Reflective log

I've already known that journalistic work is tough: deadlines, lots of stories to write etc. But this work is very interesting as well: searching material for the stories, investigation, taking pictures, making videos. Another thing is working to deadline. You never know what can come up, so the schedule is sure always tough. The point is writing process shouldn't take a long time, otherwise it's not professional. 

There are also some more important things. First of all using technology makes work easier and more convenient. Then suitable design makes it look better and attracts more attention. But the wrong design can make the work worse or hilarious, so it'd be better to be careful here.

It's also very interesting how journalistic and advertising functions of blogs can be used. This is really something: you need to write about news and things, but there is no place for yourself, your opinion, you should be very objective not to damage the brand. The content of such blog can be very different. Usually it features pictures, videos, thematical stories and so on. 

I believe that this course was very useful for me. Even though I have a blog and used its tools (pictures, links), I discovered loads of new features, embedding videos for example. And for sure the main skill I've picked up is making videos by myself. It's not that hard as I thought.

As for studies for my future career, I was thinking of it for a long time and this course also helped me to find out some of my interests. After becoming an editor, I'm going to take  a graphic design course , probably I'll also take an advertising module, it's a good combination I guess. 

my blog video introduction

This is my video diary assignment. I'm going to write about digital art when I finish my summer studies at Westminster university (media journalism course). So i decided to make a video introduction first. I've already wrote about some digital stuff (first post) though.

Gig. The Conservatives

A gig was held at the Bowery on Saturday night. The group I woul'd like to write about is The Conservatives. Their music genre is mix of indie, pop and rock. The group presented their fierst EP called "The end of affair". The title comes from a novel by the English writer, Graham Greene. The song is about a relationship that ends badly, so the title seems fitting. Their sound a kind of retro, 80s indie sound; pop with a darker and heavier edge, perhaps.

I asked John, the frontman of the group, which music influenced them. "The main one is probably The Smiths" he said. It's a British band who were big in the 80s.

Their songs were different to everything that had come before - the songs were about real life, especially the difficulties of being an awkward adolescent, and touched a lot of people in a very deep way. "The lyrics were amazing, full of intelligence and humour." Wthe conservatives try to do something similar in our music - they aim to make intelligent pop, with songs that are about something real and meaningful. "We put a lot of thought into the lyrics of our songs: we want people to listen to our music and enjoy the melody but be drawn in by the lyrics."

Other artists that have influenced them a lot are Joy Division and The Pixies. Joy Division is another British band from the 80s, from Manchester, just like The Smiths. "They had a dark melodic sound, which I think some of our songs have, like 'The End of the Affair'." The Pixies are an American band who were big in the 90s mainly. "Their songs have an amazing, punky energy and drive that we love. Some of our heavier songs probably owe something to them."

I guess the main thing in the music of this band is a harmony of the sound between their instruments and also vocals. Such kind of music seems really attractive to me and to many others: the dance floor was pretty crowded while they were on the stage.

video assignment slide show

This is a slide show i made from the pictures i took while i was in london (and also i borrowed some picures).

I think London is a really great city. It has so many interesting, attractive things. Especially I like architecture. All these old buildings remind me of some kind of magic world. Another good thing is food. It's very tasty and beautifully done! (it's not healthy though). When I come to London I feel very inspired and there are loads of ideas whot to draw, how to draw, what clothes to choose, where to go etc.

the music is Detektivbyren - Om du moter varg