Tag Archives: journalism

NCTJ Sub-editing

17 Jan

I find it really frustrating when people (particulary on my course) post their Facebook status of something along the lines of “I hate 3rd year!”  While I understand that 3rd year of uni can be an unexpected pile of pressure and work, I am personally thoroughly enjoying it, probably because I am welcoming every new experience with open arms and always seeking out more. While at the moment I don’t think my uni work is suffering through my Pebble commitments, the skills I have learning, even from the last 3 months, will be more useful than everything I have learnt on my degree in the last 3 years. And thanks to my schmoozing, the learning curve is now about to get steeper :)

Today was the first day of a Saturday NCTJ sub-editing course a few of the editors and I are attending. Its a fast track ten week course where we get to grips with Quark (so also learning Indesign); basic photo shop, journalist law, headline writing and most importantly, how to edit copy. Even after one day my head is buzzing with ideas of how we can make the pebble a million times better, even with the basic introduction of a style guide: something that the editors always discussed in a round about way but never knew the definition. Now I am looking through magazines and newspapers analyzing their typography and creative styling. Today was a basic introduction, and basic tool learning of Quark and basic newspaper design spec. I would upload the sheet but it could be potentially embarrassing, even when I look back on it a few weeks later.

Here is a link to the the Brighton Journalist works, where I am doing the course. It great so far; in the offices of the Brighton Argus, small class with other nice people and a great tutor. Lets hope I don’t expose myself as a terrible writer and a grammatical fool.

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snowballing…

13 Jan

The Pebble is starting to take a mind of its own now. Martin, our newly appointed head editor, has just set up facebook and twitter accounts for our Brighton uni student paper – 70 members already in 18 hours! Hopefully when the new issue comes out we can see what our readership is really like, get feedback on comments… the online possibilities are endless!

As always, I have been sent quite a few stories last minute. Have managed to get a MA student running an arts night at the coachwerks called ‘Stray Signals’ to regulary contribute a poetry/short story corner, and next issue we will have a student running a comedy night providing a monthy ditty. I have also been doing investigative work of my own, but more about that at the later date. Things from me this month, a spotlight peice on Chris Cunningham in preperation for a live Brighton show later this year and a collaborative peice looking at the forgotton joys of the mix-tape, with Ellie the music editor, as well as the usual events diary.

Should be out in student union offices on the 25th January. Though I haven’t submitted anything yet so I had better get cracking…

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New pebble, new problems?

30 Nov

Again this morning I awoke to feeling of overwhelming dread and suspense that would only be eradicated once I got my grubby little mits on the Nov issue of the Pebble. I am always excited to see what the paper will look like, expecting that it will be better than before and hoping that everyone else likes it as much as I do. Not that I get to hear the comments!

First impressions… good. Bulkier, but the content is much better than before. Meatier might be the word of choice, more for all kinds of students to sink their teeth into. The fact we have a response to a previous article shows the readership is growing. I am also much happier with my pages, but most of that falls to the writers for providing such good articles (particulary the article about HR Giger lol). So glad the photography came out well, I think having at least 2 images per article really helps the pages look good and read well. However, on closer inspection the layout has again opened a few problems, omissions (including an ad I placed for help with my dissertation) and wide open spaces in some cases. It appears this was felt by the whole team, so design needs to be investigated for future issues. But overall I am definatly proud of the whole thing, we have all put in a lot of hard work and should be proud of ourselves.

But on a much sadder note… Joel is leaving the SU for another job! This means the whole project now rests on the editing teams shoulders. Martin has offered to be the coordinator for the whole project, which means most of the communication between the outside world, the SU and the team will be via him (otherwise things could get messy). He is also pushing forward taking the Pebble live online, which will be fantastic. Otherwise, it means more pressure and responsibilities for us. I hope the whole thing doesn’t go downhill after Joel’s departure. But I am sure Martin can keep in sense of humor, sometimes I wonder if I take the whole thing a little too seriously…

Anyway… best of luck Joel, I am sure we will survive without you!

Once a copy is available online, I will post up for your viewing pleasure. Otherwise… its in the post yeah?

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Wired Sussex

12 Nov

For the first time in what feels absolutely ages, I am feeling very positive about what the future has to offer, particularly post degree. Can’t believe I am typing this. I am actually positive about what will happen when I finish my degree. I actually did a little excited dance when I got home. Don’t worry, I am shocked at myself.

This time last week, I as terrified. I had been attending endless career sessions, all spurting the same uninspiring message; to get a good career you need to get an M.A. Great news when you have just spent £9000 to make yourself more employable, when you need to spend another £9000 to actually get a job. Yay.

However, I have just been to a session called ‘Make it into media’ organized by Wired Sussex. There was careers advice from the local colleges, universities, as well as media stands from some local companies. Before the day I was veering towards journalism in some way (with trepidation), but really still unsure about what I should be doing in my life. Now… I am positively excited. Not only is digital media expanding, but exponentially in Brighton, but copy-writing for websites and blogs seems like a interesting area to look into. I had a lovely chat with a PR company, and they seemed very interested in what I had to offer. Gutted I have had to join twitter to stay ahead of the game; I said I never would, I hate being a sheep.

Everyone else I chatted too was very friendly, welcoming, and above all positive. The first time I had that feeling about graduating. I was previously very concerned about being able to stay in Brighton, as I was convinced there were no jobs here. Maybe I was looking at completely the wrong industry, and I have just been shown the light.

The best thing about the day? I didn’t hear the word M.A being uttered once.

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