Media Week 2013 // 21st – 25th January
Media Week is a rare opportunity to hear what some of the key professionals from across Glasgow’s vibrant Media Industry have to say and to quiz them about just how ‘glitzy’ working in the Media actually is.
All of the events are free to attend and open to everyone, though we would ask that you attend the relevant Facebook event (linked below) in order that we can keep an eye on numbers. The talks and workshops mostly take place in the Williams Room, just up the front stairs in the John McIntyre Building.
We’re proud of what we think is a fantastic programme of interesting events organised for the week. Have a browse of the event listings and hopefully we’ll see you next week!
Monday 21st January
SAY HELLO TO STUDENT MEDIA // 10am-1pm, Williams Room
The best way to break into media is to be good at it. How do you get good at it? Practise, experiment, invent. The 4 student media groups, Glasgow Guardian, GUM, Subcity Radio and GUST, are places to learn and more importantly have fun. If you want to get involved, come and say hello to them.
“WRITING DRAMA” A workshop by David Neville (Radio Drama Producer at BBC Scotland) // 3pm – 4.30pm
This is creative writing with a twist. We’re grateful to be joined by David Neville, a man who knows loads – about both writing and producing plays for the radio. If you’ve ever fancied trying your hand at writing some drama or comedy for the radio – then this is your chance to shine. Due to demand, places are capped at 20 – please email vp-comms@src.gla.ac.uk to confirm your place.
DIALECTIC SOCIETY SCREEN “NETWORK” // 8pm QMU Committee Room 4
The dialectic society and the QMU have very kindly agreed to put on a screening of Network, an Academy Award winning motion-picture all the way from 1976, that covers the struggle of a television network – and one man in particular. Laughs are certain, bring some popcorn or raid the QMU for their wonderful pic ‘n’ mix selection beforehand.
Tuesday 22nd January
“LET’S TALK LEVESON – WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR US?” by Francis Shennan (National Union of Journalists) // Williams Room 11am
The Leveson inquiry is big news in the journalism world, and it’s findings will undoubtedly change the way the culture, practises and ethics of the British media. Francis Shennan’s freelance work has been published by The Times, Guardian, Herald, Daily Mail, Sunday Express, Scotsman and Independent on Sunday amongst others, and he also lectures in media law at the Universities of Westminster, Stirling and Strathclyde – so who better to come and talk to us about this increasingly fascinating area of the media?
“SO YOU WANT TO BE A JOURNALIST? WHAT PG JOURNALISM COURSES OFFER”, by Claire Dean (Glasgow Caledonian University) and Rachel Fulton (STV) // Williams Room, 1pm
Journalism – it’s competitive, but rewarding. If you want to be a journalist, you’ll be wondering, “will a postgrad degree in journalism give me the edge I need over the competition?” Here to tell you more about the benefits of a degree in journalism are Claire Dean and Rachel Fulton. Claire is a lecturer in broadcast and online journalism at GCU, and Rachel is a recent graduate of the course now working at STV. Come along and find out where your next steps could take you...
“WHEN LIFE MAKES YOU MELONS, MAKE MELONADE”, Producing and Directing comedy, by Michael Hines // Williams Room, 6pm
Writing and filming funny people, tough job right? Well somebody has to do it, and we’re joined by Michael Hines, whose impressive IMDB page will inform you of his role as Director/Producer of Still Game – one of the most outright hilarious and iconic shows to have emerged from this country. Michael will be telling us all about his experiences in the industry and taking questions at the end. Don’t miss this.
Wednesday 23rd January
“SHOOTING PROFESSIONALLY”, by Alan Morgan (Dvlx), Photographer // Williams Room, 1pm
Everyone fancies themselves as a photographer these days, the chances are you have a camera on you right now – an iPhone in your pocket, instagramming your cat, your dinner, your cat’s dinner. Hey, that’s a good thing! But doing it well – that’s another story. Alan Morgan – Dvlx – is both an extremely talented photographer, and a bit of a buff with the social media. He’ll be talking to us about his experiences with a camera, and how he’s managed to stand out from the crowd.
“BREAKING INTO TELEVISION” by Alison Walker // Williams Room, 3pm
Alison Walker spent 20 years at the BBC before establishing her own media company – she’s had a truly fascinating career, notable particularly for being the first woman to break into football reporting – traditionally a very male field. Having recently covered the London Olympics, interviewing the likes of Michael Phelps, Sir Steve Redgrave and Pele, she’s firmly established as one of the most prominent sports journalists in the country – and we’re delighted to have her along to talk about her experiences and take questions from all of you!
GUST BODGE COMPETITION // 11-1 (Williams Room)
Join GUST on this special Media Week BODGE competition, a fun and frantic speed filmmaking contest. Teams have 1 hour to write and film a short video – they’ll be given nothing but a theme, a style and a quote to include and – here’s the catch – have to shoot the video in one take, no rewinding or retakes! We will screen all the BODGEs at the end and the winning team will receive a special ‘film related’ prize. Magic.
Thursday 24th January
“SAY YES TO SCOTLAND – the importance of the media in the independence referendum part 1”, Susan Stewart, Director of Communications for YES Scotland // Williams Room, 12 noon
The Independence Referendum – that laid back, easy, dinner conversation topic) is upon us, and undoubtedly the stance of the media is going to be crucial for both camps. Susan Stewart is Director of Communications at YES Scotland, and will be talking to us about the YES campaign, and her experiences in the media. Whatever your views, this will be a fascinating – and topical – event.
“THE INS AND OUTS OF CREATIVE WRITING AND PUBLISHING”, Alan Riach, Professor of Scottish Literature // Williams Room, 1pm
We’re joined by professor, poet, and all round Scottish Literature good guy Alan Riach, for an insightful look into the wonderful world of creative writing and publishing. If you like your writing a little more imaginative and dream of being published, then this is the event for you. Whether you want to make a career out of writing, or just want to have your work seen by a larger audience, Alan will shed massive amounts of light on modern day creative writing and publishing.
“GUST PRESENTS QUESTION TIME! LIVE WITH PAT NEVIN AND EWAN ANGUS” // Williams Room, 8pm
We’re putting on our own version of question time, that famous show where a team of expert panelists talk about their hopes, dreams and nightmares. We’re very fortunate to be joined by Ewan Angus (Head of Sport, BBC Scotland) and Pat Nevin (BBC Scotland, former international footballer) as they answer your questions on the topic of Scottish football – covering everything from the national team to the quality of pies in Kilmarnock. OK – we’ll pass on the latter. Get down earlier to guarantee a seat for this one.
GUM LAUNCH #2: WAREHOUSE PARTY // SWG3, 9pm – late
The very talented folk at GUM are putting on a fashion show, visual arts show, and party at SWG3. It’s all kicking off at 9pm with the fashion show, 9.45 sees a Visual Arts show ft. Brian Chan, and from 10.30 there are DJs (Jack Fawcett, Jinty Inkke, Squish Kibosh, Ray Vose (Sub Roa) and Masha (Deadly Rhythm/Shore) until late. Get in. Entry is £6 on the door.
Friday 25th January
“THE MEDIA JOB HUNT” – Ann Duff, Glasgow University Careers Service // Williams Room 12-1
The University Careers service want you to get work – and they want you to get work you enjoy. If that’s the media then by god, they’ll do their best to help. We’re joined by Ann Duff, for a talk about employability skills in relation to the media. Want to know about networking? CV Writing? Want to stand out from a very busy crowd? Get along for some top tips.
“KEEP THE UNION! The importance of the media in the independence referendum part 2”, Rob Shorthouse, Director of Communications, Better Together // Williams Room, 2pm
We wouldn’t just present one argument now, would we? Rob Shorthouse is from Better Together, running the communications operation from that side, and he’ll be giving an equally interesting insight into the independence referendum, only from a different side...
“A JOURNEY FROM STUDENT RADIO TO RADIO 1 AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN”, Ally McCrae, BBC Introducing and Detour Scotland // Williams Room, 4pm
Ally McCrae started out doing student radio in Stirling, and after some hard graft and serious passion for new music, landed one of the coolest gigs in town at BBC Introducing. It ain’t plain sailing though – and Ally will tell us all about his journey to the BBC. It’s a blast. We might even have a surprise in store for you...