Part 4.
Matt Wilson is the fourth part of the Q&A series, and I’m extremely excited to have his perspective in the series.
Matt and I met as freshman in the University Fellows Experience at UA, and his entrepreneurial and creative mindset has had a strong impact on my development in those same areas.
Matt has worked in the media/television production industry since his teenage years, and he is one of the most talented people in that field.
A couple of quick notes about a couple of his projects that I loved.
1. Alabama's Ghost Trail--www.youtube.com/user/AlabamasGhostTrail
This project was a part of the first Black Belt Experience, where students from UA spent 3 weeks in Marion, AL to learn about this region and collaborate on projects with the local communities.
Matt's project highlighted ghost stories of the region through video and storytelling.
2. 2010 Uniting Alabama Gubernatorial Debate
5 months into the work on the gubernatorial debate project, Matt and I were with a group of students in Perry Lakes Park in Perry County. I launch into the vision for the project--to be the premiere event of the 2010 gubernatorial cycle--and he starts running with it.
He envisioned 7 cameras shooting the event live in HD with a graphics package that would make major news stations blush. He wanted a professional set design and the most talented crew to work the event.
He joined the project team a few days later, and turn his vision into a reality as our event aired live on the radio, internet, & television throughout Alabama. It even aired on C-SPAN 5 (or 6).
His influence and participation took the project to an entirely different level, and I'm looking forward to seeing what his future looks like.
Enjoy--thanks again Matt.
1. What does civic engagement mean to you personally?
Civic engagement is a personal responsibility that requires a member of society to (1) pay attention to the issues of society; (2) participate in the discussion of problem solving; and (3) act to benefit society. Civic engagement is a perpetual call to action created by the existence of society. Civic engagement often involves work that can take the form of manual labor in a volunteering scenario or intellectual work in the case of problem solving. Because civic engagement often involves work with no monetary payoff, it is often difficult to attract members of society to a life of civic engagement. Those who feel a call to a life of civic engagement do so for reasons beyond pride or monetary gain. It is a burning passion deep within one’s soul to better the life of others through discussion and action. Perhaps the beauty of civic engagement is that not everyone who participates may agree on a solution to a problem or even agree on the problem. This allows civic engagement to mean so many different things to so many different people.
2. As an entrepreneur in the media and production industry, how do you see civic engagement in your work?
I believe that everyone has a calling to fill a space in society. I was lucky to find my calling at a young age in the media entertainment industry. Finding a career is much like falling in love. Once you find it, you know it, and there is no way you could ever live without it in your life. Civic engagement works in a similar fashion when you stumble across an issue or set of issues that keep you up at night and burn in your heart. The media industry allows one producer to reach so many people at one time. There is no other media like television. With this power, I feel, comes responsibility. Nothing bothers me more than a media outlet claiming truth with no regard to the difference of opinion. This is not civic engagement. When you do find what you love, it is important to give some of that talent to society. Doctors, lawyers, and professionals should do more than stroke a tax-deductable check. They should give of their intellectual property to help others and society.
3. How have you seen the college generation use technology and social media for civic engagement? What most surprises you about their use? How have you used it personally?
I do not believe one could answer this question without some reference to Facebook and its impact on social interaction and civic engagement. From the delivery of news and information to active groups raising awareness or funding, civic engagement is social media for the college generation. Facebook and Twitter are slowly replacing the traditional forms of news delivery. The 5:00 television broadcast and the daily newspaper will slowly be replaced by instant news acquisition by the consumer through social media. This allows for interaction and discussion via social media users. For example, my friend posts an article from al.com about a current bill that eliminates the sales tax on groceries. Within a few minutes, an entire discussion can develop among those viewing and commenting on the post. This is the very beginning of civic engagement. Since it is more prominent than in past times, it is sure to get citizens involved and engaged in the discussion.
4. In 2009, you created a series of videos called “Alabama’s Ghost Trail.” How did this project first begin? How do you see this project in relation to civic engagement in the 21st century? Why is this project important to Alabama as a whole, and more specifically to the Black Belt region?
Back in 2009, through the University of Alabama, I began asking difficult questions of local leaders in the Black Belt region of Alabama. We wanted to know what assets the area had at its disposal. The Black Belt is an area that stretches from eastern Arkansas to southern North Carolina that typically suffers from poor economic conditions, among other things like poor education. Our team was charged with developing an initiative that would improve the economic conditions of the region in Alabama. Noting that one of the assets was the gift of storytelling, we embarked on a massive project to market the region as a place for tourism. Consumers with the desire to travel who had some interest in ghost stories were our target market. The goal was to create a brand of storytelling in the Black Belt that would attract visitors who then spent money on hotels and restaurants. I produced, shot, and edited the short video features while Meg McCrummen worked on logistics and interviewing and Sarah Patterson served as production assistant. The finished product can be found at www.youtube.com/alabamasghosttrail. This project is very much my view of civic engagement: pay attention to the problems, discuss the problems, and take action.
5. Throughout 2010, you worked on the production and set design for the Uniting Alabama Gubernatorial Debate. How does this work relate to civic engagement? Why was this project important for Alabama and The University of Alabama? What did you enjoy the most about this work?
The 2010 Gubernatorial Debates were significant not only to Alabama but the nation. The debates signified the civic engagement of a young college generation. The very essence of a debate is civic engagement: political leaders discussing local issues and solutions. Producing a real political debate was one way that college students could get involved in a real way. The debates reached thousands live on Alabama Public Television and millions nationally on C-SPAN. The entire event was created, produced, and executed by students. These students volunteered their time and talents. The event put Alabama and The University of Alabama into the national spotlight. It encouraged the involvement of students in the political process. Students and volunteers once opposed to differing political views were given new information that may have changed the outcome of the election. This work was challenging but highly rewarding. The most satisfying part of the job was working with and making friends that would last a lifetime. There is also deep satisfaction knowing that the culmination of months of work was available to millions of people around the country.
6. Where do you see creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship converging in your life? How does this convergence shape your understanding of civic engagement? How has your education impacted these concepts?
Finding where your talents and passions converge takes time and patience. It is difficult to predict where creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship will converge in my life. Steve Jobs, the entrepreneur that founded Apple, once said that it is impossible to connect the dots looking forward but almost always easy to see how the dots connected looking back. It is always important to have faith that the dots will connect and your purpose will be realized. I am determined to pursue my entrepreneurial passions with civic responsibility always in mind. My education has only highlighted and amplified my commitment to civic responsibility and engagement. I am thankful that The University of Alabama provided me with the tools necessary to be engaged in my community and nation. A college education does not teach you what to think but how to think. Considering all points of view is a must for civic engagement to be effective.
7. Create any question you would like for this Q&A series. Then, please answer it! In addition to your answer, please provide the question that you create.
If one experiences monetary gain from “civic engagement,” is it still considered civic engagement?
I do not have an answer for this question yet.
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