Video Skills Test

Here is a short video I made, to demonstrate how to use Windows Movie Maker.

For this purpose, I have chosen to interview John Crossley, The Student Union Media Officer.





Thank you for reading

Vicki Roberts

Digital workshop excersise

Here is a video interview with Mark Payton, Editorial Director of Haymarket Media Group speaking at the MELD workshop in the Sandbox.

Mark is discussing the impact of digital and online media.





The footage was filmed by Andy Dickinson

Vicki

Image skills

Hi there, here are a few examples of how to crop and resize images for a purpose.
For editing the images I used Adobe Photoshop CS3.

Below is the origional image, which I chose to take of The Media Factory, as I felt it was a usefulidentifying factor of the university, that would be easily recognisible if used online to accompany an article



first I resized the image to a 100x100 pixel thumbnail:




After that I created a 400 wide by 300 pixel high image:



Finally I cropped the image so it was 200 wide by 500 pixels high:




So there a few ways in which you can alter an image to fit a story, or generally illustrate a point.

Google Maps!

Below is an example of how to use Google Maps in Journalism.

I have extracted four stories from the Lancashire Evening Post (from the 12th of October) and marked the location of where the stroy took place on the map.

I have also given a link to the article on the LEP website, and a related link that would prove useful.


View Stories from around Lancashire in a larger map

Thank You
Vicki

A Chart showing the number of endangered animals in the world

Below is a chart looking at the number of endangered animals in the world...




as you can see from the statistics the numbers are quite shocking, perhaps suggesting that Global warming is truly having a significant impact on endangered animals via loss of habitat. The United States has the highest number of endangered animals, and therefore should be putting a number of schemes into place to protect them.

This data was obtained from the Gaurdian data store and was submitted by Simon Choppin.

External links:
* http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/datablog/2009/sep/02/endangered-species-by-country - the site I obtained my raw data from.
* http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/simon-choppin - further work by Simon Choppin.
*http://www.worldwildlife.org/ - for further information on endangered animals and conservation.

Published by Vicki Roberts

This week's new music...

Team WaterPolo

Preston's homegrown indie/electro poppers Team WaterPolo are another new favourite recommendation of mine for 2009.

I think the thing that initially drawed me to them, was that they were from Preston. My initial reaction was something like: "GOD! there are talented musicians in this place!"

But seriously, having seen them live i can honestly say they are a cataclysmic explosion of pop fused with funky electro and intertwined with the best parts of indie.

One of my all time favourtie songs, which i would definatly recommend is "Letting Go" whose boppy tone and sing-out loud chorus ensure this record is a real hit. See for yourself, check out their myspace on: http://www.myspace.com/teamwaterpolo or give them a listen on itunes.

With the debut album set to be released this summer the band are generating a buzz like no other, i know im a fan.

Their latest single release is "So called Summer" and from the mixing desk to the shows crouds have lapped it up. And with lyrics that depict Preston perfectly its something to relate to.

A firm recommendation and a favourite for dancing :)

Vicki

This weeks new music fix

Little Comets

Little Comets are a breaking new band whose funky indie beats have already made waves on the radio, and are a definite recommendation for 2009.

For a band who describe themselves as "sunshine divided by rain plus (geo + po)etry" they are doing pretty well, settting off on a mammoth tour and supporting the likes of The Fratellis, Little Comets have definitly got something.

The first song i heard by them immediatly grabbed me by the ears and hooked me, "One Night in October" is a delectibly brilliant indie dance song, with a doubly irresistible video to match.

(click here to see the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHpILkfDYIs)

This song is set to be the anthem of the summer, with catchy lyrics and a voice you'll love.

The Newcastle indie-pop quartet can be found performing on public transport near you, with hanging kitchen utensils, not one for conventional gigs!

They describe most of their songs as an observation on life, such as "one night in october" which is about a couple arguing over stupid things.

I love this band and would definitly recommend them, their single "One Night in October" is out now, and you can check them out on their Myspace at: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=187363042

Vicki

This week's new music

Dan Black

The latest artist set to explode onto the music scene is Dan Black. The French-loving Brit is set to be hit with his mix-up of electro/indie/hip-hop dance floor fillers.

The edgy artist has received much praise for his remix of Notorious B.I.G's "Hypntz" which features Rhianna's "umbrella" back beat. Signed by A&M records and producing records at an alarming rate, Dan is set to leap into our Summer with anthems such as "Yours" and his latest single "Alone".

The thing that makes Dan different is his voice, its like Sigor Ros jamming with Jay-Z, his quirky voice and witty lyrics tie in awesomely with the bassey/electro beats he uses.

A personal favourite of mine is the track "Yours" which features an incredibly catchy chorus and a dance-around-like-you-just-don't-care attitude. A definite listen.

Teaming up with the "Chic & Artistic" film producer has meant his wacky, colourful videos are pretty trippy, but a must see.

Check out his Myspace for more info, songs and piccys, here is the link:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=320024072

Also check out his videos on Youtube, just type in: "Dan Black"

cheers

Vicki x

Hi there,

This week I've been scouring the net for the best new and unsigned bands that deserve a little publicity, and frankly this week's band are very deserving.

Heading up Manchester's Alternative scene are the phenomenal "Airship". This unsigned Manc band recently featured in Channel M's "One's to watch 09" and its easy to see why.

With gorgeous, melodic vocals and catchy lyrics the band are set to stomp all over 2009 and get some rightly deseverd publicity.

The band sound like a cross between Radiohead, without the annoying frontman, and Snow-Patrol having a drink with Mumm-Ra.

Their new EP "Spirit of the Beehive" is currently available on Itunes and features stand out tracks like "This is Hell" a harmonic sensation for the ears, and "So After All" a stand out teen anthem with catchy, energetic lyrics.

You can catch the band on tour now, and at £3.16 the EP is well worth a listen. Great Band.

Vicki

Hello! Welcome!

Hello and welcome to my first blog post!

Each week I'll look at a brand spanking new artist, reviewing and recommending their music, delving into the depths of Indie, Electro,Ska and even some Emo.

I'll look forward to hearing your thoughts and maybe even getting some recommendations myself.

Thanks for stooping by, write soon

Vicki x