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Collective Communities: Your World, Your Stories
Does mainstream media represent life in America in a way that rings true for you? Do the people you see on the news, and even in sitcoms or movies, remind you of the people you know? If you answered "no," then Collective Communities may be just what the doctor ordered.
A new Web site in development for PBS, Collective Communities, aims to showcase diverse perspectives on what life in America is like. Instead of a few producers deciding which stories to feature, the site's stories will come from Viewers Like You. While the site will initially focus on American communities, the producers hope to eventually broaden their vision to tell international stories, too.
The site is being produced by FRONTLINE/World and producers Tristan Ahtone, S. Leo Chiang and Jamiah Adams from the National Black Programming Consortium's New Media Institute. In addition to soliciting stories from communities across the country, the producers hope that the site creates a community of its own, with contributors sharing footage, information and ideas online.
Collective Communities is set to launch in January 2009, just in time for what producer Adams calls "the changing of the guard."
"The new administration owes much of its success to its new media presence," Adams says. The President-elect has expressed a desire to continue his penchant for transparency as well as a willingness to listen to the voice of the people." The producers plan to send the new administration a collection of videos from the site with links to additional stories.
Stay tuned as we follow this project in the coming weeks. In the meantime, grab a video camera and start filming your world.
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Collective Communities
This is a great idea. I have a hard time finding any characters on TV that I identify with. I also find few that remind me of people I know. Then, if that were the case, the human race would be a very boring group indeed. I am glad to see that you are taking on this project. There are so many uniquely wonderful individuals in the world and engaging them on line is the best way to honor all humans for who we are, where we are. I am looking forward to this.
I like the idea. It seems
I like the idea. It seems that it will be similar to the content on Current TV. However with the names of PBS and Frontline/World behind it, I can see it working. Look forward to seeing it in 2009.
User Interaction
Such things where user interaction is encouraged are springing up quickly by the dozens. You can call it web 2.0 or whatever. It has its advantages as well as disadvantages too, like dealing with spam etc.
Real Life Experiences
I think this is a massive step towards increased viewing. There are many sitcoms, reality tv shows, etc. which are funny to watch and we regularly get addicted to them but none of them are a reflection of a normal life. I think more people would watch a show that they could relate to and even take something away from the episode that will help them in their own real life. You could call it psychology through the medium of TV. I'm sure many viewers will relate to the issues being discussed and if the show can make people feel better about their lives at the same time as providing entertainment...even better! I will definitely be following the progress of this show.
Media plays an important
Media plays an important role to our life. Through media we are able to know what are the things that is happening around us. Media tells us the important event that we need to know. It also reminds us what are the things that we need to do as a responsible citizen just like paying taxes. Tax day is upon us - every year it descends like the virulent pestilence it is. Tax day induces migraines and ulcers for many. Those that can't get to them by the 15th should file for a tax extension. It's far better to get an extension than have to get quick payday loans for late penalties. Well, if you did everything right, then you won't have to worry about things like Tom Daschle, Nancy Killefer, and Tim Geithner did - their screw-ups on taxes cost Daschle and Killefer jobs, and has gotten Geithner an endless list of ridicule. You do not want to need debt relief from IRS penalties over missing tax day.