Media Critique
Hailey Davis
JMC - 1013 Introduction to Mass Communications
22nd September 2015
Description:
The segment starts out with Bill Whitaker talking about the Cleveland Division’s effect to repair the relationship between them and the community. Bill then is seen interviewing Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams, where he bluntly asks Williams if there are bad guys in their P.D. Williams answers - “Of course there are. And it’s my job to weed out the bad people from this division..” It is evident Whitaker is prepared to ask the ‘elephant in the room’ type of questions. As the topic of 12 year old Tamir Rice’s death comes up, the question of how the officer, who another police department found him emotionally unstable, was hired.
Analysis:
Everyone within this segment is shot up close rather than at a medium distance, which gives the impression of wanting the audience to not only have a personal connection with the piece but to feel the emotions, as well. The reporter seems to be in control throughout the piece. Bill Whitaker and the people he interviews are shot together then shot separately while asking and answering questions. With hard questions prepared, the interview was very vulnerable and honest.
Interpretation:
The people being interviewed never look guilty nor do they truly look heroic. Everyone is honest and upfront about their lives, and what it means to be apart of the community as a civilian or an officer. Emotions were apparent which in its’ own sense felt heroic. Visually, the camera tends to leave very little space around the subjects. This leaves the idea of how important the topic being discussed is.
Evaluation:
This segment is full of numerous strengths. Throughout the entire piece Whitaker never shows any sense of being bias towards one side or the other. As the segment continues, numerous civilians that get interviewed give the impression of having a negative opinion towards the police department. However, the video never gives
JMC - 1013 Introduction to Mass Communications
22nd September 2015
Description:
The segment starts out with Bill Whitaker talking about the Cleveland Division’s effect to repair the relationship between them and the community. Bill then is seen interviewing Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams, where he bluntly asks Williams if there are bad guys in their P.D. Williams answers - “Of course there are. And it’s my job to weed out the bad people from this division..” It is evident Whitaker is prepared to ask the ‘elephant in the room’ type of questions. As the topic of 12 year old Tamir Rice’s death comes up, the question of how the officer, who another police department found him emotionally unstable, was hired.
Analysis:
Everyone within this segment is shot up close rather than at a medium distance, which gives the impression of wanting the audience to not only have a personal connection with the piece but to feel the emotions, as well. The reporter seems to be in control throughout the piece. Bill Whitaker and the people he interviews are shot together then shot separately while asking and answering questions. With hard questions prepared, the interview was very vulnerable and honest.
Interpretation:
The people being interviewed never look guilty nor do they truly look heroic. Everyone is honest and upfront about their lives, and what it means to be apart of the community as a civilian or an officer. Emotions were apparent which in its’ own sense felt heroic. Visually, the camera tends to leave very little space around the subjects. This leaves the idea of how important the topic being discussed is.
Evaluation:
This segment is full of numerous strengths. Throughout the entire piece Whitaker never shows any sense of being bias towards one side or the other. As the segment continues, numerous civilians that get interviewed give the impression of having a negative opinion towards the police department. However, the video never gives