By Sharon Chen
Baron Broadcast News is by far one of the best classes I have ever decided to join, and I feel certain that no other class in the future could possibly rival the outstanding curriculum that Digital Video Production has to offer.
However, though I may have the time of my life in there, the fun and utter passion I experience in that class is also accompanied by an imposing presence of stress.
Deadlines aren’t anything new; I’ve had to work under stricter time limits in the 11 years that I’ve been enrolled in a school. The stress, (which I wish to describe as eustress, meaning that which is not detrimental to one’s health), lies not in the time constraints, but in the pressure of appearance.
See, as BBN airs episodes on a bimonthly basis, the whole school at some point or another will inevitably be exposed to the videos that each member of the BBN staff produces in the preceding weeks leading up to the actual air date. With that said, the larger the audience, the more plentiful the feedback. Though each group is given an entire week to plan, film, & edit their videos, by the time the finished product is ready to show to the producers for a final evaluation, the pressure is invariably at an all-time high. From my personal experience, up until the point where I have to show the producers my finished video, I remain in a tranquil state of mind, because over the course of the past week, I’ve been working at my own pace, with only myself as the primary judge of my work. However, once the producers come, I find that I begin to doubt my judgments, as alternative perspectives are introduced into the equation.
Their judgments are not only words of advice that I must take in order to improve my completed video, but their opinions may very well represent the whole student body as well, for their thoughts are just as objective. The fear of harsh (yet constructive) criticism wracks through my brain, causing me to feel paranoid, & at the very least, paralyzed as I hit the “Play” button to show them the finished product. From my own point of view, there is nothing I dread more than the thought of displeasing or dissatisfying somebody.
The poster child for perfectionism, I often bring about unnecessary worry to myself, because I thrive on control–(not in the creepy and abusive manner, though). Each video that I’m responsible for must present itself impeccably, both to the producers and to the student body. That’s the ideal state that I want (and hope) to reach with each video that I make.
Unfortunately, the state of perfection is incredibly difficult to achieve, if not impossible.
After each airing, the feedback that I receive from my classmates about the episode overall consists of generally mixed reviews. One half may say it’s amazing, one of the best that’s ever been produced; yet, the other half may deem it as “okay,” or more harshly put “lacking.” Whether they be talking about my video or my classmates’ videos, those comments still strike close to home. Why? All those videos that are included in each episode are the creations of each & every talent BBN has to offer; not only do they display the skills & innate creativity of each member, but the time & energy put into the making of each production cannot be possibly described in a matter of a few, short phrases. The students dedicate themselves to making this work of art, not only because they wish to inform the students of the goings-on around school, but to also hone their storytelling abilities & further fuel their passion for filmmaking.
It is because of that notion that I personally have conceded to the fact that not every video can be perfect; in fact, it may fall a few steps short. Yet, at the end of the day, what matters is not whether or not I have created the perfect video; what truly matters is whether or not I have fulfilled my passion for both storytelling & filmmaking.
Baron Broadcast News is not just an open forum for student expression, but it is also the place where I am able to satisfy my individual interest & really engage in an activity of which I not only love but care about. Yes, stress & pressure are two invariable forces that must accompany each pursuit of creating a short video in the hopes of making it into the next episode, but in realistic terms, what favorable activity doesn’t involve stress & pressure? The stress is to build me up so that even if I don’t become “perfect,” I can still be satisfied with my work & effort. And the pressure? That’s just me caring about how I perform in this class. Then again, when an individual pursues an activity that they have an intense passion for, how can they possibly refrain from caring?
