3rd Blog Post
When I first joined the SARC Video Team I had little experience working in the production industry so when I started with the team in September I went in with an open mind not quite knowing what to expect. Now as my time on the video team is coming to an end I intend to use my final blog post to reflect on what I have learned through this experience using Gibbs model of reflection.
As Boud states “Reflection is an important human activity” (33) without reflecting on my learning I would not be able to improve myself or my work.
Description
The main challenge that I faced while working with the SARC video team was learning to work under pressure particularly in a leadership role. I found myself in a leadership role quite quickly while working with the video team as each week one of us would take on the role of director and vision mixer taking charge of the live performance. Despite my technical knowledge and classroom learning I felt underprepared for this new responsibility and found myself uncertain of how to give instructions to my team clearly and quickly under the time pressure of a live streamed performance.
Feelings
When it came to my first time vision mixing I felt extremely stressed. I was left in a room by myself with several buttons, a headset and a screen. The pressure was on. I knew what I was supposed to do, but I was left with responsibility for delivering the production, and questioning how I was going todo this successfully. I attempted to do my best when giving my team members directions through the head set, but I fear I often came across as sounding panicked and uncertain to the other members of the team. Having also been a team member for some of my time in SARC, I know that this was not helpful for anyone involved.
In hindsight I feel that I lacked the confidence to have the quick thinking required when vision mixing which lead to misunderstandings and communications amongst the team. As a team, we is all decided to try and improve on this with each production. As Borkowski states “Barriers can be over come by conscious efforts to devote time and attention to communication” (98) these methods of devotion of time and attention to all parts of my role but I came to realise that is was most valuable when it came to communication.
Evaluation
I feel that taking on this role of leadership was extremely important especially with the added time pressure as it was such a valuable learning experience for me despite my initial stress.
Through this experience I have been able to understand the value of open communication with your working team especially in a time sensitive role like this one. After my first time vision mixing I asked my team to honestly tell me how I did, of course they were all very supportive but after a bit more conversation they started to give some helpful pieces of advice for next time. By asking my team what I could do better I got honest answers from the people who were on the receiving end of my work and this gave me a greater insight into their role.
“Communication in the workplace is critical to establishing and maintaining quality working relationships in organisations” (Borkowski, 98) by doing this small exercise of regularly discussing how our productions had gone and how everyone could improve after each live stream we have been able to build trust and confidence as a team, resulting in each member performing with greater efficiency and creativity each time.
Analysis
I have never been one to seek out leadership, but after being pushed into it during my time at the video team I feel it has been an invaluable experience. After my initial rocky start I feel much more confident now giving directions and working under time pressure. This experience has also taught me the value of listening to your team members and taking on constructive criticism with an open mind. Without the ability to communicate effectively with my team I know that I would not have improved so much during my time with the video team.
Conclusion
This experience has left me feeling more confident when taking on leadership roles and helped me to step out of my comfort zone of hiding behind the camera and has instead taught me to take charge of a production. As my time at the video team slowly comes to a close I will continue to keep working on my ability to communicate with my team as we each push each other to work harder and more creatively in order to get the most out of our experience.
Action Plan
Should I encounter a situation in which I am thrust into a leadership role I will take on what I have learnt during my time at the SARC video team, instead of panicking and putting myself under pressure to be perfect I will take the time needed to communicate with those I work with gaining their insight and suggestions in order to develop my work. I believe that being more confident in high pressure leadership roles such as this one will have given me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and develop myself as a member of the broadcast industry.
Works Cited
Boud, David, Rosemary Keogh, and David Walker. “Promoting reflection in learning: A model.” Boundaries of adult learning 1 (1996): 32-56.
Borkowski, Nancy, and Katherine A Meese. Organizational Behavior In Health Care.
Gibbs, Graham. Learning by Doing: A Guide to Teaching and Learning Methods. FEU, 1988
