Panel discusses keys to success in evolving industry

Katrina Lockhart

Contributing Writer

The Turpin Lecture, hosted by the School of Mass Communications on Wednesday in the Grace Street Theater, featured a panel of four mass communications professionals.

Panelists discussed how to make a successful career in communications and show biz.

Jesse Vaughn – writer, director, producer and a VCU alumnus – said to be successful in the business of communications one must “study the masters.”  He said he advised mass communications students to study what they are interested in and to familiarize themselves with works of accomplished professionals.

Vaughn said, for example, if a student likes to write, then study the best writers. Vaughn, who has received nine Emmys for his work, said he tries to encourage his academic audiences to “wake the sleeping giant of creativity with in.”

Panelists said the field of mass communications is constantly changing. Today, students in the fields of journalism, public relations, and advertising have to break traditional lines and find ways to converge across boundaries.

“Experience through internships, networking and joining professional organizations, and being open and versatile are all components into being successful in the news and advertising world,” said Chandelis Duster, President of the Association of Black Communicators and member of the VCU Mass Communications Student Advisory Board.

The panel of experts shared personal stories of how they made it in the industry. Actor, producer, director and entrepreneur Tim Reid said he has worked in the entertainment industry for the last 40 years and he addressed lack of creativity by students due to technological advances.

“One of the issues we have now is the technology of the day has made it too easy,” Reid said. “Today technology is being relied on instead of skill set, imagination and creativity. There’s a new way of doing everything now especially the way in which movies are made.”

Panelists also said students should be aware of the changing industries, especially in the journalism field. They said more and more journalists find themselves not only writing—but providing multimedia (photos and video for the Internet) and editing their work.

Mass communications is always changing, according to panelists. Students need to hone their crafts and learn the new technological ways of the business while preserving hard work and creativity in order for the industry to continue to blossom.

Jeffrey Blount, director of “Meet the Press” and “Hardball with Chris Matthews” said he remembers when his wife used to set up a camera on a tripod and shoot her own reporting.

“Then we went through a phase where everyone was a specialist,” Blount said. “Now we see small teams covering a story but journalists still have to rely on knowing all aspects.”