As a journalist for Aspire4u/Talent UK, I have been contributing to the website; adding content to the news page and primarily, the blog. I submit at least one article per week, so there are constant updates and developments to it. I have written articles about music, fashion, youth and general entertainment, alternating per week with two other journalists.
I have written about last year’s competition winners to see how they have progressed since, and I have also documented the whole Talent 2012 process, from the auditions to the final competition in June.
Here are my articles that I have produced for this organisation’s blog, which can be viewed at: http://www.projecttalent.co.uk/blog/
What Makes a Real Artist?
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| PHOTO CREDITS: GETTY IMAGES Mariah Carey = big voice, big artist |
Over the years the music industry has been honoured with many musical greats, but the question that can be pondered is: are talent shows such as the X Factor capable of producing such legendary artists that will be remembered for years to come?
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| X Factor cheeky chappy Olly Murs |
Some might say the X Factor constructs manufactured pop stars out of fame hungry wannabes, and we cannot deny the show has brought us some musical disasters in the shape of flops Steve Brookstein and Leon Jackson. However, others will argue the show has uncovered some exceptional talent- consider Leona Lewis’ world domination and the numerous catchy songs delivered by the JLS boys. But whether these acts have the ability to leave a lasting mark and stamp their names alongside the many other musical greats is yet to be discovered.
When you consider the influential musicians that really stood out in the music scene and remain as some of the industry’s best performers even now - those in the league of The Beatles, Amy Winehouse and Kurt Cobain- it can be speculated whether the contestants on X Factor can ever measure up to meet the standards of these classic artists. Every single year we see hopefuls enter the talent show stating they claim to be the ‘next Whitney Houston’ or they believe they can be ‘as successful as Britney Spears’, but can these bold statements actually be proved as correct and viable ideas or are they simply just delusional ramblings?
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| Liam Gallagher has a legendary status |
We can ask what makes a ‘real’ artist. It may be that to become a musical sensation, you need to have the characteristic good looks like Elvis Presley, the controversial and shocking behaviour similar to that of George Michael, or don outrageously creative outfits as wacky and controversial as Madonna’s iconic cone bra. Or it could be that it all boils down to having that ‘out-there’ personality, bags of charisma and heaps of confidence.
Maybe the definition of a true artist is someone who is never satisfied with themselves, and is always striving to do better- someone with a real passion for the music industry and a great love for performing. Or, maybe there needs to be an emphasis on great original song-writing, or artists who can play their own instruments.
We also want stage presence, originality, likeability, consistency… the list goes on. Or we could look beyond the obvious and underline that some of the greats in music are those who are inspirational, have the power to make emotional connections with the audience, and ultimately influence generations.
One thing’s for sure- music legends can’t be boring or forgettable- many of the industry’s finest have that certain ‘star quality’ about them, or a special something that makes them stand out from the crowd- I’m talking Liam Gallagher’s classic swagger, Michael Jackson’s highly influential moonwalk, the ‘Girl Power’ of the Spice Girls…
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| One of the X Factor's biggest successes, Leona Lewis |
So, it seems that for a real artist to shine and flourish in the music industry, they must possess the ability to be adaptable and break boundaries. It’s not just all about having out-of-this-world vocals – having the ‘whole package’ is key.
This year’s X Factor has a right mixed bag of contestants- from the fiery Kitty Brucknell, to kooky Johnny Robinson and the reserved Janet Devlin. There are many benefits to appearing on shows like this, yet it can be said the winners are simply catapulted to fame- many music legends have had to work their way up to get to where they are, so maybe that long gruelling process is something that the X Factor contestants have managed to avoid. Regardless of this, hard work, dedication and a hunger to become successful are all fundamental elements to becoming a huge star.
The X Factor may possibly introduce audiences to blossoming singers that have the potential to grow into iconic artists- performers so great we can recognise them in years to come as being up there with our classic favourites. The idea of talent shows are a relatively new concept, so whether the successful artists projected into fame from the programme will be able to bloom into huge stars that can change the face of the music industry and make history is unknown as of yet.
In 10 years’ time when considering musical legends, will we be able to list X Factor successes such as the much loved JLS lads, the boyish charmers One Direction and cheeky Essex lad Olly Murs alongside the likes of the soulful Stevie Wonder, piano-playing superstar Elton John and flamboyant frontman Freddie Mercury? Only time will tell…
(View this blog post at: www.projecttalent.co.uk/blog/)
What Does Christmas Mean To Young People?
It’s nearing that time of year again. The season where Mariah Carey can be heard crooning ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ on virtually every existing radio station and music channel, coloured lights adorn many a street, and there’s a frantic bustle as people crowd the shopping centres to purchase gifts. Christmas! The annual holiday, celebrated on December 25th by billions of people around the world.
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| Is it all about tucking into a delicious Christmas dinner? |
When it comes to Christmas, there’s many popular modern customs related to this holiday: the exchange of gifts and cards, Church celebrations, the display of decorations and traditional music... These celebratory themes of the Christmas period may be present in a range of countries, but the festivities do vary to reflect different cultural values and traditions.
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| What does the festive season mean to youth? |
Cultural differences means Mimi and her family spend Christmas in a way which may seem unusual to many, yet is traditional to her culture: “In Germany, Christmas day is also on the 24th, so my mom and I prepare the house and dinner for Christmas Eve,” she says. “It has been tradition in our house for a couple of years to eat turkey on Christmas Eve and watch Lord of the Rings the day after, from the first to the third movie!”
You know it’s time to feel festive when the Frankfurt Christmas market and craft fair comes to Birmingham- the annual event draws crowds with its wooden chalets offering all sorts of treats, from German beers, breads and pastries to traditional hand-made gifts such as dolls, candles and jewellery. The market, a festive favourite with both local residents and visitors to the city, runs from November 18th to December 23rd.
Speaking of the German market, Mimi claims: “Personally, I like it. It’s rather authentic, although not 100% the same. But I absolutely adore the sausages and pretzels that they sell there! Also, the chocolate fruits are amazing and remind me of home! However, the mulled wine they serve is rather bad, compared to the original.”
Entertainment-wise, the festive season brings with it a vast array of Christmas television and movies. Mimi dislikes the fact Christmas advertisements and films grace our television screens ‘way too early’, because they appear way too soon before she feels in the festive mood.
For Ryan Millward, a 19-year-old Media student from Coventry, Christmas is a break from work, and a chance to be with family and friends. He states: “Christmas is a time where people come together; there’s a real sense of community and the unity of friends and family.” Keeping it simple and relaxed, he spends Christmas lounging around, ‘watching television and DVDs with a beer, waiting for Christmas dinner’. Ryan dislikes the busy shopping that surrounds the Christmas period and he claimed there is always so much build up to Christmas, he finds it can become boring.
Ellis Waugh, an 18-year-old from Manchester says he usually spends Christmas day at a gathering with his Jamaican side of the family and enjoying a big family meal. He says: “I like the family getting together, spending time with friends and celebrating at parties.” He states his Christmas tradition is devoting time to everyone who matters to him.
For some, Christmas is a time to be reunited with family and celebrate peace, love and friendship. Taking a more historical and religious view, others believe it is a time to remember the birth of Jesus Christ and relive old traditions. There are a number of people out there who would say it is a day for merriment and feasting.
For youth, the meaning of Christmas varies greatly. Several teenagers still embrace the inner child within when it comes to the excitement of dashing downstairs to unwrap presents, whereas others take the more easy-going approach, and are more obliged to enjoy the season by stuffing themselves with turkey, Christmas pud and washing it all down with spiced cider.
There isn’t a simple answer; it is essentially down to individual views, cultural variations and personal preference- Christmas ultimately means different things to different people!
Misfits - Can a Programme Continue to Flourish Without its Main Character?
Following a compelling first two series, expectations were high for the third instalment of the British comedy-drama Misfits.
However, as we are now well into the third series, I can’t help but feel it hasn’t quite met the standards raised by the previous programmes. This is mostly due to the loss of the show’s most significant and entertaining character, Nathan (Robert Sheehan). In April this year when it was announced that Sheehan would no longer be returning to the programme, I was devastated to say the least. How could the show go on without Nathan, the quick-witted Irish charmer with an answer for everything? How could it possibly be as hilarious without the curly-haired loudmouth to churn out his witty one-liners? Was it possible for the new series to be as comical, entertaining and enticing?
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| Loveable loudmouth Nathan was a top character |
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| Does newby Rudy make or break the new series? |
Why so sincere? Come on guys, let’s give Rudy a chance! He may have had some pretty big shoes to fill, granted, but there is still a chance he may scale up to fit the bill, surely...?
Adam Dean, a 19-year-old Business student from Birmingham is rather pleased with the new addition to the gang: “It’s a shame Nathan has gone because he’s awesome, and anyone replacing him would have a hard time, but Rudy pulls it off well because he is funny. He is doing a good job of replacing him.”
Well, as much as I like this new addition to the group, I personally can’t help but feel the producers have tried to mould Rudy into a replica of Nathan. And it just hasn’t worked. As I’m watching, I find myself shaking my head at some of Rudy’s quips and actions, thinking to myself- ‘that’s something Nathan would say!’ And to be frank, it’s just not quite the same. Adam takes this in his stride however, believing this copycat character to be a good thing: “I like Rudy because he’s as filthy and dirty as Nathan, exactly what made us like Nathan in the first place!”
With his devilishly good looks and a dreamy Irish accent to boot, Nathan’s appearance was a bonus. Not to mention, this much-loved character was involved with some of the key storylines of series one and two. Nathan also provided probably about 85% of the show’s humour, with his hilarious one-liners, crude comments and sarcastic quips. The show is supposed to focus on a group of young offenders, but Nathan quite easily stood out as the protagonist regardless. And I know there are many people out there who would agree with me, because he was so dominant and memorable a character.
Dayna Farrington, a 19-year-old Media student from Wolverhampton is one fan who shares this opinion: “The show’s not the same without Nathan- I think it’s lost its edge a bit, and minus Nathan the comedy isn’t as good.” So what does she think about newbie Rudy? “I can’t quite seem to get the fact he was Eli in Emmerdale out my head! I find him too in-your-face, and it’s like the producers are trying too hard to make the audience like him. Nathan was just effortless; the audience just genuinely seemed to like him.”
Tom Neary, a 19-year-old Media student from Birmingham added Nathan’s replacement was: “A ‘rude’ awakening for Misfits fans”.
It’s pleasing that Nathan was given his own individual short rather than simply being written out of the show, because a character as strong as his deserves that sort of recognition and attention. As for Rudy, he joined the show in good faith and has filled the position of the fifth member as well as he possibly could, but Sheehan’s departure has most definitely left a Nathan- shaped hole in my heart, and I’m definitely not the only one...
Maybe the sad truth is, Misfits just can’t possibly be as good without the loveable Irish motor mouth. Sorry, Rudy.
Celebrity Style Icons
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| GaGa's zany style is always hitting the headlines |
When you hear the words ‘style icon’, who springs to mind? Is it Harry Potter star Emma Watson? Maybe it’s American socialite Olivia Palermo. Or, it could be actress Sarah Jessica Parker who you believe is worthy of such a title...
Glossy women’s magazines are always highlighting fashionable stars... But what’s the fascination with celebrity style? Why do so many fashion-obsessed females leaf through such magazines admiring these seemingly flawless fashionistas? And what does it take to earn the title of ‘best dressed’ anyway?
Celebrities always feel the pressure to look good. Always in the spotlight, every move scrutinised by awaiting paparazzi. Therefore it is essential to look trendy at all times. No self-respecting style icon in celeb-world would even dare risk popping out in tracksuits and a hoody, or they may jeopardise that well-polished fashion crown, which shall slip from their heads. And no-one wants that.
Well, maybe except for the newcomers to the fashion scene. Like Mila Kunis and Pippa Middleton, for example.
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| Raunchy Rihanna isn't shy to bare the flesh |
So what does it take to earn the title of ‘best-dressed’ in the entertainment industry? Well, it could be that it takes a super-impressive transformation- think Kristen Stewart, who evolved from awkward teenager to super-stylish fashion icon before you could even utter the words ‘Twilight Breaking Dawn’. Also consider Emma Watson’s style shift- chopping her long locks into a sleek pixie crop marked her transition from child (bye-bye Hermione) to fashionable woman.
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| Spice Girl Victoria is a renowned style icon |
Or, maybe it’s those who push the fashion boundaries. Look at the kooky Lady GaGa- she may not be considered the best dressed, but she most certainly makes her way into the pages of fashion magazines with her eclectic, unique and sometimes even controversial style- think back to that meat dress- need we say any more? Or there’s Rihanna. With her red-hot hair and flesh-flashing outfits as she struts around on stage provocatively, she certainly makes a big impression. With these females, you could definitely never call their style choices boring or simplistic!
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| Fearne's kooky style makes her hot on the fashion radar |
Others argue the most fashionable are those who ooze sophistication and glamour- I’m talking Victoria Beckham, who never steps out unless she’s dripping from head-to-toe in designer gear, or Sarah Jessica Parker, the Sex and the City star who seemingly takes the role as a fashionista as seriously as her fashion-obsessed character Carrie. And let’s not forget about Cheryl Cole and Danni Minogue- last year’s X Factor judges who were always in a constant style war every week. Deciding who was the best dressed each Saturday night was all part of the fun for many fashion-forward females in the UK. And now it seems the competition for the best-dressed X Factor judge continues as N Dubz’s Tulisa takes over in a weekly fashion battle against ex- Destiny’s child member Kelly Rowland.
Then we move on to the wonders of vintage and edgy fashion. I’m talking about the classic style of model Kate Moss, who manages to make trilby hats and boyish designs look amazingly feminine and chic. And Fearne Cotton, who can work all sorts of unusual combinations. Then there’s presenter Alexa Chung, who even looks good when presenting at muddy festivals- and that’s a challenge! Not to mention she also won the British Style Award at this year’s British Fashion Awards.
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| George Lamb never fails to do well in the fashion polls |
Curvaceous ladies also fly the flag for stylish celebrities- just look at bootylicious Beyoncé- the singer can even work mannish suits in music videos, but amazingly gets away with it as she exudes self- confidence. And shapely Kim Kardashian, reality television star who isn’t afraid to show off her curves in figure-hugging outfits.
Some celebrities may be ‘subtle’ style icons- this is referring to those who you wouldn’t immediately associate with being fashionable. Look at Florence Welch- the flame-haired Brit who took the music world by storm- but is also quite inspirational in the style stakes - she has performed on the catwalk for Gucci and has been one of the first to wear new season designs from the likes of Chanel and McQueen.
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| Robert Pattinson works a classic suit |
And let’s not forget about the fashionable males of our celeb world. George Lamb has been busy presenting at Style Birmingham and Clothes Show Live this year, and his role to front these events alone secures his position as a solid style icon. The silver fox has been considered the ‘best dressed male’ in previous polls, and it’s not hard to see why, as he always steps out donning classic suits and looking every inch a style god.
Then we have actor Robert Pattinson, who was considered the ‘sexiest male in the world’ last year, and of course his fashion choices helped him earn this title- it wasn’t just his piercing blue eyes or freakishly pale skin in Twilight!
No matter what, there is always going to be an obsession with celebrity style. Who dressed best on the red carpet? Could she be setting a new trend in that outfit? And what was she thinking stepping out wearing that?
(View this blog post at: www.projecttalent.co.uk/2011/12/celebrity-style-icons/)
Going GaGa in 'Marry the Night' Video
Just when you thought the new Queen of Pop could do no more to amaze you, Lady GaGa proves she still has the ability to shock in the exceptional video for her newly released single ‘Marry the Night’.
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| GaGa takes the role of an aspiring dancer in 'Marry the Night' |
The star first entered the music industry as a fresh-faced pop princess, hitting the big time with debut floorfiller ‘Just Dance’. As her success continued to grow with each new, exciting and boundary-breaking video released, the nation collectively came to realise just how sensational Lady GaGa truly was.
But this latest offering has been the most talked aspect of her career yet. Exposing artistic, emotional and physical sides of GaGa, the spectacular 13 minute 47 second short for ‘Marry the Night’ is the pop sensation’s directorial debut. Describing the video as ‘an avant-garde look at her early struggles before hitting it big’, the star herself has confessed the reflective piece mirrors her past. The compelling story is a histrionic reconstruction of GaGa’s own experience of being dropped from record label Island/Def Jam, reinventing herself and then becoming a star after being signed to Interscope Records.
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| Scenes such as the Cheerio one can be deemed fairly bizarre |
Personal, emotional and gripping. And that’s just the first five minutes. In a dark and chilling opening, GaGa is wheeled into a psychiatric ward whilst we hear a voiceover monologue from the woman herself. In a deep and thought-provoking beginning speech, GaGa utters profound and powerful lines such as: ‘It’s sort of like my past is an unfinished painting. And as the artist of that painting, I must fill in all the ugly holes, and make it beautiful again.’ With such poetic and reflective lines, fans are able to view Mother Monster in a whole new light.
As sinister as the beginning may seem with the sincerity of the spoken words, it can also be considered fairly comical at points: ‘Check out this nurse on the right. She’s got a great ass. Bam.’ The over-all concept however, is quite unsettling. Although fictionalised, seeing GaGa in a psychiatric ward is troubling at first watch, with scenes reminiscent of the captivating yet disturbing film ‘Girl, Interrupted’.
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| Dying her hair green, GaGa lets loose in this video |
We then progress on to find modesty has been surrendered in many compromising scenes whereby GaGa eats cereal topless and plays the piano naked. Further antics include the exhibitionist writhing around naked in a bathtub, bizarrely filling her mouth with cheerios until it begins to overflow, and spitting out cereal at the camera. The woman is not afraid to ugly it up in a refreshing change to all the manufactured artists out there, and for that, she surely must be credited.
The viewer is invited to observe the controversial performer in various states of emotional vulnerability. A frenzied whirlwind of scenes show an out-of-control GaGa sobbing with black eye make-up smeared across her face, trashing her apartment and generally appearing quite deranged and manic. More crazed acts include the star painting her hair blue, wearing a sanitary towel across her otherwise bare chest and frolicking across a car bonnet.
Some will admire the musician’s bravery for stepping out of the comfort zone of simply miming into a microphone, looking all forlorn into the distance whilst adopting the windswept look. Others will find the video disturbing, bizarre and a little bit too odd, even by GaGa’s standards.
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| GaGa appears troubled in several scenes |
However you look at it, the autobiographical video is an honest portrayal of the star’s experiences of getting dropped from her record label, and she should be saluted for ticking all boxes that veer away from the obvious and conventional. What is so refreshing about Lady GaGa is that she isn’t afraid to put herself out there and expose many personal elements of her life for public consumption. We are invited to step into the colourful, zany world of Stefani Germanotta and for that, she is unlike any other artist to currently grace our charts.
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| Another video, another creative yet controversial outfit |
‘Marry The Night’ is not GaGa’s first short- her video for ‘Telephone’ (featuring Beyoncé) is 9 minutes and 31 seconds long, and also sparked some controversy at the time of release. Set in jail, we see an imprisoned GaGa strutting through cells in her usual show-stopping outfits, parading around in skimpy underwear, adorning coke cans as rollers in her hair and wearing a device across her eyes that is fitted with smoking cigarettes.
We also see some dramatics in ‘Paparazzi’, a 7 minute 11 second video where GaGa survives being thrown off the balcony by her boyfriend. She then returns in a wheelchair and a pair of crutches, and poisons her boyfriend to death, followed by newspaper clips: ‘GaGa: We Love Her Again’ and ‘She’s Back’. Certain scenes almost appear to be glamorising death, featuring shots of ‘murdered’ fashionable females strewn across beds, greenery and pool sides.
Common themes noticeably recurring throughout these videos are crime, murder, celebrity status and lots of avant-garde and designer fashion. Calling this pop princess the ‘Queen of Controversy’ would certainly not be an unreasonable term as the superstar frequently stirs up heated debates with her eclectic fashion, electric performances and out-of-this-world videos.
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| Glamorising murder in 'Paparazzi'? |
The making of the ‘Alejandro’ video, which involved the partnership of fashion photographer Steven Klein, may have been praised for its dark nature, but GaGa was blasted for her use of blasphemy. This was not the first time the starlet caused outrage with her videos- the entertainment and shock factor of ‘Judas’ came at a price, for the song was even banned on some radio stations due to content that enraged religious groups.
Despite the talk surrounding her videos, these theatrical productions made Lady GaGa the first artist to gain over one billion viral views on YouTube, which certainly isn’t a bad achievement!
Controversial she may be, however there is no denying the musician has an artistic flair and a passion for creativity, and is mirroring this in her innovative work. Lady GaGa’s music videos are jam-packed with exciting narratives, fresh concepts and of course, idiosyncratic outfits, which in essence all continue to consistently shock and entertain.
Amidst all the debates spurred on by these videos, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Lady GaGa is a contemporary artist, and therefore has a duty to entertain. And entertain she does!
Does Anyone Bother with New Year's Resolutions Anymore?
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| Do you mark your new year with a resolution? |
Some of the classic resolutions people make to mark the New Year can include plans to break a habit, such as quitting smoking or banishing nail biting. Others go down the route of improving health, whether that be vowing to do more exercise, eating more healthily or curbing alcohol intake. Some choose a social resolution, such as spending more time with family and friends, or there is the self-improvement option, where personal goals can include being more organised, bettering time-management skills or reducing stress in some way.
But the question is, are New Year’s resolutions effective? Or are they just an out-dated concept that nobody bothers with anymore?
Those who would say New Year’s resolutions are worthwhile would argue creating goals for yourself can motivate you to get things done. Firstly, if stuck to, New Year’s resolutions can be highly advantageous in the long run. Imagine overcoming a difficult habit that has taken years to overcome, or plucking up the courage to learn something new, and ultimately feeling so much better for it. In terms of self-improving, creating these lifestyle changes can also be beneficial in terms of helping you grow and develop as an individual.
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| New year, new you? |
Anthony Checketts, a 20 year old from Birmingham states he likes to set himself New Year’s resolutions each year: “I like New Year, especially the partying! But I do make sure to set myself resolutions too. My aims for 2012 are to quit smoking and drink less.”
Clearly in favour of the traditional concept of resolutions, Anthony adds: “I personally think they are a good thing. I like them because you are putting yourself up for a goal, and you want to succeed in it. You feel proud afterwards.”
Individuals who set themselves targets are demonstrating they have a good level of hope and belief in their ability to change. Statistics found that 46% of individuals who made resolutions were successful compared to 4% of those who wanted to achieve a goal yet didn’t actually create a resolution, despite considering it.
Thomas Bradbury, a 19 year old chef from Birmingham is also a fan of the yearly tradition: “I believe it is a good thing to have New Year’s resolutions, if you choose the right ones. It’s all about a new year, a new start.”
Indeed, some people may feel the need to create themselves New Year’s resolutions due to this notion of ‘turning over a new leaf’. This whole idea of wiping the slate clean and starting from scratch has an allure for many people, and could be one of the reasons why these individuals deem it necessary to annually create resolutions.
In contrast, there are a number of people who think setting resolutions for the New Year is a waste of time, and ignore this tradition. Previously it has been stated that New Year’s resolutions don’t have a very high success rate, with a large amount of people finding it difficult to commit to change.
It is certainly true to say that some resolutions can require a large amount of effort and dedication, with individuals having to devote a large portion of their time, efforts and emotions trying to fulfill these new goals.
Many may start out with a positive concept of selecting resolutions, and feel energised at the original prospect of setting targets for the New Year. However it’s not unusual to find they have crumbled, given up and broken their resolutions before they have even reached February!
The unfortunate act of discarding resolutions could be due to the fact they were way too ambitious and therefore unachievable. Some people can be a tad too optimistic about what can be achieved and end up biting off more than they can chew, and as a result they end up abandoning the resolutions they set up at the start of the year.
Some youth are undecided about whether New Year’s resolutions do any good. 20 year old Media student Sarah Elhassine says: “I think they are quite pointless, but then again they do give people a chance to make a change. Unfortunately though, most of the time we don’t stick with New Year’s resolutions.” She added they can work if people stick to them, but doing so can be difficult. However, Sarah admits: “I do have a new year’s resolution... in 2012, I want to learn how to drive!”
So, it appears that the concept of New Year’s resolutions is very much still alive! Do you have a goal you hope to achieve in 2012?
(View this blog post at: http://www.projecttalent.co.uk/2012/01/does-anyone-bother-with-new-year%e2%80%99s-resolutions-anymore-by-grace-montgomery/)
The Only Way is Z-List!
We gossip about them. We read about them. We watch them on television. But what’s the obsession with them? I’m talking Z-List celebrities. You know the types. Reality stars such as Amy Childs, Lauren Conrad and Kim Kardashian... The kind of everyday ordinary people who we shouldn’t really want to know about, yet regardless we find ourselves reading up about vajazzles, tuning in to watch The Hills and never missing an episode of The Kardashians!
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| The TOWIE lot- you either love them, or hate them! |
Mass hysteria inevitably surrounds the world of celebrities, and there are thousands that grace our glossies and our television screens, but who counts? Do some of them even have a right to be classed as ‘celebrities’?
Z-Listers can be defined as desperate wannabes who scrabble frantically for their 15 minutes of fame, usually by appearing on increasingly degrading reality TV shows. Think about previous Big Brother contestants- ordinary, everyday people who are thrust into the limelight with the help of a few cameras monitoring their moves 24/7, desperate for fame of any kind. These are the kind of people who will end up being interviewed in ‘Heat’ and ‘Closer’ magazines, and although they aren’t really proper ‘celebrities’, we find if they are interesting enough on screen, we will want to read up on them.
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| Mark Wright- catapulted to fame through TV? |
Regardless of their ‘Z-List’ status, it is obvious some of these individuals are popular and well-liked by a large number of people. Consider that Mark Wright from reality television show The Only Way Is Essex came second in this year’s popular programme I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. Not bad, considering he ultimately beat 11 other hopefuls to get to this admirable position in the final. That is quite an achievement from someone who hasn’t long been in the spotlight, appearing in fairly new reality TV show TOWIE, which first aired in 2010 and its fourth series is set to begin in January next year. The show has since become a hit, growing ever more popular with each series, despite the fact the show simply documents the lives of a group of young people from Essex. Ordinary people, no less.
When we think about the kind of celebrities who can be termed the legends of the entertainment business, for instance film stars such as Tom Cruise and Scarlett Johansson, these are the ones worthy of being labelled as members of the A-List.
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| Meet Kim Kardashian, famous for, well, what exactly? |
So what criteria is required to be classified as an A-lister? What ingredients are needed to be deserving of such a title? Firstly, meaningful A-Listers are those regarded as having a significant talent and skill, with international recognition value. Such talented stars include the sensational Mariah Carey and her amazing vocal range, Drew Barrymore and her diverse acting abilities and Holly Willoughby and her great presenting skills.
A-Listers must also be exciting, fresh, current and important in the industry, like nation’s sweetheart Cheryl Cole, the multi-million pound face of L’Oreal. Also, being influential is a good factor to possess. Look at the impact Kate Moss has made on the fashion industry and the amount of hopeful footballers looking up to David Beckham.
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| A Lister Kate Moss is massive in the modelling industry |
Being powerful is also key: Lord Sugar is most certainly this, with his entrepreneurial flair and position to utter those dreaded words to business hopefuls- ‘you’re fired’, and Simon Cowell, who is able to promote, produce and star in some of the biggest television shows in both the UK and America.
An element which cannot be forgotten about is the fact that these stars must be bankable. Think about those who appear in blockbusters, like Will Smith, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt...Or the masterminds behind such productions, like author of Harry Potter, J K Rowling, who is certainly worth a pretty penny!
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| Couldn't get any more A List than Mr Simon Cowell! |
Those regarded as ‘A-Listers’ have never included fame hungry reality TV stars with minimum talent. If the term ‘list’ is defined by skill and status, then stars such as Joey Essex (TOWIE) surely should deservedly be placed in the ‘Z-List’, even if they are much-loved by a large number of the public.
Maybe the nation’s obsession with Z-List celebrities stems from a desire to escape our own ordinary world. Maybe the reason we indulge in shows where the people involved aren’t even deserving of the ‘celebrity’ label is purely because we are obsessed with the industry and the people in it, regardless of their status. And maybe this is why newspapers and magazines are being littered with pointless and mundane stories about these Z-Listers- to fuel our burning need to read up about these people.
Even if these individuals do not deserve ‘celebrity’ status, these ‘Z-Listers’ do manage to hold a place in many people’s hearts in society today. Whether we are following their rocky relationships, tracking the ups and downs in their careers or admiring their partying lifestyles, we are always going to welcome reality/Z-List stars into our lives with open arms.
(View this blog post at: http://www.projecttalent.co.uk/2012/01/does-anyone-bother-with-new-year%e2%80%99s-resolutions-anymore-by-grace-montgomery/)
Is Tat a Good Look?
Tattoos and piercings have become a hugely popular form of art, particularly recently. Many celebrities are opting for these fashion choices, and many young people are following suit by inking up their bodies and piercing themselves.
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| Megan Fox shows off her tattoo |
Of course, tattoos and piercings have been available for years now, but seemingly there has been a recent noticeable surge in these unique forms of body art. Numerous individuals are heading to tattoo studios and taking trips to piercing parlours, some even on several occasions, going back for more!
So what is with this trend? Why are large numbers of people choosing to mark their skin with permanent designs? Why is it individuals feel the need to pierce their skin?
Firstly, trend is the biggest reason. The fact that statuses and photo uploads on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter evoke positive reactions from others (such as likes and complimentary comments) are perhaps helping to fuel this trend, with several others being motivated to also jump on the ‘tattoo and piercing’ bandwagon. All you need to do is sign into Facebook and you will be bombarded with photo uploads of people’s most recent tattoos or piercings, followed by a flooding of likes and a stream of admiring comments.
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| X Factor's Frankie Cocozza made quite an impression with this cheeky tat |
Secondly, tattoos and piercings enable individuals to express their individuality. As it shapes your appearance and how you come across to others, they are deemed highly useful in revealing more about your personality. They can also be a great talking point- think back to Frankie Cocozza, the X Factor drop-out who on his first audition on the talent show revealed his bum after boasting to the judges he had the names of 7 girls he slept with during his work in Malia etched there.
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| Joel Madden's arm are dripping in art |
Celebrity influence may be another reason these body art trends are on the rise. It could be that stars are motivating people’s desire to go out and get a tattoo of a similar style. A large number of stars adorn such body art, and it may be that certain individuals feel the need to follow their lead. Rock stars dripping in tattoos and piercings may be viewed as highly influential to die-hard fans or fellow aspiring musicians, which may be why some people choose to go under the tattooing needle. Look at the colourful arms of Benji and Joel Madden from Good Charlotte, or the tattooed canvas of a body that belongs to Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker. Tattoos and facial piercings may work to give individuals a particular image, for instance in this genre of music (rock), this form of body art may be seen as almost conventional, and therefore a necessity.
Some tattoos may be inked on for personal reasons. Tattoos such as names, dates and the like may be permanently etched on to skin for emotional purposes- as a form of proudly flaunting interests (think forty-something males with ‘BCFC’ engraved onto their wrists or in more extreme/bordering on obsessive cases, a favourite celebrity sketched onto a back) or to highlight important people/events (such as the name of a partner or the birth of a child).
However, it cannot be ignored that there are downfalls. For instance, this look could be termed unsuitable for certain careers, and in job interviews employers may be put off by an off-putting nose stud or loud, garish tattoos, deeming the style inappropriate and unprofessional in the workplace. (Yet on the flip side, such loud statement style choices may suggest a strong personality, a potentially likeable trait.)
Also, with tattoos, you are inking yourself up with a permanent stamp of which cannot be undone unless with laser surgery, which isn’t exactly a cheap or easy option for many. Tattooing can also be regrettably impulsive- imagine a once lovesick teenager going on to feel remorseful following a split with his girlfriend, as having the name ‘Alice’ engraved on your arm in a love heart won’t bode well when searching for future potential new love interests. Just look at Katie Price, who had the name of her husband Peter Andre etched onto her wrist, and then after four years of marriage got divorced. Katie then went on to have the name ‘Pete’ crossed out, and then eventually had this writing turned into a rose.
Health hazards could also potentially occur with these forms of body decor. Risks can include infections from unsterile equipment and needles, which can then lead to the transmission of infectious diseases. Also, if removal is undertaken, this can be an agonising process which involves several treatments and consequently, scarring.
As for piercings, they can easily become infected, which can be painful, problematic and not to mention, unsightly. Further, they may begin to seal up after a while, which might not be desirable for that particular individual.
But ultimately, tattoos and piercings can be viewed as a form of art. Individuals are able to express themselves through these stylistic choices, meaning we can view people’s interests and personal preferences without even necessarily knowing anything about them. They also mark people out as individual and unique.
Indeed, tattoos and piercings may have been around for years now, but the ever-increasing trend has certainly shown no signs of slowing.
Key Speakers at Graduate Networking Evening Revealed!
Excitement is growing as the graduate networking evening draws closer, and it is time to reveal the confirmed panellist members due to share their industry knowledge on Thursday 26th January.
The Talent 2011 graduates networking event promises to be a great night, with lots of exciting things lined up, including the appearance of special visitors from the industry, music and much more. One exciting aspect of this sociable evening in particular is the panel discussion, where several industry experts will be sharing their knowledge and key insights. So who are the speakers going to be at this exciting event?
BABY J:
One of the confirmed panellist members is Baby J, an established music producer who has worked with several top names such as the late Amy Winehouse, Mark Ronson, Plan B and Skinnyman. Baby J also runs a successful Music and Arts development agency, ‘Baby People’, and as the Managing Director, puts on events and runs educational provision for young people.
The Derby-bred record producer will undoubtedly be an excellent provider of knowledge. Baby J is of great importance in contributing his thoughts on the field of music because he has been working in this tough and massively competitive industry for over a decade.
AMMO TALWAR:
Another speaker who will also be sharing his knowledge in this particular field will be Ammo Talwar, the founder and Chief Executive from Punch Records. Starting out as a record store when it opened in Birmingham in 1997, Punch Records rapidly established itself as ‘the key hub in Birmingham for DJs and musicians’. The organisation expanded, broadening its horizons to also arrange massive music events across the region, as well as DJ competitions and educational workshops.
Ammo even left the field of civil engineering where he started out to pursue a career in music, something he is extremely passionate about. Therefore he will most certainly have plenty to say about the subject he feels so strongly for.
TANYA ANDERSON:
This networking event will also see the return of previous Talent judge Tanya Anderson, a choreographer from Fierce Productionz dance agency. Tanya has been a professional dancer since the age of 16, specialising in several different forms of dance, including Freestyle, Hip Hop and Street Dance. Fierce Productionz is the leading dance agency in the UK, supplying female dancers and models to commercial and corporate industries, boasting professionally trained dancers who have performed for huge stars including Pixie Lott, Katy Perry and Pink. With such impressive and vast experience and skills under her belt, Tanya will certainly have some excellent tips to give.
Tanya has also previously been linked to the Talent project- she appeared as a judge in Talent 2009. Not to mention she has also judged for huge dance competitions such as Dance Challenge and nationwide music competitions such as Live and Unsigned and Open Mic UK. Therefore she will be a key panellist member next Thursday, as she reflects on her previous roles as a judge and offers her wisdom to the Talent 2011 graduates and other guests!
NATE SHERIDAN:
Nate Sheridan from Citizen Enterprises is the fourth confirmed panel member. Nate is the Marketing Manager and the Web/Graphic Designer for this business. Citizen Enterprises is a community interest company just like Aspire4u, therefore it is highly relevant for this organisation to provide a spokesperson to appear on the panel next week.
Established in 2005, Citizen Enterprises have a mission to help individuals create ‘successful relationships at home and work’. They work under brands such as U-Turn, supporting youth in the Dudley area, and Young Advisors West Midlands, who provide support to organisations wanting to ‘youth proof’ their companies and discover ‘innovative ways to consult with young people’.
With his expertise in marketing, Nate will be a key speaker in discussing the role of social media in both a business and personal context. This will be particularly relevant to those hoping to start their own business with either no budget or limited funds. Working in a company that emphasises successful relationships and youth, Nate will also bring to the panel a flavour of what Aspire4u similarly works to achieve, representing the ‘youth improvement’ element of the Talent projects.
DANIELLA GENAS:
Lastly, Daniella Genas, the director of Aspire4u will appear on the panel. Having organised a large number of events and helping youth throughout the Birmingham area for many years now, Daniella is no stranger to delivering inspirational speeches and making a difference. Daniella is obviously a key speaker as she founded Aspire4u in 2007, and will be a hugely significant panel member at the event next week.
All in all, expect a fantastic, thought-provoking and informative discussion from the vast array of speakers to grace the panel at the graduates networking evening. The brilliant panellist members are all massively important and influential figures in the industry and will indisputably have lots of advice to offer visitors next week.
So make sure you get down to The Rainbow in Digbeth on January 26th, but ensure you get a ticket beforehand as it is invitation only. You wouldn’t want to miss out on the valuable advice and wise words from this diverse yet expert panel!
(View this news story at: http://www.projecttalent.co.uk/2012/01/key-speakers-at-graduate-evening-revealed/)
Meet the Panellist: Tanya Anderson
Tanya Anderson is one of the panellist members who will be at the Talent 2011 Graduates Networking Evening this coming Thursday at The Rainbow. Here, Tanya explains more about her experiences in the dance industry, her role as a panellist member and what advice she will provide visitors.
Now a dance choreographer from Fierce Productionz, Tanya first began her professional dance career at 16 years old, teaching in schools and community centres. Impressively, whilst still at college, she started teaching abroad in France, Spain, Greece and Italy.
Tanya had always aspired to become a choreographer, and her dreams came true when she landed her first choreography job for a programme on ITV called Dial-A-Date, where she was the dance instructor for one episode. Since this show Tanya’s dance career has continued to flourish, as she has choreographed music videos for different artists, live stage shows, college performances and fashion shows.
Speaking of her achievements, Tanya says: ‘As a performer I have danced for Boy George on Jim Davidson Presents (BBC 1) and General Levy at The Asian Music Awards (ITV1) , The E.M.M.A Awards (BBC2) and the Clothes show. I have also performed at various club events and live music events up and down the country as a backing dancer for various artists.’
Now Tanya runs Fierce Productionz, the all female dance agency, which was set up in 2010 and supplies professionally trained dancers who specialise in various styles of dance. ‘Fierce Productionz first started out as a female performance troupe with about 8 dancers, but I realised if I wanted more work I needed more dancers and as it started out as a female venture, I decided to keep it that way,’ Tanya says. However, not forgetting about the male talent, in 2011 Tanya set up NV Productionz, a dance agency specifically for male dancers. This agency is growing very nicely, with clients including video and TV production companies, music award shows, fashion shows, photographers, music artists and musical theatre production companies.
Following her successful career as a performer and choreographer, Tanya has also appeared as a judge at various competitions such as Maoam U18 dance competition, Open Mic UK, Live and Unsigned and of course, Talent 2009.
Discussing her achievements, Tanya states: ‘Everything I do from performing to choreography, teaching and running my dance agency are all my best achievements as I strive to do everything to the best of my ability.’
So as a dance choreographer, what skills does Tanya feel are necessary for an aspiring dancer to acquire? ‘An aspiring dancer should obtain the training they need to become a professional dancer, take classes in all styles of dance to become a versatile dancer and not a one trick pony. If you are still in secondary school, take GCSE performing arts and then continue it through to college then a dance university if possible,’ Tanya advises. ‘It is also important to gain knowledge of the dance industry you want to work in. If you want to be a commercial dancer for example, find out about the different dance agencies that offer this type of work and how you join them. The internet is a good place to find commercial dance work, like websites such as Starnow and Dancers Pro.’ Another piece of advice Tanya suggests is to take part in as many auditions as possible for the experience, and think about your look as a dancer, which is of great importance. ‘This is the first thing a casting director or choreographer like myself will see when you walk into the audition room. If you look the part you will get their attention.’
Expect useful and insightful advice such as this at this week’s Talent 2011 graduates networking event, where as a panellist member Tanya will be offering crucial tips to aspiring performers. Aspects she will highlight include how to join dance agencies and how to get professional work. ‘I will be offering advice on finding the right places to train as a dancer if individuals are just starting out, or how to promote yourself if you already are a dancer, including what dance agencies look for at auditions.’
Tanya feels she will bring to the panel knowledge of the dance industry not just as a dancer and choreographer, but also as someone who offers work to aspiring dancers.
One particular issue Tanya also hopes to raise at the discussion is the lack of a commercial dance industry in the West Midlands. ‘I want to discuss why the second city is overlooked by the dance industry, making it difficult for local dancers to get work unless they move to London.’
Lastly, Tanya expressed her thoughts on the Talent Project and Aspire4u and the work they do: ‘I think the Talent Project is amazing as it gives local talent the opportunity to showcase their skills. Aspire4u does good things for the community, working with young people on various projects, giving them the opportunity to be involved in positive things that help them to further their career or project ideas.’
As she will be returning as a panellist member after being a judge for Talent 2009, Tanya says: ‘It feels really good to be asked to be a panellist after judging Talent 2009, especially now as I have my dance agency and also offered a performance prize for Talent 2011 winners PressuriZe.’
Make sure you go along to the event this Thursday at The Rainbow in Digbeth, to hear more from dance choreographer Tanya Anderson and her fellow panellist members. It will be an interesting, informative and extremely valuable discussion, so make sure to be a part of it!
(View this blog post at: http://www.projecttalent.co.uk/2012/01/meet-the-panellist-tanya-anderson/)
Speaking to the Panellist: Bryan and Nate
Before the discussion last Thursday at the Talent 2011 Graduates Networking Evening, we chatted to two key panellist members to find out what they had in store for the crowd. Bryan Foster, the fundraising manager of Young Enterprise and Nate Sheridan, the social media marketing manager from Citizen Enterprises joined us in the hot seat (two sofas in an edgy side room in The Rainbow) and gave us the lowdown!
Bryan began by hinting at what subjects would possibly be debated: ‘The main topic is about how to support young people who’ve got a talent, simple as that. It’s a focus on the creative industries and employment, so that’s where I’m coming from in terms of this evening,’ he revealed. ‘My understanding of the project is that it is about helping young people to develop their skills, whether its singing or dancing... whatever it might be.’
It wasn’t long until the topical subject of television talent shows came up during our chat, and the value of local competitions such as the Talent Project in comparison to these entertainment TV programmes. ‘Talent is the alternative to the fantasy of X Factor auditions and the like,’ Bryan stated. ‘I’m sure that will be one of the topics of conversation this evening- whether or not those talent shows actually are about developing and nurturing talent. My answer would be no, if anyone asks that question.’
In relation to this, Bryan added that talent shows like X Factor focus purely on the entertainment value and controversy, rather than centring on raw talent. ‘TV talent shows need to be seen for what they are, which is TV- its entertainment. I will say this if this comes up later as well. No disrespect to anyone who has auditioned for X Factor- if that’s the route you want to take, good luck to you. But if I was asked if it’s such a good idea or not, I’d probably say no.’
Nate agreed that television talent shows glorify the entertainment side rather than focusing on the participants’ talent. ‘For me, X Factor and other talent shows like that are too corporate, and they’re more about the money,’ he claimed. ‘Even though there is talent on there, they’re just churning them out, churning them through a funnel... Those artists, they’re not in control of their own music, whereas the people that you see here, they’ve developed their own music, they’ve been working on it a long time, and it really shows.’ He also said that these artists are more unique, not just replicates of what you hear in the charts.
Bryan added to this topic further by questioning talent shows’ true motives. ‘The problem for me about television talent shows is that they are exploitative,’ he said. ‘For me, they exploit young people; they don’t help them, whereas this evening is designed to help young people. It doesn’t exploit anyone.’ Here, Nate chimed in that these particular TV talent shows focus on the drama element, leading Bryan to conclude: ‘Its TV, you may as well go on Big Brother, really, you may as well.’
With such strong negative opinions towards television talent shows like X Factor, why does Bryan believe competitions like Talent are better? ‘I would say Talent is a more likely route to success in terms of sustainable, real success,’ he stated. ‘Also, if you’re performing in a pub in Birmingham, it’s a more grounded approach; it’s based in the reality of what it is to be a performer. The irony is, even those people who do well out of talent shows, to make something real happen, this is where they have to come back to anyway.’
Confessing he did not plan for today’s discussion, Bryan said he would be honest when taking his seat at the panel. ‘I always like to keep an open mind, and respond to the questions rather than just turn up with pre-conceived ideas about what the discussion will be. I don’t have a pre-determined set of answers or an agenda.’
Nate claimed to prepare for the panellist discussion he went back and watched video footage of last year’s show, as he didn’t actually see it. ‘I got a bit more knowledge about Aspire4u, and just really looked at the situation that Birmingham is in now, and what platforms there are for young people to get out there and try and break into the creative industries.’
Bryan added although there were no particular topics he wanted to raise himself, he was interested to discover how a young talented person in Birmingham today would go about getting the help and support that they need. ‘I don’t have the answers to that. We’ve all got ideas, so I’m keen to find out what the answers might be. Especially as I work for Young Enterprise, which is all about helping young people, empowering them, helping them to be employable and enterprising, regardless of what their talent and skills might be.’
Regarding advice for young performers at the event, Nate claimed hard work and dedication was the key to success. He said that setbacks were possible, but don’t let this affect you, and just keep at it. ‘I think anything can be achieved if you’re determined enough and put in the hard work,’ were the words of wisdom he provided.
Nate lastly shared his thoughts on the Talent Project and the work of Aspire4u: ‘I think it’s brilliant, it’s really good,’ he enthused. ‘I’ve already seen the success stories, like the dance crew and the models that performed at the clothes show. But it’s not just about the talent show; it’s about increasing people’s confidence and their awareness on the internet. It’s quite rewarding, and it’s good that it happens in Birmingham. I think we need more shows like it.’
Bryan said of the topics mentioned in this conversation: ‘These are big questions, and I don’t think any one person will have the answers. But collectively, if you put enough people in the room together, then you might come up with some ideas, solutions and answers.’ And indeed, they did! Following our interview with Bryan and Nate, both speakers went on to give some excellent advice on the panel.
(View this blog post at: http://www.projecttalent.co.uk/2012/02/speaking-to-the-panellist-bryan-nate/)
Meet the Panellist: Baby J
Baby J is another one of the speakers to appear on the panel at tomorrow’s event. The music producer has worked internationally since 1997 and has made a significant impact on the music scene within the region, so will have plenty of wonderful advice to offer visitors!
Referring to Baby J’s musical history, he was first discovered back in 1995 when an A&R at Wu-Tang records NYC heard a demo he had produced and he was invited to the US to work with up-and-coming acts. In 1997, his first release was with Shabazz the Disciple, and he then went on to work with many established artists on New York’s underground hip hop scene, including production for Brand Nubian, Dead Prez and Iman Thug.
Baby J’s first LP, ‘The Birth’ was released in 1998, featuring US and UK MCs including Freestyle (The Arsonists) and Poetic (The Gravediggaz). The solo album sold well throughout the US and Europe and was supported with a European tour and two videos on MTV.
‘F.T.P’ was Baby J’s second solo album, released in 2005, and featured both UK and US artists including Skinnyman, Blade and Shystie. This album featured ‘Let It Go remix’ Rukus feat TY, Klashnekoff and Yogi, the massive hit which received daytime play list on Galaxy FM (now Capital) and A Listed on 1xtra for three months. Baby J’s third solo album ‘F.T.P 2 – Fight the Power’ included a selection of UK talent such as Poisonous Poets and Fallacy.
Some of Baby J’s greatest achievements include having done production work for artists such as Sway, Wretch 32, Plan B, Estelle and Roll Deep’s J2k and record labels such as Sony and Mercury Records.
Baby J also has a number of impressive awards to his name. He was voted ‘The UK’s best underground producer’ at the Urban Music awards and received the ‘Contributions to the Game’ award in BBC 1xtra’s annual awards. The producer has also remixed work for Kid British, and the remixed version of Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson’s ‘Valerie’ reached number two in the national charts, staying in the top ten for 11 weeks. Not to mention Baby J went on to remix Mark Ronson’s entire album at Ronson’s request.
Also, Baby J has a Music and Art development agency, ‘Baby People’, a social enterprise company that uses art and culture to promote community development. They offer a wide range of workshops with professional tutors including music production, lyric writing, break dance and street dance, rapping and beat boxing and band and instrument workshops. They also run regional and national events and festivals such as the Love Music Hate Racism event.
Baby J says when looking for up-and-coming artists, he wants to find within an individual ‘something different and unique, hard work, professionalism and talent’.
Speaking of the event on Thursday, Baby J says he is going to bring his experience to the panel. Advice wise, he is going to refer to the crucial skills needed in this industry, including hard work, individuality and entrepreneurship.
The panellist discussion is amongst one of several exciting elements of the Talent 2011 Graduates Networking Evening tomorrow night at The Rainbow.
(View this blog post at: http://www.projecttalent.co.uk/2012/02/meet-the-panellist-baby-j/)
The Panel Discussion
The panellist discussion at the Talent 2011 Graduates Networking Evening last week turned out to be a lively discussion. Topical issues were raised and questions welcomed from the crowd.
The panellist included Daniella Genas (Aspire4u), Bryan Foster (Young Enterprise), Nate Sheridan (Citizen Enterprises), Baby J (music producer), Tanya Anderson (Fierce Productionz), Ammo Talwar (Punch Records) and Jenny (Young Fashion Designer Awards). All from different sectors of the creative industries, but all highly knowledgeable and bursting with key advice for the Talent 2011 participants and other visitors!
The panel, led by former Talent 2007 winner Ashley (otherwise known as ‘Smash’), kicked off by discussing talent shows such as the X Factor.
Nate and Bryan commented how these shows exploit participants and are all about the entertainment value. Baby J chose to discuss the topic by going down a different route, referring to how Wretch 32 and Tinie Tempah and the like came from niche underground scenes, so clearly shows like X Factor aren’t always the best option. He added: ‘The problem with talent shows is that you see them and think ‘this is how I can get famous and become a star’. That’s not how it happens.’
Ammo agreed but stated these TV talent shows act as a platform, and although it may not be the best platform, it’s one of many. He also added that these shows always have a great emphasis on image.
Tanya was next in line, and she gave her thoughts coming from a dancer’s perspective. ‘I agree with reality dance shows like Got To Dance and So You Think You Can Dance because they provide platforms for dancers to showcase their talent.’ Tanya also mentioned her role as a judge on some of the biggest music competitions in the UK outside of television, Live and Unsigned and Open Mic UK, saying that she agrees with competitions such as these, and Talent. Here Jenny agreed with the rest of the panel members, saying local talent shows ‘help people who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity’.
Next to comment was Daniella, who brought a case study to the discussion, mentioning a specific X Factor contestant. ‘I think if you just look at what happened to Mischa B, it just shows why reality TV shows don’t necessarily work. A great artist, very talented, but she got crushed by her reality TV experience.’ She continued on to say that going through such processes can destroy the career of an aspiring performer.
Lastly, presenter Ashley gave his thoughts on the matter, claiming that shows like X Factor contradict their own purpose. ‘A lot of the artists that go on there with raw talent don’t get through because they’ve got the wrong image. And obviously that’s what reality TV shows are portraying nowadays- that you have to have a certain image in order to get to a certain place in the industry.’
Another key topic raised related to how to get work and be booked by agencies. For dancers, Tanya advised it was important to shop around the different agencies and get signed with as many agencies as possible.
Baby J made reference to the networking side of the industry: ‘Who you know and have access to is a big factor in terms of what you can achieve.’ He added: ‘You need to map out who to get to- look at management and agents.’
Daniella spoke of Aspire4u and the Talent Project, saying how they work hard to provide opportunities to youth. ‘To get far in the industry, you must start somewhere.’ In terms of getting booked again, Daniella said: ‘It’s important to be punctual and co-operate with people- it will get you a lot further.’
So what if you have no connections? Who do you turn to? ‘The internet!’ was the unanimous response from our expert panel. Baby J, who himself has done a lot of work in Birmingham, offered his advice: ‘Look at someone three steps ahead of you in the game. Find an artist and their agent. Remember that there are pecking orders in agencies.’
Next up, the panel were asked for advice regarding ‘the first steps to take’ – where to start? Daniella said that companies such as Talent and Fierce Productionz are key as they help you make connections, enable you to build portfolios and attend workshops and master classes.
Touching back on the importance of the internet, Ammo made reference to the role of social networking sites in building up an identity. ‘50% of business is done through Twitter,’ he informed the audience as he drew upon the power of these online forms of communication. ‘Follow agencies on Twitter. Start off small and build.’
The next query was all about whether an artist is able to launch a successful career in Birmingham. Baby J said: ‘If you have the talent, you can achieve it.’ He recalled that when he started out over 15 years ago, there were no college courses, seminars etc. ‘It’s all about being driven- one break leads to another,’ he stated.
The discussion lasted about an hour and a half, an extremely valuable 90 minutes of industry related wisdom and topical debates. Ashley ensured the discussion was never dull, keeping it light-hearted with his comedic quips and quick one-liners. Overall, the discussion was entertaining, lively and extremely informative!
Here are a few key quotes from the evening to sum up the discussion and give those who didn’t attend more of an insight:
(On television talent shows such as X Factor):
Nate: ‘I personally believe they are a bit too corporate, it’s more about the money rather than the talent.’
Baby J: ‘With TV shows, individuals get plucked out from millions, but being an artist is much more than that.’
Bryan: ‘I think if you’ve got a genuine talent, you need genuine support and genuine showcase, and I don’t think primetime TV is the best avenue.’
Tanya: ‘I see a big difference between the type of artists we have in our competitions and those I’ve seen on programmes like X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent, which is all about manufactured artists. Local competitions find original artists who are true to themselves.’
Ashley: ‘TV talent shows give people the wrong idea of what entertainment is for. It’s portraying a lot of idiots on TV and making people think, if I’m an idiot, I can get somewhere in life.’
(On being successful in Birmingham):
Baby J: ‘In Birmingham there is a scene- there’s seminars, panels... If you really want it, you can make it happen.’
Daniella: ‘You need patience. Don’t just think ‘we have to go to London to make it’.’
Ashley: ‘It depends on your determination- you can make it anywhere. You need to make the right connections, and keep positive.’
(Other):
Tanya (on starting out): ‘Get involved with competitions linked to festivals throughout the UK. Doing competitions gives you opportunities to perform at festivals.’
Nate (on artist development): ‘Don’t watch other people. Everyone’s different. It’s all about being unique, pushing boundaries and doing your own thing.’
(View this blog post at: http://www.projecttalent.co.uk/2012/02/the-discussion-continues/)
Talent 2012 Auditions in Full Swing!
The Talent auditions started off with a bang at the Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College in Balsall Heath on Thursday 15th March 2012. Grace Montgomery was on hand to watch some of the auditions and then interview contestants who had just had their shot at impressing the panel!
Aspiring singers, dancers and models arrived in streams to have their go at impressing the judges, who included key members of the Aspire4u team: Sue McLean, Sharlene King and founder Daniella Genas, with the additional judges board members Leanne Leavers and Lianne Smith.
The auditions were set up in a reasonably-sized auditorium, with raised seats overlooking an ample performance space for contestants to show off their talent, whether that be crooning down a microphone, throwing some shapes or parading around pouting! The room was decked in colourful world flags with the walls decorated with various eye-catching paintings of groups of ethnical individuals, which really suited the multicultural mood, as contestants turned up of various race and ethnicities.
The first contestant to stand before the judges was 17 year old Sophie Rothero, who kick-started the auditions with a heart-rending rendition of Christina Perri’s ‘Jar of Hearts’. Like many of the others who auditioned today, Sophie attends Joseph Chamberlain College. ‘I heard about this audition because my dance teacher told me about it,’ she explained. ‘She recommended I went along!’ In terms of how she prepared today, Sophie said she practised her singing and met up with her teacher and did vocal warm-ups. So how did she feel the audition went? ‘I feel it went okay, but I don’t want to be too confident about it!’ the singing hopeful grinned.
The first of the models to strut through the auditorium doors was Desta Ogarro, who instantly made an impact with her electric red hair alone. ‘I heard about the Talent auditions through a friend, who emailed me through BBM,’ Desta claimed. Flicking through her modelling portfolio she had brought along, Desta clearly has some modelling experiences already in the bag.
The models all ended up doing their best model walks to three different tempo tracks (Rihanna and Nicki Minaj- Fly, Chris Brown and Benny Benassi- Beautiful People and Beyoncé- Run the World) in order to test their walking ability to various music styles.
Desta certainly rose to the challenge, strutting fiercely across the room, even adding a robotic dance to the final walk to Beyoncé! Outside, the hopeful claimed: ‘I had a different song prepared to walk to,’ then started playing the song on her phone and re-enacting what she had initially planned to do. Despite her plans being scuppered, Desta certainly gave it her best shot; the girl can do spontaneous, that’s for sure!
The modelling category was without a doubt the most popular of Thursday’s auditions, with model after model wannabe turning up and catwalking across the room to the R&B beats prepared. Some were slow-going, some were forgettable (contestant number who?) whereas others worked the room!
Aside from the models, there was plenty of other talent. Stefan Williams, a singing auditionee also from the college, turned up to belt out his version of John Legend’s ‘Ordinary People’. Interestingly, the 18 year old has previously sung with Charlie, the singing winner from last year’s Talent competition! ‘I heard about the competition via the screens in college,’ Stefan said. The singer admitted he had been practising a lot in his room in terms of preparing for today’s audition.
I also spoke to one half of a dance act, Hannah Townsend, a 16 year old who, like many of the others, also attends Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College. With her dance partner Alistair Wroe, the pair danced in a ‘lyrical contemporary’ style, to the song ‘Jar of Hearts’, a seemingly popular track for today’s auditions!
Talking about Talent, Hannah said: ‘It is really good. I have done dance stuff in the past but there isn’t much out there for performers- there aren’t many opportunities.’
No opportunity comes greater than Talent 2012, with amazing prizes and also the chance to attend workshops within your specialist talent area! There is still one audition day left at the Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College, which takes place Friday 23rd March 2012. Make sure to go along if you feel you have a talent to showcase- don’t let it go to waste!
(View this news story at: http://www.projecttalent.co.uk/2012/03/talent-2012-auditions-in-full-swing/)
