c · web view2019. 5. 24. · new segments of information within the podcast are introduced...

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Department of Media and Communication

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Rio DennisYear Two – Print,

Radio, TV Unit 13– Extended

Media ProjectAcademic year 2018 -2019

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C ontents :

CONTENTS.........................................................................................................................................2

LIST OF FIGURES.............................................................................................................................4

LIST OF TABLES...............................................................................................................................4

DEFINITION OF TERMS...................................................................................................................4

Unit 13/14 - Project Proposal...............................................................................................................5

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Project Action Plan and Timetable.......................................................................................................8

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Introduction..........................................................................................................................................9

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The Background of my Project........................................................................................................10

Who am I?...................................................................................................................................10

What did I learn on my course?..................................................................................................10

What is my project about?.............................................................................................................11

Why my project is important?............................................................................................................

My Research Plan............................................................................................................................11

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Literature/Resources Review.................................................................................................................

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Introduction....................................................................................................................................13

Practitioners Report............................................................................................................................

CONCLUSION - Who/what was my inspiration? /Contextualisation of my study.........................

Research Design..................................................................................................................................13

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Introduction....................................................................................................................................... .

Research Questions........................................................................................................................14

Research Design Evolution..............................................................................................................15

Research Findings...............................................................................................................................17

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Data analysis...................................................................................................................................... .

Conclusion - How did the research help me with my project?..........................................................

My Project...........................................................................................................................................18

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Introduction....................................................................................................................................18

Pre-Production................................................................................................................................18

Production.......................................................................................................................................19

Post-production..............................................................................................................................20

Presentation....................................................................................................................................20

MY FMP – FINAL PRODUCT.................................................................................................................20

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Project Evaluation...............................................................................................................................21

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APPENDICES........................................................................................................................................21

Extended project in creative media production Learning Outcomes and Assessment.................21

1. Be able to initiate and develop a creative media production project proposal.......................22

2. Be able to use research, analysis and evaluation to develop solutions for creative media production project.......................................................................................................................22

3. Be able to solve practical, theoretical and technical problems in a creative media production project.........................................................................................................................................22

4. Be able to plan, organise and produce a creative media production project..........................22

5. Be able to use practical methods and skills in a creative media production project................22

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6. Be able to use evaluative and reflective skills in the production of a creative media product.22

7. Be able to present a creative media production project..........................................................22

REFERENCES........................................................................................................................................22

L ist of Figures:

Figure 1- What is research.......................................................................................................................Figure 2- How to ask good questions.......................................................................................................Figure 3 - My exercise 1...........................................................................................................................

L ist of Tables: Table 1 - Project Proposal......................................................................................................................6Table 2 - Project Action Plan and Timetable..........................................................................................9Table 3- My research Plan...................................................................................................................11

D efinition of Terms :

FMP – Final Major ProjectUAL – University of the Arts London

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Unit 13 - Project Proposal :

Candidate Name Rio DennisCandidate NumberPathway UAL Level Three Extended Diploma in Creative Writing and

JournalismProject Title ‘Zealous’Section 1: Rationale (approx. 150 words)Throughout the duration of this course, I have gained a plethora of knowledge, skills and understanding that have enabled me to improve all aspects of my creative and journalistic writing. My overall area of interest within my project (and my work in general) is music journalism. My project will be centred on this interest, and will be in the form of a music magazine. The key areas of knowledge I have gained from this course, would have to be the following: ‘show and don’t tell’, decluttering, extended metaphors and specificity. These skills were aspects of writing that I knew little to nothing about. Now that I have gained sufficient knowledge of these skills, my writing has, and continues to, improve. These skills (I’ve found) are key elements of within writing (especially music journalism). I chose to base my project around the form of music journalism, as it is the career path I will be pursuing, and it is a form that can be implemented into multiple mediums e.g. print, radio, film. This means that there are multiple avenues for me to experiment with throughout this project. I feel this explorative range of information sources will be a key element in capturing the interest of my audience.

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Section 2: Project Concept (approx. 200 words)For this project, I will be creating a music magazine that will contain content such as: gig reviews, album/single reviews, photographs, interviews and feature articles. I will aim to use a range of research resources (both primary and secondary). I plan to contact industry professionals regarding specific aspects of music journalism. I will also aim to create a survey, conduct online research and analyse industry examples of music journalism. All aspects of my research will be compiled into a singular report. The main format for my project will be print, however this may alter slightly if I wish to include some interactive elements e.g. audio and video. The primary aim of my project is to create a product that will allow me to develop, explore and experiment with my style, tone and unique ‘voice’ within music journalism. My influence for my project is my intended career, general passions/interests and existing publications e.g. Kerrang!, as I feel they manage to showcase the key elements of effective music journalism. In regards to what I will research, I have come up with the following hypothesis and questions:Hypothesis- What makes good music journalism?Questions-

What specific skills/techniques are used within an effective piece of music journalism?

How are some forms of music journalism more effective than others? What makes effective music journalism in the eyes of a professional?

By using these research questions, I aim to collect relevant information that can aid the creation of my magazine. My target audience will be 18-25 year-olds, and most likely fans of alternative music genres e.g. pop-punk, indie, rock. They may also be interested in feature articles/in-depth information regarding specific aspects of the industry. My role within this project will be completely independent, and I will be carrying out all of the elements myself (alongside some necessary assistance from tutors/peers). The technical requirements that may be present are:

The use of a DSLR camera for the photographic element of my project. The use of editing software e.g. Photoshop. The use of other ‘interactive’ software e.g. Adobe InDesign, FlipHTML,

audio editing software etc. Section 3: Evaluation (approx. 150 words)For the evaluative aspect of this project, I will be creating weekly evaluations. These will be in the form of a blog post, and will be documented on my WordPress page. Within these blogs, I will also document any changes and impacts with my overall idea and work. Each blog will analyse the work completed within the sessions, and how it will impact my overall project/product. I will also create a conclusive evaluation at the end of the project. This will be at the end of this portfolio. It will analyse and evaluate the whole process of the project, as well as my final product.Proposed Research Sources and Bibliography (Harvard Format)This section of my proposal will be updated if and when I use a new source of information.Bibliography:

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/tekashi-69-rise-and-fall- feature-777971/

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5cjHaW8lKG7QaaKThTWHno https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q438-QXTlGs https://www.journalism.co.uk/news/interactive-tips-and-advice-for-music-

journalism/s2/a562338/ https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/has-music-journalism-changed-for-

the-better-135509.html https://www.theguardian.com/careers/music-journalism-best-of

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https://www.theguardian.com/careers/music-journalism-best-of

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/has-music-journalism-changed-for-the-better-135509.html


https://www.journalism.co.uk/news/interactive-tips-and-advice-for-music-journalism/s2/a562338/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q438-QXTlGs

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5cjHaW8lKG7QaaKThTWHno

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/tekashi-69-rise-and-fall-feature-777971/


CONTENTS


Project Action Plan and Timetabl e:

Project Action Plan and Timetable

Week Date of W/C Activity / What you are intending to do - including independent study

Resources / What you will need to do it - including access to workshops

125.02.19

Continue working on my research report

Begin comparing and contrasting my primary and secondary research results

Research report

204.03.19

Continue working on my research report

Complete the ‘findings’ section of the report

Begin thinking about experimental work and content for the project

Being thinking about the ‘discussions’ element of the report

Research report

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3 11.03.19 Continue working on my research report

Begin the experimental phase of work

Begin developing my individual style and ‘voice’

Also begin thinking about the pieces I may want to develop and re-craft

Research report

4 18.03.19 Continue working on my research report

Continue with the experimental phase of my work

Begin to pinpoint the key aspects of my individual style and ‘voice’

Continue to consider the possible pieces for re-crafting

Research report

5 25.03.19 Complete my research report

Hold an initial discussion regarding primary FMP thoughts and general ideas

Begin thinking about developing existing/creating new content for the FMP (content ‘practice’)

Research report Radio room (for the

discussion)

6 01.04.19 Begin developing initial thoughts and ideas based on my complete research report and the initial group discussion

Continue with the development of content, and begin collecting feedback from initial blog posts

Completed research report

Audio from the group discussion

WordPress blog (to refer to feedback)

7 22.04.19 Conduct another group discussion to act as an update on thoughts, progress and the project in general

Using the initial content produced, begin recording the production phase of work within the portfolio

Continue to update the portfolio/WordPress blogs accordingly

Radio room (for the discussion)

Project portfolio

8 29.04.19 Begin editing FMP content/creating final pieces for the project

Begin developing thoughts

Content drafts Project portfolio

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about the design and presentation of the final product


9 06.05.19 Finish editing/creating final pieces of content

Continue to develop thoughts about the design and presentation of the project

Research industry examples for ideas and inspiration

Begin the digital design work within Adobe InDesign


Internet research (for industry examples/inspiration)

Adobe InDesign (for the digital design)

10 13.05.19 Continue the creation of the final project, with reference to the personal brief, research report and other supporting sources

Make note of any potential problems, and the steps taken to find a solution

Continue to update the portfolio accordingly

Research report Other ‘general’

research (if necessary)

Internet research (used for initial examples/inspiration)


11 24.05.19(Deadline)

Add the final elements into the product/make any final adjustments to the design/layout

Update the final chapters of the project portfolio

Create a blogpost for the finalised work (ready for internal assessment)


Project portfolio WordPress

Final deadline: Friday 24.05.19Introduction :

This project portfolio is a report of my final major project (FMP). This is for my second-year UAL Extended Diploma in the Creative Writing and Journalism pathway. My project is a music magazine that will focus primarily on alternative

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music genres. This initial chapter will present the background of my project e.g. personal influences (who am I/why I write). This chapter will also cover what I have learnt on this course, what my project is about and why it is important.

The Background of my Project : What makes me do my project?

The main reason behind what makes me do this project, would have to be my love of writing combined with my intended career path.My personal experiences that influence my choices (idea for the project, my role in the project, how it relates to my future career):

In terms of the influences for my idea/project, I was mainly influenced by my interest and passion for music journalism. The concept of my project also relates directly to my future career, as I hope to follow a career in music journalism and, ultimately, work for a major publication company e.g. Kerrang!. As my role throughout the project is completely independent, I will be able to experience each aspect of music journalism, when it comes to putting a magazine together.What do I seek to achieve?

By completing this project, I hope to achieve the following: Create a professional-standard product that has allowed me to develop my

writing style, tone and unique ‘voice’. Experience a range of roles that contribute to the pre-production,

production and post-production of the intended product. Gain a more developed and knowledgeable understanding of music

journalism as a form, and how it can be affected by varying factors. Create a product that can become part of a growing portfolio.How it relates to my target audience:

My project relates to my target audience, as I found the majority of my survey answers were from people within that age bracket (18-25). I will also find it easier to create content for this age range, as I have more knowledge about the demographic e.g. likes, dislikes, key interest points and (potential) influencing factors.

Who am I? Why I write:

Since I first thought about why I write, I have discovered more reasons as to why I write. My initial response to this question is as follows: ‘I write due to the sense of fulfilment I get from finishing a piece of work. I also write to discover more about myself as a person and a writer. The final reason I write, is to question other people’s views about the world’.Throughout the duration of this course, each unit has given me more reasons to write. A key piece of work that enabled this, was my first-year FMP. I managed to create a collection of compelling and extremely effective poetry. The poems were based on various issues that someone may experience within their life e.g.

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abuse, rape, abortion, gender dysphoria etc. This medium is my strong point within my writing, as I am able to convey thoughts, views, opinions and feelings that I wouldn’t be able to express as effectively through a journalistic piece.Poetry, as a form, is definitely something I aim to pull elements from, to implement into my other pieces of work. These elements include linguistic devices such as: extended metaphors, imagery and similes. I feel that these ‘creative’ elements really add colour to a more journalistic piece.I decided to pursue the path of music journalism, as I felt it would enable me to combine my love for writing, with my passion for music. I found that it would also allow me to incorporate my photography as well (as an optional element to my work). It’s a career that has multiple avenues to explore and experiment with as well. The other reason I have decided to pursue this career, is due to the importance of music to me. Music has always been present in my life.For as long as I can remember, my parents have always had a huge range of music playing in the car and at home. Some of my earliest memories are of myself and my brother jumping around to the sound of our dad’s record collection. My love for music followed me throughout school. I played clarinet for several years, and continued to study music during secondary school. Through personal struggles I have experienced, I found that music was a major emotional outlet for me. If I couldn’t express how I felt through written or verbal communication, I found song lyrics that spoke for me.I’m planning to continue my study at BIMM (British and Irish Institute of Modern Music) Manchester. I will be studying a three-year BA (Hons) Degree in Music Journalism. This next big step within my life, is something I’m extremely excited for.

What did I learn on my course? There has been a plethora of skills that I have gained and developed throughout this course. Below are the main skills I feel have allowed me to really develop and adapt my writing/style:

‘Show and don’t tell’ (https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2018/09/27/blog-post-3-unit-9-project-show-and-dont-tell-and-short-film-production-greg/)

‘Decluttering’ (https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2017/09/19/blog-post-2-fuzz-in-writing/)

‘Specificity’ (https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2017/10/30/blog-post-6-extended-metaphors-and-specificity/)

Writing for different forms (e.g. writing feature articles) (https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2018/10/11/blog-post-5-unit-9-project-writing-for-tv-film-and-radio-documentary-greg/)

The ‘Inverted Pyramid’ (https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2018/09/21/blog-post-2-unit-9-project-news-and-feature-stories-greg/)

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https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2018/09/21/blog-post-2-unit-9-project-news-and-feature-stories-greg/

https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2018/09/21/blog-post-2-unit-9-project-news-and-feature-stories-greg/

https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2018/10/11/blog-post-5-unit-9-project-writing-for-tv-film-and-radio-documentary-greg/

https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2018/10/11/blog-post-5-unit-9-project-writing-for-tv-film-and-radio-documentary-greg/

https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2017/10/30/blog-post-6-extended-metaphors-and-specificity/

https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2017/10/30/blog-post-6-extended-metaphors-and-specificity/

https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2017/09/19/blog-post-2-fuzz-in-writing/

https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2017/09/19/blog-post-2-fuzz-in-writing/

https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2018/09/27/blog-post-3-unit-9-project-show-and-dont-tell-and-short-film-production-greg/



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The links accompanying the skills are the links to the individual sessions where I gained knowledge about said skills. Every session completed has been presented through blogs on my WordPress page: (https://wordpress.com/view/riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com)I will go into detail about the sessions within the skills analysis.Skills Analysis:‘Show and don’t tell’:For this particular skill, it has always been an underlying element of all our sessions, but the main focus on this skill occurred during a session regarding ‘writing for short films/scriptwriting’. We developed this skill through a range of short writing exercises, so we were able to grasp its basic concept. The art of ‘showing and not telling’ in writing, is to use a character’s visual and audible signifiers (e.g. actions, language/dialogue, body language) to present what is happening to the reader in an implicit fashion. The use of the short writing exercises allowed us to practice the skill in the short form of simplistic sentences, before moving on to larger bodies of work e.g. complex sentences/paragraphs. The reason behind learning this skill, was to add a more developed and effective element to, not just our creative work, but also our journalistic work. This skill is particularly prominent within creative writing, especially scriptwriting. I feel that by developing this skill through writing in a different form, I was able to truly understand its purpose and importance within all forms of writing. The impact this skill has had on my writing, has given me the chance to truly think about my word choice and linguistic devices within my work (especially my journalistic pieces). When looking back over my work, I have found ways of implicitly conveying particular information to my reader, which I feel adds a fresh angle of perspective to my work. It’s definitely a skill that I will aim to implement more into my music journalism, especially within this project’s production process.‘Decluttering’/ ‘Eliminating Fuzz’:Arguably the most important skill, in terms of editing, ‘decluttering’ is an element of all writing that can really boost a piece of work. As with ‘show and don’t tell’, ‘decluttering’ is an underlying element within all our sessions. This skill is one of the first we had a session about. We looked at using it within news article editing. For this session, we were given a news article, and told to get rid of any words or phrases that didn’t add any value to the overall piece. This was an effective introduction to the skill, as it really enabled us to think about the importance of word choice when writing. It also showed us that there can often be questions about the piece’s topic that are left unanswered. These questions are often forgotten or are left unidentified if a piece contains a lot of ‘fuzz’. The definition of ‘fuzz’, in basic terms, is the use of words/phrases that have no relevance/add nothing of importance to a piece of work. As someone who tends to write a large amount for any piece of work I’m given, the skill of ‘decluttering’ has ensured that when I come to editing my work, I know what kind of words/phrases to look out for. I often refer back to my piece’s topic for key words/phrases I can use as replacement for my ‘fuzz’ (if necessary). It’s a skill that will be at the forefront of my mind when I’m within the production stage of

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this project, as I’m aiming for my work to be as concise, informative and entertaining as possible (especially in regards to my feature articles).‘Specificity’:‘Specificity’ is another initial skill we were introduced to on this course. It’s a skill that is particularly prominent within creative writing (e.g. descriptive pieces), however it is an important element of journalism. During the session for this skill, we looked at its use within creative writing. To begin with, we looked at singular sentences, and how they could be improved by the implementation of specificity. Specificity is improving the use of dull word choices (e.g. nouns, verbs/strong verbs, adverbs, adjectives), in order to make a sentence etc. more relevant to a piece’s story, plot and characters. The key elements of a sentence can be highlighted and developed through specificity. The session allowed us to elaborate and ‘embellish’ a singular sentence into (almost) a short paragraph of description that enabled the reader to envisage what was happening within the setting etc. ‘Specificity’ has impacted my creative pieces of work e.g. scriptwriting and writing for various forms (radio, theatre, film). It was the key element of these pieces of work, as the specificity of a script is what makes it easier to understand and follow. The specificity of the characters, setting and way in which the characters act, is what makes a script successful. This skill is also something that I will implement into my project work as well. It will ensure that the information I convey is concise and relevant to what I want I want to express to my target audience.‘Writing for Different Forms (e.g. writing feature articles)/Exploring Different Mediums (e.g. digital mediums)’:When writing for different forms, the main skill that is involved is adaptability; you need to be able to adapt to the conventions and ‘rules’ of a form/genre and its popular ‘focus’. When looking at this area of writing in particular, we looked at different styles of scriptwriting. We looked at theatre, radio, film and television scripts. We began by looking at existing scripts, in particular, documentary scripts that were written for television. By looking at existing examples, I was able to pick up on the key aspects of the structure as well as key linguistic elements, and defining aspects. I was also able to think about the questions that can be answered through a documentary e.g. what is the present situation, when can we see a change, what is the change likely to be, what information does the audience need to know, and is it directly related to the subject of the clip? Within the session, there were group discussion regarding the new information we were being given, and this allowed us to explore everyone’s opinions about what makes a documentary effective etc. We were also given short documentary clips to watch and analyse. This enabled us to pick up on the conventions that had been used, and how they were expressed through visuals. This unit of work, was a form of ‘mini’ project, as we were given a brief and timeframe in order to create something. We were told to create a short script based on the theme of ‘Loneliness’. This script could have either been for radio, theatre, film or television. We worked within groups and planned/created a script for our brief. My group wrote an office-based script for television/film. The main focus of the script was a singular character that felt isolated within his office job, and often felt ostracised by his colleagues. Once we had worked within a group setting, we were given free reign as individuals, to create our own documentary scripts. We

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were given the task of creating a basic plan for a television documentary (based on any subject topic we wanted). I decided to base my on the AID’s epidemic, and one of the longest living survivors. For my documentary, I created a script for approximately the first half, and followed this with a bullet-pointed plan of what would be covered further into the script. I found this area of my work particularly interesting, as I was exploring a form that I hadn’t looked into before. I also found that it was a form I grasped relatively quickly and understood fairly well. Even though I will be using one main form for my project (music journalism), I will be exploring sub-forms within this e.g. reviews, feature articles, album reviews and the implementation of visual elements (photographs). ‘The Inverted Pyramid’:The ‘Inverted Pyramid’ is a skill that is the main focus when writing a journalistic piece, as it helps decipher the relevance of information collected during the research phase. The ‘Inverted Pyramid’ is as follows (most to least important, in terms of content):

1. The Lead- who, what, where, why, when, how? (approximately 30 words/1-2 thin paragraphs)- may include a ‘hook’

2. The Body- argument, controversy, story, issue, evidence, background, details, logic etc.- quotes, photographs, video/audio that support, dispute and/or expand the topic

3. The Tail- interesting/related information (may include)- extra context, blogs, columns (the assessment of the journalist)

The ‘Inverted Pyramid’ relevance test, is a skill that has been covered and revisited multiple times throughout the course, due to its use within all forms of writing. It has been featured heavily within the journalistic aspects of our work e.g. writing news and feature articles, writing for radio/film/television. It’s a skill that I’ve developed each time I have written. It’s an adaptable skill for all forms of writing, which means it is probably the most diverse skill I have learnt throughout this course. It has impacted my journalistic work mostly, as it has caused me to really considered elements of my work that may not be relevant, and how I can adapt my work to ensure my reader is engaged from start to finish. The ‘Inverted Pyramid’ will remain a main focal point during the production process of this project, especially for my reviews and feature pieces, as these pieces will form the ‘backbone’ of the magazine and will (hopefully) engage my target audience the most out of all the content for the magazine.Skills I will need to Carry Forward/Develop Further:The skills I have listed above are also the skills I personally feel need to be carried forward/developed throughout this project. The skills listed below, are the skills I feel need to be developed further:

‘Decluttering’ ‘Specificity’

I feel these skills in particular need to be developed further, as they will become key, editorial elements within the production and post-production aspects of the project. These skills will be developed through the production of my magazine’s intended content. As I create/edit each piece, I will keep in mind these aspects of

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writing. This should enable me to adapt my pieces according to the relevance of information and intended audience engagement.

What is my project about?With the constant rise of the digital age, publishing companies are slowly dying out- especially within the music industry. Most readers head to the internet for their fill of reviews and latest music news. The use of streaming services continues to increase, and the purchase of physical copies seems to be declining. The magazine I have created for my FMP, brings a fresh perspective to music publications. It has an alternative edge that will interest a younger readership into purchasing a physical copy of information. Written by a young person, for young people, my magazine provides a unique reporting voice and view into local and worldwide artists, bands and events. This is my magazine’s unique selling point: a relatable voice.

Roles:The roles I have taken up throughout this project are:

Researcher Content creator Photographer Editor Physical/graphic designer ‘Publisher’

My Research Plan :

Research report structure:

Introduction Methodology Findings Discussion

FMP - RESEARCH PLAN No of Words

Interest/Topic/Theme 150The main interest of my FMP is music journalism as a writing form. The topic of my project is to explore what elements/aspects ‘make’ a good piece of music journalism. For this, I will be looking into existing forms of music journalism as well as industry publications etc. I will aim to use a range of research sources (which I will go into further detail about). I will also aim to optimise the use of social media for both my primary and secondary research. The most important aim of my project, is to create a relevant, relatable and unique product that brings a new perspective and edge to music

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journalism as a form and method of reporting. Why is it important? - Importance 100There are multiple aspects that make my project important but I’ve decided to list the major points of importance (from a personal perspective):

Decrease in recent years of physical publications (print magazines) being produced and sold

Gap in the market perfect for a unique audience and selling point

Love and interest for music journalism in all forms- especially print

Enables me to reach a wider audience with my work and explore my skills within the written and (digital) design elements of my project

I decided these elements in particular make my project important, as they highlight and cover the key aspects of my project and my aims for the final product of my FMP.My research question(s) 100My research questions are as follows:

What makes good music journalism? (Main research question)

What specific skills/techniques are used within an effective piece of music journalism?

How are some forms of music journalism more effective than others?

What makes effective music journalism in the eyes of an industry professional? (Sub-questions for my specific aspects of my research)

Research Design 100The main subject of my research is Music Journalism as a form of writing, and what aspects/elements come together in order to create an effective piece of such journalism. As my target audience is that of young people aged between 18 and 25, I will be using a range of relevant research resources e.g. social media and literary work with a similar target audience, to aid my work. I will be using a range of skills, I have gained throughout the course, in order to collect relevant and valuable information that will excel my project. I will aim to experiment with multiple mediums throughout the project (primarily digital), as this will provide me with a more varied choice, in terms of my project design and intended aesthetic. All of my research will be recorded and presented within a research report.Literature (Proposed Sources – Harvard Format)Proposed online sources:

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/tekashi- 69-rise-and-fall-feature-777971/ (1)

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5cjHaW8lKG7QaaKThTWHno (2)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q438-QXTlGs (3) https://www.journalism.co.uk/news/interactive-tips-and-

advice-for-music-journalism/s2/a562338/ (4) https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/has-music-

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journalism-changed-for-the-better-135509.html (5) https://www.theguardian.com/careers/music-journalism-best-

of (6)Proposed literary/ ‘other’ sources:

Multiple existing industry products e.g. magazines (Kerrang!), reviews etc.

Podcasts

Introduction : Sound, and music in particular, are arguably the oldest forms of communication found anywhere in the world. From folk tunes and nursery rhymes, to operas and pop songs, every piece of music carries a message and meaning. Often, the message is left to be inferred by the listener, but the meaning takes on many variations for each individual. So, how do we communicate these complex elements of music to the masses? Through music journalism. In our digital day and age, music journalism takes up many forms such as online magazines, articles, videos, reviews, interviews, podcasts and the traditional form of ‘physical’ print (magazines). I have decided to explore what truly makes a piece of music journalism good e.g. what elements come together to make it so effective. As music journalism is my intended career path, it made sense to develop my understanding of the form further by exploring its elements and characteristics, and how these can affect a piece of work/how it is received by a specific demographic/readership. I hope to create my own magazine based on the research I collect. This magazine will (hopefully) include articles and reviews based on specific topics/artists, and will be written in a way that will be influenced by the knowledge I would have developed about the form’s relevant aspects and characteristics.For my project, I will be using a variety of sources for research (both primary and secondary). I will be looking at existing music journalists and their work, so I can identify what literary skills and techniques they are using e.g. specificity, word choice, ‘hook’, technical language/terminology etc. For my primary research, I will aim to contact professionals within the field of music journalism and ask them a range of questions regarding their work, but also their personal views/opinions about what makes an effective piece of music journalism. For my industry analysis and secondary research, I will look at a variety of forms within music journalism to compare and contrast the effectiveness of each e.g. magazines, online articles, reviews, interviews, videos and podcasts. By looking at a wider range of ‘reporting’ forms and methods within music journalism, I hope to identify what the aim of each one is e.g. target audience, main topic focus and specific skills used to deliver certain information to a target audience. The main elements I will look into are:

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•Skills/techniques used to create an effective piece of music journalism (from the perspective of the reader/audience)•The different forms of ‘reporting’, and how they can be more/less effective when exploring a specific topic (aimed at a target audience)•What industry professionals believe make an effective piece of music journalismBy looking at these elements in particular, I hope to find relevant information about the different areas of music journalism and, in turn, develop my knowledge of the industry further. I will also explore the impact my research will have on my FMP work e.g. my style, tone, structure and what I aim to write. This will ensure that my final product (magazine) is produced to a professional standard, and includes informative and effective content.

Research Design /Methodologies:

Methodology : For my research, I started by looking at four different industry examples (of music journalism). They were: an online article, a printed article, a podcast and a filmed interview (video). I analysed each example with a specific set of questions in mind:•What specific skills/techniques are use within an effective piece of music journalism?•How are some forms of music journalism more effective than others?•What makes effective music journalism in the eyes of an industry professional?This gave me a clear basis for my understanding of the forms, and how they are used within music journalism. After I had completed the analysis of the examples, I moved onto the main area of primary research.For my primary research, I contacted a range of industry professionals, and asked them to answer a list of questions I had created (regarding their industry and their opinions/views in regards to music journalism). Once I had received all the relevant responses, I created my own, online survey.This survey was aimed more at the consumers/general public. For this, I came up with a new range of questions that were relevant to the public’s views and knowledge of the industry:•Do you enjoy reading about music e.g. reviews, interviews and articles? •What is your top information source, for this type of content, and why?•What makes a piece of music journalism effective/interesting and why?•Have you been swayed by clickbait to look at articles etc. online?

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•Do you feel that clickbait has made online content misleading, and a less trustworthy source of information, why?•Do you prefer the traditional printed source of information (magazines) or the new, digital sources (online articles/interviews, podcasts, videos etc.), why?•What is your favourite genre of music to explore?•How old are you? •Who is your favourite artist/band to explore?•Are you more likely to believe information if it is online (podcast, interview, video etc.) or within a printed article (magazine), why?I was able to share this survey on my Facebook page.For my secondary research, I looked at three online sources, whilst referring back to the questions I had used when creating the questions for my initial industry interviews. By using different online sources, there was a range of views, opinions and general advice surrounding the topics of my question.

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Literature Review : Industry Examples:Article (Online): (1) ‘The Rise and Fall of Tekashi 69’ (Stephen Witt)

For the analysis of my online article, I looked at the online version of the ‘Rolling Stone’. After looking over a range of feature music articles, I came across one written by Stephen Witt, about ‘The Rise and Fall of Hip-Hop artist Tekashi 69’. This particular article piqued my interest, as there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the artist in the last year or so, and I wanted to look into the artist’s ‘downfall’ further.

I read through the article once before going back over and picking out elements that I felt made it effective, and separated it from the traditional form of a printed article. The initial hook (“He was SoundCloud rap’s most notorious star. But the same instincts that made him huge may have put him in prison for years”) was effective, as it drew me in by summarising the article, yet it remained ‘open’ enough that I was left wanting to explore the article further; more specifically the events etc. that led up to the rapper’s failure. The introduction/lead that followed the hook painted a basic image of the article’s main focus (Tekashi 69). This section of the article gave some basic context into the event that gave the rapper his first boost into the music industry and gained him worldwide recognition.

There is a heavy use of paragraphs within this article, which help show the timeline of the information being conveyed, as well as the change of focus within the article. The use of paragraphs is effective, as the reader doesn’t lose interest of the vast range of information being delivered, and they ensure the article is sectioned clearly so the piece isn’t difficult to navigate/understand. Throughout the article, there’s heavy use of quotations and references to specific sources (online and physical e.g. people), encounters and research. I feel this really ensures the points being made throughout the article, are supported by a range of other information and sources. They also provide further context surrounding the range of events discussed within the piece.

Another effective element of the online publication, is the use of images. These images provide another level of context to certain pieces of information, whilst providing a visual source of information to the reader. They are accompanied by captions that give a brief summary to what the image conveys and, in turn, creates a clear pathway into the next development of the piece.

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Within the piece, there are sentences in bold (at the start of a new paragraph) that seem to act as ‘sub-headings’. They signify the change in topic focus, as well as a ‘jump’ in the timeline of events and a possible change in the writer’s tone/view. By doing this, Stephen Witt has prevented the loss of the reader’s interest, as the bold text conveys the idea that the following information is just as (if not more) important than the earlier information that has already been delivered.

Article (Printed): Kerrang!- ‘In the Name of Love’ (Nick Ruskell)

For the analysis of my printed article, I looked at the latest (26/01/19) issue of ‘Kerrang!’ I looked at a feature article from the issue that was also the cover story. It was titled ‘In the Name of Love’, and it was written by Nick Ruskell leading to the upcoming release of Bring Me the Horizon’s sixth studio album ‘amo’. The article was written after Nick had interviewed BMTH’s frontman Oli Sykes. I decided to analyse this specific publication, as I enjoy reading Kerrang!, and I felt there would be clear differences between this and the ‘Rolling Stone’ online publication.

The main element that piqued my interest with this publication, was the ‘sub-cover’ page, as it had bold text, graphics/colours, and was accompanied by a beautifully eye-catching photograph that burst with colours against a contrasting mono background. This page set up the colour scheme of red, white and black that would be an ongoing theme throughout the article. These colours also linked to the ‘amo’ artwork and design, so it remained the focus of the piece. At the bottom of this page there were creative (who it was written by) and photographical credits.

The article’s lead (“Love is all you need. It is all around. It’s the drug you’ve been thinking of. Love can sprout in times of war and desperation, and be completely absent in times of plenty. It is the simplest thing to feel, yet also the hardest thing to find. As The Police sang, ‘Love can mend your life but love can break your heart.’ It is the ultimate goal of so many stories and songs, the thing to which all things ultimately lead.”) was all in a bold font, with the beginning letter in a slightly larger size, and in red. It clearly summarised the article, and provided the reader with a basic outline of the contents of the article.

As for the main article, there was a clear and constructed layout for the text in the form of (the standard) two column format. This layout included images and bold quotations that acted as ‘breakers’ among the text, as well as photographs. I felt that this simplistic approach to the layout was effective, as the pages didn’t feel overcrowded with content, which meant the reader wouldn’t struggle to navigate the article and the information being delivered to them. I felt that this choice of layout was more effective than the online publication, as the information didn’t seem as sparse on the page as it did on the ‘Rolling Stone’ website. The images and bold quotations within the printed article are elements that could have been utilised much more online, as I feel this would have made the article more exciting visually, but much easier to process and navigate.

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The beginning of the article gave the reader relevant context and background information regarding Oli and BMTH as a group, as well as the events and moments that have led up to the production and release of their sixth album and its basic premise. This ‘introduction’ is followed by the heavy use of quotations that continues throughout the article. These quotations from the interview are effective, as they give the reader direct insight into what was asked within the interview and Oli’s thoughts and opinions surrounding the whole creative process of ‘amo’. This method of delivering the reader information, is probably the most accurate, as it comes directly from the person who was influenced to create the album in the first place.

Going back to the ‘breaks’ within the article’s text, I feel that they ensure the article is easy to navigate, as they highlight the start of a new section/segment of information regarding the main topic. As a reader, this is visually pleasing, as it puts the information into a form of chronological order, and makes the events etc. easy to follow.

Something that the online article didn’t include that the printed one did, was a little ‘sub-section’ of information that was related to Oli, and what he has been creating apart from music. This little snippet of extra information gave the article’s layout a little boost, as it was unrelated to the main topic but it was related to the interviewee, and was placed beside another colourful and refreshing photograph; it remained separate from the article but was still very much a part of it.

Similarly to the online article, the magazine contained information regarding the discussion about the influences for/people that were involved with ‘amo’. There were some references to this information throughout the article, but the majority came at the end of the article before the conclusive segment. This segment was followed by information about the album artwork, which I felt really added to the final part of the piece as it reinstated the reader’s hopes and anticipation for the release of the album, and what they can expect to be faced with visually from the album.

As with the online article, Ruskell has utilised the key elements of music journalism throughout the piece. For example, the use of relevant terminology really helped ‘show’ the reader what had been discussed within the interview, and how it was implemented into the article. This, along with Ruskell’s effective use of quotations and (slightly) differing segments of information, ensured the article delivered the key points of information that had been discussed in a way that was creative and refreshing, and didn’t lose the reader’s interest/need for the article as a whole.

Overall, the article was an effective piece of journalism that delivered relevant information to the reader, and didn’t stray from the topic at hand. It was delivered in a clear, easy-to-follow format, and engaged the reader from beginning to end with the creative use of images, quotations and graphics.

Podcast: (2) ‘To Pimp a Butterfly- Kendrick Lamar’ (Cole Cuchna)

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For the analysis of a podcast, I decided to look through Spotify for podcasts related to music/reviewing music. I found a particular one by the name of ‘Dissect’ where presenter Cole Cuchna looks at a specific albums track-by-track. During each series, he analyses each track of the album in major detail. Each series ends with a ‘finale’ episode that overviews the whole album and the ‘main’ tracks within those albums. The episode I listened to, explored the first track of rapper Kendrick Lamar’s album ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’.

Once I had listened to the whole podcast, I listened to snippets from the rest of the episodes that were available to see what aspects were consistent within each one. My notes are based on the episode I listened to in full, but I feel that they cover the basic layout of the other episodes as well. There is a consistent introduction that is used within each episode that introduces the host, and gives the listener the basic premise of the podcast and the content they can expect.

The episode contained audio clips of certain tracks that were relevant to the genre/artist being explored. The episode also explores the context of the artist and the album/track being spoken about, which is particularly effective, as it gives the listener some background information about the content being covered. This means the podcast remains inclusive. The inclusivity means that people that have just discovered the artist/genre/don’t particularly have much knowledge of the genre etc. can become educated about their new discovery, and don’t feel as if they need to be a ‘major’ fan of the music to listen to the podcast. Cuchna also gives a small disclaimer about potential explicit content e.g. lyrics. I feel this is a good aspect of the podcast, as younger listeners and (potentially) sensitive listeners receive a fair warning.

The most prominent aspect of the podcast would have to be the exploration of the historical context and specific events that relate to the specific track being spoken about. This use of context is also conveyed through the use of overlaid tracks/sounds e.g. 50’s blues/dance. For this particular track, there was a lot of reference to the progression of race within Compton, as well as the heavy introduction and influence of drugs, gangs and violence.

New segments of information within the podcast are introduced through the use of specific tracks that are relevant to the time-frame of events being discussed. Throughout the podcast, it is clear that Cuchna is well-informed about the artist, and has collected specific information that he uses (in reference to what the artist has said) throughout the podcast e.g. quotations from interviews (secondary research). As with all forms of music journalism, Cuchna has clearly used subject terminology- especially in reference to the artist and the moments that have influenced them/their work.

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Cuchna’s secondary research is conveyed through the use of audio clips from interviews. This is an effective way of referencing his secondary research, as it gives the listener a direct insight into the artist’s life and the creative process behind their most popular work. The use of these many audio clips, provide the podcast with ‘breaks’ from the analysis that keep the listener engaged. It also ensures that the podcast remains on topic. Throughout the analysis, there are a range of references to the thematic and symbolic elements within the music; these elements are particularly prominent in Lamar’s work as there is often reference to religion and aspects of life he was exposed to early-on e.g. drug use, gang violence and the corruption of currency. Ultimately, these elements give the analysis a new level of acknowledgement and understanding.

Each segment of the podcast acts as a timeline of major, pivotal point of the artist’s career that have shaped their work and their intended direction/message within the industry. This gives the podcast a ‘chronological’ structure that is easy to listen to, and doesn’t complicate the topic at hand. The podcast concludes with a brief overview of the next episode (what to expect). It closes with the same track that was heard at the beginning, as well as a social plug for the podcast (what social media to follow for updates etc.).

Overall, the podcast was an effective form of music journalism, as it focused on the analytical element of music journalism and the rich context that can be explored within particular tracks, albums and music ‘movements’. There was a clear structure that was consistent throughout the podcast, and there were multiple layers of analysis that explored the wide range of elements within music, and the creative process that builds up to and follows the production and release of albums/singles. It was informative, interesting and engaging for the listener.

Filmed Interview (Video): (3) ‘Billie Eilish- Beats 1- Apple Music’ (Julie Adenuga)

For the analysis of a video (filmed interview), I searched for ‘music interviews’ on YouTube. I came across a specific one conducted by Julie Adenuga for Apple Music. Julie discussed releasing music and becoming Apple Music’s ‘New Artist’ with Billie Eilish. The video opened with a basic graphics screen with Julie introducing the interview and Billie. This acted as a slight voiceover before cutting to a shot of both Billie and Julie.

Throughout the interview, there was an informal tone that gave the overall interview a relaxed feel. I feel that this relaxed atmosphere lead to easy conversation between the two, and gave the interview an easy avenue for the use of humour. The interview had a basic set-up with two microphones, two monitors, a ‘mixer’ for volume levels and some cameras for filming. Within the interview, there was effective use of different camera angles. This gave the viewer a look at the artist, interviewer and the general set-up of the interview.

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Within the description section of the video, there was a brief overview of the content covered in the interview. The description also listed the key discussion points of the interview. These key points gave the interview a basic structure that still allowed a relaxed atmosphere throughout. During the introductory part of the interview, Julie discussed some contextual topics with Billie e.g. where she grew up, her childhood and specific experiences that led up to/influenced the release of her debut EP.

There seemed to be an equal amount of discussion between the two, which ensured the interview wasn’t dominated by one or the other’s voice. This interview was particularly short (finishing just before the 10 minute mark). However, this interview was the perfect length of time to act as an introductory look at Billie and her music.

The interview finished with the same graphics it opened with, which gave the video consistency. Overall, this video gave the audience a raw and basic delivery of information through the form of discussion. As the video didn’t use any audio/video clips or other ‘add-ons’, the viewer didn’t become distracted from what was being discussed/how it was being discussed.

Overall, this interview was effective, because it was relatively basic (in terms of set-up) but delivered relevant information and details to the viewer. The interview remained consistent with its tone and way of linking discussion points. The use of an informal tone/atmosphere ensured the viewer remained engaged throughout the duration of the interview. All in all, this was an effective method of music journalism.

Research (Primary and Secondary):Primary Research:For my primary research, I created a list of questions that I emailed to a range of industry professional. Below are the questions I created, the people I contacted and their responses:Questions:1. What inspired you to become a music journalist?2. Who influenced your work e.g. existing authors/journalists?3. Are there any specific genres/artists you enjoy writing about?4. Do you have a particular style of writing/are you influenced by a particular style of writing?5. What are your top tips for young people wanting to start a career in music journalism/writing in general?6. What do you feel makes an effective piece of music journalism- have you read anything recently that has impressed/surprised you?

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7. Do you think the traditional form of music journalism publishing is dying out, or simply adapting to the digital age?8. Do you think the interactive elements of music journalism (videos, podcasts etc.) help deliver informative and interesting topics/current news within the industry?People Contacted:1. Robert Rotifer- Freelance Journalist ([email protected]) 2. Emily Carter*- News Editor for Kerrang! Magazine ([email protected]) 3. Jen Walker- Contributor for Kerrang! Magazine ([email protected]) 4. James Hingle**- Contributor for Kerrang! Magazine ([email protected]) 5. Elliot Paisley- Freelance Journalist ([email protected]) *Emily was the first industry professional I contacted, and she shared the relevant contact information with me for the Kerrang! Contributors listed above.**I did not collect a response from James by the time I needed to complete my report (he was the only industry professional that did not respond to my research questions). Responses:Robert:1. It was in 1991 in Vienna, Austria, and I had something of a reputation as a kind of musical know-it-all, being a musician, a record collector and voracious reader of biographies and other music books (there were nowhere near as many then as there are now, and there was no internet, so any source of knowledge was valuable). I ran into a friend who asked me to write an article about Billy Bragg for a youth paper (“because you know so much about him”). So I did, and they offered me a job straight away. In that sense I never chose to be a journalist, I was rather chosen to become one. This wouldn't happen nowadays, I'm afraid. I was very lucky. 2. The usual greats such as Lester Bangs, Greil Marcus, Peter Guralnick, Jon Savage... When I started to work in Austrian radio, I had a legendary editor called Werner Geier (he died in 2009) who taught me everything about how to write a decent script, and how to avoid meaningless clichéd tropes. He was quite strict in his judgement, but also very generous towards newcomers, a proper mentor and therefore in fact far more of an influence than any of those big names I mentioned earlier.3. This will sound banal, but: Anything/anyone that is interesting and whose music and/or words mean something. There is an endless amount of adequate, professionally produced music made by boring people with nothing to say. By the law of averages and lowest common denominators, the most boring also tend to be among the most successful. But then there are/were also intelligent musicians with enquiring minds who have something to say both in their music and in interviews: People like Damon Albarn, Nick Cave, Robert Wyatt, Stephen Duffy,

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Jarvis Cocker, Neil Tennant, Chrissie Hynde, Leonard Cohen, Kim & Kelley Deal, Billy Bragg, Terry Hall, Dennis Bovell, Wreckless Eric, Alex Kapranos, Ben Watt & Tracey Thorn, Jack White, Billy Childish to name just some of my favourite interviewees that spring to mind right now. Almost all of the people I've just mentioned were already older when I met them, which usually means that they'll have more stories to tell, but it can also be rewarding to speak to newer artists who haven't yet done many interviews, are grateful to be able to tell their story and inspired by new and different questions (some of my recent favourites were Natalie Prass, Steve Gunn, Snail Mail).4. Not really, as my reading and my communication with musicians in English and my writing almost exclusively in German. That in itself may be what gives me a different kind of style to other German writers though.5. Being a critic is not about you or about your own exquisite taste. Your task is to entertain, inform and inspire your reader. There may be music you don't like but you can respect the artist's intentions and see if their work fulfils those intentions. Think hard before you explain why something is or isn't relevant for the times. To be able to do this read about all kinds of art, read novels, go to galleries, watch films and read the news. It will all inform your writing about music. Never fall for the myth of authenticity. Don't aggrandize yourself by treating a musician as an idiot savant. Don't think you owe anything to that person who gave you an after show pass. Avoid writing for free to “raise your profile” because then they won't pay you the next time either. Start a blog or two and write often, not just for recognition but for practice. Try and sail not too close to deadlines, the stress will wear you out eventually. Most of all: Try and be nice to people you work with. The ignorant editor who just got rid of your favourite turn of phrase may well turn out to be right in the end.6. So hard to think of any stand-out example off the top of my head right now, though Ian Penman's essay on mod music and culture in the London Review of Books three years or so ago was masterful, but buy The Faber Book of Pop (1992 or 1993, I think), edited by Hanif Kureishi and Jon Savage, for some great examples of music writing over the decades. 7. I would have to write a whole book to answer this question. In brief: Yes, I think magazines are so niche now that they may disappear entirely. But most of them have become pop history magazines, really (Mojo etc.), so, apart from the review section, they already fulfil a completely different function to that of the traditional music press. The best music journalism now happens in quality daily papers and in blogs. But none of it is as essential as it traditionally was. Of course, the writing adapts to the digital age because it reflects changing ways of listening and consuming music as well. Saying that, just because people stream tracks doesn't mean there shouldn't be album reviews. The one form doesn't supersede the other, they can exist alongside each other, even though their comparative importance may change. 8. I think you will know far more about this than me. My work is in a field (radio, print, blog of my radio station) that I understand. I hope it will exist long enough to keep my family fed and clothed.Jen:

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1. I've always had a love of magazines, and used to make my own ones as a child. And obviously I loved music, like most people, so combining the two just made perfect sense. Who wouldn't want to get paid for listening to music?2. My favourite journalist of all time is called Vanessa Grigoriadis who writes for Rolling Stone. I've always loved her long-form features, and wish I could write as well as her. And I've always been inspired my good friend, and fellow Kerrang! writer Ian Winwood. He's an incredible writer, and has taught me a lot.3. Rock music! And obviously it's always fun writing about your favourite bands, which for me are Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco.4. Not really.5. Do work experience to get a foot in the door. Getting your first writing opportunity is all about who you know, and making a good impression on people so they'll take a chance on you. As for writing in general, just do it lots - that's the only way to improve, and try not to procrastinate when you have deadlines. Just get something down. Anything. Then you can improve it later.6. I'd say the best pieces of writing avoid the use of clichés, and just sound fresh (find a different way to say something, or talk about the same stuff everyone is talking about). Also, good humour always makes a piece for me.7. Print is absolutely dying. But those brands can just live on in the digital age.8. Absolutely. I think a lot of people would rather consume their information via pictures and videos (and this is always the stuff that does best on Facebook and Twitter, as opposed to links to articles.Elliot:1. It really came from both of my loves – music, and the written word. I’ve always loved writing, and I firmly believe that you shouldn’t be a writer if you can help not writing – it requires a great deal of passion and commitment. Also, there’s nothing I’m more passionate about than music, so it just made sense.2. The primary music journalist I take influence from is Lester Bangs; he changed the game in the 1970s with his deeply opinionated and unapologetic work, and I’ve always taken influence from that. Other than that, I’ve always admired Hunter S Thompson and Charles Bukowski for their insight and literary tact, and Gavin McInnes for his wit and pop culture-story-telling skills.3. Any artist or genre with a compelling backstory is always my favourite to write about, whether it’s KMD or Burzum. I also enjoy writing about music that is rarely discussed, as it all feels fresh. That being said, I’ve always loved writing about heavy metal’s underground scene – it’s a fascinating time for that music and there’s never been a better time to write about it.4. I have always gravitated to analytical or subjective writing rather than simply reporting events. I always try and show my personality in what I write, and when I’m reporting an event I attended, I always try and give it a gonzo-journalism spin5. It isn’t easy, but my best advice is very simple: work hard, and work for free. Without published work, it’s unlikely paid work will come your way, so you have to start writing for free for small independent magazines and blogs. It isn’t

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always easy, but if you’re cut out for writing for a living, it won’t be daunting to work for free.6. I feel honesty is the key ingredient when it comes to journalism. People can sniff it out like dogs when a journalist is being disingenuous, and it’s repulsive. Regardless of what you are publishing, always be uncompromising in your views; often the most popular bands are given special treatment by journalists, and go without criticism, but often these people are the most deserving of it. Furthermore, the best journalism comes when it feels like an important moment is captured, where the right people are in the right place. Metallica’s Some Kind Of Monster and Todd Phillip’s Hated are both documentaries which both do this exquisitely. As far as things I’ve seen recently which have impressed me, Pitchfork published a review of the new Greta Van Fleet which was shocking, funny and cutting; a refreshing change. John Darnielle’s book on Black Sabbath’s ‘Master Of Reality’ was also an incredibly inventive piece of work, and showed me that there’s always new ways of relaying information.7. As long as it never becomes faceless, traditional music journalism won’t die out. Journalists without question have less authority now than they did before over what people listen to, but fans are always going to want people to report things in funny, clever and insightful ways. 8. Absolutely – the more personable, or personal, a piece of music journalism can be, the better. Magazines and written blogs can allow people to become faceless, but videos and podcasts help keep things accessible and lean, which is necessary in the age of the Internet.Below are the questions that I created for the survey. They were more generalised, as the survey was aimed more at the consumers than industry professionals:1. Do you enjoy reading about music e.g. reviews, interviews and articles? 2. What is your top information source, for this type of content, and why?3. What makes a piece of music journalism effective/interesting and why?4. Have you been swayed by clickbait to look at articles etc. online?5. Do you feel that clickbait has made online content misleading, and a less trustworthy source of information, why?6. Do you prefer the traditional printed source of information (magazines) or the new, digital sources (online articles/interviews, podcasts, videos etc.), why?7. What is your favourite genre of music to explore?8. How old are you? 9. Who is your favourite artist/band to explore?10. Are you more likely to believe information if it is online (podcast, interview, video etc.) or within a printed article (magazine), why?

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Below are screenshots from the results from my survey:

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Secondary Research:For my secondary research, I looked back at my ‘sub-questions’, and used these to find relevant information online in the form of different articles/reports. By using my ‘sub-questions’, I was able to keep the main focus/aim of my work at the forefront of my research.‘Sub-questions’:1. What specific skills/techniques are used within an effective piece of music journalism?2. How are some forms of music journalism more effective than others?3. What makes effective music journalism in the eyes of an industry professional?Articles:(4) •Flair within the writing•Honesty, knowledge, readability, individuality, a knowledge of the readership, hitting the right word count (key elements within music journalism)•Feature articles- new/timely angle or format, pitch with a fire in your belly•Should be excited about what you’re writing

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•Attending smaller, ‘secret’ gigs by big bands- good way to cross over from regional to national reviewing

•Sign up to band mailing lists

•Go out and find stories- do your own research/interviews- work on things for a few months

•Read music journalism from the places you’d like to work for

•Brave, bolshy ideas are good- different is better when it comes to music journalism

•Ask about the fee when you’ve agreed to a commission

•Target a couple of publications that suit your style, may pay you for your work- swamp them with ideas- make them feel like you’re a totally vital new voice for their audience

•Freelance- spend time building relationships with PR’s

•Keep up-to-date with emails- especially replying to them

•Be willing and up for anything

•New media- so much more content for new writers to access and report on

(5)

•Early press coverage for new artists- become harder to get

•Music magazines- dominated by titles that are reluctant to promote a band/artist until they have a fan base

(6)

•Spend a decent amount of time listening to what you’re going to write about

•Work should be entertaining to read

•Take a unique/unexpected angle on the topic

•Written within the (possible) word count

•Send freelance pitches to the right person- find the right person from your chosen publication

•Go along to magazine events and be sociable- speak to/make a good impression on specific industry professionals

•Ensure you know your way around social networking, and creating/maintaining an online presence

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•Demonstrate what makes a single/album good and bad- critical analysis is key (especially with reviews on live performances etc.)

•Educate yourself on the publications you want to pitch to e.g. the content they produce, their target audience and areas of expertise etc.

•Your specialism/niche knowledge will help open up specific opportunities

•Have an ear for detail- important to know music back to front- be able to put artists’ work into context e.g. the different elements that come together within what you’re listening to

•Don’t be afraid of sharing samples of your work with editors/professionals, or meeting with journalists face-to-face

•Most importantly- you must be passionate and enthusiastic about the content

Research Findings :

For my findings, I have looked over my industry examples and my primary and secondary research, for the most significant elements that relate to my hypothesis and ‘sub-questions’. I started by writing up an overall analysis of my industry examples. I then followed this up by analysing the strengths and weaknesses of the industry examples, and the primary/secondary research. From this, I experimented with some possible article content for my FMP. To conclude my findings, I explored the impact my research may have on my final FMP work, in terms of my style, tone, structure and what I aim to write.Overall Analysis of Industry Examples:•ArticlesWithin the articles I analysed, I found that one of the key elements was the use of multimedia e.g. images. Another key element was the use of relevant/key terminology, and the use of specific linguistic/general writing devices. The specific linguistic/general writing devices were used according to the intended tone/style of the piece e.g. humour, persuasive devices, sub-headings, images etc.•PodcastThere was a range of key elements I was able to pick out within the podcast I analysed. The first element, was the clear, consistent, specific structure/scripted language and layout that was followed in every episode. After listening to a whole episode and snippets of others, I found that there was certain language the host used to keep the content inclusive. I was also able to pick up on the host’s ear for detail and use of extensive research, which guided the contextualisation of the artist and their work. There was also use of multimedia in the form of audio clips within the podcast. These acted as ‘sub-sections’/ ‘headings’. Another key element within this medium, was the use of clear referencing between what the artist had said/done, and the information that had

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been collected and eventually relayed to the listener. This element links to the use of secondary research and information sources that support the information being relayed. Ultimately, the podcast acts as an audio timeline of events leading up to the creation of the specific track/album being spoken about. I felt that the focus on the analytical/contextual elements of music journalism, which are explored within this podcast series, could be considered niche/specialist knowledge.•Filmed Interview (Video)For the video, I found that many of the key elements seemed to focus on the way in which the audience would become engaged, and remain that way whilst watching the video. The initial, and probably most effective element, was the use of graphics. These graphics served the purpose of a transitional aid for the overall video, and a visual aid for the viewers. The next key element, was the consistent tone of the interview that kept the video moving forward. I felt that the use of a basic set-up was a worthy aspect, as it didn’t become a distraction to the audience (it didn’t distract from the information being delivered). Going back to the consistency of the interview, this allowed there to be some improvised sections that led to ‘off the cuff’ humour. This added an extra element to the piece, which ensured the viewer’s continued engagement. This links to the use of a basic script to follow and work from, as this laid out the bare bones of the interview (e.g. the questions to ask/key discussion points). The most important aspect of the interview (the cameras) provided the interview with different ‘dimensions’ (e.g. the angles used within the filming).Strengths and Weaknesses (Industry Examples):Strengths:•The variety in the pieces provided a look into how some techniques/skills are used/implemented into different forms•It was easy to contrast and compare the examples, because they were such different forms•I was able to pick up on how multimedia is implemented into the different forms•I was able to gauge the effectiveness of each form, in terms of, the way in which they conveyed their informationWeaknesses:•There wasn’t one opinion/view regarding music journalism as a form (e.g. what one person believes makes it effective)•There wasn’t one, consistent structure/ ‘set of rules’ that every form followed•There was a wide range of styles and tones, so there wasn’t one specific focus that each piece shared•Some pieces were ‘company-driven’ and others were more independent, so there was a big difference in the presentation of information (made it difficult to pinpoint a specific avenue of reporting they may have used)

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Strengths and Weaknesses (Primary Research):Strengths:•I was able to gain invaluable pieces of information and advice regarding music journalism as a form•It gave me a more in-depth look into how industry professionals work, and how consumers react to specific styles/tones within all forms of music journalism•The responses came directly to me, so the information I needed was readily available•The key elements of effective music journalism came straight from the professionalsWeaknesses:•The survey didn’t gain many responses, so the information from that was limited•The professionals took a while to respond, so I was left waiting for a week or so before I could continue with my work•Some responses on the survey weren’t as detailed as I intended them to be, so this restricted the information further•Some of the information in the responses weren’t relevant to the initial questions askedStrengths and Weaknesses (Secondary Research):Strengths:•I was able to find a wider, more accessible range of information (articles)•The analysis of the industry examples allowed me to look at different ‘reporting’ angles•There was a better presentation of the methods used within the different industry examples•I could be more specific with my ‘searching’ e.g. using the keywords of my ‘sub-questions’Weaknesses:•There was a large mixture of opinions and views regarding each question•Despite the range of sources, there was some repetitive information•Some information found wasn’t as detailed as expected•The opinions/views may have been influenced by publishing companies and publishers in general

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For the experimentation element of my findings, I have explored possible content for my FMP, in order to develop my writing style and unique ‘voice’. I just allowed my writing to flow freely without the excessive use of notes, as I had to have the confidence in myself that I was knowledgeable enough about what I was writing. They can be found via the link to my WordPress blog:(https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/03/13/blog-post-24-unit-12-experimentation/) Tutor Reflection:I received feedback from Greg regarding my possible content, which I’ve bullet-pointed below:‘Upfront and in Yer’ Face’:•Clear structure•Clear implementation of research•Effective word choice/use of relevant devices•Clear purpose- reader can identify what is being delivered to them•Effective headline and opening hook (pulls the reader in)•Remains on topic throughout•Emerging unique style and ‘voice’ can be seen/read throughout‘Music and Politics: How ‘This is America’ opened up a whispered conversation’:•Clear structure•Clear implementation of research•If and when editing, the main aspect of this process should be the cutting of ‘fluff’/unnecessary phrases and ‘filler’ words (these are any words/phrases that don’t add anything new or develop your piece of work)•In reference to existing music journalism, the use of quotes to link pieces of information, is an effective element of music journalism that can help maintain the relevance of your piece/tie everything together•The use of ‘poetic’ devices and extended metaphors can add an extra dimension to your work, and will ensure your language is colourful as well as informative, so the reader can easily envisage what you’re conveying•When reviewing albums, singles, gigs etc. your emotive response will really aid your writing, as you can express (more succinctly) to your readership what to expect from an album etc. on an emotional level•Relevant references to related artists, bands and content, within an article, will ensure there is effective context and understanding with what you are writing

Personal Reflection:

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Overall, I feel that the experimental element of my findings was hugely beneficial. This is due to the fact that, I was able to explore possible FMP content/topics of interest (within music), and I was able to develop my writing style and ‘voice’ as a music journalist. The contrast in my article topics also allowed me to experiment with a change in tone. The feedback I received from Greg was beneficial, as it is something I can refer back to if and when I decide to re-craft my pieces, and when I’m creating new content for my FMP.Impact:From the research I have collected, I feel that my style of writing will be impacted by the industry examples as well as my own experimentation. My style will be impacted mostly by the ‘Dissect’ podcast I analysed. The evident use of research within this podcast, is always an element I aim to present through my writing. The more ‘freeing’ style of my experimentation pieces will impact the way I implement my research into my work. I need to have confidence in the fact that I am knowledgeable enough about artists/bands, to not have notes beside me whilst writing. I will only use my notes for quick references/factual checks. In terms of the impact on my chosen tone, I feel that each piece will have a unique tone dependent on what is being written about. The tone will be individual to what my aim is/the topic of the piece. My structure will be impacted (mainly) by the online and printed articles I have looked at. I feel that the layout/structure used within Kerrang! Magazine will impact my work the most, as I will be aiming to create my own music magazine, and I find Kerrang!’s layout really interesting. For the content I aim to create/include, they will be impacted by a range of my research. I will refer back to my primary research, as this gave me information about the professionals’ and consumers’ views/opinions about effective content. I will also look into what is (currently) being covered, and how I can cover topics from new angles/cover content that may not have found its way into the mainstream media.

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Data analysis- Discussion from Unit 12:Discussion:For the discussion element of this report, I will be looking over my findings and exploring the different elements within this area of my work e.g. implications on my further thinking, limitations that arose and my future work for the FMP.Overall, my findings allowed me to approach my research from a different angle, so I was able to highlight the information that was the most relevant/invaluable, in terms of my hypothesis and research questions. As I had used a variety of research resources, there was a wide range of information to look back over. This was beneficial, as there was a great set of views, opinions and general information that I was able to work from.From my findings, the key pieces of information I collected, were mainly from my primary research (interviews and survey). The key points from the interviews are:•Avoid the use of clichés- find a new way to look at something- good humour can be a useful tool•Honesty should be a key element in all your pieces of work•Think before stating something that may or may not be relevantThe key points from the survey are:•There was an even split between peoples’ preference to traditional and ‘new-age’ journalism•People tend to use a range of (online) information sources (as opposed to just sticking with one)•The majority of people are unknowingly swayed by clickbait when looking at articles etc.I felt that these points were key, as they gave me invaluable information regarding the industry, professionals within that industry, and the consumers.In terms of my future thinking for the FMP, my findings have implicated my thoughts through the following points of information:•There is always a new way of relaying information- there is always a new angle to report from and expand upon (think outside the box, and outside of what has been covered by the mass media)•Being a critic is not about you or your own exquisite taste. Your task is to entertain, inform and inspire your reader•The majority of people would rather consume information via pictures and videos

These points of information implicated my thoughts the most, as they highlighted the main elements of being a music journalist, as well as what can be expected from your work by consumers/other people within the industry.

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Limitations within my research came up several times (with both my primary and secondary research). For my primary research, the timing of the interview replies, interviewee responses, and the lack of responses to my survey limited me, as I was unable to proceed with aspects of my work, and some of the information I received wasn’t particularly relevant to my questions. In terms of my secondary research, the limitations were in the form of repetitive articles, lack of new information, and a serious lack of printed literature regarding music journalism (as a form, and as an industry). This meant that the information I was able to collect, was limited and not as complex as my primary research.With regards to my future moves (leading up to the FMP), my experimental pieces have implicate what I may do. My findings also implicated what I may do, but not as much as my experimental pieces. My ‘practice content’ has implicated my future moves through the following:•Exploring topics of interest e.g. politics within music/how music can be a powerful platform•Developing my ‘voice’ and style when writing•Taking a more relaxed approach when referencing/using research notes whilst writing (letting my writing flow naturally)

In conclusion, this research report has been successful. I have managed to collect invaluable information in regards to my hypothesis and ‘sub-questions’. This information will help guide my creative and practical processes throughout the FMP. I have been able to explore different elements of music journalism (that I may want to look into further), develop my style etc. as a music journalist, and just gaining an improved understanding of the industry in general.Bibliography:

(https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/tekashi-69-rise-and-fall-feature-777971/) (1)

(https://open.spotify.com/episode/5cjHaW8lKG7QaaKThTWHno) (2) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q438-QXTlGs) (3) (https://www.journalism.co.uk/news/interactive-tips-and-advice-for-music-

journalism/s2/a562338/) (4) (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/has-music-journalism-

changed-for-the-better-135509.html) (5) (https://www.theguardian.com/careers/music-journalism-best-of) (6)

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My Project :

Introduction: Within this chapter, I will be presenting my level of self-direction, personal initiative and commitment that is necessary to progress my ideas, knowledge and theoretical/technical comprehension, in order to achieve pre-determined and identified goals. This chapter will also present my ability to plan and organise my work within a given timeframe, as well as my skills, when it comes to the efficient production of individual and collaborative outcomes.

Pre-Production:

Within this section of the chapter, I will be presenting all of my initial work, ideas and primary steps towards the final product. I will be including my conclusions from my primary and secondary research as well as recorded discussions and primary drafts of work.The research conclusions contain the key points/information that I felt would help guide/aid my pre-production and production processes.

Research Conclusions:Primary Research Conclusion:I have created a ‘conclusive’ list of the main information I have retrieved from my primary research (interviews and survey).Interviews:•Think before stating something that may or may not be relevant•Interview both new-coming and existing artists•Educate yourself about the genre, artist, movement etc.•Start a blog- write for practice/build up a portfolio•Magazines have become niche•The best journalism is present in daily papers and blogs•Just because people are streaming music, doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be album reviews etc.•You can become inspired by local journalists

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•Gain as much work experience as possible- being offered your first writing opportunity is about who you know- make a good impression•Avoid the use of clichés – find a new way to look at something- good humour can be a useful tool•Try to show your personality through your writing•Work for free when you’re trying to establish yourself- write for small, independent blogs etc.•Honesty should be a key element in all your pieces of work•Always a new way of relaying information- there is always a new angle to report from and expand upon (try to think outside of the box, and outside of what has been covered already by the media masses)Survey:•More of a preference to watching interviews etc. as opposed to reading an article etc.•Wide use of a range of information sources (mainly online): Google, fan’s blogs/posts, Twitter and YouTube•A refreshing connection/approach to a topic, images/quotes from an artist and an understanding regarding what is being written- makes a piece interesting to the public/readership•Majority of people are swayed by clickbait when looking at articles etc.•Majority felt clickbait has made online content less trustworthy•Even split between people’s preference for traditional music journalism (magazines) and online content•There is a wide array of genres people enjoy listening to, watching and reading about•Teenage response (young adults between the ages of 18 and 21)•There was a variety of favourite bands/artists•Reliability on information being relayed depends on the individual’s chosen source of information e.g. physical copy or onlineSecondary Research Conclusion:I have also created a ‘conclusive’ list of the main information I retrieved from my secondary research (online articles).Articles:•You need to be enthusiastic/passionate about what you’re writing•It’s best to keep up-to-date with both local and international bands- information on small gigs/press events etc.

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•Be independent- you’ve got to be able to find stories, speak to relevant people (establishing a name for yourself)•Don’t be afraid to think out of the box- new reporting angles/views and ideas are important (set yourself apart from the masses)•Freelance work- ensure you’re educated on the target audience, style, tone, and overall aesthetic of the publication/client you’re creating content for•When establishing yourself- accept any writing opportunities (even if it’s not something that particularly suits you as a writer)•Give local bands/events exposure through posting content on a blog and/or website (this will give you a great chance to practice)•Educate yourself on the artist/band you’re writing about, interviewing etc. (when writing a review- give the song(s) a decent amount of listening time)•Be competent with social networking and maintaining an online presence•Have an ear for detail- you need to be able to pick out and contextualise aspects of an artist’s work that other people may not necessarily pick up on.

Recorded Discussion:During the initial work for this project, myself Ollie and Chloe have used the college’s radio room in order to discuss our initial project ideas, and pitch them to one another. This use of the radio room was beneficial, as it gave us the chance to highlight any areas of our ideas that may have needed refining, and it allowed us the chance to develop our ideas whilst explaining them to one another. Below is the link to the original recording and the WordPress blogpost it can be found on:Original recording: (https://soundcloud.com/rashadjackson211/broad-discussion-with-some-relevant-points) WordPress blog: (https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/03/14/blog-post-24-unit-12-completed-research-report-and-initial-fmp-discussion/) During the couple of weeks that followed this discussion, I created multiple first drafts of potential content for my project. The first drafts I created can be found on a singular WordPress blog, whereas the drafts that followed are within their own, individual posts. Below are the link to each draft:

(https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/03/13/blog-post-24-unit-12-experimentation/) 1/2

(https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/03/20/blog-post-25-unit-12-fmp-content-practice-greg/) 3

(https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/03/22/blog-post-25-unit-12-further-fmp-content-practice-greg/) 41. The first draft is a small feature article about the UK’s newest rock

musician ‘YUNGBLUD’ (it is a small introductory article about the artist) 2. The second draft is another feature article that is slightly more

developed, and covers the topic of music combined with politics. This is explored through the medium of the song ‘This is America’ by musician Donald Glover a.ka. Childish Gambino

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https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/03/22/blog-post-25-unit-12-further-fmp-content-practice-greg/


https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/03/20/blog-post-25-unit-12-fmp-content-practice-greg/




https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/03/14/blog-post-24-unit-12-completed-research-report-and-initial-fmp-discussion/

https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/03/14/blog-post-24-unit-12-completed-research-report-and-initial-fmp-discussion/

https://soundcloud.com/rashadjackson211/broad-discussion-with-some-relevant-points

https://soundcloud.com/rashadjackson211/broad-discussion-with-some-relevant-points

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3. The third draft is a review of the debut track, ‘Bury a Friend’, from artist Billie Eilish’s debut album ‘When we all Fall Asleep, Where do we go?’ This is a relatively short review (that could be used as ‘filler’ content), but it goes into depth about all aspects of the track

4. The most recent draft is a short feature about the conspiracy theories surrounding ‘The 27 Club’ phenomenon.

The Beginning:During the initial stages of this project, I was unsure about the form I wanted to present my work in. However, I did have a rough idea about the content I wanted to create. My initial idea for content was based around the creation of feature articles, and using these to develop my journalistic style and voice/overall work as a music journalist. From initial discussions, I slowly formed the idea of creating my own music magazine and its content e.g. reviews, photographs, interviews and feature articles. I decided to make this my final idea, as it related back to my future career/plans for the future (university etc.), and it allowed me to merge my initial plan (idea) with the practice of a particular form.Development of my Initial Idea (Prepatory Work):In terms of prepatory work, I will be using information from my research report to develop my initial idea. I will focus on the ‘findings’ and ‘discussion’ elements of my report, as they will provide me with the key points of information needed to develop all aspects of my idea e.g. layout, format, style, tone, target audience etc. I will also look over the main sections of my primary and secondary research, as they will provide information about music journalism as a form. Each development of my project will be recorded within this portfolio or WordPress blogs that I can link into my work.New Ideas and Concepts:Throughout this project, any new ideas/concepts that occur, will be recorded and explained. Once I start the key production stage of my project, I will be able to highlight pivotal changes within my ideas. This will make it easier to identify why such changes may have occurred, and what overall impact they may have on my project.Production Schedule:In terms of creating a production schedule, I will be using previous knowledge of digital production, as the digital element of my project will take up the majority of my time. As I will be using the same software from last year, I can gather a rough idea of how long it will take me to transfer my design to a digital visual. Even though I will be using existing knowledge, I will look into existing products that are similar to what I am aiming to create. I feel this will give me some insight into industry practices, when it comes to production. My production schedule will be an element within my weekly blogposts, but it will also be integrated into this portfolio- especially within evaluations etc.Production:For the production aspect of my work, I will be referring to all elements of my research whilst designing my product. I will then be using a range of existing

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techniques and skills to create a professional product within digital media software. There will be ‘trial and error’ within this process, to ensure I am left with the perfect product that adheres to my initial plan e.g. intended audience, style, tone, layout etc.Post-Production:Once I reach the post-production aspect of my project, I will go back over the final drafts of my work, in order to proof-read them and make any last adjustments (if necessary). In terms of my digital product, any necessary editing will be completed within suitable software. All aspects of my editing will be recorded and justified. These creative processes will also be written about within this portfolio and my WordPress blogs.

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Production:There has been two main types of production within my project. They are print and digital production. This means there has been two kinds of drafts, feedback and initial/final development within this project. Within this sector of the chapter, I will be detailing these elements for both my print and digital project aspects.Print Production:

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Piece of Work:

Link to Work: (Tutor) Feedback:

‘Upfront and in Yer’ Face’

(https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/03/13/blog-post-24-unit-12-experimentation/)

Clear structure Clear implementation of research Effective word choice/use of relevant

devices Clear purpose- reader can identify what is

being delivered to them Effective headline and opening hook (pulls

the reader in) Remains on topic throughout Emerging unique style and ‘voice’ can be

seen/read throughout‘Music and Politics: How ‘This is America’ Opened up a Whispered Conversation’

(https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/03/13/blog-post-24-unit-12-experimentation/)

Clear structure Clear implementation of research If and when editing, the main aspect of

this process should be the cutting of ‘fluff’/unnecessary phrases and ‘filler’ words (these are any words/phrases that don’t add anything new or develop your piece of work)

In reference to existing music journalism, the use of quotes to link pieces of information, is an effective element of music journalism that can help maintain the relevance of your piece/tie everything together

The use of ‘poetic’ devices and extended metaphors can add an extra dimension to your work, and will ensure your language is colourful as well as informative, so the reader can easily envisage what you’re conveying

When reviewing albums, singles, gigs etc. your emotive response will really aid your writing, as you can express (more succinctly) to your readership what to expect from an album etc. on an emotional level

Relevant references to related artists, bands and content, within an article, will ensure there is effective context and understanding with what you are writing

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Billie Eilish: ‘Bury a Friend’ Review

(https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/03/20/blog-post-25-unit-12-fmp-content-practice-greg/)

‘There definitely seems…almost – really’, (‘seemingly’), ‘some kind’, ‘All in all’

Redundant words and qualifiers and adverbs – try to avoid

‘However’ – find other words or avoid – sounds like an essay

I like the way you are attempting to mirror the songs edginess in your own writing – very effective writing I think you could go even further

Excellent stuff

‘The Curse of 27’

(https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/03/22/blog-post-25-unit-12-further-fmp-content-practice-greg/)

Excellent writing. Try using the proofreading and decluttering exercises just to see what you may wish to cut – I can’t see much, but it is a useful exercise to do anyway.

Effective mix of tone throughout the piece juggling the harsh realities to the absurd theories.

Amy Winehouse also dies at 27 I think and is definitely an examples of your last statement: harsh realities of the industry. I think this ending touches on another deeper and more serious debate and is worth exploring.

Could it be that these people, before fame and success, are already vulnerable with addictive natures and that the music industry provides, pushes and proffers hedonism as a cool or expected way of pursuing these creative outlets. Have other artists in other mediums died around this age?

Excellent work as usual – the more you write the better it gets. Best advice I ever got was to write, write and write some more.

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L//NES: ‘Gig Review’ (19/04/19)

(https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/04/26/blog-post-27-initial-production/)

‘and create their own path’ – could you carry the metaphor on here: copy cats, herd, trail, track

‘much alive; alive in the’ – use colon instead. Colon is either a list or can be read as illustrating the previous part of the sentence. (https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/semi-colons-colons-and-dashes/)

‘All in all’ – avoid phrases like this

‘blind eye on this band’ – to this band- plus is this a song title? – is there a song title that you could use instead?

I asked a student to read this: she was impressed and said you had summed the gig up perfectly – her exact words were “sick”.

This is a very effective piece of writing – especially for a first draft. Excellent work.

Usual summary also very good.Half Time Talk: ‘Gig Review’ (26/04/19)

(https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/05/02/blog-post-28-further-content-editing-creating-and-portfolio-updates/)

Excellent piece of writing Tight, succinct, effective language and

skilfully structured. The flair, rhythm/pace and voice are

clearly developing Effective use of colloquial language,

alliteration and rule of three all persuasive techniques – plus a tip of the hat to Spinal Tap.

Here’s an interesting article I found: (https://www.theguardian.com/books/

booksblog/2009/jul/06/music) Wonderful work

Final Improvements:Below are the links to and details regarding the final edits of my FMP content. The previous/primary edits of my content can be found via a range of WordPress blogs (the link to my WordPress page is below).WordPress Page: (https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/)

Final Edits:

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https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2009/jul/06/music

https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2009/jul/06/music

https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/05/02/blog-post-28-further-content-editing-creating-and-portfolio-updates/



https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/semi-colons-colons-and-dashes/

https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/semi-colons-colons-and-dashes/

https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/04/26/blog-post-27-initial-production/



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‘Upfront and in Yer’ Face’:Link to edit: (https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/05/03/blog-post-28-final-content-edits-and-portfolio-updates/) Details: Looking back, even though this was one of the first pieces I wrote, there wasn’t much editing to complete. I made some minor changes to some of my word and phrase choices to make the piece more succinct and relevant to its topic. I also changed the font size and style, so it was in the correct layout I wanted for my magazine. These were the only changes I needed to make to this piece, to ensure it fit my ‘vision’/general plan for my FMP.‘Music and Politics: How ‘This is America’ Opened up a Whispered Conversation’:Link to edit: (https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/05/03/blog-post-28-final-content-edits-and-portfolio-updates/) Details: This piece required the most editing. From looking back over my feedback for this piece, it was clear that I had to edit this piece last. This was due to the developed style it would require in order to be edited effectively. I felt that by editing this piece last, I would have practiced and developed my writing style/voice enough, that I would be able to highlight the key elements of the piece that needed the most attention. After reading back through the piece, I edited whole sections of work and really took into consideration my word choices and use of linguistic tools e.g. imagery, descriptive language, qualifiers, ‘redundant’ words. By really focusing on these key elements, I was able to edit effectively and efficiently. Editing this piece last was beneficial, as I could pay as much attention to it as possible, and I had gained the relevant knowledge needed to develop the piece to a satisfactory extent. Billie Eilish: ‘Bury a Friend’ Review:Link to edit: (https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/05/03/blog-post-28-final-content-edits-and-portfolio-updates/) Details: With this piece, the editing focused more on my language choices and structure as opposed to the actual content of the piece. As with the other pieces, I looked back over my feedback and focused on the key elements that had been commented on. In order to make my piece more ‘visual’ for the reader, I had to focus on the way in which I had described the track to the reader (how I presented the effects of the audio in a written). After re-reading the piece multiple times throughout the editing process, I was satisfied with the changes I had made, and how the overall piece was presented. ‘The Curse of 27’: Link to edit: (https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/05/03/blog-post-28-final-content-edits-and-portfolio-updates/) Details: The main editorial focus for this piece was specificity and word choice/relevance. Due to the extent of my research for this piece, I had a lot of information that needed to be conveyed in a concise yet detailed way. For my initial draft I decided to just let myself write freely without much restriction. This left me with more than enough material to work through, re-read and edit. My

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first draft contained a range of words and phrases that added very little to the overall piece. These were relatively easy to find and adapt/edit out. Once I had cut these ‘filler’ words/phrases out of the piece, I focused on the overall structure. From re-reading the piece, I adapted the placement of some paragraphs, so the piece was easy to follow and was set out appropriately for a ‘feature’ article. Once I had completed all the necessary editorial changes, and re-read the piece, I was satisfied with the final edit.L//NES: ‘Gig Review’ (19/04/19):Link to edit: (https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/05/03/blog-post-28-final-content-edits-and-portfolio-updates/) Details: In terms of editing this piece, aside from a few changes of word/phrase choice and general punctuation, there was very little left to edit. I feel this was probably due to the fact that this piece was the second to last I decided to write. This meant that I had been able to practice my style of writing, and familiarise myself with the conventions of music journalism, through the creation of my previous pieces of work. From some simple re-reading, I couldn’t highlight any other elements that I needed to adapt within the piece, so I was satisfied with the final edit.Half Time Talk: ‘Gig Review’ (26/04/19):Link to edit: (https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/05/03/blog-post-28-final-content-edits-and-portfolio-updates/) Details: Pretty much the same applied to this piece of work. Aside from minor word choice changes and structure adaptation, there wasn’t much else to adapt. This was the final piece I decided to write, so I was able to create an almost perfect first draft, due to the knowledge and practice I had gained throughout the rest of the production process. This left me with very little editing work, so I was able to move onto the digital aspect of my production sooner. After completing the necessary, minor changes and re-reading the overall piece, I was satisfied with the final edit.Digital Production:Within this section, I will be detailing the digital production process of my project. This will include my initial ideas for my magazine design/layout, any influences from existing products, and my final decisions for my magazine’s design.Before I started the production of my product (magazine). I conducted some basic research into existing industry products. I looked at both music publications and other ‘specialist’ publications for their designs and overall layouts. Below are the images I collected:

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After collecting these images, I looked back over them and collected specific ones to evaluate and analyse further. Below is the link to the WordPress blog:(https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/05/08/blog-post-29-initial-product-design/)

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Within this blog post, I looked at four images in particular from the 26 I had collected, and picked out the elements from each that I found particularly effective and eye-catching. I analysed the use of specific visual effects that had been used within some of the images e.g. the use of shapes, colour, contrast and the rule of thirds (among other things). The images I had picked out in particular all contained elements that I was interested in implementing into my own design work, and overall product design.From looking at these industry designs and existing products, (as mentioned above) I came up with some initial ideas regarding certain design elements of my product (magazine).Colour Scheme/Layout:

Grey with colour ‘streaks’/ ‘brushstrokes’ Neon/bold pops of colour within pages Mixture of black and white and bold, eye-catching colours Three to four key, feature colours that are kept consistent throughout

General Design: Allow double-page spreads for key images Each piece of content will have its own layout ‘theme’, whilst sticking to

the key elements of the overall magazine Bold, neon text/colour with mono background Gothic style font (possibility for the cover page)

From this research, I started thinking about the layout for my magazine. Below is the initial order of content:

Front cover Contents ‘Intro’ page (Welcome Readers) Content Content Content ‘Gallery’ (double-page spread) Content Content Content Possible ‘poster’ spread ‘Outro’ page (Goodbye Readers) Contact/credit page

I began the design work for my magazine within Adobe InDesign. I started by thinking about my ‘key’ colour scheme. This colour scheme will consist of three to four key colours that will remain consistent throughout the magazine. As with the majority of publications, I focused on the front cover of my product. By focusing on the front cover, I was able to gauge the effectiveness of my colour choices, in terms of how they would be presented on a shelf/within an online platform. I decided to draw inspiration from the ‘neon’ element of some of the examples I had found previously. I felt that the use of a bold, block colour background was really effective when emphasising the ‘pops’ of colour within the page. It helped emphasise the ‘key’ elements of the images used on the cover.

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However, after looking back over my initial design idea, I felt that the cover page would be more suited for the internal design of my magazine. This was due to the fact that it seemed more suited to be the ‘cover’ page for one of my review pieces.After also receiving feedback from Greg, I decided that the use of the dense black, alongside the ‘dashes’ of colour wouldn’t necessarily stand out on a shelf. It may initially draw people in, but the negative space created by the black, may in fact lose the interest/focus of my intended audience.From there, I decided to keep the page and move it into, what would be, the inside of my magazine. I decided to focus more on the use of colours within the second version of my front cover, as well as the ‘neon’ effect I had taken interest in (used within some of the industry examples). I started by using blocks of colour that slightly overlapped one another across the page. Soon after, I discovered the ‘gradient feather’ tool within Adobe InDesign. By using this, I was able to create an almost ‘brushstroke’/spray paint effect on the page. This was effective, because the colours weren’t as ‘blocky’ or harsh, yet they remained vibrant and eye-catching. From there, I looked into the use of the ‘line; tool. I started by using plain, simple block lines. I found that these seemed particularly harsh on the page, so looked at the use of ‘dots’ and ‘waves’. These weren’t bold enough elements within the overall design. Finally, I opted for a set of parallel lines that I increased to 16 pt. I placed these lines within the breaks of colour down the page. These gave the overall design more structure and balance, and gave the potential reader a line of focus to follow. As the lines were horizontal, this also added a certain dynamic to the colours, and the way in which the reader would ‘follow’ the cover e.g. the lines seemed to lead to them to the opening of the product/put emphasis on the opening of the product.Below are some screenshots of these developments of my front cover:

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After I had focused more on the initial use of colour and the general design of the front cover, I began looking into different styles of font. I used the site Dafont (https://www.dafont.com/). Dafont is a site that provides free font styles to download and use. I started thinking about the fonts I wanted to use for each of

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my pieces (as I want them to remain unique). I knew I wanted to use a ‘punk’ style font for my ‘Upfront and in Yer’ Face’ piece, so that’s what I looked into. Below are screenshots from my magazine development:

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From this initial design work, my product developed considerably. All of my developments are included within clear WordPress blogs that detail my reasons behind editorial decisions. Below are the links to these blogposts, as well as screenshots of my work:

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(https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/05/17/blog-post-30-continuation-of-magazine-developments-adobe-indesign/)(https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/05/22/blog-post-31-second-to-last-magazine-developments-adobe-indesign/)

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https://riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com/2019/05/17/blog-post-30-continuation-of-magazine-developments-adobe-indesign/

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Throughout the production process, I have recorded my process within blogposts on my WordPress page. I have received comments/feedback from my tutor (Greg). Below are screenshots I have received during this process:

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I felt that I have taken on board the comments and feedback I have received from both peers and tutors, and I have kept the in mind whenever I edited my final product. Details of reasons behind my editorial decisions will be included in the ‘Post-production’ chapter.

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Post-production:

Editing Process:The editing process for my magazine content didn’t take as much time, in comparison to the digital element of my work. Below are the comments, I have received about the content throughout the production process:

As with all of the feedback I’ve been given, the comments about my content were taken on board, and kept in mind when I was creating the final versions of each piece.The editing process for my magazine content didn’t take as much time, I comparison to the digital element of my work.

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In terms of the digital editing, there was a lot more to work with and adapt. For example, I took me at least three attempts to create a satisfactory front page. From there, the remainder of the design work was relatively simple, as I had the key page elements (‘leading’ lines, ‘torn’ paper), and a basic plan for each page theme/general layout. Every time I went back to both my written and digital work, I ensured that I kept in mind my target audience, as well as the intended presentation I had for my project. For my written pieces in particular, this enabled easier overall editing and proof-reading. With the proof-reading, I also referred back to the comments on my blog posts, as some of them detailed changes to make, to certain words/phrases within my pieces.My digital work underwent a range of structural/general layout edits. The main structural change, was the implementation of columns. This ensured the entirety of my magazine layout looked less like a brochure/book. This allowed more space within the product, for accompanying images. The second change made, was the size of the ‘main body’ text being altered. By looking at my work through a screen, I wasn’t looking at the accurate presentation of my pages. By printing out a couple of pages, I identified that the font size would be much too large for the size of my magazine (A4). I took the font size down, so it would be proportional to the rest of the page/page’s elements e.g. images.Final Decisions (feedback-based):The key, final decisions I made about my project are as follows:

Title Colour scheme Themes (pages) Accompanying/general images used

Below are the details and reasons behind my final decision for these elements of my project:Title:The title of my magazine was the last element I came up with. I felt that by creating the majority of the magazine, I would get a sense of what title would suit the overall style and aesthetic of my magazine. At first, I created a list of multiple possibilities (see below):

Alt-Wave Reverb The Edge Fuzz Distortion Alt-Attitude Loose Connection Mad Melody Excess Access Encore Crescendo Blare Neow Nu Soundz

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Underground Sound(s) Era Electric Era Neon Wave Voltage Zealous Zest Wavelength Soundwave Rise and Fall Unplugged (Ollie’s suggestion) Under Cover

From this, I collected feedback from my peers and Greg. After taking their comments into account, I created a title short-list (see below):

Loose Connection Zealous Zest Rise and Fall Under Cover

Once I had finalised my magazine’s front cover, I decided to title it ‘Zealous’. This was due to Greg’s feedback as well as my own, personal preference. Overall, ‘Zealous’ had a range of connotations relating to the music industry, and it was a bold, strong-sounding word that grabbed attention immediately.Colour Scheme:My magazine doesn’t exactly follow a strict colour scheme, but it has consistent elements throughout. The main colours kept throughout the product are red, black and white. These colours are used on the front/back cover and within the actual magazine. The key elements that have been kept throughout the magazine are: ‘leading’ lines along page borders and a ‘torn paper’ effect. The lack of a strict colour scheme is due to the ‘themed’ pages within the magazine. However, I feel that the ‘key’ elements provide the consistency a colour scheme would have provided.Themes (pages):The idea for themed pages, was something I had right from the beginning of the project. I knew I wanted to give very piece of content its own unique, and individual presentation within the magazine. The feedback I had received about this element was positive, and encouraged me to go ahead with the decision. Within Adobe InDesign, I was able to use fonts, background colours and images to keep all of the pages individual. This, paired with the ‘key’ magazine elements, ensured the consistency of the magazine was still a focal point.Accompanying/General Images Used:In terms of images, I ensured that I gathered more than enough, so I would have a varied range to choose from. For the gigs I was able to attend, I attempted to capture as many varied images (in terms of angles and perspective/distance and zoom). For my feature articles, I resorted to Google Images in order to find

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relevant images for each piece. Some of the images I found were used to fill negative space, whereas others were used as ‘poster-sized’ images. I felt this gave my magazine content added variety, and implemented the use of visual aids.Summary:Overall, the production process was successful. I was able to create a product that adhered to my personal brief, within a pre-determined time-frame. The only issues I came across during this process, are as follows:

1. Creating a satisfactory front cover/determining key features2. Lack of software knowledge (subject to certain elements of the production)3. Adding in certain visual elements

However, I found solutions for each of these problems, which I have detailed below:

1. The production of my front cover probably took the most time, as I was unsure about the overall style and possible colour-scheme/layout for the cover. I overcame this problem by conducting some extra research into industry examples. This extra research really allowed me to take note of the contrasting and comparative elements used within industry examples. I was also able to draw inspiration from similar publications e.g. ‘Kerrang!’, ‘Rolling Stone’ and ‘NME’. From there, I just experimented with my own front cover by adding and taking away certain elements, and playing around with the use of colour. After multiple sessions of editing, I was able to produce a front cover I was satisfied with.

2. My lack of knowledge about certain elements of Adobe InDesign produced another, slight set-back for my production. When I came across this delay, I simply continued working on other elements whilst I waited for advice/help from either Chloe (peer) or Celia (tutor). The elements I struggled with, were mainly to do with editing the general layout of my magazine e.g. creating ‘master’ pages (‘master’ pages ensure all pages, existing and new, contain the same layout). By continuing to work on other elements of my product, whilst waiting for advice/help, it ensured that the production process accelerated the development of the overall product.

3. For the visual element of my product, the main problem I came across, was the quality of the images not being as good as expected. For the Google Images, due to copyright, some images didn’t even show up when I placed them into the product. The solution for these problems was simple. As I had gathered multiple images, I was able to choose/edit other images. For the Google Images, it was simply a case of ‘trial-and-error’ to find suitable images. This ‘problem’ was probably the easiest to resolve.

The pre-production process was just as successful as the production process. I didn’t seem to come across many, if any, notable problems during this process. I feel this was due to the amount of time I had set aside for the production and editing. My time management throughout these processes, has ensured that my product and overall portfolio are completed by the deadline.

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Overall, if I was to complete this project again, there is very little I would change about the way I conducted myself throughout the pre-production, production and post-production.

Presentation:For the presentation of my product, I have decided to create a physical and digital copy of my magazine. The physical copy of my magazine will be included within an exhibit at college, and will provide people with a sense of how it would be presented in a retail environment e.g. on a shop shelf/magazine stand. The digital copy will give a sense of how the product would be presented on an online platform. The digital copy is something my target audience are more than likely to access, and interact with. The digital copy also provides me with an easy way of sharing my work with potential employers/publishers e.g. ‘Kerrang!’

MY FMP: The Final P roduct

(FlipHTML link will be added after the half-term break)

Project Evaluation:

My FMP project is an alternative music magazine, aimed at 18-25 year-olds, who are interested in alternative music genres, and the music industry as a whole. It provides a fresh perspective of the music industry, and gives a new edge to way in which music news is reported.

Project Strengths:1. The extent and detailing of my research, and the way I conveyed this

information within my research report.2. Quality and standards upheld throughout all of my pieces of magazine

content e.g. articles, reviews etc.3. Ability to take constructive criticism on-board, and edit/develop my work

accordingly.4. Consistency and quality of the overall product.5. Ability to adapt work to consistently adhere to my own personal

brief/intended audience.Project Weaknesses:

1. Lack of knowledge about certain elements of Adobe InDesign, as this delayed the production process slightly.

2. The time management within the initial stages of the product production (creating the front cover).

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3. The lack of quality within some of the images used, due to copyright and the intention of not over-editing particular images.

4. The intention to complete all aspects of the project independently.5. Focusing slightly too heavily on certain aspects of the project research.

In terms of the design ideas for my project, there was definitely a theme of individuality. Especially in reference to the content within my product. Each page had its own theme and style, which gave the overall product variety and a unique edge. Some of my influence for this element came from looking at industry examples, in particular, other alternative music publications such as ‘Kerrang!’ and ‘Rolling Stone’.

For the experimental/explorative elements of my work, I found that the majority of occurred within the production/editing process. The main experimental work that I completed is as follows:

1. Including the use of textures and other visual aids/effects within the product

2. Experimenting with a range of possible colour schemes/layouts3. Experimenting with the overall page layouts

Results:1. By experimenting with the implementation of different textures and other

visual aids/effects, I was able to add to the unique ‘edge’ of my product, and I was able to add more visual focal points for my intended audience. I felt that the inclusion of more focal points kept the overall product interesting, and ensured the target audience wouldn’t lose interest easily.

2. By experimenting with the use of colours and possible colour schemes, I was able to really explore the effect of colour on a target audience, in terms of the way they perceived the product, and the pre-conceptions they may have about the overall product. From existing knowledge and extended research, I was able to look into the connotations of particular colours, and what these colours can infer and suggest to a specific audience.

3. By experimenting with the overall page layouts, I was able to really explore the my idea of creating unique pages, as each piece of content followed its own style and tone both visually and within the written form. The exploration of the page layouts also allowed me to experiment more with the implementation of images and any ‘other’ (possible) elements.

Looking back over my whole project, as well as my daily reflections (blog posts), I feel that the key areas of development are as follows:

My overall style, tone and ‘unique’ voice within my writing (specifically within the pieces I have created for this project).

The creation and decisions regarding my project title. My final design and layout decisions, especially within the editorial stage,

as the majority of my project was entirely independent.

Looking back over my proposal, I feel that I have adhered to my initial intentions for the overall project, and have been able to complete everything I’ve set-out for myself to do within the required time-frame. I feel that there wasn’t much that had to be changed/developed. However, if this is not the case, I have detailed any possible changes within my daily WordPress blogposts:(https://wordpress.com/view/riodenniscreative3.wordpress.com)

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In terms of the possible adaptations/developments I could make to the work I have produced, I don’t feel as if there is much I could change about my final product. I am pleased with what I have been able to produce, and I feel that it really reflects the effort and hard-work I have put, into all of my pieces of work, throughout the entirety of this course.

The final product/work is appropriate to the needs of the project and my personal brief. It has sufficiently answered said brief, and has provided me with the opportunity to really explore and develop my style, and intended direction as a future music journalist.

Reflecting back on my pitch, I feel that it really helped me develop my initial idea into something that would adhere to a specific brief, and be produced within the set time-frame. It definitely set-up the foundations for my idea and vision, moving forward with the project.

Overall, the project went better than expected, despite some minor set-backs I was able to create an independent product with a clear vision, and intended audience in mind.

Below are screenshots of the positive feedback and constructive criticism I have received:

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Looking back over the entire project, I feel the following elements are some that I would improve upon, if I were to complete the project again:

Certain aspects of my time management during the production process of my project (mainly within Adobe InDesign).

Attempting to complete all aspects of my project independently, as this affected my overall time management, and caused me to spend more time than intended on the editing processes and the developmental aspects of my product.

The extent of my research, as I felt that some elements of my research ending up being of less importance and use in the long-run of the project.

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A ppendices :

Extended Project in Creative Media Production- Learning Outcomes and Assessment:

1. Be able to initiate and develop a creative media production project proposal.

1.1. Use critical and contextual perspectives to initiate a creative media production project proposal.

1.2. Use analysis and evaluation to clarify and develop ideas for a creative media production project proposal.

2. Be able to use research, analysis and evaluation to develop solutions for creative media production project.

2.1. Use research to support the development of a creative media production project.

2.2. Use analytical and evaluative skills to develop creative solutions to realise a media production project.

3. Be able to solve practical, theoretical and technical problems in a creative media production project.

3.1. Solve practical and technical problems within a creative media production project. 3.2. Solve theoretical problems within a creative media production project.

4. Be able to plan, organise and produce a creative media production project.

4.1. Demonstrate the ability to plan, organise and produce a creative media production project within an agreed timeframe.

5. Be able to use practical methods and skills in a creative media production project.

5.1. Demonstrate the exploration, adaptation and application of practical methods and skills in the realisation of a creative media production project.

6. Be able to use evaluative and reflective skills in the production of a creative media product.

6.1. Maintain evaluative and reflective records of the development and production of a creative media project.

6.2. Use evaluative and reflective skills to make decisions for a creative media production project.

7. Be able to present a creative media production project. 7.1. Explore strategies to present a creative media production project.

7.2. Present a creative media production project to a specified audience.

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R eferences : (https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/tekashi-69-rise-and-fall-feature-777971/) (1)

(https://open.spotify.com/episode/5cjHaW8lKG7QaaKThTWHno) (2)

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q438-QXTlGs) (3)

(https://www.journalism.co.uk/news/interactive-tips-and-advice-for-music-journalism/s2/a562338/) (4)

(https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/has-music-journalism-changed-for-the-better-135509.html) (5)

(https://www.theguardian.com/careers/music-journalism-best-of) (6)

Robert Rotifer- Freelance Journalist ([email protected])

Emily Carter*- News Editor for Kerrang! Magazine ([email protected])

Jen Walker- Contributor for Kerrang! Magazine ([email protected])

James Hingle**- Contributor for Kerrang! Magazine ([email protected])

Elliot Paisley- Freelance Journalist ([email protected])

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