And it's finally done. All I have to do is chop off some endy bits using the guillotine (forgive any spelling errors, I'm tired and IE doesn't do spellcheck) and hand this portfolio in. (And come up with a wall display by Friday of course.)
A number of stories didn't work for a number of reasons:
My easy sex article for Front didn't work due to a combination of laziness on my part (I'm SURE it can be done - it just felt a bit weird in a 'Am I whoring myself out here?' kind of way), the poor rate of responses (two wrote back a few times, that was it) and general obstacle of having a shed load of other work (like the dissertation, almost forgot about that lovely experience) on at the time.
The urban exploration thing didn't happen because nobody was willing to talk at any length about it. It's definitely a strange past time, pursued ossibly by strange people. I don't like saying nasty things about people I don't really know, so I'll leave it at that.
You can see through the reems of ideas that finally didn't make it (you got three articles after all) and although many were concocted whilst under the influence of influencing intoxicants, I was very pleased to have Joe Barnes (your former student) of Front exchange and commend my ideas and pitches. He's said to come up to London for some work experience in the near future, so when I've got a few quid I think I'll take him up on it.
What I've learned: That's an interesting nail to bang into your own grave (or blog). It seems to me that the simpler the idea and the most obvious a hook to it, the better story it will make and easier it will be to write. There's no point in chasing after the invisible man to do a feature on super heroes. It ain't gonna happen. Before I ramble on anymore (I've been up for a good 30 something hours now), I believe that I have written each article for the audience it was intended (music, tv, 'gents' magazines). And what I've learned, really, from over the last three years: I over think stuff, way too much. Gotta stop worrying, umming and arring, and get on with it. (That's nice and profound isn't it?)
Monday 19 May 2008
Apologies?
Having just read what I just wrote, I'm not sure if I should apologise or justify my inane (but rather witty, if you don't mind me saying) ramblings below. You see, I've been trying to get this done by tonight, so that at the same time I can spend the rest of the night working on my PR presentation. (Hence the somewhat narcky email you may or may not have read.) I'm starting to lose it a bit.
So yes, the work is online and barring a gargantuan act of God, it won't, i'm afraid, be able to make it to your desk until later on Monday (that's today) afternoon (that is if i'm still conscious by then).
My sincerest apologies for being a lazy, last minute student, but it seems (after three years experience) that is the way I produce the best work. I hope you enjoy it.
So yes, the work is online and barring a gargantuan act of God, it won't, i'm afraid, be able to make it to your desk until later on Monday (that's today) afternoon (that is if i'm still conscious by then).
My sincerest apologies for being a lazy, last minute student, but it seems (after three years experience) that is the way I produce the best work. I hope you enjoy it.
They're up there in the ether
And thus he smite them by putting beautifully crafted Quark layouts of his work on the delicate shoulders of the beast named the Internet, to show to the world what wonders one man, nay, one writer can do with a bunch of software he's hardly ever used and a big ass load of determination.
Graphics courses? Go back to play school. This is tha shizzle
My final layouts in Quark format.
Or in English, I've just stuck my layouts online if you fancy a butchers. The real deal will be handed in at some point tomorrow, in glorious technicolour and printed on the rarest, finest paper (assuming the printer will let me print them off, college IT has an issue with me) known in all the Shire.
Graphics courses? Go back to play school. This is tha shizzle
My final layouts in Quark format.
Or in English, I've just stuck my layouts online if you fancy a butchers. The real deal will be handed in at some point tomorrow, in glorious technicolour and printed on the rarest, finest paper (assuming the printer will let me print them off, college IT has an issue with me) known in all the Shire.
Sunday 18 May 2008
The final straight...
I figured it would be sensible to write a status update on here, seeing as we're coming to crunch time (nice cliché eh?). Plus it's way more productive than doing Facebook updates.
I've decided that I'm going to go with three articles to hand in. The band abroad story, the Secret Language of the Busker and the Lost article. First of all I'll point out that there is only 3000 words of copy, I'm aware of that. But I shall also point out that I've spent more time working on the layouts (a layout for each piece) than I have on the writing. So using that logic I believe I cover the '6000 words or equivalent' criteria.
So what have I done?
The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists' tour of Eastern Europe article can be found here on my MSN Live Space - Ragged
The Secret Language of the Busker can be found here - Secret language
I'm currently writing up and designing the Lost article for skymag (the magazine that gets sent out to Sky subscribers - Lost is shown on Sky). Like OMM it's not quite A4, it's like 294 x 244 mm or something like that. Not a major hassle, as I've found an online ruler (seem to have misplaced my pencil case).
I was also wondering if it is worth mentioning that I met up with the Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (or Tom, Julian and Dan as I call them) at their show in Crackow. Bit of a coincidence that, but it does add an element of authenticity to my report on their show at Café Szaffe. I bet few other students got work from abroad!
Will probably keep updating as time draws nearer. It's a great distraction this.
Update: It looks like the MSN isn't working so I'll get them up another time. No time for annoying websites.
I've decided that I'm going to go with three articles to hand in. The band abroad story, the Secret Language of the Busker and the Lost article. First of all I'll point out that there is only 3000 words of copy, I'm aware of that. But I shall also point out that I've spent more time working on the layouts (a layout for each piece) than I have on the writing. So using that logic I believe I cover the '6000 words or equivalent' criteria.
So what have I done?
The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists' tour of Eastern Europe article can be found here on my MSN Live Space - Ragged
The Secret Language of the Busker can be found here - Secret language
I'm currently writing up and designing the Lost article for skymag (the magazine that gets sent out to Sky subscribers - Lost is shown on Sky). Like OMM it's not quite A4, it's like 294 x 244 mm or something like that. Not a major hassle, as I've found an online ruler (seem to have misplaced my pencil case).
I was also wondering if it is worth mentioning that I met up with the Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (or Tom, Julian and Dan as I call them) at their show in Crackow. Bit of a coincidence that, but it does add an element of authenticity to my report on their show at Café Szaffe. I bet few other students got work from abroad!
Will probably keep updating as time draws nearer. It's a great distraction this.
Update: It looks like the MSN isn't working so I'll get them up another time. No time for annoying websites.
Friday 16 May 2008
Holy shIT
It's getting light outside. The birds are chirping. For the last two hours I've had nothing but major ball ache from computers, particularly this one I'm on now (no fault of the college at least).
I couldn't get my Quark documents to Export, so I tried to update Quark. This resulted in my computer crashing (it ran out of memory for uck's sake). Finally I've got that sorted. I also believe I've found a way of getting my pictures the right size to print (should I ever get it to work on a school machine): make them big as hell and save them as .tif files.
Right, time to make some art.
Amendment @ 06:05: Fuck it. It's just dawned on me that I've spent the entire day pissing around with design software that I barely know how to use. If I spent half as much time writing submittable copy as I did arsing around with that (and this blog), I'd have thousands of words to show. As it is, I do not. I'm gonna do what I came here to do: write.
I couldn't get my Quark documents to Export, so I tried to update Quark. This resulted in my computer crashing (it ran out of memory for uck's sake). Finally I've got that sorted. I also believe I've found a way of getting my pictures the right size to print (should I ever get it to work on a school machine): make them big as hell and save them as .tif files.
Right, time to make some art.
Amendment @ 06:05: Fuck it. It's just dawned on me that I've spent the entire day pissing around with design software that I barely know how to use. If I spent half as much time writing submittable copy as I did arsing around with that (and this blog), I'd have thousands of words to show. As it is, I do not. I'm gonna do what I came here to do: write.
Thursday 15 May 2008
Lost
No, I'm not being sarcky (that needs an official spelling) or downtrodden by the college's legendary ability at being absolutely fucking useless to students' needs; I've come up with an idea for a feature that I can bang out in a mere matter of minutes.
The TV show Lost is ace (needless to say say really). Anyway, a number of the main characters are named after famous philosophers (Locke, Hume, Rousseau). I'm going to write one of those random MSN Today stories or even a kind of Sky Digital customer magazine feature. I'll see how the research goes and get back.
The TV show Lost is ace (needless to say say really). Anyway, a number of the main characters are named after famous philosophers (Locke, Hume, Rousseau). I'm going to write one of those random MSN Today stories or even a kind of Sky Digital customer magazine feature. I'll see how the research goes and get back.
A visit to the shIT department
The layouts I put online. The morning (or afternoon to be precise) after and they still look good. So good in fact, I decided to go into Woodlane to print the bad boy out.
Double clicking on the newly placed icon in My Documents, Windows then asked me to chose what program (as opposed to programme, bloody Americanised language) to run it with. 'Why, Quark you piece of shit.' I exclaimed to the monitor in front of me. Clicking through a few boxes and menus I arrived at Quark. 'This is not a valid Win32 execution', the delightful pop-up box told me. Hmm, old version of Quark running perhaps? I thought. I tried another computer in the newsroom. Same problem.
Skipping through the spring rain to the library, I found that the computers in their IT suite didn't even have Quark on the desktop. Time to give away some man points and ask for some help. It turns out the bloke in the IT office isn't an IT engineer, he just works in there. 'Try the Fox Suite', I was told.
Down to the Fox Suite I went (that's the IT room near the canteen, not the see through mint endorsed by a polar bear). Same problem once more. And a double whammy, as there was no one in the office to help.
Fuck it, I'll go home and bash my head against my own brick walls, I thought. Stay posted for more / if any progress.
Double clicking on the newly placed icon in My Documents, Windows then asked me to chose what program (as opposed to programme, bloody Americanised language) to run it with. 'Why, Quark you piece of shit.' I exclaimed to the monitor in front of me. Clicking through a few boxes and menus I arrived at Quark. 'This is not a valid Win32 execution', the delightful pop-up box told me. Hmm, old version of Quark running perhaps? I thought. I tried another computer in the newsroom. Same problem.
Skipping through the spring rain to the library, I found that the computers in their IT suite didn't even have Quark on the desktop. Time to give away some man points and ask for some help. It turns out the bloke in the IT office isn't an IT engineer, he just works in there. 'Try the Fox Suite', I was told.
Down to the Fox Suite I went (that's the IT room near the canteen, not the see through mint endorsed by a polar bear). Same problem once more. And a double whammy, as there was no one in the office to help.
Fuck it, I'll go home and bash my head against my own brick walls, I thought. Stay posted for more / if any progress.
Late night layouts
So I've just come up with this rough sketch for the Eastern European tour article, robbed somewhat from a feature on Jools Holland in an old OMM, but that's the point right?
Ragged Trousered Dummy
Must remind myself at this point that they're not (I'll print off a test tomorrow) the image files that I'll use (think they're too small even after an hour's photoshop jiggery-pokery).
I think it looks pretty boss.
Ragged Trousered Dummy
Must remind myself at this point that they're not (I'll print off a test tomorrow) the image files that I'll use (think they're too small even after an hour's photoshop jiggery-pokery).
I think it looks pretty boss.
Lay that shit out
Success, it turns out that I'm not a total retard when it comes to Quark. Here's the work in progress of my Urban Exploration article. I've taken the style from Vice magazine (and its not quite A4 page size), looks like I'll fit a decent amount of text into this bad boy. Just have to finish the words off and it's go, go, go.
Page 1 & 2 Layout - I'll get on to the rest of the pages when I get a minute.
Oh yeah, I'll scan a copy of Vice for reference and get hold of BRAD to tell us about their audience (young, middle/working class, male and female, affluent/skint).
Page 1 & 2 Layout - I'll get on to the rest of the pages when I get a minute.
Oh yeah, I'll scan a copy of Vice for reference and get hold of BRAD to tell us about their audience (young, middle/working class, male and female, affluent/skint).
Monotonous Fun
I've just spent the last hour formatting all my images for print.
Open -> Image -> Mode -> CMYK
Image -> Image Size -> 300 dpi, change size of image to about 600kb -> Save As...
Fortunately I've been playing some poker to keep myself from entering a dribbling coma, and I seem to be coming out in profit. If only I could write and play. No, must write. Got all summer to become a millionaire online [sic].
(Added 04:13)- just about to fire up Quark for some more layouts. This post is post the last post. Just realised that OMM, like Vice is not quite A4, thought it'd be worth mentioning for extra effort and credit ;)
Open -> Image -> Mode -> CMYK
Image -> Image Size -> 300 dpi, change size of image to about 600kb -> Save As...
Fortunately I've been playing some poker to keep myself from entering a dribbling coma, and I seem to be coming out in profit. If only I could write and play. No, must write. Got all summer to become a millionaire online [sic].
(Added 04:13)- just about to fire up Quark for some more layouts. This post is post the last post. Just realised that OMM, like Vice is not quite A4, thought it'd be worth mentioning for extra effort and credit ;)
Wednesday 14 May 2008
Extra info for music feature
I've decided to go for an Observer Music Monthly type approach to this feature. A sort of: while English folk music is dead, the English are taking Eastern European folk music back to E Europe.
This also means that I can layout the article in glorious A4, meaning a bit more room to play with (as opposed to the Stranger A5 angle). Woop!
I also think it's best to point out the obvious stuff (so obvious I've had to force myself to write it down and not take it as a given): audiences. The ABC website is a piece of crap, so I'll have to go and check BRAD for OMM's figures, but as a rough guess, I'd say that they're ABC1s 20-50 yr old males and females. I'll update this proper stats when I get my can to college.
This also means that I can layout the article in glorious A4, meaning a bit more room to play with (as opposed to the Stranger A5 angle). Woop!
I also think it's best to point out the obvious stuff (so obvious I've had to force myself to write it down and not take it as a given): audiences. The ABC website is a piece of crap, so I'll have to go and check BRAD for OMM's figures, but as a rough guess, I'd say that they're ABC1s 20-50 yr old males and females. I'll update this proper stats when I get my can to college.
Monday 12 May 2008
Copyright issues
The Front article takes images from i-stock (www.istockphoto.com), so I've had a look on there for inspiration for my piece. The only problem is that it requires an account to be opened (not a problem), but payments (in cash form, quite a problem) to use people's pictures are required. Arse.
My thinking of a way around this is thus: I get someone to take a picture of me playing the guitar and then photoshop it so it looks a bit funky (like the Front image). Copyright problem solved. That or I'll try and use one of these stock photo sites that I've just Googled.
My thinking of a way around this is thus: I get someone to take a picture of me playing the guitar and then photoshop it so it looks a bit funky (like the Front image). Copyright problem solved. That or I'll try and use one of these stock photo sites that I've just Googled.
Ripping off Front
They say that copying someone's work is the height of flattery. So Front should know that I'm going to flatter their arses off.
I'm doing the Secret Language of the Busker piece and this is what I'm aiming to make it look like. 'Aiming' being the operative word there.
Quick Bitch
I'll keep this short as I'm on a tight schedule. I just want to point out that despite my complete lack of a visual brain (I think in words and numbers, unless I'm thinking of women of course), I am going to layout my articles (some if not all, maybe, we'll see). This will essentially be an exercise in me trying something I'm terrible at. So apologise in advance for some retarded looking layouts.
It's not that I don't know what a good layout looks like, it's just that I can't create one on my head and then get it on to the screen. There's a void in whatever cortex controls those thoughts. You know, I do pick up magazines (like the free ones) and bitch about how terrible they look. That's because they're designed by people like me. Is this an excuse? Possibly, we'll see what the end result looks like. But you don't see illustration students having to display their work in sculpture, do you?
It's not that I don't know what a good layout looks like, it's just that I can't create one on my head and then get it on to the screen. There's a void in whatever cortex controls those thoughts. You know, I do pick up magazines (like the free ones) and bitch about how terrible they look. That's because they're designed by people like me. Is this an excuse? Possibly, we'll see what the end result looks like. But you don't see illustration students having to display their work in sculpture, do you?
Tuesday 6 May 2008
more ideas
Well, one more idea. I might get around to writing something in a minute.
Front has a regular feature called 'The Secret Language of...' (I'll scan a picture of it and upload it when I'm in college next). It's about 500 words of comedy basically. I'm going to write a secret language of the busker. Having been a busker before I think I can add a little insight to the piece as well as a bit of venom, vitriol and humour.
Front has a regular feature called 'The Secret Language of...' (I'll scan a picture of it and upload it when I'm in college next). It's about 500 words of comedy basically. I'm going to write a secret language of the busker. Having been a busker before I think I can add a little insight to the piece as well as a bit of venom, vitriol and humour.
Thursday 24 April 2008
flying back again
It's amazing how this work comes from procrastinating on the dissertation. So I've just slobbed out for twenty minutes to have a smoke and a quick game of poker, when I remembered something. The other night when I was slacking and playing poker I found this website that says it'll watch you play and if you're good enough: sponsor you. It all sounds a bit suss right (?) but it turns out it's run by ex England cricketer Ed Giddens.
So I've just sent him this email:
(Oh yeah, and the site is called Geoff, I think it's like Dave on TV)
About Geoff Basically
From: Tim Horner (t********@hotmail.com)
Sent: 24 April 2008 00:13:20
To: ed@geoff.cc
Hello Ed,
I was checking my stats on SharkScope and stumbled upon your ad. This seems pretty interesting, I thought to myself and what not.
My name is Tim Horner and I'm a third year Journalism student at University College Falmouth. I also happen to have a massive interest in poker, writing, and writing about poker. (I'm currently having a quick Sit & Go break from my dissertation - which happens to be on poker.)
I've set up an account on Betfair under the alias 'Angry Youth' if you fancy keeping an eye on my form. I've been playing a bit on Full Tilt and it's a completely different kettle of (excuse the pun) fish.
If you could provide me with some information on your company, what and how you work... I'm sure I could come up with a real good article for those who play poker (young men...), I have contacts at Poker Player and Front who would considering running it.
Look forward to hearing from you,
Tim Horner
Angry Youth
So that's another option. Back to the diss.
So I've just sent him this email:
(Oh yeah, and the site is called Geoff, I think it's like Dave on TV)
About Geoff Basically
From: Tim Horner (t********@hotmail.com)
Sent: 24 April 2008 00:13:20
To: ed@geoff.cc
Hello Ed,
I was checking my stats on SharkScope and stumbled upon your ad. This seems pretty interesting, I thought to myself and what not.
My name is Tim Horner and I'm a third year Journalism student at University College Falmouth. I also happen to have a massive interest in poker, writing, and writing about poker. (I'm currently having a quick Sit & Go break from my dissertation - which happens to be on poker.)
I've set up an account on Betfair under the alias 'Angry Youth' if you fancy keeping an eye on my form. I've been playing a bit on Full Tilt and it's a completely different kettle of (excuse the pun) fish.
If you could provide me with some information on your company, what and how you work... I'm sure I could come up with a real good article for those who play poker (young men...), I have contacts at Poker Player and Front who would considering running it.
Look forward to hearing from you,
Tim Horner
Angry Youth
So that's another option. Back to the diss.
flying visit
Sorry, can't stop. Got too much of the madness and mêlée of trying to finish a dissertation in a week to be hanging round here too long.
The Onion: is a great fictional online newspaper (they've also started doing broadcast stuff on youtube) The Onion. I'm going to write a few newsy/comedy pieces in their style, considering their audience.
I thought of a few ideas and I think this will work.
Area Man 1-0 Crushing Banality of College Work
The Onion: is a great fictional online newspaper (they've also started doing broadcast stuff on youtube) The Onion. I'm going to write a few newsy/comedy pieces in their style, considering their audience.
I thought of a few ideas and I think this will work.
Area Man 1-0 Crushing Banality of College Work
Monday 7 April 2008
response
That was quick. Auto-reply, I assume. Here's their response:
Reply from Polish Express Newspaper
From: Polish Express (redakcja@polishexpress.co.uk)
You may not know this sender.Mark as safe|Mark as unsafe
Sent: 07 April 2008 14:27:55
To: t******@hotmail.co.uk
Dziekujemy za kontakt z redakcja tygodnika Polish Express. Dolozymy staran, aby skontaktowac sie z Panstwem mozliwie szybko. W przypadku spraw pilnych prosimy o kontakt telefoniczny pod numerem: +44 (0) 208 96 444 88 wew 480 Osoby zainteresowane praca w naszym wydawnictwie, zapraszamy na www.polishexpress.co.uk/praca Informacje o praktykach dostepne sa na www.polishexpress.co.uk/praktyki Aby zareklamowac dzialalnosc uslugowa odwiedz www.polishexpress.co.uk/reklama, aby zamiescic ogloszenie drobne www.polishexpress.co.uk/drobne Tygodnik Polish Express jest dostepny w prenumeracie, ktora mozna zamowic na www.polishexpress.co.uk/prenumerata Pozdrawiamy,Redakcja Polish Express ....Thank you for contacting Polish Express, the biggest Polish newspaper in the United Kingdom. We will try to reply as soon as possible. If this is urgent matter please call us on +44 (0) 208 96 444 88 ext 480In meantime you are welcome to visit our website www.polishexpress.co.uk
I await a response from a human.
Reply from Polish Express Newspaper
From: Polish Express (redakcja@polishexpress.co.uk)
You may not know this sender.Mark as safe|Mark as unsafe
Sent: 07 April 2008 14:27:55
To: t******@hotmail.co.uk
Dziekujemy za kontakt z redakcja tygodnika Polish Express. Dolozymy staran, aby skontaktowac sie z Panstwem mozliwie szybko. W przypadku spraw pilnych prosimy o kontakt telefoniczny pod numerem: +44 (0) 208 96 444 88 wew 480 Osoby zainteresowane praca w naszym wydawnictwie, zapraszamy na www.polishexpress.co.uk/praca Informacje o praktykach dostepne sa na www.polishexpress.co.uk/praktyki Aby zareklamowac dzialalnosc uslugowa odwiedz www.polishexpress.co.uk/reklama, aby zamiescic ogloszenie drobne www.polishexpress.co.uk/drobne Tygodnik Polish Express jest dostepny w prenumeracie, ktora mozna zamowic na www.polishexpress.co.uk/prenumerata Pozdrawiamy,Redakcja Polish Express ....Thank you for contacting Polish Express, the biggest Polish newspaper in the United Kingdom. We will try to reply as soon as possible. If this is urgent matter please call us on +44 (0) 208 96 444 88 ext 480In meantime you are welcome to visit our website www.polishexpress.co.uk
I await a response from a human.
feature idea #7983274
Well the lazy lay isn't really going on at the minute. I think the pressure of dissertating every waking (non hungover) moment is getting to me. It's not going to be much better after the deadline, what with having to write up my Neg Port stories and all the P.R. work. But I digress...
I've got a new idea that seems pretty sharp. I have a friend/contact who works (and did teacher training) at Truro College. The angle is that she is Polish. (Very contemporary issue eh?) I'm thinking of interviewing her about the job, how she got into the job and about career opportunities in education; with the intent of pitching it to the Polish Express.
I've emailed the Polish Express with the idea:
editorial enquiry
From: Tim Horner (t*****@hotmail.co.uk)
Sent: 07 April 2008 14:27:50
To: redakcja@fortismediauk.com
Hello,
My name is Tim Horner and I am studying BA Journalism at University College Falmouth. I am currently undertaking a project in which we approach publications and pitch story ideas.
I have a contact who moved to the UK from Poland a few years ago and has found employment in the education sector, teaching A Level students at Truro College. I am considering writing a feature on her and how she got into the teacher training course as well as the pros and cons of teaching hormone fuelled teenagers.
Having only seen your newspaper via the website, could you tell me what sort of length (in terms of word count) a feature like this would be?
Also, I feel I should add that I should be able to have it translated into Polish.
Kind regards,
Tim Horner
Like so. I think it'd be a really interesting article whether they go with it or not. As shown in the email, I'm not too sure about the word count, but I think I can easily get a thousand words out of it, plus some photos for a good layout.
I've got a new idea that seems pretty sharp. I have a friend/contact who works (and did teacher training) at Truro College. The angle is that she is Polish. (Very contemporary issue eh?) I'm thinking of interviewing her about the job, how she got into the job and about career opportunities in education; with the intent of pitching it to the Polish Express.
I've emailed the Polish Express with the idea:
editorial enquiry
From: Tim Horner (t*****@hotmail.co.uk)
Sent: 07 April 2008 14:27:50
To: redakcja@fortismediauk.com
Hello,
My name is Tim Horner and I am studying BA Journalism at University College Falmouth. I am currently undertaking a project in which we approach publications and pitch story ideas.
I have a contact who moved to the UK from Poland a few years ago and has found employment in the education sector, teaching A Level students at Truro College. I am considering writing a feature on her and how she got into the teacher training course as well as the pros and cons of teaching hormone fuelled teenagers.
Having only seen your newspaper via the website, could you tell me what sort of length (in terms of word count) a feature like this would be?
Also, I feel I should add that I should be able to have it translated into Polish.
Kind regards,
Tim Horner
Like so. I think it'd be a really interesting article whether they go with it or not. As shown in the email, I'm not too sure about the word count, but I think I can easily get a thousand words out of it, plus some photos for a good layout.
Wednesday 2 April 2008
Long time no post...
Or at least it feels that way. Just a quickie tonight thanks. I just thought I'd mention that I'm meeting a couch surfer (Couch Surfing site) in a few weeks time, so I'm gonna pick his brain on the subject. I'm also going to email some of the founders of the site and maybe next time I go over to Newquay I'll try and catch a couch and meet some more interesting people. That's what the site seems to be all about.
Just not too sure as to what publication to aim it for. Any suggestions?
Just not too sure as to what publication to aim it for. Any suggestions?
Sunday 30 March 2008
Work Idea
I've thought of another idea for writing:
I want to set up a Wiki for the Mighty Boosh. It's a comedy show if you've had your head buried in Gylyngvase beach for the last year or so. They're pretty huge. I've been watching their stuff for years and my head, rather than having sand block my hearing, has an abundant knowledge of their show/gags/references...
Would this be considered as published journalism? I think so.
I got the idea from a Wiki on the television show Lost:Lostpedia
I've also come up with a nice little punny pseudonym: Roman Owes. My mate Neil commented on my conker last night, and rather then be offended I've found it quite amusing. I think that's quite sharp.
I want to set up a Wiki for the Mighty Boosh. It's a comedy show if you've had your head buried in Gylyngvase beach for the last year or so. They're pretty huge. I've been watching their stuff for years and my head, rather than having sand block my hearing, has an abundant knowledge of their show/gags/references...
Would this be considered as published journalism? I think so.
I got the idea from a Wiki on the television show Lost:Lostpedia
I've also come up with a nice little punny pseudonym: Roman Owes. My mate Neil commented on my conker last night, and rather then be offended I've found it quite amusing. I think that's quite sharp.
Thursday 27 March 2008
Possible idea
This doesn't sound like the most promising introduction to an idea, but here goes: I've been doing a bit of DJing with a friend and we're trying to spread the word. I'm thinking I could write an article on us under a moniker or something. The guy that I'm doing it with, known as Cam (he doesn't have any other names as far as I'm aware), is putting together an old school A6 size zine on random things including stuff about our nights. I think this would be a good targeted publication which is part of the Neg Port requirements right?
Either way, if it doesn't work, I can do it on my own time and focus on some other stuff for the course. Just thought it was worth checking.
Either way, if it doesn't work, I can do it on my own time and focus on some other stuff for the course. Just thought it was worth checking.
Thursday 20 March 2008
Update
Not much to update unfortunately. I've spent a fair few hours online 'hunting'. It's quite shocking how many matchmaking/personals sites there are. The down side is: they all expect you to pay £x a month to use their services to full potential (like to be able to send messages to other members, bit of a con I think).
On the plus side, I did send out some messages via Myspace and a response. I just wish I wasn't so bogged down with dissertation work that I could actually go out and meet her. Also, a friend of mine from back home seems to be quite experienced in 'utilising' Myspace. He had some great words of wisdom. "Message every girl on there and get straight to the point. I guarantee it'll work." I like his thinking: If you throw enough shit at a wall some of it is bound to stick.
On the plus side, I did send out some messages via Myspace and a response. I just wish I wasn't so bogged down with dissertation work that I could actually go out and meet her. Also, a friend of mine from back home seems to be quite experienced in 'utilising' Myspace. He had some great words of wisdom. "Message every girl on there and get straight to the point. I guarantee it'll work." I like his thinking: If you throw enough shit at a wall some of it is bound to stick.
Thursday 6 March 2008
one more
Just remembered that I got another lead on a story. A friend of a friend plays with the band I Am Kloot, they've got a video with Christopher Eccleston in it on Youtube! Which you can get to here.
Please ignore the times of these posts. It may not be the usual time of day for working for most, but it works for me.
Please ignore the times of these posts. It may not be the usual time of day for working for most, but it works for me.
Feature idea #473211
And they said it would never happen. Well, 'they' didn't, I did. A dissertation avoiding few pints (and a few more than is maybe responsible) has led to the circumstances in which I've come up with an idea for a feature. Forgetting that it's almost four o'clock and I'm sat around a friend's (a former journalism student I may add, although the relevance is entirely coincidental), I think I've come up with a focused and interesting story. Or the beginnings of one at least.
Last month, Falmouth band Julian Gaskell And The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists did a tour of Eastern Europe playing in bars, restaurants and primary schools in Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. (I met them out in Poland incidentally.) I want to have a chat with the guys, record an afternoon's interview and write a portrait piece for Stranger magazine - in a local band gets out kind of feature. They've got loads of photos which I can use to add to the visual commentary, and some videos on Youtube like this one. By chance it's a video of a gig that I attended. They've also got plenty of others, like them playing in a school gym.
It'll be a good 2000 words, and with their photos I think Ill be able to bang out a decent layout (or as good as). Back of the net!
Last month, Falmouth band Julian Gaskell And The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists did a tour of Eastern Europe playing in bars, restaurants and primary schools in Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. (I met them out in Poland incidentally.) I want to have a chat with the guys, record an afternoon's interview and write a portrait piece for Stranger magazine - in a local band gets out kind of feature. They've got loads of photos which I can use to add to the visual commentary, and some videos on Youtube like this one. By chance it's a video of a gig that I attended. They've also got plenty of others, like them playing in a school gym.
It'll be a good 2000 words, and with their photos I think Ill be able to bang out a decent layout (or as good as). Back of the net!
Tuesday 4 March 2008
Out of the office
I suppose this is a bit of a critique post. But I thought it's worth mentioning that I'm super busy with my dissertation at the minute (how have I let myself get so far behind? Oh wait, that's not relevant for this unit), so I need to concentrate on that for a while. Bad time management? Yes, very much so. I am all too aware of that. But I need to get on with the dissertation so this is going to have to be shelved for a short while.
I'll keep posting ideas and progress, should I stumble upon any, but I wouldn't hold your breath.
I'll keep posting ideas and progress, should I stumble upon any, but I wouldn't hold your breath.
Wednesday 27 February 2008
update
I've emailed the chocolate egg pitch to loaded and am awaiting response. I really hope someone buys the idea. The thought of me vomiting in the name of journalism seems much more appealing than say, interviewing some band that's stuck up their own arses (not that any bands I associate myself with are).
I've signed up to the 28 Days Later forum, which is about Urban Exploration - not the zombie film. I think they're a bit strict with people using the forums, so hoopefully I'll be able to get some anonymous responses to questions. I also need to get off my arse and go exploring myself.
I checked Vice and their features tend to run between 1 and 1,500 words which is an attainable word count. I'm thinking I'll get this one done and dusted and out of the way so I can concentrate on generating more ideas and work.
Toodles
I've signed up to the 28 Days Later forum, which is about Urban Exploration - not the zombie film. I think they're a bit strict with people using the forums, so hoopefully I'll be able to get some anonymous responses to questions. I also need to get off my arse and go exploring myself.
I checked Vice and their features tend to run between 1 and 1,500 words which is an attainable word count. I'm thinking I'll get this one done and dusted and out of the way so I can concentrate on generating more ideas and work.
Toodles
Monday 25 February 2008
Another idea
As with all my good ideas, I stumbled upon this one whilst sat on my skinny arse watching the tv and drinking a beer.
Text dating is advertised on late night telly and men's magazines mercilessly. I thought I'd contact one of the lines (get free texts) and see if I can 'make new friends' via their service. Write a report on a night's effort to get some without leaving the house. If the companies have any sense they'll want me to be impressed by their service. Don't need to be anymore suggestive.
Pros: Gonzo feature, could be funny, could get laid
Cons: Magazines/text lines might not want to run it - don't want to scare off the advertisers, might meet not so appealing women
Text dating is advertised on late night telly and men's magazines mercilessly. I thought I'd contact one of the lines (get free texts) and see if I can 'make new friends' via their service. Write a report on a night's effort to get some without leaving the house. If the companies have any sense they'll want me to be impressed by their service. Don't need to be anymore suggestive.
Pros: Gonzo feature, could be funny, could get laid
Cons: Magazines/text lines might not want to run it - don't want to scare off the advertisers, might meet not so appealing women
Try again
I received this unfortunate email on Thursday (only just got around to posting it), I think I'll pitch it to loaded, but I expect a similar response.
Re: feature
From: Joe Barnes (j*****@frontarmy.co.uk)
Sent: 21 February 2008 16:28:27
To: Tim Horner (t*****@hotmail.co.uk)
Security scan upon download Trend Micro ® logo
Attachments: image.jpg (19.0 KB)
Hi Tim,
We were actually offered something similar by Cadbury’s PR people but decided to give it a miss. If you were in on work experience we’d probably go with it but I don’t think it would work written as an external story.
Defo send me through feature ideas and stuff though, we’re always looking for good new writers.
All the best,
Joe
Joe Barnes
Editor
FRONT | Flip media | 19 Waterside | 44-48 Wharf Road | N1 7UX
T: 0207 689 3908 | Be our mate: http://www.myspace.com/frontmag
Re: feature
From: Joe Barnes (j*****@frontarmy.co.uk)
Sent: 21 February 2008 16:28:27
To: Tim Horner (t*****@hotmail.co.uk)
Security scan upon download Trend Micro ® logo
Attachments: image.jpg (19.0 KB)
Hi Tim,
We were actually offered something similar by Cadbury’s PR people but decided to give it a miss. If you were in on work experience we’d probably go with it but I don’t think it would work written as an external story.
Defo send me through feature ideas and stuff though, we’re always looking for good new writers.
All the best,
Joe
Joe Barnes
Editor
FRONT | Flip media | 19 Waterside | 44-48 Wharf Road | N1 7UX
T: 0207 689 3908 | Be our mate: http://www.myspace.com/frontmag
Monday 18 February 2008
First ideas
'Holy fecal matter Batman! He's got some ideas!' Is what I'd like to here Robin say when he discovered that I actually had some dasstardly plans for material for Neg Port 2. Last semester I think I managed one decent idea in the first two months. We've been back a week and I've got three! So here they are:
1. Travel article: Poland on Pennies - TNT Magazine (other backpacker titles as well).
Over the inter semester break I went to Poland on a cheap holiday to see a friend. The return flight from London cost about £40, we stayed in private apartments for around £20 (between us) a night. Snowboarding is super cheap as is food and booze - all the requirements of an Antipodean traveler.
2. Urban Exploration - Vice Magazine
New and growing interest/hobby for people of all ages. Basically, it involves nosing around abandonned/derelict buildings. Kind of making the mundane exciting and abstract, appreciating the world around us. Quite hippie-y really. There's an old hospital just out of town that I want to go and check out, have a nose, take photographs. There are also plenty of websites dedicated to this odd past time and quite a big online community with forums where they show off their crafty work. This could be a good place to hook an expert or two and do interviews (via email/phone probably).
3. 100 Creme Egg Challenge - Front magazine
In the film Cool Hand Luke, Luke eats 100 hard boiled eggs as part of a bet (or so I've heard, haven't seen it). For what seems to be the only lads mag left with a decent stupid sense of humour, I'd like to put an Easter spin on it and try and eat 100 Cadbury Creme Eggs whilst dressed as the Easter Bunny or Jesus (I think Jesus would be more amusing and offensive). It'll probably/definately involve me throwing up/shitting myself/getting tooth-ache, which is exactly the kind of fun they like in the lads market. I'm thinking I'll only be able to get a few hundred words as it's hardly the height of journalism, but it is work for a specified market and audience, which will be written in style and with the bravado it deserves.
To do list:
Read TNT online, Australia & NZ Times - get idea of style, word count, content of travel pieces for travelers. Do background research (contact Polish Tourism Office). Write article.
Check word counts of articles in Vice. Go and adventrue. Take a friend who can operate a camera better than a five year old (I mean me). Get on forums, contact other explorers, do interveiws. Write.
Hear back from Joe @ Front re: free Creme Eggs/Jesus costume. Eat eggs, vomit, write.
1. Travel article: Poland on Pennies - TNT Magazine (other backpacker titles as well).
Over the inter semester break I went to Poland on a cheap holiday to see a friend. The return flight from London cost about £40, we stayed in private apartments for around £20 (between us) a night. Snowboarding is super cheap as is food and booze - all the requirements of an Antipodean traveler.
2. Urban Exploration - Vice Magazine
New and growing interest/hobby for people of all ages. Basically, it involves nosing around abandonned/derelict buildings. Kind of making the mundane exciting and abstract, appreciating the world around us. Quite hippie-y really. There's an old hospital just out of town that I want to go and check out, have a nose, take photographs. There are also plenty of websites dedicated to this odd past time and quite a big online community with forums where they show off their crafty work. This could be a good place to hook an expert or two and do interviews (via email/phone probably).
3. 100 Creme Egg Challenge - Front magazine
In the film Cool Hand Luke, Luke eats 100 hard boiled eggs as part of a bet (or so I've heard, haven't seen it). For what seems to be the only lads mag left with a decent stupid sense of humour, I'd like to put an Easter spin on it and try and eat 100 Cadbury Creme Eggs whilst dressed as the Easter Bunny or Jesus (I think Jesus would be more amusing and offensive). It'll probably/definately involve me throwing up/shitting myself/getting tooth-ache, which is exactly the kind of fun they like in the lads market. I'm thinking I'll only be able to get a few hundred words as it's hardly the height of journalism, but it is work for a specified market and audience, which will be written in style and with the bravado it deserves.
To do list:
Read TNT online, Australia & NZ Times - get idea of style, word count, content of travel pieces for travelers. Do background research (contact Polish Tourism Office). Write article.
Check word counts of articles in Vice. Go and adventrue. Take a friend who can operate a camera better than a five year old (I mean me). Get on forums, contact other explorers, do interveiws. Write.
Hear back from Joe @ Front re: free Creme Eggs/Jesus costume. Eat eggs, vomit, write.
The journals of a journo
DISCLAIMER: As this is a blog, the contents are likely to be of the standard of other bloggers around the world. Heresay and half truths are bound to be rife. There will undoubtly be copious uses of swear words. But I'll try and be good on the spelling and grammar - that's just good practice for a writer.
...And so we get to the point. This blog is designed to be a diary/journal of my work on the Negotiated Portfolio 2 unit. Sticking out and pasting magazine pages, interview transcripts, notes and doodles into a scrapbook are so 2007 (or even 1987). Plus, if I do this I'll have to keep on top of it (damn time/date stamp on posts, no last minute scrapbooking this time), which hopefully will be to my benefit. If not: it gets me using the internet for more productive things than checking the football scorees and playing poker.
Enjoy.
...And so we get to the point. This blog is designed to be a diary/journal of my work on the Negotiated Portfolio 2 unit. Sticking out and pasting magazine pages, interview transcripts, notes and doodles into a scrapbook are so 2007 (or even 1987). Plus, if I do this I'll have to keep on top of it (damn time/date stamp on posts, no last minute scrapbooking this time), which hopefully will be to my benefit. If not: it gets me using the internet for more productive things than checking the football scorees and playing poker.
Enjoy.
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