Another piece of coursework, this time written in the style of The Times 2. I didn't pitch this one.
Secret Diary of a Call Girl – ITV2 (one star out of five)
Last night’s finale of series 3 for Secret Diary of a Call Girl brought an end to what has been a dismal run for everyone’s favourite escort.
The episode revolved around the wedding of fellow working girl Bambi (Ashley Madekwe) and Belle’s (Billie Piper) discovery that her perfect publisher-boyfriend, Duncan (James D’Arcy) has been seeing other women.
Yet any attempt to expose Belle’s vulnerability fell short as her heartbreak was fleeting and she was soon jetting off to see her next client.
In fact, as series 3 has progressed both the plot and characters have remained static and it has been a tedious repetition of the same motions.
Belle is still as narcissistic as ever and oblivious to anything beyond the next appointment. While Ben (Iddo Goldberg), Belle’s ex-boyfriend and best friend, has become all the more frustrated and lovelorn as his unrequited feelings linger on.
He spends most of the series apologising for drunkenly insulting her new beau. Then there is doe-eyed Bambi whose naivety is matched by her equally clueless and eccentric aristocratic fiancé Byron (David Dawson).
The only new element on the latest outing with Belle is the relationship with her publisher but even this seems stale given her previous attempts to find love which have proved to be disastrous.
At the end of the last series Belle’s book was published anonymously and for the follow-up novel Duncan pushes her to seek out clients with all manner of kinks. But apart from some Sploshing (sex involving food), role play and a bit of cross-dressing thrown in for good measure only the most superficial of glances is given to sexual fetishes.
Unlike its predecessors, series 3 fails to delve further into the little-known world of high-class prostitution instead much of the charm and intrigue have been replaced with soap opera storylines.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Fundraising can improve your life and career prospects
A piece I wrote as part of coursework earlier this year. It's written in the style of 'Take A Break' magazine. Unfortunately, they decided they didn't want to publish it. Maybe next time.
There are hundreds of people across the country who go that extra mile for charity. You probably know some who’s training for a sponsored run, bike ride or walk. It might be a friend, a colleague, your sister or even your mum. They are ordinary folk who really want to make a difference and their small contributions make a big difference to others. But did you know that fundraising can also be good for your career and general wellbeing?
Managing Director of recruitment consultants Office Angels, David Clubb, says: ‘Being involved in fundraising is a great way of raising your awareness of social responsibility – something which many businesses take very seriously.’
‘It’s important to remember that being involved in fundraising work goes much further than standing outside shops with a coin collector. Being involved in fundraising work is often a real eye-opener for many people.’
‘For those currently between jobs fundraising work is great way to gain experience in a number of sectors and job roles. It also shows future employers that you are proactive and keen to be working and assisting others.’
Fundraising can not only boost your career prospects, it can also be a source of personal growth. Life Coach Carole Ann Rice has worked with individuals from all walks of life and says: ‘Helping other people either through fundraising or working in a voluntary capacity removes you from your problems and your world. It’s almost like a natural Prozac to help other people.’
‘At least if you’re doing something like raising money for a good cause you feel you have achieved something and I think there’s a great deal of personal satisfaction and confidence and self-esteem that can be raised through that sense of achievement on behalf of other people.’
She adds: ‘I think it certainly ups your chances of having a sense of focus, satisfaction and fulfilment in your life.’
Daniel Barnes, 31, of Brockley, Southeast London is running 500 miles this year for Josie’s Dragonfly. The charity gives cash donations to children with cancer not considered curable. Josie Madeline Grove was Daniel’s cousin who died from leukaemia in 2007. Daniel has just broken the 100 mile mark and is still going.
‘Last year I lost my job and spent a month or so sitting around the house feeling glum and eating cakes.’
‘Over Christmas, the idea of running 500 miles over the year came to me as a way of motivating me to get out. I am not very athletic, so I thought I would try something difficult. The other side is that it is a good excuse to raise money for a good cause.’
‘Running 500 miles was on my CV and I was asked and talked about it in a couple of interviews.’
‘I think it did add something unique to the CV, which probably helped a little.
For all the interviews I had, I always checked where I might run, or if I could run home.’
‘Knowing I have done this for charity is a bonus. I try to act nonchalant about it, that I was running anyway so it made sense to just raise money too, but in fact it does make me proud that I can make a difference. Maybe I'll aim for 1000 km in 2011.’
Lindsay Topham, 24, from Twickenham, Southwest London, is another fundraising superhero. She is gearing up for the London Marathon in April to raise money for Oxfam.
Lindsay says: ‘They’re just a charity that I really believe in and believe in the work that they do. I find them quite effective as a charity. I was really keen to run the London Marathon anyway so when Oxfam had some places it felt like it was the right thing to do.’
‘I wrote to Oxfam and said I would really like to do a charity place and they rung me and asked a few questions and then gave me a place.’
‘I think it’s important to push yourself and challenge yourself. It’s the nerves and having to promote yourself. And it’s all about personal growth.’
‘You sign up to something like the marathon because it’s only you that can get through it. You are the only competition.’
She adds: ‘It’s a real sense of achievement to know that you’ve put your body through all that and it’s not just that one day, it’s the nine months leading up to it. I’m looking forward to the whole day: the excitement, the getting there.’
“I think in a year or so after running the marathon I would like to climb Mount Kilimanjaro or some sort of mountain.”
JustGiving is a website which helps people who want raise money for charity. More information can be found at: www.justgiving.com
There are hundreds of people across the country who go that extra mile for charity. You probably know some who’s training for a sponsored run, bike ride or walk. It might be a friend, a colleague, your sister or even your mum. They are ordinary folk who really want to make a difference and their small contributions make a big difference to others. But did you know that fundraising can also be good for your career and general wellbeing?
Managing Director of recruitment consultants Office Angels, David Clubb, says: ‘Being involved in fundraising is a great way of raising your awareness of social responsibility – something which many businesses take very seriously.’
‘It’s important to remember that being involved in fundraising work goes much further than standing outside shops with a coin collector. Being involved in fundraising work is often a real eye-opener for many people.’
‘For those currently between jobs fundraising work is great way to gain experience in a number of sectors and job roles. It also shows future employers that you are proactive and keen to be working and assisting others.’
Fundraising can not only boost your career prospects, it can also be a source of personal growth. Life Coach Carole Ann Rice has worked with individuals from all walks of life and says: ‘Helping other people either through fundraising or working in a voluntary capacity removes you from your problems and your world. It’s almost like a natural Prozac to help other people.’
‘At least if you’re doing something like raising money for a good cause you feel you have achieved something and I think there’s a great deal of personal satisfaction and confidence and self-esteem that can be raised through that sense of achievement on behalf of other people.’
She adds: ‘I think it certainly ups your chances of having a sense of focus, satisfaction and fulfilment in your life.’
Daniel Barnes, 31, of Brockley, Southeast London is running 500 miles this year for Josie’s Dragonfly. The charity gives cash donations to children with cancer not considered curable. Josie Madeline Grove was Daniel’s cousin who died from leukaemia in 2007. Daniel has just broken the 100 mile mark and is still going.
‘Last year I lost my job and spent a month or so sitting around the house feeling glum and eating cakes.’
‘Over Christmas, the idea of running 500 miles over the year came to me as a way of motivating me to get out. I am not very athletic, so I thought I would try something difficult. The other side is that it is a good excuse to raise money for a good cause.’
‘Running 500 miles was on my CV and I was asked and talked about it in a couple of interviews.’
‘I think it did add something unique to the CV, which probably helped a little.
For all the interviews I had, I always checked where I might run, or if I could run home.’
‘Knowing I have done this for charity is a bonus. I try to act nonchalant about it, that I was running anyway so it made sense to just raise money too, but in fact it does make me proud that I can make a difference. Maybe I'll aim for 1000 km in 2011.’
Lindsay Topham, 24, from Twickenham, Southwest London, is another fundraising superhero. She is gearing up for the London Marathon in April to raise money for Oxfam.
Lindsay says: ‘They’re just a charity that I really believe in and believe in the work that they do. I find them quite effective as a charity. I was really keen to run the London Marathon anyway so when Oxfam had some places it felt like it was the right thing to do.’
‘I wrote to Oxfam and said I would really like to do a charity place and they rung me and asked a few questions and then gave me a place.’
‘I think it’s important to push yourself and challenge yourself. It’s the nerves and having to promote yourself. And it’s all about personal growth.’
‘You sign up to something like the marathon because it’s only you that can get through it. You are the only competition.’
She adds: ‘It’s a real sense of achievement to know that you’ve put your body through all that and it’s not just that one day, it’s the nine months leading up to it. I’m looking forward to the whole day: the excitement, the getting there.’
“I think in a year or so after running the marathon I would like to climb Mount Kilimanjaro or some sort of mountain.”
JustGiving is a website which helps people who want raise money for charity. More information can be found at: www.justgiving.com
Friday, June 25, 2010
Re-evaluating pensions
The link between the BP oil spill and British pension funds has got me thinking that maybe it’s time to reflect on where our retirement funds come from, and whether we should look at re-investing.
A couple of years ago I wrote a story about Aberdeen Asset Management launching a series of socially responsible investing funds in the Netherlands.
SRI funds, as the name suggests, look to make returns through investing ethically or socially consciously.
For example, they would not be invested in munitions factories or companies with poor human rights records. Instead they focus on areas such as green energy and social justice.
I was told that SRI funds had gained popularity in the Netherlands following a documentary entitled ‘The Clusterbomb Feeling’, which aired in March 2007.
The programme revealed that several Dutch pension funds had been investing in cluster bombs, land mines and companies that were guilty of child labour.
The revelations shocked the Dutch public and put pressure on pension funds to re-assess their investments.
I think perhaps Britain needs to have its own cluster bomb moment. Most people do not know where their retirement money is coming from and if they did, then they maybe put off from following a specific plan.
Also, as this environmental disaster unfolds and BP faces increasing pressure to halt dividend payments to shareholders, it now seems like the right time to look to greener companies.
British pensions are heavily invested in BP which poses a problem for people if dividend payments are frozen because they will not receive retirement contributions from the company.
If dividends are stopped, it could have a detrimental effect on individuals getting ready to retire amid concerns of a double dip recession and tax rises.
Add to this the fear of oil running out and fossil fuels in short supply, makes the step towards SRI seem more logical.
Retirement funds are about the long term, stable investments rather than the short term therefore, it would make more sense to invest in sustainable sectors.
However, oil, gas and other such industries make massive returns therefore, it is unlikely that retirement funds will stop investing in them anytime soon.
But the question is: what will it take for pension funds to change their ways? And will it require a spill bigger than BP for us to look at where our retirement is coming from?
A couple of years ago I wrote a story about Aberdeen Asset Management launching a series of socially responsible investing funds in the Netherlands.
SRI funds, as the name suggests, look to make returns through investing ethically or socially consciously.
For example, they would not be invested in munitions factories or companies with poor human rights records. Instead they focus on areas such as green energy and social justice.
I was told that SRI funds had gained popularity in the Netherlands following a documentary entitled ‘The Clusterbomb Feeling’, which aired in March 2007.
The programme revealed that several Dutch pension funds had been investing in cluster bombs, land mines and companies that were guilty of child labour.
The revelations shocked the Dutch public and put pressure on pension funds to re-assess their investments.
I think perhaps Britain needs to have its own cluster bomb moment. Most people do not know where their retirement money is coming from and if they did, then they maybe put off from following a specific plan.
Also, as this environmental disaster unfolds and BP faces increasing pressure to halt dividend payments to shareholders, it now seems like the right time to look to greener companies.
British pensions are heavily invested in BP which poses a problem for people if dividend payments are frozen because they will not receive retirement contributions from the company.
If dividends are stopped, it could have a detrimental effect on individuals getting ready to retire amid concerns of a double dip recession and tax rises.
Add to this the fear of oil running out and fossil fuels in short supply, makes the step towards SRI seem more logical.
Retirement funds are about the long term, stable investments rather than the short term therefore, it would make more sense to invest in sustainable sectors.
However, oil, gas and other such industries make massive returns therefore, it is unlikely that retirement funds will stop investing in them anytime soon.
But the question is: what will it take for pension funds to change their ways? And will it require a spill bigger than BP for us to look at where our retirement is coming from?
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Harrow Observer Article
TWO charities have raised around £5,000 from a quiz hosted by Matt Lucas from ‘Little Britain’.
Harrow hospital radio station, Radio Northwick Park and the Alan Senitt Memorial Trust joined forces to organise the fundraiser held two weeks ago.
Proceeds from the event were made through tickets sales, a raffle and an auction with a framed ‘Alice in Wonderland’ film poster signed by Matt Lucas up for grabs. The total amount will be split equally between the two trusts.
Half will go towards the £25,000 studio refurbishment for Radio Northwick Park and the other half will go on the £150,000 Alan Senitt Hillel Student Centre.
Comedian Matt Lucas who is also a patron of the Alan Senitt Memorial Trust said: “I grew up in Stanmore so Northwick Park is a hospital I have visited relatives in, so it’s a hospital I know. So it’s nice to be able to help these two charities.”
He added: “It’s really nice in these difficult times that people are still able to come and support charities and so we’re really heartened by the fact that over 300 people turned up.”
Chairperson of the Alan Senitt Memorial Trust, Emma Senitt said: “The event has gone really well and been very successful.
The quiz consisted of 10 rounds with general knowledge questions on food and drink, currents affairs, and film and television.
There were 30 teams made up of 10 people on each. The wining team was Quiz Team Aguilera who won a trophy.
One of the members of the winning team and Radio Northwick Park volunteer, Malcolm Clarke, 54, Warden Avenue, Rayners Lane said: “We won because the team really gelled together to account of our strengths and weaknesses.”
Radio Northwick Park provides entertainment for patients at Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Road. The Alan Senitt Memorial Trust promotes interfaith dialogue and the education of Israel.
Harrow hospital radio station, Radio Northwick Park and the Alan Senitt Memorial Trust joined forces to organise the fundraiser held two weeks ago.
Proceeds from the event were made through tickets sales, a raffle and an auction with a framed ‘Alice in Wonderland’ film poster signed by Matt Lucas up for grabs. The total amount will be split equally between the two trusts.
Half will go towards the £25,000 studio refurbishment for Radio Northwick Park and the other half will go on the £150,000 Alan Senitt Hillel Student Centre.
Comedian Matt Lucas who is also a patron of the Alan Senitt Memorial Trust said: “I grew up in Stanmore so Northwick Park is a hospital I have visited relatives in, so it’s a hospital I know. So it’s nice to be able to help these two charities.”
He added: “It’s really nice in these difficult times that people are still able to come and support charities and so we’re really heartened by the fact that over 300 people turned up.”
Chairperson of the Alan Senitt Memorial Trust, Emma Senitt said: “The event has gone really well and been very successful.
The quiz consisted of 10 rounds with general knowledge questions on food and drink, currents affairs, and film and television.
There were 30 teams made up of 10 people on each. The wining team was Quiz Team Aguilera who won a trophy.
One of the members of the winning team and Radio Northwick Park volunteer, Malcolm Clarke, 54, Warden Avenue, Rayners Lane said: “We won because the team really gelled together to account of our strengths and weaknesses.”
Radio Northwick Park provides entertainment for patients at Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Road. The Alan Senitt Memorial Trust promotes interfaith dialogue and the education of Israel.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Matt Lucas and the ethical dilemma
As an aspiring journalist I am learning to manoeuvre through the minefield that can be interviews.
One should never let their emotions or personal feelings get in the way of an interview.
Although Adam Boulton showed that this is not always possible earlier this week in his live cat fight with Alistair Campbell.
As part of a piece that was rejected by my local paper I recently interviewed Matt Lucas of ‘Little Britain’ fame.
The interview was minimal to the story which was about a charity fundraiser organised by two community-based charities near me.
Matt was hosting the event and I wanted to get a couple of quotes about the evening.
Before the event I had mentioned to a lecturer that I was trying to interview Matt. It was suggested that I should try to find out his thoughts about the loss of his ex-husband, Kevin McGee back in October last year.
If I did so, I might have an exclusive on my hands that could set me on the path to tabloid stardom and beyond.
But when it came down to it would I be able to summon up a Paxman-like aura?
On the evening I flagged Matt down. He told me to “walk with him” in ‘West Wing’ style as he nipped out during the interval for a moment’s respite.
I followed him eagerly: unwittingly looking more puppy dog than news hound. I wasn’t fazed by the fame I just wanted to make sure I didn’t miss a thing.
I asked him the typical questions: Why he had decided to take part? How he was finding the evening? How long he had been involved with the charity?
Despite keeping my dictaphone steady, at the forefront of my mind was the encyclopaedic knowledge of his personal life.
Most of us retain our right to grieve in private but here was someone who had very publicly lost his partner.
It’s funny how the paparazzi descend like flies at the first scent of a dead body. Yet when my moment came to rip off the mourning veil, I just couldn’t do it.
He was calm and softly spoken: a complete contrast to the loud, rude, energetic personas of George Doors or Vicky Pollard.
Our interview was over in a matter of minutes and I left. I would never have asked him about how he felt. Yet there was a part of me, the human instinct that sought to comfort him.
In the end I managed to muster a “take care”, trying to exert my sympathy through pursed lips which I forced into a smile and lingering eye contact. I wonder if my expression translated.
I suppose this was my lesson in impartiality.
One should never let their emotions or personal feelings get in the way of an interview.
Although Adam Boulton showed that this is not always possible earlier this week in his live cat fight with Alistair Campbell.
As part of a piece that was rejected by my local paper I recently interviewed Matt Lucas of ‘Little Britain’ fame.
The interview was minimal to the story which was about a charity fundraiser organised by two community-based charities near me.
Matt was hosting the event and I wanted to get a couple of quotes about the evening.
Before the event I had mentioned to a lecturer that I was trying to interview Matt. It was suggested that I should try to find out his thoughts about the loss of his ex-husband, Kevin McGee back in October last year.
If I did so, I might have an exclusive on my hands that could set me on the path to tabloid stardom and beyond.
But when it came down to it would I be able to summon up a Paxman-like aura?
On the evening I flagged Matt down. He told me to “walk with him” in ‘West Wing’ style as he nipped out during the interval for a moment’s respite.
I followed him eagerly: unwittingly looking more puppy dog than news hound. I wasn’t fazed by the fame I just wanted to make sure I didn’t miss a thing.
I asked him the typical questions: Why he had decided to take part? How he was finding the evening? How long he had been involved with the charity?
Despite keeping my dictaphone steady, at the forefront of my mind was the encyclopaedic knowledge of his personal life.
Most of us retain our right to grieve in private but here was someone who had very publicly lost his partner.
It’s funny how the paparazzi descend like flies at the first scent of a dead body. Yet when my moment came to rip off the mourning veil, I just couldn’t do it.
He was calm and softly spoken: a complete contrast to the loud, rude, energetic personas of George Doors or Vicky Pollard.
Our interview was over in a matter of minutes and I left. I would never have asked him about how he felt. Yet there was a part of me, the human instinct that sought to comfort him.
In the end I managed to muster a “take care”, trying to exert my sympathy through pursed lips which I forced into a smile and lingering eye contact. I wonder if my expression translated.
I suppose this was my lesson in impartiality.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
The limited roles of Asian actors
Everybody was talking about it or so the adverts would have you believe. It was supposedly “the best episode in the history of the series” according to one avid viewer. It even made a feature on BBC Breakfast.
I am referring to ‘Eastenders’, in particular the episode where devout Muslim, Syed Masood’s (Marc Elliott) gay relationship with Christian Clarke (John Partridge) is revealed.
It’s mostly a shock to Syed’s wife Amira (Preeya Kalidas) and Amira’s father Qadim Shah (Ramon Tikaram) who promptly beats his son-in-law several shades of blue.
However, the biggest surprise for me was seeing Ferdy (Tikaram) from ‘This Life’; Monica (Kalidas) (aka girl no.1# that gets called a slut) in ‘Bend it like Beckham’; the deplorable Mr. Kholi (Nitin Ganatra) from ‘Bride and Prejudice’; and Nina Wadia from ‘Goodness Gracious Me”. I felt like I was playing a game of “Where have I seen them before?”
There may be more Asian roles in film and television than ten years ago but only a stock set of Asian actors are getting them.
If you want a generic Asian guy why not call in Jimi Mistry? For the strict auntie Meera Syal is perfect, or for some light comic relief there is always Sanjeev Bhaskar.
All these actors are fantastically talented but surely their appearance in British entertainment would have opened up the door to other young hopefuls? Apparently not.
But it is not their fault instead it is the limited vision with which roles are cast. Why can’t an Asian person be a goth or a drug dealer or a footballer or even a prostitute? There is no logical reason, it may be more unusual but not impossible.
Unfortunately, all these roles are falling foul of racial bias. Asians are doctors, corner shop owners, terrorists or caught in arranged marriages which explains why I suffer from déjà vu whenever I watch any Anglo-Asian productions. I had one such case while watching “It’s a Wonderful Afterlife”.
I have clearly overestimated the Asian revolution in the British media. I was so hopeful that “Goodness Gracious Me” and “Bend it like Beckham” would signal the beginning of a new era for Asians on television and film but it just hasn’t happened.
The so-called “Goodness Gracious Me” trickle down effect which was believed to increase Asian prominence in British media has dried up.
It doesn’t help the BBC Asian Network is shutting up shop. Not even “Slumdog Millionaire” has really helped the cause but then again it was always more the offspring of India than Britain.
All I can say is that I hope to one day see an Asian actor as the lead in an action film or a romantic comedy or a horror flick which has nothing to do with their ethnicity. For now, if you want a suicide bomber then Riz Ahmed is your man.
I am referring to ‘Eastenders’, in particular the episode where devout Muslim, Syed Masood’s (Marc Elliott) gay relationship with Christian Clarke (John Partridge) is revealed.
It’s mostly a shock to Syed’s wife Amira (Preeya Kalidas) and Amira’s father Qadim Shah (Ramon Tikaram) who promptly beats his son-in-law several shades of blue.
However, the biggest surprise for me was seeing Ferdy (Tikaram) from ‘This Life’; Monica (Kalidas) (aka girl no.1# that gets called a slut) in ‘Bend it like Beckham’; the deplorable Mr. Kholi (Nitin Ganatra) from ‘Bride and Prejudice’; and Nina Wadia from ‘Goodness Gracious Me”. I felt like I was playing a game of “Where have I seen them before?”
There may be more Asian roles in film and television than ten years ago but only a stock set of Asian actors are getting them.
If you want a generic Asian guy why not call in Jimi Mistry? For the strict auntie Meera Syal is perfect, or for some light comic relief there is always Sanjeev Bhaskar.
All these actors are fantastically talented but surely their appearance in British entertainment would have opened up the door to other young hopefuls? Apparently not.
But it is not their fault instead it is the limited vision with which roles are cast. Why can’t an Asian person be a goth or a drug dealer or a footballer or even a prostitute? There is no logical reason, it may be more unusual but not impossible.
Unfortunately, all these roles are falling foul of racial bias. Asians are doctors, corner shop owners, terrorists or caught in arranged marriages which explains why I suffer from déjà vu whenever I watch any Anglo-Asian productions. I had one such case while watching “It’s a Wonderful Afterlife”.
I have clearly overestimated the Asian revolution in the British media. I was so hopeful that “Goodness Gracious Me” and “Bend it like Beckham” would signal the beginning of a new era for Asians on television and film but it just hasn’t happened.
The so-called “Goodness Gracious Me” trickle down effect which was believed to increase Asian prominence in British media has dried up.
It doesn’t help the BBC Asian Network is shutting up shop. Not even “Slumdog Millionaire” has really helped the cause but then again it was always more the offspring of India than Britain.
All I can say is that I hope to one day see an Asian actor as the lead in an action film or a romantic comedy or a horror flick which has nothing to do with their ethnicity. For now, if you want a suicide bomber then Riz Ahmed is your man.
Friday, March 12, 2010
The interview from Hell - Part 2
The last part of the elimination process was a face-off with one of the lecturers.
Armed with my portfolio of cuttings I was all set to impress the hierarchy of journalism academia with my experience and knowledge.
Instead it was the final nail in the coffin for any chance of getting on to the course.
I was asked who my favourite newspaper journalists were. A plethora of television correspondents flooded my mind but any broadsheet reporters had temporarily left the internal newsroom.
I was probably expected to say Woodward or Bernstein or maybe even David Leigh or Nick Davies or Truman Capote.
I managed to stumble out: “Erm…Charlie Brooker…Hadley Freeman…”
I had Catherine Townsend (ex-sex columnist for the Independent) on the tip of my tongue but I held back.
I could hear the gates to the journalist’s Mecca slamming shut as I uttered those two names.
But it just got worse. My experience was picked apart. Student journalism didn’t “count” as experience.
Clearly, my three years of writing, editing, proofreading, commissioning articles, laying out pages using InDesign, liaising with PR companies, attending film screenings and interviewing people all counted for nothing.
My explanation for how I managed to get five months experience on a regional magazine* through sheer initiative was rewarded with a sceptical, glassy-eyed look.
Despite the magazine being published by an upmarket newspaper it appears my two days of flicking through the newspaper itself were prized more highly.
Nor did it matter that I was working as a news aggregator at a financial newswire at the time.
My job entailed finding existing stories which I summarised for readers in a daily news round up. But I wanted to report and break news instead of re-hashing copy.
(During the introductory talk I was told that graduates from the course went on to work at the company I was then employed at. I did mention this to the eliminator but it was of no consequence.)
To add further insult to injury, I was smacked with a wave of condescension when I told that I was “very enthusiastic” and that maybe I should apply for the magazine journalism course.
In my head I yelled “but I want to be a newspaper reporter”. I wonder if my face betrayed my seething frustration.
The battle was soon over and the lecturer had vetted out another wannabe. You are the Weakest Link, good bye.
As I left the interview room and collected my things for the journey home I felt incredibly hollow.
All hope of getting into journalism seemed to be extinguished.
I realised then that I may have to take the most obstacle-ridden path to reach my destination. Maybe that’s what makes the satisfaction of reaching a goal all the more sweet.
*I had ended up on the editorial team of the magazine while initially carrying out two weeks work experience at a national newspaper.
The first two days at the national I was sat at a desk and advised to read the paper. I was gruffly rebuffed when I asked a reporter if I could attend a press conference with them.
It was only after pestering my minders that I was elevated to the fifth floor to work on an under-staffed, under-funded magazine set for re-launch at the end of the week.
I spent the three months of my summer holidays from university there and a further two months after I finished my degree. It was the best experience I ever had. That was my summer of education and where I made life-long friends.
Armed with my portfolio of cuttings I was all set to impress the hierarchy of journalism academia with my experience and knowledge.
Instead it was the final nail in the coffin for any chance of getting on to the course.
I was asked who my favourite newspaper journalists were. A plethora of television correspondents flooded my mind but any broadsheet reporters had temporarily left the internal newsroom.
I was probably expected to say Woodward or Bernstein or maybe even David Leigh or Nick Davies or Truman Capote.
I managed to stumble out: “Erm…Charlie Brooker…Hadley Freeman…”
I had Catherine Townsend (ex-sex columnist for the Independent) on the tip of my tongue but I held back.
I could hear the gates to the journalist’s Mecca slamming shut as I uttered those two names.
But it just got worse. My experience was picked apart. Student journalism didn’t “count” as experience.
Clearly, my three years of writing, editing, proofreading, commissioning articles, laying out pages using InDesign, liaising with PR companies, attending film screenings and interviewing people all counted for nothing.
My explanation for how I managed to get five months experience on a regional magazine* through sheer initiative was rewarded with a sceptical, glassy-eyed look.
Despite the magazine being published by an upmarket newspaper it appears my two days of flicking through the newspaper itself were prized more highly.
Nor did it matter that I was working as a news aggregator at a financial newswire at the time.
My job entailed finding existing stories which I summarised for readers in a daily news round up. But I wanted to report and break news instead of re-hashing copy.
(During the introductory talk I was told that graduates from the course went on to work at the company I was then employed at. I did mention this to the eliminator but it was of no consequence.)
To add further insult to injury, I was smacked with a wave of condescension when I told that I was “very enthusiastic” and that maybe I should apply for the magazine journalism course.
In my head I yelled “but I want to be a newspaper reporter”. I wonder if my face betrayed my seething frustration.
The battle was soon over and the lecturer had vetted out another wannabe. You are the Weakest Link, good bye.
As I left the interview room and collected my things for the journey home I felt incredibly hollow.
All hope of getting into journalism seemed to be extinguished.
I realised then that I may have to take the most obstacle-ridden path to reach my destination. Maybe that’s what makes the satisfaction of reaching a goal all the more sweet.
*I had ended up on the editorial team of the magazine while initially carrying out two weeks work experience at a national newspaper.
The first two days at the national I was sat at a desk and advised to read the paper. I was gruffly rebuffed when I asked a reporter if I could attend a press conference with them.
It was only after pestering my minders that I was elevated to the fifth floor to work on an under-staffed, under-funded magazine set for re-launch at the end of the week.
I spent the three months of my summer holidays from university there and a further two months after I finished my degree. It was the best experience I ever had. That was my summer of education and where I made life-long friends.
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