 14 hour work week. Learn how the media industry has changed (for better and worse), making a living in today’s quickly changing media landscape, and finding information we can trust. 

Have you ever Googled yourself? Winston has. He sets the record straight on the conspiracy theory website “Digging for the Truth” which claims that his ABC7 Eyewitness News report from the World Trade Center on September 11th was fake news. We also find out about his decision to move to Nassau, Bahamas (where he is living in paradise) and what’s next for him when he returns to NYC.

LINKS:
Winston’s Book “Station Break”: https://www.amazon.com/Station-Break-Winston-Mitchell/dp/B002EVHH3Q
John Oliver on who owns your local news stations: https://youtu.be/GvtNyOzGogc

Clarity for your Creative Career: www.LauraMeoli.com/book
Ideal Career Assessment Video: https://youtu.be/xc0_QiV6IFU
Listen to more episodes of the LoudaVision Podcast: www.LoudaVision.com
Follow me on the social media: @LoudaVision

Directing a life you love: ABC News Videographer, Professor & Emmy Winning Director Winston Mitchell

Virtual Reality is a multi-billion dollar industry that is growing each day. Seemingly born out of video games and film, it is naturally catching-on as a new medium that allows for endless possibilities in entertainment, marketing, education and visual storytelling. 

Today’s expert is Michael Grabowski, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Chair of the Communication department at Manhattan College. He began his career in television over two decades ago and his work on documentaries, short and feature films, commercials, music videos and news has been seen at the Guggenheim, the Smithsonian, in several film festivals, and on several broadcast and cable networks. Dr. Grabowski’s research in neuroscience, film history and virtual reality converge to provide a unique perspective on this emerging new phenomenon. 

In this episode, we’ll explore:
-the difference between Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality.
-how VR works to create an immersive environment with a stereoscopic 360 degree view and spatial audio.
-the director’s role in VR production and design.
-different ways to create VR: 360 degree video vs computer animated 3D worlds (using software like Maya, Unreal Engine or Unity). 

We learn about how VR challenges our multi-sensory perception, making users of VR active experiencers rather than just passive viewers. Beyond our five senses, VR activates our thermoception, proprioception, linear acceleration, and our vestibular sense. However, with this great power comes great responsibility. For producers of VR, we discuss the ethical considerations so as to not create “bad VR”. 

Dr. Grabowski shares his predictions for future content and experimental work in VR, how its emergence will compare to that of TV, and why we shouldn’t think of VR in the same way as we do film. With 4D rides in amusement parks, fully immersive video games, and VR documentaries challenging our ideas of what film can be, this episode is a must-listen.

LINKS:
The McGurk effect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-lN8vWm3m0
www.MichaelGrabowski.com
www.twitter.com/filmgrabowski

Clarity for your Creative Career: www.LauraMeoli.com/book
Ideal Career Assessment Video: https://youtu.be/xc0_QiV6IFU
Listen to more episodes of the LoudaVision Podcast: www.LoudaVision.com
Follow me on the social media: @LoudaVision

Image Credit: Alexandre Girardeau

Virtual Reality: Perception, Production, Possibilities

Neil Mellstrom creates music for films as a composer in New York. A recent graduate of Skidmore College, Neil has conducted and arranged for Skidmore’s orchestra, and worked as a technical assistant for the on-campus recording studio. He also has experience in scoring podcasts, films, TV and online media in pretty much every genre there is. 

In this episode, we’ll explore:
-the three fundamentals of any great soundtrack or film score
-the creative process and technology used for composing a hybrid score
-copyright concerns for music in film & how to find music you can use
-how to best search for music within an online sound library
-editing to music vs scoring a scene
-low-tech solutions for recording your own music at home

Have you ever wondered who makes music for those sound libraries? Neil gives us a peek into the studio at how those tracks are made. We also take a listen to one of his scores for a popular TV show, and you are encouraged to play along with us! After listening through to the 7 minute mark, see if you guessed what was happening in the scene based on the audio alone. Here’s a secret link to that clip that Neil scored, so you can check your answers: https://youtu.be/pRBkFcDZW90

LINKS:
Neil on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Neil-Mellstrom-106864597775974
Clarity for your Creative Career: www.LauraMeoli.com/book
Free Skillshare Premium & Learn Podcasting & Recording High Quality Videos From Home: https://www.skillshare.com/r/user/loudavision
Listen to more episodes of the LoudaVision Podcast: www.LoudaVision.com
Follow me on the social media: @LoudaVision

Creating and Selecting Music for Films with Neil Mellstrom

Are you a creative person struggling to turn your passion into a career? The LoudaVision Podcast aims to break the stereotype of the “starving, struggling artist” by sharing ways to make money without sacrificing happiness. Experts discuss what it takes to succeed in the arts, and methods for bringing your creative vision to life. Hosted by Emmy award-winning Filmmaker & Artist Laura Meoli.
For more creative tips and inspiration, check out www.LoudaVision.com and connect with me on Twitter @LoudaVision

If you like what you hear, insight and content from this podcast has been turned into a book! Get your copy today on Amazon.com: https://www.LauraMeoli.com/Book

The LoudaVision Podcast

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