Ulises:A Mastery Journey

An in depth journal into the world of New Media Journalism Master's Degree Program at Full Sail University. I'm a part time chef, part time entrepreneur, part time blogcaster, full time mastermind.

[ulisesmasterymindjournal]

New Media Final Project + Mastery Journal Entry

For my original Mastery NMJ timeline goal for this course I had the following goals:

 1. Create a portfolio website to effectively and aesthetically publish my work.

 2. Create a blog for the website where I show the process of my work and content creation.

 3. Create a research-based thesis paper to support the website and blog.

 For the completion of these goals I identified the following strategies: 

1. Read book “The Elements of Journalism: What Newspeople Should Know and the Public Should Expect, Completely Updated and Revised” by author Bill Kovach.

2. Watch course “Building a Responsive Portfolio Site” at Lynda. 

3. Watch course “Planning a Web Design Portfolio: Growing Your Freelance Business” at Lynda.com

 4. Watch course “Create an Online Portfolio with WordPress” at Lynda.com

 Out of the three goals, I can safely say I completed two out of three. The first one: "Creating a portfolio website to effectively and aesthetically publish my work," and the second one: "creating a research-based thesis paper to support the website and blog." The blog for the website where I show the process of my work and content creation will be created as soon as I’m done turning in the research-based thesis paper. I could claim that the totality of the website has been done in a blog-like format and yet that would feel like cheating.

 I didn’t use any of the resources mentioned in the strategies section of the original Mastery NMJ timeline. I almost didn’t use any of the resources for the other courses. I think I overestimated the time I had to complete each strategy. When you add three part-time jobs, all the material the professors share, and the weekly assignments, achieving these plans becomes involved. The only way I can see myself doing any of them is with a well-planned work calendar. Now that the degree is over, I will go back to the beginning and re-do the whole thing but from the perspective of the original Mastery NMJ timeline. I understand the use of the mastery timeline, and I use it as an assigned tool for my bachelor-level students.

 I think that by doing the blog about the degree, using the timeline, adding weekly content to the Tumblr and the website I can double the results I’ve got from the master's degree.

While the last two courses (New Media Publishing and New Media Journalism Final Project) confused me with the way they are constructed, I can derive a good deal of learning from the process. As with the final three classes for my bachelor’s degree (Hospitality Sales & Marketing, Restaurant & Catering Concept Development, Restaurant Management Capstone) I can clearly see how the skills we have learned from day one until now come together.

Both degrees have given me the tools I need to complete one of my goals of becoming field academic researcher and a published author. I will certainly add this knowledge to the experiences that will come about in the next three years which will culminate on my Ph.D.

[ulisesmasterymindjournal]

New Media Publishing and Distribution - Mastery Journal Assignment

At this point in the game, I had no expectations of the course whatsoever. The New Media Journalism program has made me grow so much in a year that I almost have no time to pay attention to expectations. I just read, watch videos and submit assignments. On the other hand, and for some reason I thought that we were supposed to produce the media content for the capstone this month. I have no idea why.  I truthfully thought the process was going to be like any other class and there were going to be milestones pertaining content creation. Instead, I had to have the content already done and waiting for it to be evaluated so I could receive feedback and better it. It makes sense to a degree, but also, it caught me off guard. I probably didn’t read as thoroughly as I should have. My attention was lacking here. The course expects for me to: “Evaluate the production process as it pertains to audience demands and business opportunities, to analyze the 24-hour news cycle and how it has changed the way news is published and to discuss the emergence of the web as a primary platform for distributing content. Also, I’m expected to identify and employ channels for reaching and catering to an audience with targeted content, examine the concept of online publishing and develop means of distributing content through new and existing outlets and create publishing plans as guides for targeting content to specific audiences.

Then I’m expected to explore the pitching process and engage with publishers to find outlets for publications. I must develop techniques for teasing upcoming stories and sell content to new consumers in order to reach new audiences and enhance personal brand identity. Also, appraise different social media techniques to increase audience and personal profile. I have to learn how to develop optimization tactics to augment search results, organize content effectively through proper tagging and topic categorization and design and evaluate strategies for producing revenue based on advanced content generation. Afterward, I have to discuss different business models for online journalism and evaluate their effectiveness, strategize ways to make money on the web through entrepreneurial journalism and understand the budgeting process and how it helps effectively manage an online journalism business.”

I don’t think there was any one content that I found the most useful. I truly believe the whole strategic approach of the class is completely necessary. Instead of having to create content and publish it to see what happens, a whole plan was to be devised and executed.

I don’t think there was any one content that I found the most useful. I honestly believe the whole strategic approach of the class is entirely necessary. Instead of having to create content and publish it to see what happens, a whole plan was to be devised and executed.

Although I’m juggling between three jobs and the master’s degree, I believe this course has taught me that I can never be too organized or too prepared. Plans must be strategized, thought off well in advanced, shared to receive feedback and executed properly.

I understand the need for the degree to be 12 months, but I believe that the capstone should be treated as a lone class with a mentor that evaluates nothing but the project. Mixing a course like New Media Publishing and Distribution with the Capstone is a little bit too much. I think for us to display our best work there should be nothing on our minds but the capstone. The professor did what he had to and excelled at it, so it is just a matter of course logistics. I wouldn’t have minded a 13th or 14th month to this degree.

[ulisesmasterymindjournal]

Public Relations and Reputation Management - Mastery Assignment

My favorite assignment for the Public Relations and Reputation Management course was week 03. In week 03 we had to talk about brand journalism and to promote our brand as journalists. First, we had to identify four key influencers whose content was aligned to a certain degree with the beat of our website. Then we had to choose three out of those four influencers and write an opinion on whatever they had published on their social media and provide proof. Finally, we had to present ourselves to at least one influencer out of the three we had chosen to form a professional bridge that would provide future benefits, at least in theory.

It always takes courage to talk to those you admire. Even more so if they are influencers to a high degree with quite a large following. Doing this type of exercises helps to build one’s character.

I feel that the most helpful topic covered this month was the subject of reputation. People don’t place as much importance on the right way to maintain a good reputation, at least in my experience. Author Robert Greene writes in his book “The 48 Laws of Power” about the reputation and is adamant we “guard it with (our lives):”

 “Reputation is the cornerstone of power. In the social realm, appearances are the barometer of almost all our judgments. Your reputation will protect you in the dangerous game of appearances, distracting the probing eyes of others from knowing what you are really like, and giving you a degree of control over how the world judges you — a powerful position to be in.

 A strong reputation increases your presence and exaggerates your strengths without you having to spend much energy.”

 If one is to become a person of respect, influence, and authority then to take care of one’s reputation is of the utmost importance.

 The knowledge acquired this month will prepare me to communicate better with my audience. Also, it has provided me with the tools to engage people of influence in any discipline effectively. This course has also taught me the value of analysis, patience, and filter. How to react efficiently to people’s opinions to preserve the perception of being a professional which is invaluable in this world where the public doesn’t have an excellent opinion about journalism and media.

 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene. Picture by https://goo.gl/V9fYKM

[ulisesmasterymindjournal]

I entered to win a PS4, Xbox One, GoPro and more in Full Sail's #12DaysofGear Giveaway. Enter here:

[ulisesmasterymindjournal]

I entered to win a PS4, Xbox One, GoPro and more in Full Sail's #12DaysofGear Giveaway. Enter here:

[ulisesmasterymindjournal]

Mastery Journal Assignment for the Social Media and Online Community Engagement Course

For the Social Media and Online Community Engagement course (NMJ620) by Professor Christy Foley, I expected less of a research course and more of a “development of an online community” class. Instead, I got to learn about multiple social media platforms, their different uses and their connection with the degree and the tune of my website. Also, I had to do research using social media as a tool. This skill will greatly enhance the research and validation process for my capstone project.

As mentioned in the course description page at Full Sail University’s website, for the Social Media and Online Community Engagement: the “course is an examination of how information is shared outside professional journalism, how journalists can interact with communities, and the ways in which social technology shapes cultures, governments, and communications. Students learn theoretical and practical approaches to understanding, designing, building, and using virtual communities, and how user-generated content within those communities expands the definition of news. The course also helps journalists understand how to leverage social media to find story ideas, engage audiences, and promote their work.”

As with all other courses of this master’s degree I’ve had to delimit some goals and strategies to go along with them in my Mastery Journey Timeline. For this course number nine of the degree the goals were as follows:

1. Learn how to think outside the journalism bubble.

2. Learn the information language of the Online Community.

3. Learn how to connect better with an audience.

 The strategies to attain these goals were:

1. Read book “Social Media Rules of Engagement: Why Your Online Narrative is the Best Weapon During a Crisis” by author Nicole Matejic

2. Watch course “Top 10 Social Media Management Tools” at Lynda.com

3. Watch course “Social Media for Photo and Video Pros” at Lynda.com.”

4. Watch course “Insights on Photography: Business and Social Media” at Lynda.com

Most of these strategies were used and the ones who weren’t will be utilized later. Per the course’s syllabus the pre-determined objectives were:

·      Develop story ideas by evaluating trends in social media.

·      Monitor local and real-time data across the social web.

·      Automate and filter news alerts and updates.

·      Examine techniques that use social media to research and report events.

·      Organize data in a coherent, organized manner.

·      Aggregate social assets to enrich coverage of stories Practice techniques for developing content-rich multimedia stories.

·      Develop techniques to write and edit stories for multiple social media channels.

·      Analyze elements of effective storytelling in social media environments.

·      Contrast the unique features and strengths of various social media channels.

·      Review how each channel can be best used to promote and distribute digital content.

·      Review methods for publishing stories across multiple social media channels.

·      Create and engage in building a conversation with personal learning networks.

·      Increase shareability by driving targeted traffic to a story and encouraging audience discussion. Optimize audience participation.

·      Identify signals and metrics to evaluate audience engagement.

·      Use web analytics to develop and evaluate audience engagement.

Also, the expected course outcomes were:

·      Plan and research a topic based on social media trends.

·      Create and integrate social media assets in a multimedia packet.

·      Identify appropriate distribution techniques to publish across social media channels.

·      Develop and implement a digital content strategy that leverages social media.

·      Analyze ways to engage an audience and encourage participatory storytelling.

·      Distinguish the best social tools and channels for meeting specific promotion and distribution requirements.

·      Utilize social analytics to build and engage readership both online and off.

I believe both the goals and outcomes were achieved successfully. This course certainly opened a new world of possibilities using social media as a validation tool towards something as important as a capstone project and a thesis paper. Tools like Storify and can add a lot of value to already great content. Also, tools like Hootsuite that can pre-arrange and automatize the process facilitate the new media journalist’s work. The point of it, I think, is that not only is the media content highly interactive but also professional in the way perceived by the consumer.

[ulisesmasterymindjournal]

Multimedia Reporting - Mastery Journal Assignment

I thought that for this class I was going to probably be asked to do some live reporting from some location and probably be called upon to work with a team of some sort. Instead, I had to take responsibility for my stories, develop at least three different types of content per story added to the general writing. Assume responsibility for your content prepares you to be flexible and to have ease of mobility while reporting. 

As mentioned in the course description page at Full Sail University’s website, for the Multimedia Reporting (NMJ590) In the Multimedia Reporting course, students learn how to access, transfer and process electronic information, and how to gain ownership of a story by presenting that information in a visual, useful, and factual way. Students become proficient in conceiving stories and packages that will work well on the web, practice on-camera presentation for Web and multimedia stories, and learn how to organize raw material into a news-oriented narrative. The course provides instruction towards visual storytelling and story advancement and evolution, with guidance regarding hardware and software that journalists must know for multimedia reporting.

For this Course 08, as with all other courses I had to delimit some goals and strategies to go along with them in my Mastery Journey Timeline:

 Goals: 

-       Learn how to take advantage of the learned techniques and make visual information and stories useful.

-       Learn how to effectively present web and multimedia stories using the camera.

-       Understand more the process of visual storytelling and story advancement.

 Strategies:

-       Read book “Writing and Reporting News: A Coaching Method (Mass Communication and Journalism)” by author Carole Rich

-       Watch course “Video for Photographers 01: Filmmaking Essentials” at Lynda.com

http://www.lynda.com/Photography-DSLR-Video-tutorials/Video-Photographers-01-Filmmaking-Essentials/374992-2.html

-       Watch course “Video for Photographers 02: Filmmaking on Location” at Lynda.com

http://www.lynda.com/Photography-DSLR-Video-tutorials/Video-Photographers-02-Filmmaking-Location/374993-2.html 

-       Watch video course “Video Journalism Storytelling Techniques” at Lynda.com

http://www.lynda.com/Premiere-Pro-tutorials/Video-Journalism-Storytelling-Techniques/120605-2.html

  The written goals were completed, and the strategies watched, learned and applied. As per the course syllabus, the course objectives were:

Course Objectives

-       Students will accomplish these course objectives by completing the milestones specified:

-       Demonstrate understanding of professional principles in conducting interviews.

-       Develop proficiency in conducting traditional and narrative interviews for various multimedia story types.

-       Produce multimedia stories using appropriate elements of text, links, photos, audio, video, information graphics, and data visualizations.

-       Identify the steps required in the planning and production of each story type.

-       Apply criteria determining which media elements are best suited for creating compelling narratives based on story type, context, and delivery platform.

-       Identify, analyze, and incorporate professional storytelling tools in the publication of multimedia reports.

-       Understand the principles of nonlinear storytelling.

-       Develop competency creating compelling multimedia narratives.

-       Produce multimedia reports informed by both narrative techniques and the inverted pyramid reporting structure.

-       Articulate a complex, professional understanding of various ways to develop original content for digital platforms.

-       Identify individual expertise and professional focus.

-       Discuss the principles of visual literacy, storyboarding, and site architecture.

-       Synthesize information to produce threaded, connected content with updates and follow-ups as stories advance and evolve.

-       Synthesize story ideas, research, and information into production of original multimedia reports.

-       Identify planning steps required for specific story types.

-       Find and cultivate sources for multimedia stories.

-       Discover and develop original multimedia story ideas.

-       Gather resources for production of specific story types on a deadline.

-       Understand and apply professional journalism codes.

-       Comprehend the purpose and guiding principles of journalism in a free society.

-       Evaluate media reports based on standards of accuracy, fairness, objectivity, diversity, and presentation style.

-       Employ strategies to avoid inaccurate, unfair, and/or biased reporting.

-       Incorporate techniques for conducting effective face-to- face and mediated interviews into story planning and execution.

I understand that all goals were met, and they were but the sum of all the elements and skills we had to learn in the past seven months applied to multimedia reporting. The syllabus also mentions a list of course outcomes to be expected:

Course Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

-       Plan and produce multimedia stories that adhere to professional standards.

-       Conduct interviews with condensed using best-practice techniques.

-       Plan, develop, and publish original event-based multimedia stories.

-       Conceive, report, and produce an original video feature story with appropriate secondary stories and breakouts.

-       Produce follow-up reports that synthesize information from a variety of new sources into a threaded update of ongoing or serialized multimedia stories.

-       Incorporate key professional techniques of multimedia journalism in textual, visual, audio, and video news production.

The outcomes mentioned were completed and obtained. There could have been and possibly will be more follow-up reports. Reading each of these outcomes and comparing them to the results achieved shows completion. I feel that this course lends itself to a lot more and it could be tied up entirely of the previous course Digital News Production (NMJ 570). There could be an all-around project simulating a newsroom, news Anchorage, and news reporting. There was a lot of discipline and learning which I’m glad for.

[ulisesmasterymindjournal]

Digital News Production - Mastery Journal Assignment

For Digital News Production (NMJ 570) I expected to have to record myself as a news anchor and present some newscast program like ABC News. It was more wishful thinking or the fact that I was not acquainted with the “production” part of the digital news.

 Within the Mastery Journey Timeline for the Mastery: Personal Development and Leadership (MDL501) Course, my goals where:

 1.     Learn skills and techniques used in online newsrooms and news-related websites.

 2.     Learn to create and distribute journalist content for newscasts or news reports.

 3.     Understand how to present online journalism.

 The Strategies:

 1.     Read book “News Reporting and Writing” by author Brian S. Brooks

 2.     Enroll in specialization “Become a Journalist: Report the News!” at coursera.org

  I believe that the goals were all met within the scope of the class. Concerning the strategies I haven’t read the book but I’m currently enrolled in the coursera.org specialization, and it has helped me a lot with understanding the news reporting world.

 According to the course syllabus, the course objectives were:

1)    Develop story ideas geared toward visual storytelling.

 2)    Practice gathering natural sound.

 3)    Organize and compose stories exclusively using sound from interviews.

 4)    Discover techniques for developing video journalism.

 5)    Integrate video into narrated story production.

 6)    Develop techniques for shooting news footage.

 7)    Analyze and critique elements of effective videography.

 8)    Integrate narration and interviews to tell compelling visual stories.

 9)    Develop and integrate graphics and computer animation into journalistic content.

 10) Integrate informative graphics into video stories.

 11) Embed location-based information into video content.

 12) Evaluate channels and platforms for distributing digital journalistic content.

 13) Differentiate distribution channels and platforms.

 14) Identify the most appropriate channels and platforms for a project.

  Course objectives were completed throughout the whole four weeks and thoroughly criticized by the course professor, the course peers and myself. This type of exercise helped out the entire learning process by facilitating different and varied points of view. Also, there were more resources than expected and we learned how to use innovative platforms like Storify.

 As mentioned in the course syllabus, the course’s outcomes were:

 1)    Evaluate the role of video in digital journalism.

 2)    Shoot, edit, and publish video reports.

 3)    Develop and integrate computer graphics and animation into informative content.

 4)    Develop compelling stories by combining audio, still pho­tography, video, and digital graphics.

 5)    Identify appropriate distribution techniques and channels for multimedia productions.

 I can accurately inform that I’m now able to evaluate the role of video in digital journalism, participate in the whole process of video reports, add graphics with informative content, play with the combination of audio, still photography, video and identify the appropriate distribution techniques. I need to work on it a lot, especially in the video recording and editing process. I have enrolled in a video production specialization at Lynda.com to take care of this lack of skill.

 I feel that the most helpful content with my learning experience was the knowledge of the documentary style process. I think the whole four weeks were illuminating, but this particular one was entirely necessary. This added to the help and disposition of Professor Jeff Sharon were utterly invaluable. Also, in this month we began working and submitted our capstone proposal which was approved and now we are supposed to work on the project for the next four months. This ideation and writing process gives the whole degree more sense and purpose.

 This course has particularly prepared me for the journalism world, and my journalistic career in the sense that it is the first course which I feel has all of the skills learned throughout the whole degree and combined them into one global and useful skills.

[ulisesmasterymindjournal]

Multimedia Development and Editing - Mastery Journal Assignment

For the Multimedia Development and Editing course (NMJ 550) I had three major expectations or goals which were outlined in my Mastery Journal Timeline. These goals were:

1. Learn effective techniques, skills and solutions towards developing great content in photography, video and audio productions.

2. Learn how to communicate effectively while producing news and the use of high quality to storytelling.

3. Understand how to upload content to a website, mobile device or applications.

To complete these goals, I identified a few strategies. Among them:

a.     Watch course “Photography 101” at Lynda.com”

b.     Enroll in the specialization: “Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR Specialization” at coursera.org

c.     Watch video course “Fundamentals of Photography” at amazon.com

According to the Course Outcomes section of the course’s syllabus, I was expected to:  

1.     Implement and understand the editorial process.

2.     Use preproduction techniques for asset, equipment, and story management.

3.     Produce stories utilizing a digital camera to collect and gather information.

4.     Show literacy in postproduction skills by editing text, images, audio, and video for storytelling purposes.

5.     Define story arc.

6.     Compose headlines and captions compliant with SEO standards.

7.     Evaluate distribution methods.

8.     Decide which media-distribution channels to use to promote stories.

I feel that I learned all of the things that were expected of me and the outcomes became those mentioned before. I think the content that was the most important in my case was on how to prepare the sound recording or “pre-sweetening it,” as Professor Sharon would call it. This processes enabled me to edit audio that used to take me six hours and narrowed it down to less than five minutes.

In today’s world, the journalist is radically different from the traditional journalist of the past. We need to have more resources readily available, more skills developed, knowledge at our command and the best equipment, while remaining mobile. This course gave me the tools needed to tell a story using different methods. The outcome of this course I feel is in the variety of the methods of storytelling, especially that of the audio slideshow. That one element alone can be thoroughly transformative to the journalist. Also, I consider it a great tool for engagement that might develop a deeper connection to the audience.

[ulisesmasterymindjournal]

RISD - Mastery Journal Assignment

The first course for the New Media Journalism Master of Arts Program at Full Sail University is called “Mastery: Personal Development and Leadership (MDL501).” In the last week of this first course, I had to write an assignment called “Mastery Journey Timeline.” For this assignment, I was expected to write on a PowerPoint presentation the goals for every class of the degree. Also, I was supposed to come up with a list of strategies that would help me to learn efficiently and to get more out of every course. 

For the Research and Investigation Skills Development (Course 05 - NMJ540), I established three goals. These goals derived from the course description.

1. Learn how to recognize and utilize research and investigation tools and methods.

2. Learn how to research and investigate effectively.

3. Learn how to build credible sourcing to substantiate my work.

 After establishing three goals for the course, I came up with three strategies to help me out during the process.

1. Read book “Making Sense of the Social World: Methods of Investigation 5th Edition” by author Daniel F. Chambliss

 2. Watch course “Writing Research Papers” at Lynda.com

3. Enroll in course “Introduction to Research for Essay Writing” at coursera.org

It seemed to me that these goals surmised the whole of the course and that the strategies were enough to help me with these goals. After taking the course, I understand that there is so much more to it.

In the first week of the course, I learned,

 1) How to define public records and FOIA,

2) How to find & use public records,

3) How to research & avoid bias,

4) How to effectively research with Wikipedia,

5) Advanced search & citation techniques.

 I used all of this information to help me find trends and opportunities defined and provided by government agencies. Since the government provides the information, it makes it official and therefore more likely to be trusted.

For week two I learned about,

 1) Scientific method for journalists,

2) Researching data,

3) Finding meaning in data,

4) Infographics,

5) Google Maps.

 This information helped me to understand how the scientific method gives structure to the whole journalism process. Also, I learned that building infographics enhance data comprehension. Even more so, I understand now that what we usually call an infographic is not one per se but a collection of infographics organized in one big image.

On week three I learned,

 1)    The why of an interview,

2)    How to find & request interviews,

3)    How to conduct interviews & how to follow up with interviewees,

4)    How to investigate interviewees’ statements.

 When I was presented with this information, I understood the importance of an interview. Not just for obtaining information from the interviewee’s point of view, but to learning from their experience. The last one, “learning from their experience”, is particularly the case when the interviewee is an expert on any subject matter. I learned how important it is to investigate an interviewees' statements. This skill validates the information obtained from the interview and generates trust with the audience.

  Finally, on week four of the course, I learned about,

 1) Defining & finding experts,

2) Preparing for expert interviews,

3) Conducting expert interviews & explaining expertise,

4) RIS library resources.

 After learning about the importance of interviews, I learned how valuable experts could be. An experts point of view is more informed and usually can be backed up with the correct data. Also, I found out about the library resources, especially the importance of the Writing Center.

 The course thoroughly covers all of its objectives according to the curriculum. Aside from all the great information and skills, I learned from this course I became acutely aware of my grammar skills. My grammar needs a lot of work. I used to think it was ok at the college level, and many people have praised my writing in the past. Taking a course like "Research and Investigation Skills Development" with an instructor who is also a lawyer is on an entirely different level. I already own both versions of Microsoft Office available for my laptop (Microsoft Office 2016 and Microsoft Office for Mac 2011). Also, I bought two programs to help me with my grammar (Grammarly and ProWritingAid). Even after all of my writing had gone through these filters, the instructor found many grammar mistakes. It obligated me to take a course on basic grammar at Lynda.com. I still lack on my grammar skills, and I should have probably used the Writing Center more.

 I’m glad I got to take this course because it took me out of my comfort zone and placed me face to face with my weaknesses as a journalist.

[ulisesmasterymindjournal]

Week Four Assignment: Mastery Journal

“For this assignment, you will publish a journal post on your private Tumblr blog related to your original Mastery timeline goal. Please consider how this course met your expectations, what you learned, and how you might apply what you learned professionally.”

What was your favorite assignment in this course? Please explain.

From all of the assignments given, my favorite one by far was the “Copyright” assignment. Even though the other tasks which had to do with defamation, freedom of information and defining commercial speech are imperative in our careers, the copyright assignment resonated more.

In the case of the assignment, knowing how to submit a document for copyrighting is probably a life saver. It is not only easy but crucial in out profession. Inescrupulous people will not hesitate to use our hard worked content for their gain.

Of the course topics covered this month, which one(s) do you think will be most helpful to you as communications professional?

Again, the copyright topic was the most useful.  In this digital and social media platform age, the ease of access to content is immense. This content was created and belongs to someone else. It is very easy to “pick up an image” just for the sake of making our content “prettier” and visually attractive. After all, when we blog what we usually want is readers, which translates into traffic. Knowing the definitions and boundaries of the Copyright Act are a must for the aspiring journalist and for all of those whose bread and butter are defined by media content creation.

How will the knowledge you acquired this month prepare you to handle potential legal issues in the communications industry?

I will know what do and what not to do. I have learned to respect people, privacy, content and the right to free speech, especially from a commercial standpoint. Now I will create a checklist of considerations to have from a legal point of view whenever I’m about to not only create content but to publish it.

Did this course meet your expectations? Please explain.

Truth be told, Law is not my thing. Much like programming, there are things that I’m not interested in. Even if I’m good at them, and I do get a little amount of pleasure. I liked analyzing laws from a theoretical point of view more than a technical one. Reading sentences written in legal jargon and all the numbers is not my cup of tea.

That being said, I found the information quite useful and the format of the class only made it easier for me to get as many useful tools as I could with the time given. I’m glad this course is part of the whole degree.

[ulisesmasterymindjournal]

Excerpt: “The Internet has changed the way we view, share and create content. Much of what is displayed on the web today comes from numerous sources. A single web page, for example, could have text, graphics, sound, and other images totaling dozens of items displayed and each one of them could be coming from independent sources. It can be so easy to think all of this content floating around is readily available to use however we like. Reality check? That's just not the case.So often, I see bloggers taking content from others without any permission or credit given. Unfortunately, many don't realize this is often considered stealing. I know most bloggers mean well when they share content, but I think it is important to bring to light what is really going on here. There are legal ramifications in using text and images from other authors, so it is important to stay informed about best blogging and copyright practices. Here is a quick guide to keep you safe while still letting your creativity flourish!” We’re discussing copyright laws at our Legal Aspects of Media class. When one wants to do content, seldom does the thought of copyright comes up. Perhaps if the copyright been infringed is our own, then maybe. One has to be pretty mindful. I should apply all of this to myself.

[ulisesmasterymindjournal]

So we started the Legal Aspects of Media class. It is fascinating in regards how the law interprets what can be done and what cannot be done regarding the individual, communications, the recording and creation of media content. The only thing that bothers me is all the classification numbers and lines.

(i.e. Cal.Penal Code § 632(a).   Section 637.2(a))

Every time I let the dictation and speech app on my Mac read something like this it reads so many numbers that half of the time is lost on this endeavor. I just cannot seem to have the patience for this. I like law, law philosophy, theory, and practice. The way law is written? Not so much.

[ulisesmasterymindjournal]

Writing for Interactive Media

This course has challenged me to be a go-getter. Instead of just plain looking for stories anywhere and everywhere it challenged me to the point where I took an airplane from Puerto Rico to New York City (Almost 1,600 miles). I did this because I felt it was “what needed to be done.” I want to live as an entrepreneur but also as a digital nomad. More specifically as a Food and Travel entrepreneur. Which means a couple of things but mainly two: 1) I have to eat and 2) I have to travel. I asked my business partner about it, made a phone call “et voila!” we were on our way to cover our first out-of-the-country event. The accommodations were terrible, and the city is powerful, but that only fueled my desire to keep going. Out of that trip, I got the content I needed for the whole class. Including the press release, the event coverage, and the profile. I think this is the most fun I’ve had in a while and would love for this class to continue for many more months. I want to thank our teacher Meredith Cochie, who has been with us for two months already and is possibly one of the most energetic and understanding teachers I’ve ever had. It was truthfully a joy to work with her, and I’ll be taking up her word to heart as I will be reaching out to her in the future with many, many questions. This class has done everything it can do to increase my passion for the industry, and I hope all other classes are just as good. I will be doing many more event coverages (I’ve done two more afterwards) and much more profiles. If any would-be student has any doubt about this masters degree, just wait and see until you take the Writing for Interactive Media class. You’ll love it.

[ulisesmasterymindjournal]

I’m super excited to have been invited to cover this event as Food and Travel Journalist. New York, here we go! https://www.facebook.com/events/470523996471591/

[ulisesmasterymindjournal]

Money is crucial, but to create real valuable you have to be valuable. There’s nothing in life if you don’t provide value for others. 

[ulisesmasterymindjournal]

New web page for my Spanish podcast. It’s called “Los Gastrosoficos”. It already has 20+ episodes and a good following. I’m very excited about it. Applying all that I’m learning from Full Sail University here.