The MMN team reviews footage during a shoot on campus.
BILLY WALKER / COURTESY
The Manhattan University Media Network (MMN) made its debut in fall 2024, and since then, has allowed campus life to be showcased all throughout social media through the form of video production, including Instagram reels, YouTube videos and even formal studio content. MMN has produced a number of videos that have received positive feedback from students and faculty alike, yet the people behind the camera are not often recognized.
Through the influx of content MMN has put out over the past two semesters, there are certain individuals that are repeatedly seen on camera. However, it is not common for the individuals who are filming the content, handling lighting kits and editing the videos to be acknowledged to the same degree as those who are in the frame.
Sam Wofford, a junior communication major with a concentration in media production, is an active member of MMN and contributes to a lot of the work behind the scenes. Wofford emphasized how individuals who are not always seen on camera, like himself, are often overlooked and how viewers should strive to give them more acknowledgment.
“I think that the people behind the camera definitely should get more recognition,” Wofford said. “Seeing the people on camera isn’t everything. People are just so used to seeing the visuals that they don’t really realize how much is actually going on off camera. I do think that we need to make it more of a norm to show more respect to the people behind the scenes.”
In addition to the aspect of recognition, Wofford mentioned how being the one behind the camera still feels empowering, because he is able to conduct a story through his own lens. He spoke about how he views media production as an art medium, and how it allows for him to spark his creativity and showcase it to others, even if he is not the one being seen on camera.
“I think that being the one behind the camera and being the person that’s actually making the things that you’re seeing happen is inherently beautiful,” Wofford said. “It’s an act of creation and a form of artwork. Creating a video, a movie scene or a newsreel, it’s all art. And, just creating art in general is the definition of beautiful to me.”
Billy Walker, a junior communication major, is the president of MMN and has contributed to a wide variety of off-camera work when it comes to producing videos for the club. Walker emphasized that an audience will more than likely be unaware of his contributions toward the development of the videos, because he is not seen. However, he mentioned how working behind the scenes will always feel rewarding even without proper recognition, because he is able to share stories with the world and gain lifelong experiences.
“I just love to tell people stories,” Walker said. “Recently, I filmed an episode that featured a few seniors just reflecting on their time here because they are graduating. It was so nice to sit there in the booth, and just hear what they were saying. I was just thinking that this is what it’s all about. Even though many people probably won’t know I shot that video, just sharing stories and listening is rewarding for me.”
Walker went on to speak about how there are so many people who work behind the scenes that usually go unnoticed. He spoke to The Quadrangle about how it is the norm for people to watch their favorite shows or movies and never sit to think about how those productions even came together, or what efforts were made off-camera.
“It’s crazy, because you watch TV., you watch movies or go to a Broadway show, and yeah, you typically will only recognize the people who are on the stage or camera,” Walker said. “At least, far more than the names or the faces that are off-camera. You may not even recognize those people if you’re walking right past them.”
Mathew Zheng is a freshman engineering major who does a lot of the filming and editing for MMN. Although he is not a media production student, Zheng said that he has always had a strong passion for creating content, and sharing his work with the world.
“I just enjoy creating content, it’s my hobby,” Zheng said. “Even outside of the club, I’m always wanting to make videos. Media production is not even a part of my major. I’m actually an engineering major. I just love the hobby so much. I value the creativity that I get to put into it, and how it enables me to tell stories the way I want to.”
Members of MMN also expressed the hardships they face when working behind the scenes, and how people do not always acknowledge the effort it actually takes to put together a video. Zheng went on to speak about how much time and effort goes into creating content for MMN, and how many may fail to recognize the dedication it takes.
“The hardest part is editing, especially if I am unfamiliar with the footage,” Zheng said. “I just get handed videos to edit sometimes. If I don’t have a direction, it can take me up to three hours to make a one-minute-long video that you see, and many may not realize that.”
Wofford added onto the idea that being behind the scenes comes with certain struggles that an audience who is watching the finished product may not always know about.
“If I’m on the floor, behind the scenes, I can’t talk when something goes wrong,” Wofford said. “It’s hard to communicate non-verbally when there is an issue. So yeah, it’s nerve-wracking and a lot of pressure.”
Despite the lack of recognition of those behind the camera, members of MMN advocate that content creation and media production is fulfilling enough on its own. The idea of telling stories, gaining new perspectives and showcasing that to the world are what keep them going. Wofford emphasized that after a long day of shooting content, he feels fulfilled when he is able to see the final product of whatever he was working on.
“When we wrap, it is just extremely rewarding,” Wofford said. “It is freeing to see the final product.”