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editor
Samantha McQueen samantha.mcqueen@aut.ac.nz
designer
Deanne Antao
on the cover
Heartbreaker Yu, Xiaoyi (CC)
sub-editor
Alisha Lewis
artist profiles
contributors
AuSM | Nicole Brown | Hazel Buckingham | Matthew Cattin | Pooja Chandnani | Alicia Crocket | Angel Guanlao | Blake Gordon | Brendan Kelly | Ksenia Khor | Melissa Low | Sebastian Mackay | Andrea Manahan | Joshua Martin | Ashleigh Meyer | Scott Moyes | Sophie Putze | Heather Rutherford | Tamsyn Solomon | Static FM | Danielle Whitburn | Yu Xiaoyi
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Graphic Design
Cassi & Jess 26
Carl Naysmith 28
Asrita Singh 30
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Digital Media
Makeup Artist
Kate Campbell kate.campbell@aut.ac.nz
printer
Westprint Ltd.
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5 Editorial 6 Creative Corner 9 News Quiz 10 Sport 12 Recipe 13 How To 13 AuSM Update 14 Dear Facebook... 15 The Not So Wonderful World Of Walt Disney 16 Dying To Stay Alive 18 For Jamey 20 Blood Sport
32 Exchange Experience 34 How To Spot A Raver 36 Columns 38 Suggestions/ Hororscopes 39 Reviews 43 Spot The Difference 44 Static FM Microcelebs 46 Photobooth Photos 47 Vesbar:NZ Vs France Photos
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Material contained in this publication does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of AuSM, its advertisers, contributors, PMP Print or its subsidiaries.
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Need someone to talk to? Student Advisors are here to help you succeed at university. You can see a Student Advisor about almost anything that is concerning you. You can talk to us about any practical, social, academic or personal issue. We are located on all three AUT campuses. If you need someone to talk to, come and see us today. Drop in:
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have a love hate relationship with creativity. When I was young and people asked me what my ultimate career was, I always replied with dancer, singer, actor or painter. I took dance classes from the age of four, and would stay after to help the teacher (because obviously that helps you become an A-class dancer). I would plug in our karaoke mic after school and belt out Celine Dion classics, while recording them onto a tape so that I could listen back to my “awesome” voice. I owned an organ (what kind of child was I?!) and studied basic sheet music so that when my nana came to visit I could show off my talents. As soon as I saw a movie, I had to be the main character. The worst was Clueless, which I saw for the first time at eight; every sentence for a month after the flick ended in a question mark. Every weekend, when normal children were playing outside in the sunshine, I was hunched over my crafts table, drawing images of fairytales and happily ever afters. I love everything creative. But despite my obvious passion, creativity doesn’t seem to love me back. My dance exam comments always included the words “good effort” and “nice smile”, but never “beautiful footwork” or “perfect posture”. I was always in the back of the chorus line at school productions (way back) and all my instruments mysteriously disappeared from my house one day. All my drawings were smudged before they were finished, thanks to my “special” gift of lefthandedness. Basically, when mysterious forces were at work creating me, they left out the artistic ingredient. But thankfully, many other people in the world got a double dose of the inspirational dream. You don’t need to look any further than the students at AUT. Look in the news – every week there are articles about students pushing the boundaries in their industries and making history. In this job, I get the fortunate opportunity to meet people who have more creativity in their little finger than I do in my whole body. So for the 23rd issue of debate, we’re celebrating creativity. Check out the student profiles from page 22 and marvel at the work people have done in creative corner. Ogle at the work our designer Deanne has put into the magazine this week. We’ve dressed up to celebrate – isn’t this magazine looking divine?
sports
Melita Martorana
Sports Team Leader 921 9999 ext 7259 melita.martorana@aut.ac.nz
vesbar
Zane Chase Vesbar Manager 921 9999 ext 8378 zane.chase@aut.ac.nz
For a full list of contact details plus profiles of AuSM staff & student executive and information on clubs visit
www.ausm.org.nz 5.
Corner The winning piece for Creative day for will win one free hot drink each and hot a week from Piko*! *Coffee, tea one free hot have will er winn The only. chocolate starting from drink a day for five week days, drink. the day they redeem their first
Ashleigh Meyer Youth
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Angel Guanlao Young Love
It’s basically not even a reason It’s the season we believed in It’s the sound of your voice The buzzing noise At the back of my mind The kindest smile and the purest heart It’s the start of a new song Few would let such words form a melody But the yearn for you That I see in me Has led me to believe it gets better The beginning towards a sweeter end At this point I move forward Without looking back I keep on walking With your hand in mine You’re mine...
Pooja Chandnani You’re Mine
Blake Gordon Type Owl
Tamsyn Solomon Viveka - Wet
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2. Which of these actors have NOT played a vampire? a) Tom Cruise b) Eddie Murphy c) Robert Pattinson d) Johnny Depp 3. Which of these is the best English translation for the Maori word rangatira? a) High ranking person b) Youth c) Visitors d) Sacred place
8. Who wrote the classic novel Jane Eyre? a) Charlotte Bronte b) Jane Austen c) Emily Bronte d) Frances Hodgson Burnett
5. In which century did James Cook do his exploring? a) 16th b) 17th c) 18th d) 19th
9. How many of America’s 50 states still have the death penalty? a) 9 b) 18 c) 23 d) 34
6. How many sons did Muammar Gaddafi have? a) Two b) Five c) Seven d) Nine
10. What 80s movie did Two and a Half Men actor Jon Cryer star in as a teenager? a) The Breakfast Club b) Sixteen Candles c) Footloose d) Pretty in Pink
7. What is chaetophobia? a) A fear of cats b) A fear of hair c) A fear of engines d) A fear of crowds
Answers: B, D, A, C, C, D, B, A, D, D.
1. Political leader Don Brash has recently spoken out in favour of legalising marijuana. What party is he from? a) Labour b) Act c) United Future d) Greens
4. Where is the Julliard School of Performing Arts? a) Philadelphia b) Washington c) New York d) Chicago
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sports 10: Manu Vatuvei
by Scott Moyes
The fact that Manu is at number 10 speaks dividends of how much everyone else in the team has stepped up to the mark this year. Manu used to be the only option they would have in attack. Although he spent much of the season on the sidelines with injuries, he has still maintained a healthy tryscoring strike rate and was influential in the team’s semi final victory over the Tigers.
9: Elijah Taylor
I’ve opened up my laptop, deleted the dismal sentences of an article that was supposed to be about netball and started afresh. It’s 12.23am (well, 1.23am if you count daylight savings). The heart is thumping and my supposedly new and improved Facebook newsfeed is buzzing; the New Zealand Warriors are in the NRL grand final for just the second time in their short history. By the time you read this, the deed will have been done. You’ll be sitting in a lecture on Monday morning either laughing at how much I got my hopes up, or hopefully smiling at a moment in history. I had intended to stay clear of rugby league for the rest of the year. But let’s be frank; there’s only so many superlatives you can find for the All Blacks drubbing a French B team. If the Warriors have won the grand final, they will have become just the second Kiwi franchise in history to win an Australian competition. If they haven’t, it’s not the end of the world. The club has exceeded everyone’s expectations by making it this far in the competition, and I shall take this opportunity to reflect on 10 players who have made the difference in 2011. This was a difficult one. I could have written a second list of players just as worthy. 10.
One of the many youngsters to step up this year. Taylor may not be flashy but he does everything asked of him and is remarkably mature for his age. After being a main fixture in the side for most of the year, he was unlucky to miss out playing against the Broncos in week one of the finals series.
5: Feliti Mateo Thankfully the star import has delivered the goods. Mateo had a slow start to the season after coming to the Warriors from Parramatta. However, Mateo has provided much needed creativity in the back row and learned when NOT to offload. Will feature in this team for years to come.
4: Kevin Locke A superstar in the making. When Glen Fisiiahi looked to have secured the fullback position earlier in the year, Locke grabbed his opportunity when injury struck and he has never looked back. His confidence and speed at fullback has been a vital in attack, and the difference between him and Lance Hohaia. Sign him up long-term please.
3: Shaun Johnson
What a meteoric rise to stardom. With everyone tipping the halfback as the In my opinion, the most improved next Benji Marshall or Stacey Jones, player in the squad this year. He I had my doubts. But Johnson has appeared to be out of favour at the handled the pressure of first grade and beginning of the season, but has seized finals football sublimely. He possesses his opportunity and cemented his place a tidy kicking game and is prepared to in the side. His running coming out chance his arm. Another player that from his team’s own half has been a needs to be signed up long-term. real asset to the team.
8: Bill Tupou
7: Jacob Lillyman Phil Gould summed it up perfectly in commentary against the Storm; Origin football changes some players. Jacob Lillyman has breathed life into his career by switching to the front row. His go-forward has provided the platform for the stars in his team to shine. A real top bloke.
6: Ben Matulino What more could you want in a forward? This guy has gone to another level this season. His impact off the bench has been keen to winning the grind; up there with the best props in the game. Put him down for a Kiwis’ jersey right now.
2: James Maloney
Probably not as physically talented as most in the team, but has shaped himself as the most influential. Finally the Warriors possess a half that can take control of a game. James Maloney is a fierce competitor and the best goal kicker at the club since Michael Witt. What a champion.
1: Simon Mannering There was criticism left, right and center when Mannering was handed the captaincy of the Warriors. But Simon has proven everyone wrong. Week in and week out he consistently makes ground and tackles, leading the team forward with his actions. It’s all the little things that Simon does that makes him one of the best footballers in the competition.
12 NOON // To be held in WHAREKAI NGA WAI O HOROTIU MARAE (across the carpark from WC202) All AUT students welcome. Please bring student ID. AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE: AuSM 2012 membership fee & budget // Constitutional changes // Confirmation of 2012 Executive Council members // Election of vacant 2012 Executive Council positions: Design & Creative Technologies Faculty Representative, International Affairs Officer, Maori Affairs Officer, Pasifika Affairs Officer.
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Serves 3 Dairy free. Gluten free if you serve it with rice rather than pasta. It’s not strictly the same, but it’s still tasty! Cost per serve: $2.64
Chicken Ramen by Alicia Crocket
Directions
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Heat your stock with the garlic, ginger and bring it to the boil while you’re prepping your other ingredients
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Put another pot with water on to boil, and cook the noodles. Once they are cooked, rinse with cold water and put aside until the end.
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Once the stock is boiling, add the sliced chicken and simmer for approximately 10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
Ingredients This is a super quick and tasty dish that is inspired by the Japanese restaurants in my life. It’s not an authentic ramen I can assure you, but I enjoy it and it’s pretty cheap and cheerful. If you have leftover roast chicken you can use shredded chicken in this to make it more cost effective. It doesn’t freeze well, but it’s one meal that is quite easy to make in small amounts for one person or make a full sized batch and have it for dinner the next day.
3 cups liquid stock OR 2 tsps stock powder mixed with hot water 3 cloves garlic, sliced or 3 tsps minced garlic 1 Tbsp minced ginger (about 5cm of fresh ginger) 150-200g sliced boneless chicken or shredded meat 200g noodles (dry spaghetti is fine) 75g mung bean sprouts 2-3 spring onions, finely chopped 3 handfuls shredded greens (ideally bok choy, but cabbage, silverbeet and spinach are good too) ½-1 tsp mince chilli (to taste) ½ red onion, thinly sliced Fresh coriander Wedge of lime (or lemon)
Sauce
½ tsp white sugar 1 ½ tsps rice vinegar, malt or white wine vinegar 2 tsps sweet chilli sauce 1 ½ Tbsps fish sauce
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4 5
Make the sauce by mixing all the ingredients in a little bowl
Once the chicken is cooked, add the bean sprouts and green leaf to the stock and simmer for one minute
6 7
Put noodles in a bowl and pour the hot stock/soup over top Garnish with coriander, squeeze of lime and some of the sauce. Enjoy!
Note: If you can afford liquid stock it’s definitely worth it for this meal but it’s still pretty good with powdered stock.
increase your dollars while decreasing your fat levels by Alicia Crocket
at the supermarket on a per kilo basis. Cheese cost at least $12 a kilo, cheap ontrary to popular belief, the way mince is $10 a kilo, yet how many fruit to save money at the supermarket and vegetables do you see that cost is to buy more fruit and vegetables. I that much? Sure, meat contributes know that seems backwards because important vitamins and minerals to people are always harping on about our diet, but so do fruit and vegetables. how expensive fruit and vegetables And I tell you what, the national are. Well NEWS FLASH: food in New nutrition surveys are not saying we’re Zealand is expensive, and fruit and eating too much meat; they’re saying vegetables are actually a lot cheaper we’re not eating enough fruit and than a lot of other food in your trolley. vegetables. So in your meals swap some On an average shop what do most meat for extra vegetables; you’ll not people buy? Bread, milk, meat, cheese, only be saving money you’ll also be baked beans, couple of jars of pasta getting more of those goodies that are sauce, the odd packet of chips and a in fruit and veges. chocolate bar or a pack of bikkies if In an average day, what’s your you’re feeling flush. snack of choice? Muesli bars, biscuits, When you think about it, seasonal crackers, chocolate bars, a little pack of fruit and vegetables are cheaper than chips? You’ll be pleased to know that most of the items that we regularly buy chocolate costs $16.00 per kilo and
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Auckland Student Cup!
Manukau students, come and join us this Friday (October 7) at AUT Manukau campus for the Auckland Student Cup. This is a one day FREE event hosted by AuSM and open to AUT students and staff. The day will consist of 10 recreational sports from dodgeball to tug-of-war, music and of course, AuSM Free Feeds. Sure to be a great day!
AUT Sevens
AuSM presents… the AUT Sevens! It’s on this Sunday (October 9) so come along and support AUT students in a great day of Sevens rugby. Hato Petera College, College Road, Northcote between 8.30am-4pm. They’ll be plenty going on off the field too, enjoy the music, barbecue and bouncy castle.
Oktoberfest
Celebrate the last month of the year before exams. We’re celebrating Oktoberfest in Vesbar next week. Guy Cater, AUT’s favourite hypnotist, is back on Wednesday,
chips are roughly as expensive coming in at $16.60 per kilo. Muesli bars, you’re looking at $12.20 per kilo. Compare that with bananas $2.99 a kilo, apples $3.99 or even carrots $2.29 a kilo. How many apples or bananas could you have for the same price as a chocolate bar or packet of chips? People preferentially buy chips, chocolate and muesli bars for snacks because they get more satisfaction out of eating them rather than fruit and vegetables. But the reality is that these ‘treat’ foods are way more expensive than good ol’ fruit and veges. So if your budget is tight and you’re wondering how to save some money, do your wallet a favour and opt for fruit as a snack or extra vegetables in your spag bol and save yourself some moolah.
October 12 at 7pm. It’ll be a night not to be missed. Then on Thursday night, party into the early hours with New Zealand’s premier Stein band. $15 gets you a Stein, free first refill and a German sausage. Pre-book this week at Vesbar.
SGM next week (yes, there will be free pizza!)
The Clothes Swap at AUT is this Thursday! Raid your wardrobes for clothes, shoes and accessories to swap! Swap your clothes for tokens. You can drop you clothing off at AuSM office City campus on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday this week 11.30am-12.30pm and 9am-10.30am on Thursday.
Vacant Positions
Next week’s SGM (see above) will include the election of vacant positions for: Design & Creative Technologies Faculty Representative, International Affairs Officer, Maori Affairs Officer and Pasifika Affairs Officer. To nominate yourself come along to the SGM. Find out more on www.ausm.org.nz
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by Sophie Putze
Favourites News Feed Messages Other Events Lists Groups Apps More
To
Message
Mark Zuckerberg
Dear Mark, Recently Facebook has undergone a significant number of changes. Then again, when are you not modifying your social network? With the launch of the new ‘timeline’ and profile concepts, these changes have seen a mash of features from the best of the internet, namely Tumblr, Twitter and Google +. These features undoubtedly have been stolen conveniently for your site. Quite hypocritical really, given the speculation that ‘The Facebook’ (Facebook’s former title) may have not been an original concept of yours to begin with. There is a reason all these sites are used separately. Firstly, there is the differentiation with the variation of features that each is able to offer us. Moreover, each serves a different purpose. I for one do not wish to share the same content that my Tumblr followers will see with the Facebook world for instance. Also as you initially stressed, Facebook was to reconnect with “friends.” Since when did the definition of friends come to include complete strangers? The new box, or ‘ticker’ as it is being dubbed, outlines everyone within your friends’ lists moves, whether they’re aware of this is another matter entirely. To use a hypothetical example, Bob might write on his Aunt Martha’s wall, which will no longer be a relatively private interaction. Both his and Martha’s friends will now be able to see this in its entirety. Now arguably if people want to have a completely private conversation they could message one another, but to utilise this all the time is just inconvenient. The question of whether business activity is moral is an ongoing dilemma amongst society. My two concerns are as follows. Firstly, there is a well known quotation from Pablo Picasso which reads: “Good artists borrow, great artists steal” which could no doubt be used in Facebook’s defence. However, is acknowledging that it is ok to steal and detract from being a differential business okay? All businesses need to have points of difference, regardless of their stage in the business world. Is Facebook a dying business? Secondly, it seems baffling that privacy, which is arguably a basic human entitlement, should be abolished as easily as it is by your organisation! Encouraging unethical activity and aiding the vulnerability of individuals as a result of their increased exposure through Facebook is disgusting. There is a fine line between keeping in touch and stalking. Be original or endure a dying race, marked by the ‘deactivate’ button. Sincerely, A disgruntled social networker.
Send
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Cancel
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convince you that Disney was not a racist, I’m going to look like a fool. You only have to look at the original Disney gang to see that he totally promoted white supremacy. Mickey Mouse and the boy Thursday is a book that complies with almost every offensive preconception of Africa lurking in the American subconscious, and Mickey tries to teach Thursday (an African who he receives in the mail) how to be a ‘human’. Perhaps the best example though is the movie Dumbo. The black crows in this movie are incredibly controversial, with one even named Jim Crowe (a reference to the racial segregation Jim Crow laws in American from the late 19th to mid 20th century). The crows are specifically depicted as uneducated and poor and are experts on all things ‘fly’. Again a possible reference to the society Disney was living in, but shouldn’t he have been trying to push for change instead of using racism for comedic means? There are countless other examples; The ideal of every relationship today. However, in criticising Disney, I have Aladdin, The Jungle Book and The Aristocats to name a few, and while to cut him some slack. Number one, again they are a reflection of the times Disney didn’t actually write half of Disney lived in, it still hasn’t changed his stories, the classics of Cinderella, since his death. Can anyone name an Sleeping Beauty (only a kiss can save a ethical role that isn’t conditioned by damsel in distress? Give me a break!), stereotypes and negative connotations? Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (because not being beautiful is a motive Even entering the 21st century, horizons are broadening, but it is in for murder) are all taken from Three no way the equality that we need to be Brother Grimm and Hans Christian seeing in our children’s films. Anderson fairytales. So Walt Disney, yes you were Also look at the society Disney most definitely racist. And women’s created his movies in. It was a time liberation definitely wasn’t on the top period riddled with gender issues and of your to do list. But does this mean suppression of women; he was just we should stop future generations from representing the morals of the time. experiencing the magic of your world? We can’t condemn only him for that, Definitely not. What is the alternative, can we? And finally, although his female characters might be submissive, a life with no imagination and thrill? No thank you. You will never crush my at least the main characters are females. The males are just sub stories dream of being a Disney princess, but maybe it needs to be adjusted to suit to their plots. So I’m sticking up for an equal society. But then again it is a Disney on this one. Sexist? I vote no. world of singing animals and faraway But on the other hand, if I try and
e is entering children’s minds and creating their dreams. He is the last thing that tucks them in at night and the person that educates them at the most crucial point of their lives. His name is Walt Disney, and while he may be our children’s hero, we must question why. This is a man that has been criticised as depicting racism and sexism in his classics, with strong evidence to suggest that he was a Nazi by Hazel Buckingham supporter. However, I refuse to believe that this champion of my childhood, who fostered my dreams of being a princess, can be capable of such hatred. So let’s put his classic cartoons under the microscope and discover whether the man who basically created my childhood is really a sexist, racist pig? Firstly concentrating on gender, let’s take a look at my all time favourite; Cinderella. Now if you are a girl reading this, if you tell me you never dreamed of going to the ball to dance with a prince then you’re lying. But surely
we can’t actually want the life of Cinderella? Cooking and cleaning your life away until a magical fairy and a man change your life into everything you ever wanted? Sounds legit. Then you’ve got little mermaid Ariel. The girl who gives up everything – her home, her family and her beautiful singing voice – for her man. Her man?! You mean someone she barely knows; she decides because he lives a different life to her she must sacrifice her life. Definitely a role model for girls today, don’t you agree? And finally, Belle, from Beauty and the Beast. Now let’s ignore the references to bestiality and Stockholm Syndrome for just a minute and concentrate on the fact that Belle actually does something for the women of Disney. SHE READS! However this doesn’t stop her from being taken captive by the Beast, abused and yet trying to please him.
15.
by Hazel Buckingham The execution of Troy Davis on September 21, 2011 has been hailed a miscarriage of justice and another illustration of racial discrimination in the southern state of Georgia. Davis was convicted of murder with an aggravating factor in 1991 and sentenced to the death penalty. Several pleas of innocence were made throughout his 20 year fight for freedom, not only from Davis but also Amnesty, NAACP, and several figures of authority. Davis was granted four stays on his execution and new dates were set each time, in light of new evidence appearing. Davis remained confident of his innocence until his last dying breath and has now become a symbol for global efforts to end the death penalty. So was it right to execute a man who could possibly have been innocent? How is it possible that an innocent man could end up on death row? And is it right to execute him at all, or was this just an act of revenge rather than justice? To answer these questions, let us play a little game of spot the difference:
Troy Davis
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Samuel David Crowe
Alright. So on the left is Troy Davis from the state of Georgia. Davis was accused of fatally shooting an off-duty police officer and convicted on the basis of eyewitnesses’ testimonies. However, recently seven out of nine of those eyewitnesses have signed affidavits recanting some or all of their testimonies. Their reasons have been varied, but a common theme has been pressure from the police force threatening jail or conviction. A weapon was never found and there was no physical evidence linking Davis to the crime. Davis consistently maintained his innocence. He made several appeals for clemency but was executed. On the right, is Samuel David Crowe from the state of Georgia. Crowe was accused of killing a former co-worker. He shot his victim, hit him with a paint can, poured paint on his face and beat him with a crowbar. Crowe confessed to his crime, pleaded guilty and admitted remorse. Crowe was sentenced to execution, but was granted clemency hours before his execution. He is now serving a life sentence.
this instance has demonstrated that the death penalty is too great a power to be put in the hands of humans, as we are prone to bias and error. Examples are shown of the several innocent I need hardly point out to you what showed that the death penalty is more people who have been executed and is staring us right in the face. The main likely sought by prosecutors in Georgia exonerated years after their death. difference between these two men The United States has taken it a when the race of the defendant is and the way they were treated by the African American. The problem here is step too far. They cannot play God in justice system in Georgia is their race. found in the deep racial disturbances of such instances as the Troy Davis case You hardly need to be reminded of the the American justice system, primarily because their history allows nothing prejudice of the south, which is littered in the south. but bias from them. There is now an by a history of racism and slavery, ideas overwhelming growth of support for The issue is not the death penalty which still heavily remain evident opposition to the death penalty and itself. It is a punishment dealt out to today. If the simple racist ideological I have to say, I’m jumping on that only the most seriousness of crimes. mindset of the south and the bandwagon. The problem is not with If you are prepared to kill somebody, comparison between these two trials is you should be prepared to suffer the the punishment, it’s with the people. not enough to convince you of possible consequences of your actions. An eye And humans just aren’t cut out to make bias towards Davis during his trial, for an eye, they say. However the crisis decisions of this kind. Justice for Troy then take a look at the figures: African is in the representation of people who Davis will be found. And when it is, I Americans make up over 42 per cent wonder if Americans will be so happy are on trial for the death penalty. It of people on death row in Georgia, yet sadly looks like something that will to use the same punishment they used they make up a mere five per cent of never be fixed. The state of Georgia in on him for the perpetrators of racism the population. A recent survey in 2007 and discrimination? debatefrightnight_half page_version2.pdf
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19/09/11
9:12 AM
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by Alisha Lewis
Jamey Rodemeyer was a normal, American teenage boy. He had brown hair, liked camping and loved music. The only thing that made Jamey different was that he was gay. For many of Jamey’s classmates though, this made all the difference. From beneath a blanket of ignorance and homophobia, Jamey was attacked for the simple crime of being who he was. They called him names, posted relentless vicious comments online and, eventually, bullied him to death. For the last of his 14 years, Jamey woke up every day to a lesser life than he deserved. Yet every day he proved what a strong spirit he had. Jamey didn’t hide his sexuality; he did not act embarrassed about it. He even reached out to other gay teens in similar situations, posting an ‘it gets better’ video on YouTube. It was a hopeful video of inspiration and kindness, the message as much a promise to himself as it was to others.
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But although he kept on smiling and loving and being himself, it didn’t get better for Jamey. His last days were peppered with warnings posted on his blog and social networking accounts. “I always say how bullied I am but no one listens,” he wrote on September 9. “What do I have to do to so people will listen to me?” He also put up another post that day, letting everyone know it was national Suicide Prevention Week. Still, no one listened. Less than 10 days later, Jamey was found dead by his parents after an apparent suicide. Jamey’s death has struck a chord with millions of people around the world, forcing us all to re-evaluate issues surrounding high-school bullying – particularly against gay teens. Because despite how liberal and open minded we like to think society has become, the fact remains: nobody listened and a boy died.
And what’s shameful is not just that no one listened, but that no one listened even when he was shouting out for help. Despite all the Facebook comments, detailed recounts of bullying on his blog and the number of times he was called that terrible ‘F’ word by his peers, Jamey never got the help he desperately needed. Gay bullying and homophobic behaviour in schools – particularly in the United States, which clings to pillars of traditionalism and conservatism – is a devastating problem. Although Jamey’s case has been brought forward as an example, it is by no means an isolated incident. A year ago, another gay student made headlines when he committed suicide under similar circumstances. Tyler Clementi, a student at Rutgers University, jumped to his death from a bridge after his roommate secretly
video streamed his sexual encounter with another man in their room. Like Jamey Rodemeyer, 18-year-old Tyler was just like any other teenager. Although he was gay he was so many other things as well – a talented musician, a kind friend, a beloved son and an excited student only three weeks into his first year of university. Yet his sexuality was the thing that was picked up on and made to define him. It was the reason Tyler was humiliated and had his privacy violated
Lady Gaga, who encourages fans to embrace their sexuality, has just taken her advocacy for understanding a step further by encouraging US President Barack Obama to end bullying. The Born this Way singer waived her usual fee when she attended an exclusive Obama-fundraising event last Sunday. She pleaded with the president to do something about schoolyard discrimination, referencing Jamey Rodemeyer and reading a letter from a fan about another bullying victim.
are more than twice as likely to be prone to suicide. Considering how little education or guidance children are given on how to treat and accept LGBT peers, these findings aren’t shocking. They’re just sad. Because being gay is not what puts a person at higher risk, it is the victimisation of gay students that does it. In other words, it is the actions of others. Anderson Cooper has created a Facebook campaign titled ‘Stop
in such a public way. Jamey Rodemeyer’s death came just days before the anniversary of Tyler’s; two boys, two completely unnecessary losses of life. This is what it’s taken for people to finally realise that we can’t let this happen- that we need to learn from these terrible tragedies. Although it’s too late to help Jamey and Tyler, it’s not too late to reach out to the millions of LGBT students who are currently at the receiving end of hatred, cruelty and misunderstanding. Lady Gaga, Jamey’s ultimate idol and advocate for the LGBT community, dedicated a recent concert performance to the fallen 14-year-old: “Jamey, I know you’re looking down on us and you’re not a victim, you’re a lesson to all of us.” It’s true that Jamey is – and must be – a lesson to us all. But he was also a victim, he was persecuted and in the end he simply couldn’t rise above it.
CNN’s Anderson Cooper has also been personally moved by Jamey’s death. He spoke out against gay bullying on his show AC360, calling the torment “heartbreaking to imagine” and replaying Jamey’s YouTube video submission to the ‘It Gets Better’ project. Cooper also called out Kentucky lawmaker Mike Harmon as well as other anti-gay activists who have brushed off concerns around bullying and have actually opposed antibullying/anti-prejudice movements. What was most pertinent though was when Cooper pointed out the fact that gay slurs seem to be “the one derogatory term that teachers still kind of accept or just ignore”. “I mean, if someone was using the ‘N’ word, they would be hauled in front of the principal’s office or talked to, but someone calling, you know, the ‘F’ word, they get a pass,” he said. Research has found that gay youth
bullying – speak up’ which allows people to ‘pledge’ to speak up. It’s a start, but it’s not solving the problem. It’s going to be hard to stamp out bullying until we manage to stamp out hate. Until then, we need to become better listeners. We need to teach the next generations a better way. We need to learn from people like Jamey Rodemeyer and Tyler Clementi. One of Jamey’s final posts on Facebook was a chilling reminder of what we all need to do, especially when we get caught up in our own lives. It was a lyric from a Lady Gaga song: “Don’t forget me when I come crying to heaven’s door.” So for Jamey, and all the others out there, let’s not forget.
19.
by Sebastian Mackay
I
t doesn’t take a lot to realise the New Zealand government gets it easy from the media. In fact, when you open the Herald the first five pages are sport related. As for Stuff.co.nz, I realised today that the politics section is relegated to the far corners of the internet. Without actively searching for the politics section, the only symbol of its existence is the lone title “Labour blunders on ‘fixit’ bill-govt” which is under the national section, under the headlines “Jersey Shore can’t get a break” and “Will Kindle fire start a tablet war?”. By the time this is edited, published and distributed, there will be only 54 days until the election is upon us and we, as nation, get to decide if National will stay or go and perhaps more importantly, if MMP will survive the referendum. After the TVNZ bailout earlier this year, it begs the question of which side of the election the state-owned media
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will take. Will they be critical towards National or will they be flattering? Will Labour see the limelight or will they not? There is no doubt that what happens within TVNZ due to this and other contributing factors (fulfilling its number one priority of creating a dividend) will have an effect on the vote of the general populous. New Zealand’s political apathy could eventually lead to its political downfall. According to an elections.org 2008 media release, up to 110,000 of eligible voters aged 18-24 are yet to enrol. This election year has seen political parties move on those statistics and in the case of ACT and Labour, lowering their sights to policies that affect the students and young people of New Zealand. Labour’s initiative is to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour, manage the cost of living and promise a policy to increase youth (defined by Labour as those under 20)
skills. As for ACT, Don Brash’s comments on the decriminalisation of marijuana are clearly those of populist policies. Although it is not ACT policy and has caused a rift in the ACT caucus, populist policies seem to be a recurring theme in this year’s election. National can’t be left out from this, their populist policies, much like Labour’s with the political left, affect those on the political right. The tax cuts introduced by National increased the amount in of money in the pockets of the lowest income band by approximately $10 a week, while those same tax cuts increased the amount of money gained by the top band of income earners by upwards of $100 per week (approximately). Interestingly enough, the partial asset sales introduced by the National government also assist the top band of income earners, increasing the
By the time this is edited, published and distributed, there will be only 54 days until the election is upon us and we, as nation, get to decide if National will stay or go and perhaps more importantly, if MMP will survive the referendum.
amount they receive each week and with capital gains, allowing them to avoid portions of tax entirely. Here is how; an asset is partially sold, say 40 per cent of the company shares. If these shares are purchased by a New Zealander or an overseas buyer, then in future, when these shares are sold onto another conglomerate or back to the government the seller of the shares does not pay any tax on the income gained after the sale. The example of Trade Me shows this. Trade Me sold for $700 million. The money made from the sale, less fees, was not taxed; an interesting concept, when the measly amount of a student allowance is taxed nearly $30 dollars, dropping it to a weekly living rate of approximately $160. Depending entirely on where you place yourself on the political spectrum, the populist polices of either of or all parties will affect you in an array of different ways.
The election is on November 26 and already the policy race is well underway. Save the populist polices I mentioned above, Labour have taken an interesting stance on the move toward equality. One of Labour’s policies focuses entirely on women and ensuring they succeed and thrive within the work place. The policy first acknowledges that women earn less than men in the work place and are still underrepresented within workplace leadership roles, then vows to amend the equality issue, through parental leave pay and flexible working conditions among other sections of the overriding policy. National, on the other hand, are promoting building brighter futures for older New Zealanders through having already increased the superannuation for married couples by $166 a fortnight. Key has sworn to keep the superannuation at 66 per cent of the
average wage, stating he’ll resign if that ceases to be the case. Two different sets of policies and two different potential governments, where taxation polices and polices surrounding the equality of women and the elderly are going to be important in the coming election. With so much on the line, socially and economically, it is surprising that politics in the countdown to the election has to compete with the tabloid headlines of the news media. The political future of this country is a victim of the media storm, drowning in Jersey shore and burning in Kindle fires, soon to be crucified by articles on a Ukrainian dumpling eating contest. It will shortly rise again and demand the minds of the uninformed apathetic for only one day to choose the direction of a nation for the following three years – and then three years later, the cycle will begin again.
21.
digital design
When Oleg Efimov says that digital design is his passion, he means it. Why else would he, after five years of studying in Russia and a successful career in graphic design, come to New Zealand to do a three year digital design degree in 3D arts, simply because it wasn’t offered in his country?
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The 25-year-old isn’t like other students. He won’t leave assignments to the last minute; if it’s something he’s interested in, he’ll spend every waking moment perfecting it. Case in point: over the past two years, Oleg has been working on a new facial recognition technology, which will hopefully make face markers – which they currently use in the film industry – obsolete. It’s not the type of project a student would normally do. In fact, the reason he chose 3D facial animation was because of the difficulty involved and the lack of realism success it has had in the past – even with the top animation companies. “Even Avatar – they made the skin blue so it would not relate them as humans. If they were do them as humans, we’d be like ‘nah, it’s not human’.
“Nobody goes into facial because the set ups and the results that they come up with are not always convincing. That’s why I chose it, because it’s a challenge and I saw it possible in my head. It just clicked,” Oleg explains. The process isn’t simple – but after five minutes with Oleg, I know simple isn’t his style. He has to take a reference of the human head, which involved taking photographs of the head from every angle. “Ideally, what they do in the industry is scan the head with 3D scanning but it’s really expensive,” Oleg explains. Then he sculpts the head in a sculpture program and puts all the textures, colours and reflections on. Then he separately records the performance of the actor on a camera and sends them to a leading facial animation company in California Image Metrics - to process the video.
“You don’t need to put any markers on your face; you just record the video and it’s just the algorithms and analysing the video. Then you’ve got the data that you can assign and have the appearance being driven by the capture of the performance.” Like all things he’s passionate about, he wanted to get started as soon as possible. So while he was back in Russia for the holidays, he took photo references of a friend of his. Then, when he was back on New Zealand soil, he recorded the performance with a New Zealand actor. “I’m not the kind of guy who holidays, you know. I’d rather spend time [on projects] so at the end of uni I have a more sophisticated project rather than just coming up with whatever.” Sacrifices include spending most nights at in the computer lab at uni, sleeping on the couches when he wasn’t working. “I’ve pretty much had no life in three years,” he admits. “This is not just my parents pushing me to get an education. Most of the people are like ‘oh, I’ve got to make an assignment’, you know? This is my passion.” Professionalism is very important to him – he doesn’t treat this project as a university assignment that he hopes he’ll get it a good grade in. He wants to show the industry, both here in New Zealand and worldwide, what he can do. “We see all these images like films, games, animations or whatever but we can’t do it because the environment is not competitive enough and it’s not commercialised. So yeah, I just aim to achieve something that I can show and be snapped [up] by the people who understand these things.”
It seems like Oleg and his technology aren’t going to have any trouble getting “snapped up”. Three days after I met with him, he flew down with his tutor, John Piper, to meet with people at Weta Workshop. “I think in this industry everyone wants to work for Weta. But for me, I’m asking myself “do I want to work for Weta?”. And yeah, I certainly do. There are images like Avatar and Lord of the Rings, but not because of that, but because of the potential that I’ve put into this thing. I just expect the results and I see it happening, I see that I get to meet people that are more advanced in this thing and I’m just getting excited about this thing.” For now, he’s weighing up his options. But one thing’s for certain, he won’t be returning to Russia any time soon.
“In Russia you would probably use about 30 per cent of the things that I’ve learnt, so it would be like ‘oh, I can do facial animation’ and nobody wants it. It’s just a different type of climate.” He’s even looking into postgraduate studies, where he would look at not only facial movement, but all aspects of the face – skin tissue, face muscles and anatomy. Like I said, simple is not in Oleg’s vocabulary.
23.
graphic design
It’s clear from first meeting with Meisha Graham that she lives and breathes graphic design. When I show up for our interview at a café, she’s typing away on her laptop, while a portfolio of her work sits beside her. She admits her love of design started at a young age; her mum used to be an interior designer, so she was always surrounded by her projects. Even at primary school, she was typing up her homework with different fonts or drawing borders and handwritten titles in all of her books. These days, not much has changed. She may not be using Microsoft word art anymore, but she’s got a slight obsession with type: “I just like the way you don’t have to have a picture on something, you can just make something out of type.” I sat down with the third year graphic design student to talk with her about working in a visual-based degree, where she finds inspiration and the Best Awards, of which she is the first AUT undergraduate to be selected as a finalist.
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So, for those who don’t know much about graphic design, what is the big focus on your projects? I think it’s different for every little group. The tutors have a lot of different focuses. I know my tutor, he has a lot of focus on publication design and type so a lot of really formal graphic design in the qualities and not a lot of illustration or photography. What was your last project? It’s kind of been chopping and changing but it started off as an idea for a graphic design café. It’s like a hypothetical café; I’ve been making a manifesto, but it’s kind of directed more towards creative environments and public spaces. So I’ve got a lot of work to do but I’m just at the moment
focusing on wall graphics and making a creative space. You can’t really leave your assignments to the last minute, so how much work goes into an assignment on average? It just depends on what the project is. At the moment I’m trying to get stuff done every day. You can’t leave it until the last minute. Even, it feels like we’ve probably got a month left, and even now it kind of feels like it’s last minute. I know I feel guilty if I’m not doing something. What type of creative outlets do you regularly visit for inspiration? I used to really like Pro Design [magazine] but that’s gone now. IDM. Sometimes Urbis, but that’s a lot more spatial design, which I’m kind of into as well, in terms of graphics and spaces and stuff. Then other blogs… tumblr and just search ‘type’ – I’m really into type – all sorts of things. Also, events, like We Can Create [design conference]. I went to Melbourne earlier in the year for agIdeas, so you kind of find out people from there and you’re always searching their work and stuff. You were chosen as a finalist for the Best Awards? What are the Best Awards? There are four different categories. There’s graphics, which I entered into, there’s spatial, interactive or [product]. Basically it’s any kind of design project. You just enter in a brief description of the work was about and who was in your team and some photos of it and they have some well-known people in the industry judge it. All the big agencies enter into it – obviously the professional side of it – but it’s well recognised. If you’ve got a Best award… it’s kind of up there… Being a student in it is quite a good achievement, apparently.
STATISTICAL JOURNEY OF HOLIDAY PURCHASES SPENDING RECORDED OVER EIGHT DAYS
SECTIONS
PURCHASE CATEGORIES TRAVEL
CLOTHING
20mm = 1 hour. Centre of circle pinpoints time of purchase.
The section proportion represents purchase amount on each day in relation
DRINK
ENTERTAINMENT
TRAVEL CARD
Size of individual circle represents proportion of spend on that purchase.
to total holiday spend. Total = $1649.80
FOOD
GIFT
VISA
$1
CASH
MISCELLANEOUS
What was your entry? The brief was to collect any sort of data over a certain period of time and then translate that data into a big format poster and then make a book about how to read the poster or the background to it and stuff. So on that trip I was talking about earlier, to Melbourne, I decided to record my spending for eight days. So everything I spent and the type of money I used, how much was on each purchase or what time of day, I recorded all these details – I was a bit manic about it – and then I created a poster and it just mapped out the spending and the colours represented different categories.
7+3 = $10
8pt
excerpt from "The tiPping Point" by malcom GlAdw eLl.
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sTart ManufactUring athL etic sho eS aimed At hardcore SkAteboarders, they ca Lled ThE
Once you’ve finished your degree, what area do you hope to get into? I’m not exactly sure. I really like the work I’m doing at the moment, like type and publication design and stuff like that, so possibly within a magazine environment. But there’s some really cool design studios around Auckland that I’d really like to get into, but I know they’ll be really competitive to get into, because there’s so many good graduates as well that will be coming out. So I think it’s just a matter of putting yourself out there and doing an internship or unpaid work for a while or doing freelance work and your own projects on the side.
company Airwalk . airwa Lk waS based outSide SAN dieGo and rooted iN The teEnaGe beach-and-skatE cuLtUre of thE reGioN .
12pt
excerpt from "The tiPping Point" by malcom GlAd WeLl. ...in the begiNninG , the Firm Made A canvAS shoE in
wiLd colors and PriNts that became a k ind of AlternatiVE Fashion sTatemEnt. They also made a technical skate ShoE
in suedE, with a Thick sole and A heaVily cushioned uPpEr UpPer that at least At firsT was almost AS stiFf as ThE
SkateboArd itself. but thE SkAters bEcAMe So devoted To the
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developed a cult foLloWinG at thE SkATe EveNts, and aFTer A feW years had bUiLt uP a comfortable $13 millioN-a-y EAr bUSiNEsS.
18pt
excerpt from "The tiPping
Point" by malcom GlAdw eLl.
...companies can coNtinUE at
PLE sAm y bod . Text
ThAt leveL indefiNitely, iN a state of loW-
lEVel equilibriUm, serVing a smAlL but loya L A udience. bUT thE owNers oF airWAlk wAnTEd more. ThEy wanted to build
themsElVes iNTo an iNternatioNAl brAnd, aNd in the Early 1990s They chAnGed
coUrSe. thEy reorganized Their bUsin ESs
operatioN s. they redEsiGned ThEir shoES. They expandEd their Focus To iNcludE
Not jUst SkateboArdiNg but also surfinG ,
snowboarding , mouNtain bik iNG and bicycle racing , sponsorinG ridErS in a Ll of those
sPorts and Mak ing Airwalk SynoNymous wiTh the active, altErnative liFESty LE.
24pt
excerpt from
"The tiPping Point" by malcom GlAd WeLl.
...they embarked on aN AgresSive graSsrootS
campAiGn to meEt the buyers for youth-orientEd sho e Stores. They persuaded
fooTlock Er To try TheM oUt oN an eXperiMentAl baSis.
36pt excerpt from "The tiPping Point" by malcom GlAd WeLl. thEy work Ed to Get alterNAtiVE rock bAndS To wEar thEir sho eS oN StaGE ANd, PerhAps moSt iMporTant, They decidEd to hir E a smAlL advertising ...
25.
advertising
Thanks to Hollywood, all my experiences with behind-thescenes advertising takes place in the 60s with Jon Hamm. So it was refreshing to sit down with Cassi Crawford and Jess Roberts, two third year Communications students doing advertising, to talk about the ideas-based profession in the 21st century.
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The two were put forward by their tutor as two of the brightest in their year – a fact they both couldn’t believe – so it’s surprising that up until the end of last year, advertising wasn’t in either of their career paths. Before Jess, 30, came to AUT, she owned her own business breaking in horses. But hearing her younger sister’s experiences with the degree – although she majored in radio – Jess decided to give it a go. After tossing up between journalism and advertising, the latter won her over with the creative side. And Cassi, 21, did art, music and drama in high school, but didn’t come to AUT with dreams of being headhunted by Saatchi & Saatchi. Watching them talk over coffee, they definitely show their roles in the ad partnership. They’ve been working together since second year, back when
they were still deciding which major to take. Jess, the duo’s copywriter, answers almost all the questions first, with lots of details. Meanwhile Cassi, who is responsible for the art direction on all their ads, uses big hand gestures to explain her stories. Together, they finish each other’s sentences and remember each other’s stories. And don’t even mention the term “virtual sausage” – it will send them both into fits of giggles. This cheery approach is a stark contrast to the atmosphere I had in mind for advertising duos, but the two have different views on the industry than some of their “young gun” classmates. “I have a bit of a cynical thing about advertising. I’m quite up and down on it, morally,” Jess admits. One of their favourite projects for
the year was for a beauty website that launched during fashion week. Both weren’t initially keen, but used their dislike of the makeup industry in their execution. The result? Posters (one pictured) that took not-so-subtle jabs at makeup salespeople. “You know when you go in and you just ask for one thing and they give you a whole barrage and tell you everything that’s wrong with your skin? You go out feeling really shit about yourself.” The other ad pictured by the duo is a clever play on words from a story in the New Zealand Herald earlier in the year, where a boy in China sold his kidney for an iPad 2. But despite their final ads being clever and witty, they’re quick to point out that they are often the result of hours of stress, break downs and tears. “You can’t make yourself have an idea. It’s what scared me because when I first started I was like, ‘oh wow, I’m so creative I’ll just be full of ideas’. Sometimes you’re just not,” Jess says. One particular case of this happening this year involves that mysterious “virtual sausage” phrase. They were given a choice to do an ad for either The Salvation Army, Guthrie Bowron or Vaseline. Wanting to pick the brief with the best morals, they chose Salvation Army, but after days, they couldn’t come up with anything. “We took our stuff to show Dave [Brown] and Paul [White] and they sat there for five minutes not saying anything,” Cassi says. “You could see they were trying to find something cool to say without making us feel like shit,” Jess adds. “Then we were like ‘let’s have a virtual online sausage sizzle’. You can click on the sausage that you want, print it out and hang it on the Christmas tree – because it was a Christmas appeal for the Salvation Army. Oh yeah, and if the
sausage was left frying for too long and it got burnt you could donate. It was like a multicampaign,” Jess explains, before bursting out with laughter. “Our ultimate fails become our ultimate jokes and it’s always really good because when you’re really down, and you’re like, ‘we can’t think of anything’, we just think virtual sausage sizzle,” says Cassi. Other times, ideas strike at the weirdest of moments, like just before they’re watching TV or just about to go to sleep. One time Cassi was in a car when inspiration struck and with no paper nearby, she just starting writing on her arms and legs. But despite their obvious creativity, they still have no idea what they’re
going to do when graduation rolls around in two months time. The two joke about being snapped up by a big agency, where the work day starts at 11am and the pay starts in the millions, but the reality is much starker. Most graduates struggle to get work after uni, and those who do have to work for free for at least three months. But they’re not letting that faze them at this stage. “It’s almost like a day at a time pretty much,” Cassi says. “You have to try and not think ahead because you’ll freak out.” At least they have the virtual sausage campaign to fall back on.
27.
digital media
Carl Naysmith’s talent for digital media wasn’t discovered straight out of high school. In fact, the 38-year-old has travelled down several other career paths before deciding to come to AUT. In 2004, he was a project coordinator for a communications company – and was miserable. So he quit and talked his way into a one year digital media diploma, which saw him land a job doing website design for a software company only two weeks after finishing. After nine months of that, he was transferred to San Francisco, where he stayed for four years. Then he decided to see the world and when he came back, he found himself in the middle of a recession.
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“I was competing with 20 other people at that stage as well, trying to go for one little web maintenance job or something else. There were a lot of people looking for work at that stage.” He was losing out to jobs because he didn’t have the most up-to-date skills on his CV, so he decided to do a postgraduate diploma in digital media. My limited experience with digital media involves a six week course in my first year at communications and a hate-hate relationship with Flash. So I was surprised when Carl showed me all the projects he’s worked on in just eight months. He has done everything from shooting a movie trailer to creating an interactive game, to designing and building a courtyard for a game. He also defaced the Auckland Museum – in Photoshop.
“We had to do a photographic assignment, where we had to do a debate type thing. My one was graffiti versus art. There was a car park building… so I ended up just taking a separate photo of a frame and some lights and the wall itself and then saying that graffiti can be art. Then the other side of it, I ended up defacing the Auckland Museum. I ended up making it look really shitty.” But while he thought his knowledge in building and designing websites would help give him a slight edge in the classroom, not one assignment he’s received so far has been based around websites. “I’ve had to learn new technologies the whole time, the way to use them and then put something together that I’m happy with.” One such technology was Meyer, a 3D modelling programme that no one had ever experienced before. Carl admits that he spent almost every weekend in the labs trying to master the programme. While some would cringe at the thought of giving up their weekends to do study, Carl doesn’t have a problem with it. “I actually don’t mind doing that. It cuts into a couple of the personal things that you want to do, but it’s well worth it.” The next assignment Carl is working
of nights and then sit an exam, it’s just not going to work.” He admits he mucked around a bit in the first semester with deadlines, which just gave him added stress. Nowadays, he’s spending at least 40 hours outside of uni working on assignments. “And that’s just me doing research and mucking around, trying to tweak things. “It’s almost the same as a full time on is an interactive installation, which job.” will likely be shown at The Edge But despite all the work he puts Aotea Square gallery. “It has to be into the work – and the fact that his interactive… one of them is probably going to be sort of video capture; when lecturer put him forward as a top student – Carl says he isn’t always you move into a certain area between pleased with his end result. certain cameras it’s going to set off a “I’m not actually that happy with sound, so you can almost play like a virtual piano by walking up and down everything I’ve done; I always want to change it again anyway. As soon as in front of the cameras. Or maybe a light one, have beams of light shooting I finish I want to change something again or make it better.” up. Something simple enough that people are going to have fun with it but With so many different technologies it’s got to be simple enough to build in now under his belt, his CV is well and truly beefed up. But he’s still not too the six weeks.” sure what he’ll venture into next once Listening to his assignment, it’s he’s donned his cap and gown. clear that this isn’t a course that you “I guess I’ll see how it goes once I get can churn out work in a couple of all nighters. “It’s all practical work, so you out, so as long as I can get back into the industry that’s what I’m looking for.” can’t really leave it to the last minute and just do it, just cram over a couple
29.
makeup artist
Degree: Bachelor of Health Science – Psychology and Applied Mental Health (year three) While many of us are trying to balance university, jobs, relationships and some semblance of a social life, Asrita Singh has added several facets onto her already busy timetable. While studying her degree in mental health at AUT, she also volunteers at Youthline and gives her time freely to mentor trainees for help-line phone counselling. When she is not working as a clinical support worker or writing for New Zealand’s leading beauty website, Beauty Bible, Asrita is busy with her thriving makeup business, Asrita Singh Makeup (www. asritasingh.com). She creates magical makeup looks for editorials, photo shoots, working with designers such as Saben, Paris Texas and prestigious modelling agency, Red 11. The young and talented artist burst onto the fashion scene in 2010, winning the makeup category in New Zealand Fashion Week’s New Talent Competition, quite an achievement for someone who had only graduated from Samala Robinson Academy in 2008. Andrea Manahan sat down with the creative multi-tasker to gain an insight on the world of makeup, and its place in the fashion industry.
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You are currently studying, as well as progressing your makeup career – how did you get into the makeup industry? I’ve always had an interest in fashion and makeup. After deciding to take a small, but much needed break from academia, I chose to pursue a much more creative avenue. As I’ve always been fascinated by the fashion industry and wanted to broaden my knowledge as well as challenge myself, makeup artistry seemed like a natural choice to me. What are the main challenges in the makeup/ fashion industry you face? The New Zealand makeup industry is quite small compared to most places, and it can be hard for a new artist
to break into that circle and make their mark. Photographers and other creatives often have their ‘favourites’, with whom they have worked, and I find that it is very rare that photographer wants to try someone new. While I can completely understand that working with someone new would mean adjusting to each other’s style and hoping the chemistry is just right, this can often prove difficult for others who might have the skills but lack the opportunity to prove this. You have worked a lot with designers for their shows and photo shoots – how do you balance the client’s requirements, as well as maintaining your own style? When working on fashion shows or collaborating on a look book, designers often have their own idea of what they would like to see happen with the makeup. I’m able to work with these ideas in highlighting the main aspects of the look, while also working with minor details, which are small yet still significant in suggesting different things which might work better in achieving the final look, and still keeping in line with the desired concept. Each job, from weddings to photo shoots, would have its own pros and cons – which area do you feel you really feel like you can spread your wings in?
be different to how a client would imagine the look to be. What works really well in overcoming this dilemma, is having images of makeup you’d like the artist to emulate, and having a consultation around whether that look would suit your face structure, eye shape etc, and/or what feature of your face would you like to highlight from a certain makeup look. This also works well for the artist, because they’re able to give advice on what will work best and it prepares them for what you’re expecting the final result to look like, and there won’t be any surprises in store for either party. Fast-forward five years – where is Asrita Singh Makeup? I would be more established by now, having worked on some of the top New Zealand publications with known names. And have relocated to London or Paris and challenged myself with tackling a much bigger, bold and busier fashion capitals of the world. I foresee a life of glamour, hard work and success. I love the idea of owning my own little makeup boutique and would love to see this happen at some stage in Every makeup job that I’ve encountered the future. has led me to meet some incredibly amazing people, whether it was for a Your dream client and fashion shoot or providing a special location would be .... occasion make over for a client. I I have several dream clients but I’ll go enjoy working on photo shoots and with… Tyra Banks! For an episode of editorials, because while I’m given directions on what the makeup should America’s Next Top Model being filmed in my new residential location of look like, I’m still able to provide my Venice, Italy. Yes, that would definitely own input towards the concept in be a dream! achieving the final look. What would your advice be for your clients when choosing a makeup artist for a job, and as a makeup artist, what would you like to get from a client in order to better prepare yourself for a job? At times it can prove difficult trying to describe a certain look, as how a makeup artist might interpret it might
The three makeup items in my bag right now are... MAC fluidline, Diorshow Iconic Mascara, Lucas’ Papaw Ointment.
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fashion
by Heather Rutherford I still remember the moment I was told I had been accepted into the exchange programme for 2011/12. After an agonising two day wait for an email response, I was sitting in a restaurant in Herne Bay when I finally got the confirmation email. It was a big moment for me; I had decided two years earlier that more than anything, I wanted to go to Amsterdam to study fashion design. It was a long process. First apply, then wait, then do the necessary interviews, then wait. Finally apply for the necessary visas, save about $10,000, book your flights, finish all remaining university work in New Zealand, and finally you’re off!
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One of my good friends did a university exchange to France and came back a completely different person. Her photos were amazing, her stories were even better. If I could do just even a little bit of that I would be happy. But everyone’s exchange experience is different; it largely depends on a number of factors. For example, the most important factor is location. If you are going to go to Europe you are, without any doubt, going to have an amazing time, especially if you go to some of the southern European countries. Quite simply, you will never be bored. The real issue is finding the money and time to fit everything in that you want to do. This brings me to my next topic, the topic that seems to put most of us off: the funding issue. Everyone knows exchanges are expensive. And yes, they are. But when you think about your weekly rent (if you are renting) and your power bills and so forth, you’ll actually not be paying that much more for such things on exchange. It’s just a matter of being able to get the funding up front. Tickets are expensive, especially if you are going as far away as Europe, but when you think about the number of countries and time you could fit in while over here, it is actually quite good value for money. Ask your parents, ask your grandparents, work all summer holidays, or even get a loan. The exchange is such an amazing experience it will be worth every penny. The next issue is time management, which in my particular case, is quite an issue. I travelled around for four weeks before I settled down in
Amsterdam which was amazing, but on the other hand I now seem to have an appetite for travel and sitting still in Amsterdam doing university work has become just that much more harder. So if you are an effective time manager, hopefully you will be able to fit in many weekend excursions. If you are not a good time manager then you have to weigh up what is more important; study or European travel? One downside with all these facts considered, is that if you fail anything university related at your exchange school things can become quite sticky for you. For example, at the school I am studying at, if you fail (and it is likely; the course load and expectations are very high) you get one more chance to re-sit. And if you fail that as well, you have to come back the FOLLOWING YEAR to do it again. Which unless, you have a lot of money and heaps of spare time, you do not want to do. And of course there is the inevitable ‘culture shock’ which, even in European countries, can in fact be a bit of a shock. Things that used to be very simple, like getting a coffee on Sunday morning, become near impossible. Be prepared to not be able to read simple things like road signs or restaurant menus, and be prepared to be misinterpreted or misunderstood. But in all of that, doing a semester abroad is an absolutely amazing experience. In what other way could you de-contextualise yourself and your life so dramatically? It can get a bit tricky in patches but it is definitely something that will have a positive effect on your for the rest of your life. You will have some amazing experiences, meet some fascinating people, and see some amazing things.
On top of all of that a semester abroad does look really good on your CV. All the challenges you will face will grow you as a person and make for excellent stories to retell further down the line. If you decide to do the exchange and study abroad for a semester I can guarantee it will be one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of your life and you will never be the same after it! For more information go to http:// www.aut.ac.nz/being-a-student/ starting-out/international/studentexchange
dutch shoes
fellow exchange classmates
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His lips are shrivelled and dry. His red-rimmed eyes stare blankly at the projector screen, pupils as big as watermelons, but probably not quite that big. Let’s not get carried away, but they are pretty big, certainly. And that, kiddies, is your first lesson – the best way to spot a raver is simply that he looks fried out of his fucking mind, all fucking day. A raver is someone who raves. They are pill-popping rhythm rapists who live in
basements and attics. They will go to any lengths to receive an hourly dose of bass, upon which they are entirely dependent. Ravers are often jumpy and anti-social in daylight hours, and can be easily intimidated as they are frightened of any noise pitched above middle C while the sun is up. A raver’s activities tend to be limited to talking with other ravers, planning the evening to come on a borrowed mobile phone because theirs got smashed while they
by Brendan Kelly “But for my faith in God, I should have been a raving maniac.” -Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on why he never got into the raving scene “DOOFDOOFDOOFDOOFCHIKADUCHIKADUNBREEEEEEEEEEEGRBREEEEEGRDOOFDOOFDOOFDOOF.” -Raving on raving “Once you pop, you can’t stop!” - A nondescript raver on raving
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were pilled up, or tagging their fellow ravers in a Facebook photo of the posters for any upcoming gigs. This is to maximise the opportunity for their friends to invite girls, allowing the geared-up electroheads to pounce and spawn a new generation of Pale Dancers, a moniker by which they are often referred. The vernacular of the raver is not overly complicated. A truly hard-core raver will often speak in technical jargon, but thankfully this is usually restricted to adjectives which can be applied to the word ‘bass’. For example dirty, filthy, ill, super-ill, fucking ill, super-fucking-ill, monstering, deep, gnarly, graunchy, fucking graunchy, munching, crunching, craunching, funky, frunky, drilling, metallic, fucking, preaching, ovulating and grungulating are all words you will hear from a raver after a couple of years of repetitive beats and countless little blue pills: “Hey man, how was that rave last night?” “Bro – deadmau5 was blasting some fucking grungulating bass last night. Was graunchy.” Because of their extremely hectic night-life, ravers are often inactive during the day. For this reason, they tend to inhabit lairs close to town, so that when they decide to emerge they can pill up for the night and immediately begin raving again. This is commonly referred to as the ‘pop-n-go’ method. Like vampires, hydroponic
cannabis plants and Mother Teresa’s vagina, dedicated Pale Dancers are extremely proud of having never seen the sun, preferring instead to get all their vitamin C from orange Vodka Cruisers. Ravers eat lasers. This bizarre evolutionary feat means they never require sustenance outside the rave, and allows them to spend their money on better things, like clothes that will look super-fucking-ill under colourful lights. Unfortunately the levels of protein and other crucial nutrients in lasers and strobe lights are limited, giving ravers their distinctly gaunt, malnourished look. Thankfully, female ravers are totally into that, and can often be seen clinging onto whichever male is convenient. This is called the rave-effect, and is best observed at a distance unless you are willing to risk life-threatening venereal disease, to which ravers have become entirely immune from prolonged exposure. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the Pale Dancer is his interaction with non-ravers. Although he will happily befriend and converse with those not of his kind, the raver knows that such a relationship can never last. For a while, he will be perfectly happy to chat about any upcoming events. Any posters for said events are prime conversation topics; they will definitely have seen the posters, and odds are they will know the DJ and have his phone number and can get you on the door, honest bro. They will give you their phone number and immediately
forget they have done so. When you text them they will be confused as to who you are, assuming you are somebody called Jared. Next time they see you they will call you Jared. Nobody will ever know why. Once the phone number has been given, the raver, torn by conflicting desires, will close the conversation erratically, like a record abruptly pulled to a halt; the Pale Dancer will flee blindly down the street, nose running with blue powder, and retreat back to his darkened lair of the sub-octaves. Numerous academic theories have been formulated around the subject, including the possibility that the combination of MDMA, loud repetitive music and eating nothing but green lasers may in fact cause insanity. This has never been verified, but if you ever observe a rave with your fingers in your ears, odds are it won’t take too much convincing. To be fair to the humble raver, however, they are a friendly bunch. The raver has but simple needs – a dancefloor, some fly bitches, some grungy motherfucking bass and whatever he can cram up his nose to get him through the night. So if you see one of the rare Pale Dancers emerge from his den of dance, don’t be afraid to approach him with an orange Vodka Cruiser and your thoughts on the latest poster for Deep Hard and Funky/ Slow Sweet and Nasty/Live Long and Prosper/Keep Calm and Carry On. He will hook you up with the phone number of every DJ, bartender, and stripper in town. Just don’t expect him to ever text you back.
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by Nicole Brown
columns
The Invasion of Technology
hear it now: “you can’t take my laptop off me, I have rights you know!” Although, it’s safe to say these aren’t really the main problems that has come with technology in the 21st century. fter wading through all the riveting readings for class Technology is now so accessible due to cost and means, this week, I finally sat down and cradled To Kill a that children as young as 11 have an android phone with Mockingbird, a book I’ve long awaited reading. I wouldn’t say internet access. This not only creates social barriers but I’m the ‘books consume my life’ type, although I think it’s increases the accessibility for child abusers and bullying safe to say that Harry Potter is an exclusion to this; everyone to occur. The home computer is no longer in the lounge wanted to cast an “Expecto Pantronum” in their childhood where parents have some control or influence over their days. child’s internet actions; they are now accessing social I was getting pretty into it until I heard my mum state in networking sites from laptops, iPods and phones anywhere an extremely exasperated manner, that she needed more they like. Not to say that accessibility doesn’t have its “coins!”. On looking up to establish the origin of her life advantages, but I do believe that education of future or death situation, I noticed that everyone in my lounge generations is crucial to the safety of its usage (can you tell (1x brother, 1x sister and 1x boyfriend and frenzied mum) I’m an education student yet?). were all attending to their technological needs via Mac. Another prominent issue that you may have experienced Steve Jobs would have cried a tear of happiness at the sight. being an AUT student – and this is not a dig at my lecturers, This got me thinking about how involved not only our if you’re reading this then obviously this excludes you – is generation is in technology, but generations before – and that despite the keyword represented by the ‘T’, there are even worse, to come. frequent reliability issues when it comes to running power When it comes to texting, the sad part is that it doesn’t points or other media presentations in lectures. If this matter if the uni students of today are successful in technology you speak of is so great, then why can’t our I.T. spelling ‘because’ properly, the fact is that these young specialists operate it smoothly? Not enough T.L.C. on their ones are either too lazy or too stupid to use predictive text behalf or just a major lack of user-friendliness? messaging. The eventuality is that we’ll still be deciphering Regardless of my rant, I am actually very pro-technology. our kids’ texts – if that is still a functional form of future This doesn’t mean to say that we can’t all do a bit of communication – hours after they’ve been to that house background: know what privacy settings to have on party. Facebook so prospective employers don’t raid your drinking If you didn’t already know, you may soon have a human photos, get technologically literate so you don’t rant about right that grants you access to the internet. This has ‘how it was in our day’ and make sure we actually spend been backed by the UN Administrative Committee on time socialising with your ‘friends’ in the real world, even if Coordination and is a current law in countries such as they have ‘unfriended you’. Estonia, Spain, Greece, France and Finland. You can just If you are unsure how to go about this – Google it.
A
by Joshua Martin
joshua journey
I
t’s had always been a weakness of mine – caring what other people think. It’s not just about the normal caring, like what do you think of me or the way I look, but also trivial matters like is my voice deep enough or am I eating my pie properly?. You think that when you get older, it’ll just magically resolve itself and you’ll finally be free from the confines of insecurity. This isn’t true. Unless you make practical decisions to move yourself forward and deal with this rubbish, you are just in a continuous cycle. This was an important lesson for me to learn because in this adventure to accomplish 30 things before I’m 30, I need to do things which make me uncomfortable, which challenge me, and which force me to walk hand in hand with people’s opinions in order to accomplish them. The simple act of creating my first video blog was nervewracking. The same questions consumed me. Do I look ok? Will I come across as fake? Will people ‘like’ or ‘dislike’ the video? Little questions that would usually mean nothing 36.
to most people became an obstacle for me. But I had to bite the bullet, swallow my insecurities and go for it. What was cool and unexpected was the fact that I not only enjoyed it, but I also found it to be somewhat cathartic. The act of actually doing it grew me. What a strange anomaly! That in doing that which scares you, you actually grow. After that I wanted to do more videos. I was planning new concepts, thinking of how to incorporate elements of my list, photos and videos. How can I make it more fun for the audience? How can I get people to subscribe and like the videos? This thing that once freaked me out, has become a place of freedom, expression and excitement. I’ve come to the conclusion that I would rather spend my life facing uncomfortable situations that help me grow, despite the impending fear, than to spend my life isolated in the same position and never do anything. This thought process is reminiscent of a quote I heard from international speaker Joyce Meyer: “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you always got”. These questions have haunted me lately and I’m glad, because during this journey of accomplishing my list, I am growing, changing and becoming a better me in the process.
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issue 23 Now Celebrating Diwali: Festival of Lights
As we celebrate everything that makes New Zealand special during this whole Rugby World Cup shebang, our multiculturalism is yet another thing we can be proud of. Diwali: Festival of Lights aims to bring together people of all backgrounds to celebrate this iconic Indian festival, which symbolises the victory of good over evil. There will be onstage entertainment, traditional music, a popular Bollywood competition and over 100 Indian food and craft stalls. Make the most of the awesome opportunity to get amongst another culture and be a part of their festivities, held this Saturday (8th) and Sunday (9th) at Aotea Square.
Now Watching Jane Eyre
In an era where the current “greatest” love story of the moment revolves around a morose vampire and a whiny girl, I’m welcoming the arrival of Jane Eyre into cinemas with open arms and a box of Kleenex. Sorry Stephanie Meyer, but Edward Cullen has nothing on the infamous Mr Rochester (Michael Fassbender). ranks among the likes of Mr. Darcy and Heathcliff. Without giving too much away, the story is based around a plain governess, Jane Eyre (Mia Wasikowska), who softens the heart of her stony employer and discovers he’s been hiding a dark secret. What could it be?! Don’t let the suspense kill you, head to the movies to find out.
Now Shopping at the NEW Bendon Outlet, Dressmart
Ladies, when one stumbles across a good sale, you have to share the love. The new Bendon Outlet has just opened up at Dressmart, Onehunga. Summer’s coming and it’s finally time to ditch the itchy thermals and woollen inners for some sexy new lingerie and nightwear; they’ve got some great opening specials going on at the moment. Get in quick while the good stuff’s still in stock.
Now Renting The Inbetweeners
No one can quite do awkward comedy like the British. So when I stumbled across The Inbetweeners on UKTV it didn’t take me long to realise I’d found something magic. The series follows the exploits of four friends, who are socially only marginally above what one of them calls “the freaks”, as the go through their late teen years on a constant quest to conquer the grown-up world of beer, breasts and sexuality. It’s brilliantly written and peeyour-pants hilarious. Your local video store should have the box sets. Get it out now, before I do. If you think you’re on the pulse with what’s happening in Auckland, email debate@aut.ac.nz with your own Suggestions.
ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19)
You will become fluent in a new language this weekend. Don’t get too excited though – you will be drunk and the language will be gibberish.
TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20)
Assignment overload is going to drive you insane this week. No, really. Like padded walls, stopeating-the-glue, locked up for life insane.
GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21)
You will learn to square dance this week. The stars don’t know when or where this will happen – just that it will happen. Yeehaw!
CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 22)
Summer’s coming and that spare tire is not going to look sexy in a bikini. Buy as many weight-loss related deals as possible; it’s totally an investment.
LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22)
You will party like it’s 1999 this weekend. To prepare, get into the spirit by revisiting teen flicks from that year: American Pie, Never Been Kissed and She’s All That.
VIRGO (Aug 23-Sept 22)
You will step in a puddle on Wednesday. It’s not a very exciting horoscope but you’ve been pretty boring lately.
LIBRA (Sept 23-Oct 23)
The media will be vying for control of your life this Thursday. They will win. Look forward to wasting away hours of valuable study time on perezhilton.com
SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 21)
Your partner will take on the task of cooking dinner this week. They will be cooking chicken. You will get sick.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21)
You’ve been a bit of an egg lately. Try gaining some karmic brownie points by helping an old lady cross the road. The older, the better.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19)
Something really, really embarrassing is going to happen to you this week. Sorry, the stars can’t stop laughing for long enough to tell you what it will be.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18)
You will watch Napoleon Dynamite this week for the first time in years. You will be jealous of his sweet moves.
PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20)
Don’t go fishing. You have the upper body strength of a toddler.
The Help
Directed by Tate Taylor Film Review by Danielle Whitburn (B-)
A 60s pasture. A 60s dress. A 60s racism. This was the scene I was presented with upon being seated in our lovely, albeit often unhygienic, Queen Street movies. I was ready for a tale to blow up my skirt with a few newcomers on the celebrity scene, and that exactly what I got with The Help. The story starts with Skeeter (Emma Stone), who has returned home to Mississippi from college to start a career in journalism. She gets a job writing a cleaning column in the Jackson Journal and, wanting to become a serious writer, starts looking for a topic. A woman ahead of her time, she is looking for something offbeat, interesting and wholeheartedly based in equality. She finds it right on her own backyard. Living in the South in the 1960s, Skeeter’s life is full of airy-bouffant heads. They are all bitchy and perfectly preened, concerned about
husbands, dates for their daughters and who baked what muffins on what occasion. To live this hectic life, however, they had the help of maids. They’re not quite slaves, but incredibly low paid house workers that, because of racial inequality, had little chance of a better existence. To make themselves feel better for this modern slavery, the Bouffant Brigade were rather talented at making a show of equality on the outside, whilst confining the maids to a life of private degradation and humiliation. These maids were accused of theft, passing on diseases, and bad housework on a regular basis, sometimes shot at and torn away from their children for the needs of their frivolous employers. Skeeter decides to write the stories of these maids, but anonymously, because to know the identity of the maids would lead to their permanent unemployment, persecution, or worse. The maids, resigned to their fate, are slow to reveal their truths, too frightened of their froufrou foes. Maid Aibileen (Viola Davis) finally agrees to help after witnessing a motivational church speech, and the ball gets rolling. In true Hollywood fashion, the Bouffant Brigade are left disgraced; but in a real world twist, the maids are left none the better off, except for their personal freedom from their own harrowing truths. The film invoked all the staples of a good Hollywood: the community, the lead heroine (whom of course we all
love and is oh-so-relatable), the trusty sidekick and the woman everybody loves to hate (played expertly by Bryce Dallas-Howard). There are emotional moments; a few tear-jerkers fill the eyes for Skeeter’s old maid Constantine (who virtually acted as her mother) and a few moments of hilarity involving a certain pie and a sassy what-you-talkin’-bout stereotypical chicken wing attitude. On the whole, it was very pleasant for the old Tuesday afternoon.
Blink-182
Neighborhoods Album Review by Ksenia Khor (A)
At last, after eight years of hiatus, punk rock trio Blink-182 present their so far most sombre and emotional sixth record, Neighborhoods. It embraces everything the band had to go through in the latest years: from the guitarist Tom Delonge’s departure and the uncertain future of the band, to drummer Travis Barker’s plane crash. Luckily, he is still with us. However, it is not surprising that one of the pivotal themes of this album is death: they saw it way
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too often recently. Their return is reflective and mature. Though they have changed a lot since their early records, Neighborhoods will not leave their fans disappointed. An energetic drum beat opens up the first track, Ghost on the Dancefloor. It shows that Blink definitely took a new direction with their sound and mood. This song is much darker than the compositions we’ve heard before. But this should not put off from the album, because later it reveals more fascinating colours and tones. The opener is followed by the upbeat Natives. It is more like Blink’s earlier songs and this will certainly make the old fans happy. However, despite a familiar sound, there is still something different. For instance, this time Blink crafted the lyrics more carefully and that makes the record appear more serious. My personal favourite is Heart’s All Gone, with its instrumental Interlude. From the first piano note the emotional intensity starts growing and then it is suddenly broken by a massive guitar riff of the main track. When frenetic drums enter, the song just becomes a crazy swirl with changing pace. Neighborhoods has everything we love them for: high energy, strong guitar riffs and signature drums. However, the band didn’t resolve on that. Instead, they got creative and made a huge step out of comfort zone. They definitely expanded their sound palette. Also, Blink did a really
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good job with the lyrics. They now sound deeper and more meaningful. It’s great to have Blink-182 back. It’s even greater to see that despite all the hardships of the past years they still make exhilarating and inspiring music. Hopefully they will carry on in this promising manner and we’ll hear more great things from them.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Hysterical
Album Review by Matthew Cattin (B+)
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah strolled onto the scene back in 2005 with a self-titled debut that set critics into a spin. After garnering a large online following before releasing their first record, CYHSY became a major buzz band of the year, catching the attention of David Bowie and David Byrne of Talking Heads. Three years and a second album later, they’re back with Hysterical, a solid album which takes a slightly different direction to previous releases. Lead singer Alec Ounsworth has one of those chameleon voices you
just can’t strap a label to. It’s the kind of voice that you can imagine critics getting clammy over. At times he sounds like Brandon Flowers of The Killers and at other times hints of David Gray shine through. It has definitely matured since their selftitled debut. It’s much smoother than it used to be – less raw and nasally and, to be honest, easier to listen to in long doses. First single Same Mistake could be a Killers B-side. It’s synthy and uptempo with those dance beat drum styles that are oh-so-Killers. His voice too has moments where you can hear Flowers’ bright trill coming through – which ain’t a bad thing! In a Motel has echoes of David Bowie’s Hunky Dory; light, even acoustic guitar strums and a layered violin section. This eerie arrangement of instruments added with the whimsical vocals result in a tune very easy to get lost in. For Pink Floyd fans, the closing chord of the song sounds identical to the last reverberating note of Time on Dark Side of the Moon. It’s so similar in fact that I found myself bracing for the piano intro of Great Gig in the Sky. My favourite song off the album, The Witness’ Dumb Surprise, is a mid-tempo ballad about confusion and devotion: “My dear just show me where it hurts. I’ll draw blood to make it better, I will do anything.” It builds up to a multi-layered vocal chant with staccato snare drum that I imagine would be the high point of a live gig.
If you don’t spend your time wishing for the band that was, Hysterical is a good album full of powerful, vibrant tracks. The tracks do verge on the point of sounding too similar and the vocals do tend to stick to monotone sometimes but I guess that is just their style. Dig it.
Switchfoot Vice Verses
Album Review by Melissa Low (A)
Californian rock band Switchfoot have been in the music biz for almost 15 years. By this stage, one would hope that they would know what the difference is between bad songs and good songs. Thankfully, Switchfoot have gotten this down to a precise art. Their latest album, Vice Verses, is filled with gritty guitars, solid drumming and poetic lyrics to satisfy any tortured rock loving soul. Afterlife opens up the album with the fantastic crunching of guitars. As that pulls you in, lead singer Jon Foreman starts to sing “I’ve tasted fire; I’m ready to come alive”. The guitars bring a real roughness to the sound, and with the addition of the solid
drum beat, it grabs your attention and sets a bold tone for the album. Most of this album is heavily guitar dependant, especially with the louder rock tracks. Another strong heavy rock track is the song Dark Horses. With an intro full of gritty and distorted electric guitars, the aggression makes you want to start cheering on any underdog. I could see this type of song sitting nicely in any sport/action movie soundtrack. One of the oddest additions to Vice Verses is the track Selling the News. No band usually thinks about using beatnik verses on a rock album, however Switchfoot dared to stretch their sound, with the vocals passionately speaking about the media consumed society like an aggressive poem. With this contrasted with the sung chorus and bridge, and driven with its strong rhythm, the result works surprisingly well, creating a fusion between spoken word and alternative rock. The strengths in this album are more in the slower and more melodic tracks than the heavier rock. Songs such as Restless, Blinding Light, Thrive and (my favourite track) Souvenirs are all memorable and even paced songs, written with heart-tugging lyrics and moving harmonies. However, one track that must be mentioned is the album’s closer, Where I Belong. Longer than other tracks on the album, this final piece sets off a dreamlike melody
accompanied by soft echoes of harmonious vocals. The drumming and bass act like a strong and steady heartbeat through the song, and the guitars add in playful accents every once in a while. But the combination of the vocals and lyrics are the highlight of this piece; one verse that sings “This skin and bones is a rental, and no one makes it out alive” is painfully memorable. The only (minor) letdown in this album is the track The Original, which in all irony, doesn’t sound very original or as polished as the other tracks. The vocals feel a bit too forced with the sing/screaming and the melody feeling a bit generic, giving a sense of déjà vu to Switchfoot’s earlier music back in the early 2000s. Overall, Switchfoot’s latest offering is well crafted, with inspiring lyrics and fantastic melodies. Vice Verses successfully combines all the elements of a rock album and stretches the boundaries and expectations of their music. Over the 15 years of this band’s existence, this eighth album is a true testament to their success and longevity
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Correctly identify the five differences in the two photos then circle them and drop your entry into your nearest AuSM office, or the box on the side of the red debate stands, or post to debate PO Box 6116 Wellesley St before 12pm Thursday. What’s up for grabs? Two “squawk burgers” vouchers for Velvet Burger on Fort St, Auckland CBD. Congratulations to our issue 22 winner, Mele Faumuina, Manukau Campus.
Name Phone # Email Campus
CREATIVE ARTIST PHOTOGRAPH DESIGN AUT
COLOURS GALLERY TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO CANVAS
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Antz Millicich
How did you land on radio as a career path? I was born to do this shizzle, girlfriend If your average Joe student walked into the Static studio, what would they be likely to find you doing? Working it What is the biggest misconception people have about radio? That it’s glamorous as Urge on K Road Which radio host’s career would you most like to emulate and why? Mike Puru from The Edge, he’s an inspiration What three artists have been dominating your iPod or car stereo of late? Frankie Goes to Hollywood, The Village People and Marc Almond Which song is your guiltiest pleasure? 20 Fingers – (Don’t Want No) Short Dicked Man
Jon Armistead
How did you land on radio as a career path? Personal patience and the guidance of a good woman If your average Joe student walked into the Static studio, what would they be likely to find you doing? Moaning What is the biggest misconception people have about radio? That people who work in it choose to do so because they love music Which radio host’s career would you most like to emulate and why? George Galloway, because he always sees it early and he always calls it right What three artists have been dominating your iPod or car stereo of late? Foamo, Michael Woods and Loose Cannons Which song is your guiltiest pleasure? Work this Pussy by Billy the Klit
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Lauren Potter
How did you land on radio as a career path? It was not what I expected to be majoring in at all. I found that in year two I enjoyed doing my radio papers the most and thought what the heck... this will be fun (and it is!) If your average Joe student walked into the Static studio, what would they be likely to find you doing? Eating, talking to my home girl Bianca or sometimes hiding in one of the studios actually working What is the biggest misconception people have about radio? That we are all ugly Which radio host’s career would you most like to emulate and why? Most likely Jay Jay, she has got shit sorted What three artists have been dominating your iPod or car stereo of late? Fly My Pretties, Awolnation, Lykke Li Which song is your guiltiest pleasure? Mmmbop – Hanson. Yep, you know it
Brie Hill
How did you land on radio as a career path? I got a D in Performance Communication so didn’t make the TV major If your average Joe student walked into the Static studio, what would they be likely to find you doing? Painting walls white What is the biggest misconception people have about radio? That the people in radio are mental, they not, they’re ordinary Which radio host’s career would you most like to emulate and why? Rick Gervais (innit) from Xfm in London, I was listening to that show back in ‘99 What three artists have been dominating your iPod or car stereo of late? Syd Barrett, Happy Mondays and New Order Which song is your guiltiest pleasure? The Birdie Song by The Tweets
Dan Webby
Ella McGregor
How did you land on radio as a career path? How did you land on radio as a career path? I have always wanted to do something within the media, Parental pressure and I think radio is more exciting than TV and print! If your average Joe student walked into the Static studio, If your average Joe student walked into the Static studio, what would they be likely to find you doing? what would they be likely to find you doing? Printing my Media Comm readings Anything but something constructive What is the biggest misconception people have about radio? What is the biggest misconception people have about radio? That people will recognise your voice when you go shopping You just turn on a mic and talk... Not that easy, it takes prep! Which radio host’s career would you most like to emulate Which radio host’s career would you most like to emulate and why? and why? Miles Davis because of his beautiful diction and eloquent I am a Paul Henry fan! accent What three artists have been dominating your iPod or car What three artists have been dominating your iPod or car stereo of late? stereo of late? Foo Fighters, John Mayer, Ryan Adams The Stone Roses, Adorable, (The) Verve Which song is your guiltiest pleasure? Which song is your guiltiest pleasure? Anything by Justin Bieber; he has the voice of an angel Pray (Today) by MC Hammer
Nick Catley
How did you land on radio as a career path? I’ve always had a general passion for music and had heard great things about the Communication Studies radio major If your average Joe student walked into the Static studio, what would they be likely to find you doing? Engaging in some quality banter or mucking around with the guitar What is the biggest misconception people have about radio? That it’s all live and that the DJs choose the music Which radio host’s career would you most like to emulate and why? I’m more interested in the sales side of radio, but probably one of George FMs DJs, they are chill as and play some mean tunes What three artists have been dominating your iPod or car stereo of late? Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fat Freddys Drop, Kora Which song is your guiltiest pleasure? Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up. YouTube it
Meg Regine
How did you land on radio as a career path? I’d always loved listening to the radio as a kid, but it was after a radio class in year two that I decided to take it up If your average Joe student walked into the Static studio, what would they be likely to find you doing? Either reading in the board room or typing up a news bulletin for my show What is the biggest misconception people have about radio? That all the presenters are a spontaneous and quick-thinking lot; I do wish they could see how much preparation goes behind a single show and how much effort it takes to make it all sound made up on the spot Which radio host’s career would you most like to emulate and why? I’d like to have a career of my own, but I do admire what Leilani Momosea is doing, especially with her doco on the Samoan tsunami What three artists have been dominating your iPod or car stereo of late? The Corrs, Anberlin and the Gotan Project when I study Which song is your guiltiest pleasure? If you YouTube Karminmusic’s cover of Look At Me Now by Chris Brown you will understand why it’s my guiltiest pleasure. 45.
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This week only!
Fantastic fashion specials - more in store Glue Gun high Temp was $17.39 now $12.99 Create A Pattern was $61.89 now $45.99 hip Curve was $71.09 now $49.99 set square $76.89 now $$57.99 NETT PRICE. NO FURTHER DISCOUNT APPLIES. VALID WHILE STOCKS LAST OR UNTIL 2/10/11
In store at the AUT Wellesley St shop only
Stock will vary between stores. Excludes trussing needles & palette knives Valid until 4/9/11 or while stocks last. NETT Price - no further discounts.
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AUT City Campus AUT Akoranga Campus 55 Wellesley Street East, Auckland City 90 Akoranga Drive, Northcote Tel: 366 4550 Fax: 366 4570 Tel: 489 6105 Fax: 489 7453 Email: aut.city@ubsbooks.co.nz Email: aut.akoranga@ubsbooks.co.nz Web: www.ubsbooks.co.nz Open Monday to Friday or shop securely online 24/7