A critical analysis of The Protean Journalist

The Protean Journalist mini-documentary produced entirely by Maria Tan in February, 2009 provides a fresh angle to a popular ‘Chicken Little’ subject currently plaguing the media industry.

While the topic itself is not new, there are still yet to be any Australian videos on this theme reporting on the changing role of journalists from the ‘new breed’s’ perspective apart from the occasional spot on SBS’ Dateline. However, this video is also found lacking in many aspects relating to structure and form.

Understandably, Maria Tan’s journalism background had a major influence in this piece which feels more like a soft news story than a ‘documentary’ which was her original intention.

Although the narrative holds together, the story fails to captivate as a true documentary would, because it lacks style. While the montage is relatively well shot with a few stylistic camera and ‘match on action’ editing techniques thrown in for good measure, there is nothing terribly creative about the video apart from the overstretched ‘picture in picture’ opening/title sequence which does not set the ‘documentary’ up with a dynamic, new sort of feel. The absence of music and some space for the information to sink in was also another ‘journo’ blunder, as it doesn’t do the video any justice or provide the added impact that a piece like this should warrant.

Verdict: Good for a first try but could be better. I give it 3 stars.