Next Up Magazine

Next Up Your

Monthly

Guide

To

Up

&

Coming

Talent

in

the

UK!

WWW.NEXTUPMAG.CO.UK

OUR FIRST ISSUE! GAVIN GLAVE WE CAPTURE THE MAN BEHIND THE LENS

BENNY BIZZIE WHATS ALL THE BUZZ ABOUT?!

FIND OUT ON PAGE t ou to k te to ec Ch ebsi ts l w e tiva k r c ou ti Fes s n wi eles his t er! r Wi mm su

CROSS EAGLE THE LATEST CLOTHING LABEL ON EVERYONES LIPS!

20%

off Summer styles at Office!

PLUS!

LOTS MORE INTERVIEWS AND EXCLUSIVES FROM THE CREAM OF THE CROP OF BRITISH TALENT! MAY 2011 £1 where sold

M U S I C. FA S H I O N . A RT. I N S P I R AT I O N . F I L M . L I F E .

CONTENTS Welcome

Do you have what it takes to be 4 the next Benny Bizzie? Reckon 12 you could be the next emerging designer? Then Up Next Mag 16 might just be the mag for you!

No other magazine will bring you a mix of exclusive interviews with people in the industry, the hottest news on which artist is about to 14 blow and advice on how you can get your foot up the creative lad- 34 der. Here at Next Up we support homegrown talent 100%. This is why ALL our interviews are with talented individuals from the UK. 30 No matter what your situation or background is, whether your’e in school, college, university or working your way up, Next Up magazine will provide you with 6 the best advice you need. Work- 19 ing in The Creative Arts, Fashion 26 or Music Industry is extremely dif- 38 ficult. With thousands of students all seeking to get noticed, it can get difficult sometimes to be motivated 3 to continue your dream of working 20 in these fields. Flip through to see how young individuals have and are making a name for themselves.

THE ART OF STYLE Aria Monique Exclusive Interview with the up & coming model Cross Eagle We talk to the designer and show you his brand new collection Olivia Phillips She’s our new favourite thing! Check out our interview with her

THE ART YOU SEE Georgia L.A. The face of SBTVshares with us the good and bad of TV Gavin Glave We sat down with the diverse, North London based photographer

THE ART OF INSPIRATION Andy Amadi The aspiring director has come a long way, find out more about him and Snow Pix.

THE ART OF MUSIC Benny Bizzie what’s the buzz about Bizzie?

Jay Wonder the up-and-coming rapper gives us the low down Austin Daboh what does it take to be on a top radio station?

Fis-T uni DJ Fis talks to us about his future music empire!

Not to be rude but...

Exclusive photoshoot with Liam Ward

FEATURES

All photos taken by Next Up unless credited.

Meet The Next UpTeam!

Editor - Munira Hassan

Likes: Fashion Bloggers, Starbucks & French Toast on Sundays Dislikes: Rats,Spiders and Green Stiletto’s Dream Career: Fashion Editor After University: I hope to start my Masters in Fashion Promotion Contact: yourcupofentertainment.com Art Director - Mariama Koroma Likes: Fashion, New York & going to concerts Dislikes: Ignorance, Gucci belts and insects!

Dream Career: Music or Fashion Magazine Editor After University: Internships in New York Contact: yoursfabulouslyxoxo.tumblr.com Production Manager - Zoe Akosua Likes: Fashion photographers, maltesers & Singing in Church Dislikes: Anything Pink, akward moments, and dry feet.

Dream Career: PR Agenct After University: I wish to start up my own PR Agency

Advertising Officer - Fela Temowo Likes: Going to the Cinema, reading, cooking Dislikes: Horror Films Dream Career: Editor After University: I wish to start my Masters at Bournemouth University

2

NOT TO BE RUDE BUT...

CAN YOU FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER, ADD ME ON FACEBOOK AND LINK ME ON LINKEDIN?

Occupation: Social Network addict How long: since twitter started Perks: meeting potential employers If you’re on twitter why not send me a follow on @JournalistMia. Let’s network like crazy and follow each other on Facebook too, Just search MiaAbdi and you’ll see my journalistic page. Don’t be afraid to add me, we can be social ‘friends’ in the world of web.

Social Networking will get me a job, according to my lecturer at University that is. Signing up for Twitter, making an account on Facebook, and beginning a blog on Blogger will take me a step ahead of others in the world of networking . Social Networking has taken over the way we communicate with each other.

With a click on “follow” on twitter; we have the opportunity to directly speak with potential employees. Once an account has been set up on Facebook, we can get direct information on company profiles, thus making us more aware of the criteria’s they seek. Facebook members can then create social networking opportunities amongst themselves. If information is written on the individual’s wall then this will be a global transmission. It’s imperative that members continue to keep their personal websites separate from their professional websites, in order to maintain privacy and professionalism.

Keeping all your social networking platforms free from anything which may harm your professional look will help you in getting the job you want. Social networking is all about constantly updating your profile, and making others aware of you. As a Media student you not only have to have a twitter account, a YouTube account, but also a LinkedIn, Facebook and a blog, and if your one step ahead a Vimeo account too . If your a journalist like me, it really pays off to have a blog. Writing up your articles online, will not only showcase your writing skills to editors, it could also help improve your journalistic writing skills.

Simply writing an article each day, will enable you to in a month to have a portfolio of articles which you can impress editors with. When it comes to networking the internet no doubt is the capital for connections. Social networking sites have given a platform to emerging individuals to showcase their talent. I started my step up the social networking ladder with a twitter account. I knew to get people to follow me I had to say something relevant that would get reactions out of people. I began “tweeting” about programmes, that others were watching;

I began ‘following’ editors, photographs musicians, and other individuals in the Media industry. I started tweeting about them, to them and re-tweeting things they’d said for them. Whilst friends who followed me, were focussed on tweeting about their lives, I was steady focussed on getting connected to the right people.

After a couple of months on twitter, I was tweeting about a programme on TV, after a few tweets, RWD Magazine deputy editor Danny Walker followed me back. That day I began to seriously use twitter for networking opportunities, a friend I made on twitter, advised me I should follow R’N’B singer Maya, because she followed her

supporters back. After I made a couple of tweets about her, I received a inbox message from her thanking me for supporting her music, as a thank you from her she said she was now following me back. This made me even more determined to get as many celebrities and influential individuals to follow me back, I am starting a campaign to get rapper Rick Ross to follow me back, while personally this will make my day, professionally it could give me my break into becoming the Media reporter that I aspire to be.

By Munira Abdi

3

The art of style

Meet Aria Monique Age: 22 Occupation: MODEL How Long: 6 years Perks: being able to create different looks, the whole creative process Gracing the covers of many magazines such as Fab & Who’s Jack, Aria Monique Burrell has been following the footsteps of Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell & Jourdan Dunn.

Aria was scouted at a carnival and has been modelling full time for over a year, like many other models out there, she has been striving to get to the top.

The harsh criticism within the industry hasn’t stopped her from chasing her goal. She has grown stronger as a woman and continues to reach for the stars. She got scouted at a carnival when she was at the age of 16 and has been modeling since. She has been featured in magazines such as Fab Magazine & Who’s Jack Magazine and has modeled for many London Fashion weeks.

NU: Did you always know you was going to be a model?

A: I was popular in school, I went to my schools 6th form. I was known for singing at school. I participated in every talent show and musical/ school play and I always had a lead role. I was always the skinny girl at school, and at the time I absolutely hated it, but now it’s a blessing.

NU: How did you introduce yourself into modelling?

A: I got scouted at carnival when I was 16 and modeled for about 6 months but didn’t really enjoy it but that was more to do with the agency I was with than anything else.

open call, and got back into it with a well-known agency. I think the biggest thing was realizing that the success you see in Vogue, V magazine etc doesn’t come over night. With any career there are frustrating times. You know most people that are at the top of their game have been modeling for years before they become a household name. I think with anything it’s all about administering patience and having faith that your time will come.

NU: Did you have a different career plan before thinking about Modelling?

Before modeling I was aiming to become a singer. My biggest role model LQÁXHQFH ZRXOG EH P\ JUDQGPRWKer, without her I wouldn’t be here. She died last year and her death was the very reason I got back into modeling. She was a warm, loving, strong woman who had been through a lot in life she believed in me immensely and was always there for me.

A: As for someone in the industry that would probably be Grace Jones.. I saw her last year at Loveboxx and I was completely amazed by her unwavering talent and ability to command the stage (she in her 60’s but you would never know). She also had a very successful Modeling career as well as Music career. She represents to me, what I could potentially achieve.

NU: What do you hope to achieve in the future?

A: As far as future goals, I’d say to

NU :DV LW GLIÀFXOW WR VWDUW RII LQ WKH walk for Victoria Secret, a few cammodelling industry?

A: And then last year I went to an

4

paigns covers from V Magazine, i-D and to go back to music eventually and score a top 10 single and album.

Photo source: Aria Monique Burrell

The art of style never complain on the job.

NU: What is the biggest challenge of working as a Model?

NU: Since modelling, what has been the end and if you make a ugly face at your greatest achievement?

A: My Biggest achievement would probably be that I was on option for Calvin Klein 2011 Campaign. I didn’t get it but I was short listed for it, which is amazing especially when you think how many models are in the world.

the end of the runway everyone is going to see it and probably never book you again.

NU Where do you see yourself in 10 NU: :KDW ZRXOG EH \RXU GHĂ€QLWLRQ Years? of Beauty?

NU: Are there any memorable de-

A 0\ GHĂ€QLWLRQ RI EHDXW\ LV VRPHone who is classy, respectful of themVHOYHV FRQĂ€GHQW SRVLWLYH

signers that you’ve worked with? If so, who?

NU: Who are your favourite designers?

A: I’d say memorable job would EH , ZDV VKRRWLQJ D IDVKLRQ ÀOP IRU Rankin’s Assistant and it was by the Thames and me and the other models were in underwear it was absolutely freezing and we were shooting just by the docking bay.... and this lovely ZRPDQ ZKRVH KRXVH ZH ZHUH ÀOPLQJ near saw us freezing our butts off and sent out cups of tea for the whole crew because it was so cold.

NU: How do you feel when you’re on the runway? Do you get some sort of adrenaline rush?

A: I’m really focused on just trying to make the garment I’m wearing look as amazing as it possible can and also I think about my end expression on my face because the press are right at

A: I’d say biggest challenge would be loneliness and juggling my social life outside of modeling. You spend alot of time going to castings on your own.

When you book a job away you end up in hotel rooms alone. Your life has no real stability, my days vary from day to day which means it is very hard for me to make plans with people because I don’t know if I am working or have castings until the last minute. I lose touch with my non model friends very easily because they have 9-5’s so are usually only available on weekends when I sometimes work or am UHVWLQJ DQG EHFDXVH , ÀQG P\ PRGHO friends work on the same time line as me I spend a lot of my recreational time with them, which means all my non model friends rarely see me.

A: In ten years I see myself being a house hold name due to my modelling career and musical endeavors married with kids living in either New York or LA.

By Fela

NU!

A: Favourite Designers would be Burberry for Outerwear as they make the best trench coats & Leather Jackets.. And I Love Jackets! Guiseppe Zanotti for Shoes, And Givenchy for clothing as they tend to stick to black which is my favourite colour in clothes.

NU: Have you ever had any issues while with photographers or while on the runway?

A: I’ve had no issues with Photographers or during a Show. I used to watch Fashion TV religiously before I got into modeling so I was very aware of what I was getting myself into. Models are there to perform and do what the photographer asks and to show the clothes off. Models should

5

The art of music

Meet Benny Bizzie Age: 24 Occupation: singer/mc How long: since year 7 Perks: collaborating and expressing my creativity There’s been a lot of buzz around Bizzie and his music at the moment and we caught up with him to find out why.

As Benny puts it himself, his name represents himself. Benny, being short for his real name, Benjamin and the ‘Bizzie’ part, a play on the word ‘busy,’ is just what he likes to keep himself and describes his lifestyle.

This busy lifestyle started way back when Bizzie just started secondary school.

“I’ve been doing it since I was at school, so like year 7. I didn’t study it at school but I was always around musicians - you know, you have rap battles and that just grew into what it is now.

His unique sound is the product of mixing the grime and R&B genres together to create something that’s never really been heard before.

“R&B is what I listen to the most and grime… it’s where I’m from, it’s my culture. So yeah, I’d describe [my music] as a fusion of those two, but I do listen to a lot of other stuff like Gospel and Jazz.”

Bizzie counts everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Trey Songz as his musical influences, although you probably wouldn’t always be able to tell, it’s interesting to know that he’s influenced by a range of artists in different genres.

“I’ve got really old school influences, like James Brown etc, but I also like a lot of current people too like 6

Trey Songz and Usher. Back when I was doing grime, I would’ve said Dizzee… well still Dizzee but your influences change. So it wouldn’t be the same people I liked 3 years ago.”

We gave Mr Bizzie the difficult task of choosing one word to describe his music and his overall sound.

Although he chose two words, for someone who is so involved and passionate about their music, we let him off. “[I’d describe my sound as]Soulful… or emotional because I spend a lot of time on my music and I try to tap into the feeling of what I’m singing about and really try to get those feelings across. So it’s definitely from the soul.”

Bizzie being interviewed by Mariama

As we mentioned before, he is responsible for the sound of his music and all things involving his career at the moment as he doesn’t have a manager and isn’t signed.

Being fully in control of your career has it’s pros and cons as you can imagine.

“You have to be the one in charge of having a contact list of studios, producers, distributors, models, make-up artists, stylists… there’s so much. You’re acting as the label but you’re really a one man army.”

But Mr Bizzie seems to be taking it all in his stride.

“It feels good though being in charge but the work load is crazy!

One minute you’re the artist, next you’re the manager.”

“ It feels good be-

ing in charge but the work load is crazy.

One minute you’re the artist, the next you’re the manager! ”

The art of music His latest release, ‘The Fire EP’ has given him the chance to work with some of the cream of the crop in UK music such as Scorcher, Dotstar and Ghetts. “I think these collaborations have helped me a lot in getting noticed. I didn’t think collaborations used to be a big thing back in the day but now it’s so important. You know, you got Tinie Tempah collaborating with Kelly Rowland and Ellie Goulding.” “It’s important because not only do you tap into the other artists’ fan base but it shows value as well because I don’t think just anyone would be able to ring up a big artist and say, ‘I want you on a track, bruv.’

It’s not just going to happen like that. You must have had something to influence their decision to do a track with you. So yeah I appreciate and enjoy all the collaborations I’ve done.” The success of UK artists is growing all the time, with breakout stars like Tinie Tempah, Rita Ora and K Koke signing to Roc Nation and Jay Sean with Cash Money, Adele, Tinchy Stryder and numerous others, it’s opened the doors for many of our hidden gems to go mainstream. “I think it’s really good. They’re opening a lot more doors for us and one, they’re charting and two, our music’s being heard over in America - that’s a bigger audience. So yeah I think they’re doing great.” “Who would I like to work with next? I don’t now but I’ve always wanted to work with Brandy - there’s something about the way she arranges her harmonies, it’s just crazy. In more of my genre, I’d say Tinchy Stryder and I’m actually working on getting a song with him. I’m trying to pitch some stuff over to him at the moment.” Although he’s fairly new in the R&B game, he’s already achieved quite a bit of success with a song he recorded and released last year, called ‘Crying.’

“I’d just finished uni and you know

when you’re just confused on what to do next? Yeah so I took a big gamble and just wrote a full R&B song. Even though I’ve come from a grime background. But I thought, let’s just throw this out there, spent quite a bit on the video and got it done properly.” It’s a good thing he decided to take that big risk because what happened next was something he didn’t imagine at all.

“The response was really good, I got phone calls from everybody. I think it was just perfect timing. It got played on three different TV stations and I’ve been getting a lot of interviews from it, in fact, that might be the reason for the collab-

You’re just sitting there waiting, thinking ‘When are you going to release my song?’ It’s been 4 years, 5 years. It’s like they like it, they have it in their plans but you just don’t know if or when it’s going to come out.” “And that wait is so draining.

You can try to get publishing deals [as a songwriter] which means you get to write for big artists, but in order to do that you have to have a catalogue, so when your songs aren’t getting released… it’s hard.

That’s where I’m at myself.”

Although the future is uncertain at the moment, one thing that is certain for this man is that he is going places.

not going to release anything for a while but I’m go“ingIto‘mrelease more single songs and try to promote that one song in more outlets and see what happens. ”

orations I got on ‘The Fire EP’ that song has definitely opened a lot of doors for me.” So what’s next for the Bizzie man? “At the end of last year, I released two EPs, the first one was kind of like an opening, I just threw something out there, just to say I’m back and get some feedback. The second one is the one I’m currently promoting [‘The Fire EP’] so I’m not going to release anything for a while but I am going to release more single songs and try and promote that one song in more outlets and see what happens. Because I think it’s about songs you never know which one’s going to blow.

When the funky house movement came along no one knew ‘Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’ was going to last for a whole year. So it’s just about songs really, and me I’m a songwriter, it’s what I’ve been doing from young.”

Of course, he’s written for many artists but unfortunately a common curse with songwriters is that their songs never get picked up straight away. “It’s one of the things every songwriter goes through.

With the backing of so many UK artists at the moment, we predict big things for this one! “I’m not sure where I see myself in five years just yet but I know I want my own studio because I think that will allow me to develop and be myself - it’ll be like home. But to do that, I’m going to need money, so I guess I want be successful and make me some bloody money!” He laughs.

‘The Fire EP’ is available to download now and features songs such as ‘Dreamer’ and ‘Fly Away.’

By Mariama

NU! 8

The art of music

9

The art you see

Meet Nicholette Quartey Age: 20 Occupation: Uni Student/Model How Long as a model: 9 months Perks:Photoshoots!

Spot the (UK) model Naomi Campbell aged 15, first seen in Covent Garden in 1985. Kate Moss aged 14, first seen at the JFK Airport in New York in 1988. Jourdan Dunn aged 16, first seen in Hammersmith Primark in 2006. NiQi aged 18, first seen in Oceans (Hackney) in 2010 at the ACS Kings and Queens awards and is still working her way up to success, but what does it take for NiQi to become the UK’s next top model? At the young age of 16 net ball champion NiQi or Nicholette Quartey discovered her passion for modelling after growing up and being exposed to programmes like America’s Next Top Model as well as watching her older cousin who too was a model. Who are your inspirations? Well my cousin is my main inspiration because she’s done really well with her modelling, and American models like Tyra Banks and Chanelle Iman, also people who were spotted in London and have made it in New York like Naomi Campbell and Jourdan Dunn. To become a model you need to have that “unique” look as well as humility to be a good client, NiQi says;“Passion, Ambition, Creativity, Drive and a Good Pair of Heels” to become a model, but becoming a model is not so easy, when starting Nicholette carried some insecurities; she felt she was very different in comparison to the more experienced models she feared her appearance may be a problem, she felt out of place because her skin tone and hair was different as well as being a different size as opposed to the “size zero” look, also not having the same bone structure as a lot of the girls. She would attend casting competitions with all her excitement and confidence but when she reaches rehearsals her insecurities kick in. Nicholette did realize that she needed to overcome these insecurities; I don’t know, you just have

to get confidence in what you do, you just have to accept that everyone is different and there is no point trying to be something you’re not if you want to do something. The support of friends and family is another route to success, with the encouragement discouragement of NiQi’s friends and family she didn’t feel pressured into getting slimmer or do certain things like nudity because they kept reminding her of her morals which led her to her biggest achievement of winning ACS Kings and Queens in June 2010.

Long process, loads of rehearsals, glad I won it, that was my magic moment.

Winning the competition gave Miss Quartey great recognition and she became the new front cover of the ‘future leaders’ magazine which involved her modelling outside 10 Downing Street, she is also currently the face of an online boutique called Raw Edge, it’s nice when people recognise you from winning a competition. Niqi would love to gain the opportunity of meeting Tyra Banks or even Naomi Campbell to receive advise and know how they worked their way up to where they are now, she believes it will boost her recognition in the industry, she dreams that this day will one day come. Do you have what it takes to become a professional model?

I think I do have what it takes, yes. If you could look back at your younger self, how would you advise yourself? I would have made myself a more confident person from the start, because I know I could have done a lot more at the beginning, but I can’t really change anything in the past, it’s created what I am now. For Nicholette, modelling is worth all her time, as long as the job is good and beneficial, she feels she’s always gaining, weather its money or just the experience. NiQi is working hard to build up an outstanding portfolio hoping to be recruited to some of

the top modelling agencies in the UK – Elite Model, Models One, D1 Models etc. until then she works freelance to gain different types of experiences.

The model does have other options in the future, she currently studies a degree course in sports therapy and hopes to practice that in the next 10 years when she’s settled with a family as well as modelling of course. How will you know your success? I used to admire models wanting to be them, so having a girl out there looking at a picture of me and saying ‘I wanna be like that model’, that will be my success.

By Zoe

NU! 10P 24

�

I would have made myself a more confident person from the start, because I know I could have done a lot more at the beginning. �

The art of style

Meet (the man behind) Cross Eagle Clothing Occupation: uni Student/Fashion designer How long: student- 3 years, fashion designer- 1 year Perks: get to show creativity

By Mariama NU How did you go about getting it from written ideas and drawings to the final product?

CE I started off with little sketches and I had someone help me who’s an expert on Photoshop and stuff like that. So I’d do a little sketch and he would put it on Photoshop with my ideas and my pointers and sort of enhance the look. Then I’d send my stuff to the manufacturers in China and they let me know the cost and start making it. Then when I receive the finished clothing, I sell it at Universities around the UK, a few shops and around London.

NU Are there a lot of people involved in the process?

CE Not really, just three. I like to keep it a small team.

The creator, Philip Akinde

We sat down recently to talk to Philip Akinde, the guy behind upand-coming clothing label, ‘Cross Eagle’ about clothes, competition and designing for Eastenders.

NU Who or what inspired you to start your own clothing line?

CE: What inspired me was probably clothing lines like Ralph Lauren because I wear a lot of their stuff and I think what made me start my own clothing line is that I would buy a lot of their stuff, but because I’m quite tall, a lot of their trousers or long sleeve tops didn’t fit me so why not make stuff that fits me and people my size?

12

NU How are you dealing with your competition and others that are at University and have their own clothing line?

NU What inspired the name and the logo?

CE I don’t really deal with them at all. I don’t like to look at people.

CE The ‘Cross’ stands for Christi- Obviously, I see what people are anity and the eagle represents Ni- doing because I’m interested in geria - the football team are called fashion anyway, so I look at their the ‘Super Eagles,’ so that’s what clothes but I don’t see anyone as inspired it. competition because I’m doing my own thing.

NU How long had you been working on the line before you NU But it must motivate or indecided to release it and start spire you to do better? selling it?

CE Well when I see someone’s CE I’ve been doing the line for made something good, it does inabout 9 months now. Yeah, 9 or spire me to maybe go a step fur10 months. ther and bring out something new.

The art of style NU What’s the response been like so far?

CE The majority of it’s been good I have a lot of supporters. I know some people who aren’t as supportive as I would want them to be, but that’s the way it is I guess. But the response has been good overall.

NU How have you gone about promoting the line?

CE Facebook has been really helpful. We did a fashion show in Luton last May which was the first thing we did for the label to promote it.

There’s a website as well and I have a host from a premier radio station promoting me swell. He wears my stuff when he goes around the world and talks about the label on his show.

NU You had D Double E promotEagle’s Mens Collection. ing and wearing your stuff too, New NU Cross If you could design a wardright? robe for any TV show or movie, CE Yeah. D Double E is a person which one would it be? that a lot of people my age look at, so it made sense to target some- CE That’s a hard one… I’d like to one like him because he’ll be seen change a few things on Eastendby a lot of people and wearing my ers, because Eastenders is poor clothes at shows and events. right now. (Laughs) . I watch it a lot and I’m from the East End and NU Will there be any collabora- some of the stuff they wear is quite tions with other labels or brands atrocious! So yeah, it would be in the future?

Eastenders. And it’s a good way of

NU Give us an example. Who would you want to work with?

CE There’s a clothing label called ‘Spectrum’ who have some nice stuff…

CE The new S/S 11 collection which is coming out in March. I’m not going tell you what I’m bringing out but I’ll have a few special edition garments coming soon.

NU!

doing my own thing, so I don’t really “ I’m compete with others. I just do my own thing.

“

CE Not at the moment, but I wouldn’t mind. I’m not really into people who are doing gimmicks so if it’s a gimmick brand then I wouldn’t be interested. If it’s a brand that want to take their line further, then I’d definitely consider it.

NU What’s next for Cross Eagle?

What should we be expecting?

getting more publicity since a lot of people do watch it!

NU So where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

CE Definitely having shops in west and having my stuff sold in Selfridges and maybe even Harrod’s aswell. In 10 years time I should definitely have my own shop somewhere on Oxford Street.

13

The art you see

Meet Georgia L.A. Age: 21 Occupation: Uni Student/Presenter on SBTV How Long as a presenter: 9 months Perks: working with my mates on sbtv

Georgia L.A. (right) with singer Jessie J. Photos source: Georgia L.A.

The face of SBTV talks us through the good and (not so) bad points of working with such a rapidly growing company.

21-year-old Georgia has been working with SBTV for a little over 9 months and got her big break after meeting someone who knew Jamal (CEO of SBTV) while she was doing a radio show at Camden’s Roundhouse. “I don’t even know her very well, but I kind of owe her a lot. She re-tweeted a tweet from SBTV - I hadn’t even heard of it before - but Jamal was basically looking for a presenter. I’d just made my show reel on like, Windows 14

Movie Maker, very budget but he liked it a lot and contacted me. He was like, ‘When are you free?’ and I was like, ‘I have exams, I won’t be free until next week.’ and he said, ‘I’ve got an interview with Kelly Rowland tomorrow, can you do it?’ and of course I was like, ‘Hell yeah!’ and the rest, as they say, is history. At the moment, the budding journalist is at City University studying what else, Journalism and has had to juggle the continuous success of SBTV with her assignments but presenting a popular web show and studying her craft has helped her immensely in get-

ting a better understanding of the industry. “It’s been better training than you could ever pay for. I feel so lucky that I’ve had the chance to make mistakes in front of such an audience and be learning more about what I love to do while doing it, if you know what I mean?” But of course, devoting yourself completely to an ever expanding company has it’s downsides as Georgia explained. “University could be a lot more understanding in terms of deadlines, but at the end of the day I’m doing what I want to do.”

The art you see “More than anything, the people that I’ve met work and work with - they’re like my brothers.” She says of her favourite thing about working with SBTV. “We spend so much time together and because the site is growing so organically, we’re always working together. Getting to do all this fun stuff with your mates is definitely the best part for me.

Obviously there’s like all the free stuff, celebrity parties but honestly for me, it’s the friendships.”

Georgia happens to be the only female in a team full of men, which as you can imagine isn’t always fun.

“It can be annoying sometimes, like with my make-up they won’t tell me I’ve got mascara running down my eyes and it’s like, don’t let me do this interview looking like this, fam! But I enjoy working with

ups to, Miss L.A has a number to choose from.“Matt Edmondson who has a show on Radio 1. He’s a really good guy. Also Nick Grimshaw… and Louis Theroux in a weird way. I’m kind of obsessed with him. He’s an old guy who does documentaries.” It’s clear from her picks, that she listens to a lot of radio and even told us that it’s something she’d more than likely try out sometime in the future.

them. I definitely think we should have another girl on the team though” With the company growing so quickly and all the success they’ve achieved so far, we’re sure she won’t be the only female for long! Jamal being the head honcho and brains behind the company, we expected him to be dishing out advice every day but as we quickly found out, it’s more his unique approach that’s helped her to grow and learn.

“You know what? He hasn’t really given me any advice directly, it’s more the opportunities he’s given me that I’ve learned from. His approach at scaring me definitely works though! He always used to threaten to fire me in the beginning, but now he’s cool.”

When it comes to inspirations and journalists that she looks

the business at the moment, with them embarking on new ventures, Jamal recently starting his own record label as part of Sony Music.

The question is what won’t they conquer this year! “Without giving away too much, I’m off to Munich tomorrow to cover a music/sporting event and the boys are off to India next week. Yeah, we’re really getting bigger and expanding into different areas.”

Words to describe the SBTV experience? “Fun… challenging… last minute! Seriously, the things that happen off camera! It always seems like something’s going to go wrong but it always works out in the end.

But more that anything, it’s fun - even if it is stressful at times!”

There is so much going on with

“ Sometimes they [the boys] won’t tell me I’ve got mascara running down my eyes and it’s like don’t let me do this interview looking like this, fam! ”

Finally, We asked Georgia what show she would host if she could be the presenter on any show, her answer was not surprising at all.

“I’d like to host an SBTV type show on Channel 4 I think. It’s weird because I have massive ambitions but at the same time, I don’t really ever want to leave SBTV.”

By Mariama

NU!

15

The art of style

Meet Olivia Phillips Age: 26 Occupation: Fashion blogger How long: Nearly two and a half years Perks: The Freebies & no editor to answer to!

“

You only have to look at the front row of LFW as a barometer of how influential bloggers are at the moment.

Photo source: Olivia Phillips 16

�

The 26-year-old fashion blogger And when it comes to favourite breaks down her fashion favourites designers, Olivia has a lot of those and the rise of influential fashion too! bloggers.

“I like Stella McCartney, Pheobe Blogging for nearly two and a half Philo, Alver Elbaz and Hussein years now, Olivia has gathered a Chalayan, Yves Saint Lauren and little following that share her equal Halston. I really like Chloe, Jil passion for fashion and photogra- Sander, The Kooples, Zara, Bjorg phy. Her blog ‘My New Favourite jewellery and my new favourite Thing’ delves into a world full of designer is a bonkers Frenchman quirky clothing, where Barbie dolls called Charlie Le Mindu.”

Photo source: Olivia Phillips

The art of style

are style icons and trips to Paris are normal, yet still exciting!

From her own personal style to her favourite designers and style inspi“The best thing about blogging is rations, it’s clear that she knows her being able to create unedited work stuff! Diversity and unconventionwith no agenda. It’s all you - from al trends are the in thing. the topic to the images chosen, and you have no advertisers or editor to “I love people who aren’t afraid of succumb to! It’s a refreshing way of extreme glamour like Joan Colgenerating content that feels genu- lins and Anna Dello Russo, real ine and organic. That and the free- oddballs like Little Edie from Grey bies.” says the Londoner, who did Gardens. I genuinely think the best a masters in Fashion Journalism at dressed people out there right now are the Fashion editors and blogLondon College of Fashion. gers, though - I never fail to be “I actually started my blog when inspired by Christine Centenera, the magazine I was working on Miroslava Duma… I could go on!” folded. I needed to have a creative outlet while I was looking for an- Miss Phillips three favourite curother job! It’s one of the best things rent trends?

“Colour blocking, novelty/bad I’ve ever done.” taste and Studio 54 glamour!”

Olivia, who sites classic icons like Jackie O and contemporary cool kids like the Olsen twins as her style inspirations, admits to reading over 200 blogs regularly.

With everyone claiming to be a fashion blogger these days, it brings up the question of just how influential are bloggers (especially fashion ones)? Many have gone on to collaborating with clothing brands a la Karla Deras of Karla’s Closet and many are regularly featured in magazines and constantly invited to fashion week like Karen of Where Did U Get That, Wendy Lam of Nitrolicious and Claire Sulmers of The Fashion Bomb Daily.

influential they’re perceived to be. I think it’s impossible to predict what will happen in the future - look at how quickly things have changed in the past 2 years alone!” She explains, “There’s all this research to say that consumers are more likely to buy something that’s been recommended to them by a blogger as they grow to trust them like a friend, plus there’s a whole aspirational aspect to it too, as well as a representation of how something can be worn/used in the real world - it’s a real cash cow for PRs. Having said that, readers are so savvy that they’ll see through if a blogger’s getting courted by various PRs in just the same way that editorial staff are. It’s a thin line really. I’m excited to see how it will all play out!”

“My Google reader is a life saver, although when it gets over 1000+ unread I get heart palpitations!

My favourites are Wearing It Today, Style Souk, A Girl A Style and Canned Fashion. There are so many talented bloggers out there it makes it so hard to choose! Oooh, Check out Olivia’s fashion favourites I love Man Repeller too! And the “You only have to look at the front on her blog at glossy superblogs like Who What Wear, Jak & Jil and The Coveteur.” row at fashion week as a barom- www.mynewfavouritething.com eter for how influential bloggers are at the moment, or at least how

By Mariama

NU!

17

The art of music

Meet Jay Wonder Photos source: Jay Wonder

Age: 22 Occupation: Rapper How long: Nearly two and a half years Perks: Writing music & working with other artists to create magic!

NU: Are you part of an independent label or with a major label?

JW: As an independent artist everything is so limited out there, you haven’t got the powerful resources such as the major labels. I am currently unsigned, I’m not signed to a management team and basically what I’m using right now is just the internet to promote myself. I work on shows now and then but it is hard. I don’t think that anyone should use not being managed, as a excuse not to succeed, for not getting your music out there. We have the most powerful resource; the internet to connect with people. I do still think a manager would be very helpful to arrange tours and to sort out time schedules etc.

NU :Has there been anyone trying to discourage you along your journey to success?

Meet Jay Wonder, a young up and coming talented producer, rapper, singer and songwriter from Milton Keynes. Just like many others who discovered their musical talents at a young age, Jay (as he likes to call himself) found his love for music at the age of six. After a meeting with his fathers Casio Keyboard, he began a relationship with the world of music, having been captivated with composing melodies. Using music software such as Fruity Loops and Reason, he began producing music as well as writing lyrics thus gaining attention from other artists. He received positive feedback from many people DQG WKLV JDYH KLP WKH FRQĂ€GHQFH WR SXUVXH D career in the music industry. On set, shooting his second single ‘Rock Starâ€?, Jay Wonder gives us a behind-the-scenes look at his latest music video.

NU :What attracted you to the music world?

JW: I think, as I was young my dad use to have a Casio keyboard and I started making music when I was about six, that’s when I actually started playing the keyboard, composing melodies and from then, I really enjoyed making music. I remember, after my Casio keyboard broke, I was devistated. Ten years later I started making music again. I started using these programs such as fruity loops, reason and logic, and I was just playing around with these software’s but I noticed after a while that I was really good at making beats and that’s how I started off, just making beats. Then I gave writing lyrics a try and I started getting noticed by other artists and producers. I used Myspace as a platform to showcase my work, where different musicians heard my work. This gave me the push to continue pursuing a career in music. Music is really what I do all the time, but apart from that I play football, I’m at the gym and if not I’m at Uni (University) so that pretty much sums up my life. Mainly music takes over but I try to balance out everything,

19

JW: My parents are very supportive of my ambitions. They encourage me all the time and I think that’s very important for a artist. I believe when parents encourage their children to follow their dream, they provide those children with the best possible start. I also consider my friends as the biggest supporters they encouraged me to actually go after my dream of having a career in music which has inspired me.

NU :What music artist do you listen to at present?

JW: Right now I am listening to artists like Drake.

He is very unique in what he does. I describe him as role model, he sings, writes his own music, raps and has managed to quickly build himself a brand as a artist. UK wise I am liking Tinie Tempah, he is working really hard right now, and doing well for himself. He is gaining recognition all around the world, which is very rare for a UK rapper. I am excited to see how the US welcome him, and I wish him all the success.

NU: What are your goals and future achievements?

JW: Most artist main goal is to get signed and then break the US, I however want to release a fantastic DOEXP ÀUVWO\ IRU P\ IDQV , DP QRW TXLWH VXUH ZKDW the future holds, but I would like to win a Grammy and buy (a few) Ferarris (laughs) The Ferraris will go great with my Grammy. Right?

NU: How long have you been making music and what has been your biggest achievement?

JW: I have been making music right now for 5 years although I hadn’t brought out anything until last year when I produced a song recently for an artist named Calprid. He’s on that feature on ‘Evaporate WKH GDQFH Ă RRUÂś E\ 'DQFH 6LQJHU &DVFDGD DQG WKHUH was a massive budget on that video and it hit No.1 on TV charts in South Africa I think. That’s been really the highlight of my career so far and hopefully I’m looking to get one of my videos on all the major TV channels.

NU :Which artist would you like to work and collaborate with?

JW: My dream is to collaborate with producers, such as Timbaland or Pollo the Don or J.R. Rotem.

Those guys are really producers who I really look XS WR DV D PXVLFLDQ 7KH\ LQĂ XHQFH PH SURGXFWLRQ wise. I would also love to work with artists such as Drake, Lil Wayne. It sounds farfetched but I know one day I will work with them.

NU: Do you use social networking sites to promote your music?

JW: The internet is very powerful right now. You can gain a massive fan base using the internet, such as Facebook or MySpace, but I think the ultimate social networking site to use is YouTube because a lot of artists come out through YouTube. I know it has helped me professionally to establish myself as an artist. When I hear the feedback from the fans directly, I can actually speak to my fans, communicate and actually have feedback from them personally and I think that’s what I love the most, connecting with my fans.

By Fela

NU!

Liam Ward: 8LI 1MW多X Our exclusive Photoshoot with the model on the rise.

Photography by Munira Hassan Make-Up by Karina Amir Styling by Mariama Koroma

“ I’m a fan of the grungy

look. I like the tattoos and the scruffy and roughness so someone like Travis Barker, is an inspiration to me. ”

Sunglasses: Topman - £10.00 ‘Misfits’ t-shirt: River Island £17.99 Jeans: H&M - £24.99 Dr Martens: Office - £80.00

The art you see

Meet Liam Ward Occupation: MODEL How Long: 4 years Perks: being the face of a clothing label

For Liam Ward modelling travelled to him, the advantages of working in Top Man paid off, as he assisted a customer in styling an outfit for him, he was recognised for more than a sales assistant. Little did Mr Ward know that he was assisting the CEO of VA-G clothing. Liam was noticed for his sense of style, and it was the garments he picked up and advised the CEO that made him find interest in Liam. Liam was welcomed in the VA-G family and it blossomed on from there.

“It wasn’t a case that I pursued modelling, it came to me” Working with Top Man had other perks for Liam Ward, they produced a mini advertisement and asked Liam to be the main feature, and not only did it go on their website but it also but it went into selective stores; Manchester, Belfast,

London and rumour has it; Japan.

He was also in Arena a men’s international magazine, he was the only unsigned model that competed against signed models, and out of 25 of them he was picked, “to think that they found something in me even though I am unsigned”.

Modelling has been more of an adventure for Liam than a career, he enjoys the people he meets, i.e. his fellow signed and unsigned models, designers as well as the new things he learns like routines and poses. As he was starting up he lacked self of steam because he done a few shoots as an individual, so still being quite new to the modelling industry he felt un easy in himself, he was unsure of how to direct himself in certain shots, he was more nervous of the outcome. With VA-G clothing he was what you called the “newbie”, the inexperienced one and also the only Caucasian individual with the others being ethnically diverse, so he was quite nervous, but as time went on he became comfortable with the rest of the group then it became more of a family routine.

He accepted that he was different from the rest and also realized that he being different was a good thing. “As long as you stand out that’s what makes you different, it makes you “unique” and more important”. Liam says... “Don’t look at models as idols, see them as individuals”, he has no one he idolises within modelling, he rather looks at style in music and believes it has a great impact on fashion as well as new model looks. He’s into

the whole rock grunge look with the tattoos and the scruffy roughness like Travis Barker. His parents are his biggest inspirations because they exposed him to different genres of music which had great impact and influence on his sense of style, “my Mum was the Reggae and Soul music lover whereas my Dad was the “Rocker”, so by fusing that together you get me, so I can be slick and elegant as well as a bit ruff on the edges with my piercings and tattoos”.

We asked Liam if he felt his tattoos could ever hinder the chance of him becoming a professional model; “I think my tattoo add to my image because these days there are a lot of models with tattoos, for example the Levi’s model has a half sleeve similar to mine, and I think it makes the whole rocker jeans look, look authentic, even John Paul Gautier are promoting tattoos now.”

I think it’s hit and miss really, it’s up to the agencies and what they want really, if I got the look then I’m in luck I guess”.

LIAM’S ADVICE TO OTHER ASPIRING MODELS: - Be unique - Be different - Make yourself stand out - Don’t look like everyone else - Don’t get the same haircut as your favourite actor or band - Be yourself, because being yourself will make you go far - You have to present you, the real you

By Zoe

NU!

25

Austin in the 1Xtra office.

26

The art of music

Meet Austin Daboh

Occupation: Music Manager at 1Xtra How Long: 4 years Perks: exclusive music events & chance to hear new music first!

As BBC’s 1Xtra radio’s Music Man- job came up for a role called Music live events. I also have to make ager, Austin has a very important Co-ordinator so I applied for that sure we fulfil our commitments role as to what gets played and job, got that job and then I was do- to playing at least 40 per cent UK what doesn’t. We talk to him about ing that role for about 4 1/2 years. music and atlas 65 per cent new what it’s like working for the BBC, Now i’m covering my boss who’s music. That was one of the reasons new talent and the music business. on long term maternity leave and why 1Xtra was first given a license still is which i’ve been doing that to actually broadcast, you know?

NU: How did you get your job at for the last 10 months, so yeah.

One of our main things is that we 1Xtra radio? have to support homegrown talent, NU: What did you study at Univer- we have to support new talent and A: I kind of fell into it, if i’m being sity? independent labels as well. So on a honest with you. I always wanted day to day basis my main tasks are to get into TV - that was the main A: Wow, that was so long ago! I finding new music. Whether that’s obsession with me growing up, TV started studying Media. I went to meeting record labels or managand I did a lot of work experience Greenwich University. To be hon- ers or the artists themselves and for different companies and pro- est i’ve always been kind of decent making sure my team are schedulduction companies with the aim when it comes to academics. I did ing the music because we program of maybe working for BBC, ITV or really well in my GCSE’s and A the daytime shows so anything you Sky or whatever. Then what hap- Levels and I did want to go to Uni hear from Tim Westwood’s show, and Vis’s show will be schedMy neck is on the line every single time I have to make Ace uled by my music team. I also have to make sure that any record that one of those decisions and that’s pressure on a daily we playlist doesn’t have any offenbasis. pened was I ended up working but what happened is that Green- sive language or content.

“

”

for a media monitoring company - they monitor all types of media, whether it’s print or broadcast for existing clients which can be business, celebrity or personal clients.

I was working there for about 6 months and a job came up working for the marketing department of Radio 4 and Radio 5 live, which are BBC stations, but they’re speech stations, but I thought to myself it’s the BBC, let me go for it. I went for the job and it was working as a media planner, so working on different promotional campaigns for the BBC. So I had a 6 month contract there but within weeks of joining, I started to fall in love with 1Xtra and it was one of those ones where i’d always been a fan of 1Xtra since they started back in 2002. Soon a

wich moved the course to Tunbridge Wells in Kent just before the course was due to start. I was driving at the time but after the first few months my student loan ran out and I couldn’t afford it and I just couldn’t be bothered with it anymore.

NU: What are your day to day duties?

A: My main role is basically setting the musical direction of the station and setting the musical agenda.

How I do that is through the playlist so i’m playlist manager in effect, which means I decide what records we add on to the playlist, what artists we support, I have input into which artists we should book for

NU: What would you say the perks are of your job?

A: I would say the perks are mainly being able to experience the music from its earliest stage and watching it grow to become the number 1 record, you know what I mean?

I think a lot of the urban black music records that have been successes in the last year, I’ve been one of the first people that have been privileged to hear it luckily. At 1Xtra we have really good relationships with the record labels and stuff so we sometimes get to hear the music before it’s even finished.

Aside from that the events and and free concert tickets. Working for the BBC unfortunately, we’re not allowed to receive too many 27

freebies and hospitality so there aren’t that many perks actually!

and the promotional material and NU: What is it like working for I have to tell them that their record such a global, influential company is either not good enough to go on NU: You obviously get to hear a lot like the BBC? or it just hasn’t had enough supof new music everyday, what is the port from the playlist meeting. quality of it these days?

A: I honestly feel blessed everyday.

I come from a poor background, NU: What kind of things have you A: I think the quality has definitely you know what I mean? I’m from learned since having this job? improved and I think that’s down a council estate in South London. I to 2 things. 1 - obviously technol- haven’t been an angel growing up, A: I’ve learned a hell of a lot about ogy has improved so where as 5 or this time a few years ago, I was in how the industry works. I’ve 6 years ago unless you had a cou- the best of positions, I dropped out learned about how to work within ple thousand pounds to spend, you of Uni and was struggling finan- a big organisation as well. I’d never wouldn’t be able to get a really crisp, cially. It can be a bit of a pain work- worked in such a big corporate enhigh quality sound in your music. ing in the office 9-5 everyday but vironment before so it’s taught me Where as now, you only have to when my job involves having to lis- how to speak to people and handle spend £200 to get a similar level ten to the new Wretch 32 track or people, build up relationships. So of production. The second thing is going to see Giggs perform… like yeah, those kind of things.

I just think the general public are one time I was in a meeting and more smarter about music now and Jay-Z walked in to the meeting. NU: What advice would you give music makers are smarter as well. I You know what I mean? That be- people who want to get into radio? remember when I started here, the ing my job man, I can’t complain. I records that were being sent in, the definitely feel really blessed.

A: If it’s really what you want to majority were not good enough to do, get in there with work experibe played on daytime but now it’s NU: What’s the most challenging ence really early. Don’t just look at the other way around. The amount situation you’ve come across? the big organisations. There are so of quality is far outweighing the many different radio networks out amount of playlist spaces we have. A: Every single day I have editorial there so don’t just look at trying to challenges because someone will get work on BBC or KISS FM. NU: How difficult is is to tell how bring a record to me and I have to big a song or an artist is going to make a decision on whether it can NU: And finally what advice do be? be played or not because of the con- you have for up-and-coming musitent. So for example there might be cians who want their music on the A: Sometimes it is quite difficult, a record from a UK rapper, that 1Xtra playlist? sometimes it’s really easy. I re- talks about him selling drugs and I member, this time in 2009, 1Xtra have to sit there and decide well if A: I would say concentrate on were really big supporters of Tinie we do play this are we going to get making good music and everyTempah but back then he wasn’t on complaints? Are we missing out on thing else will fall into place. Some everyone’s list of top people who a good artist by not playing this? of the biggest records that we’ve were going to breakthrough, now And my necks on the line every had that have been supported and he’s clearly done that. Songs have single time I have to make one of that have broken through have just to grow on you, that’s just human those decisions and that’s pressure concentrated on making a really nature really. It’s like when I first on daily basis. On a less regular good song first, whether it charted heard Gigg’s ‘Talkin’ The Hardest’ basis, is the pressure of the record or not. Again, Gigg’s ‘Talkin’ The I didn’t get for like the first 6 times labels and independent artists that Hardest’ was a throw away freeI listened to it then I went to a club want their music playlisted. We’ve style that was done in 1 take, you and saw the reaction to it. The only got about 40 playlist spaces know what i mean? Take it one step music plus the reaction and eve- so there are going to be some art- at a time and make sure you perfect rything else that went on around ists that miss out with their re- your craft before making it public. it made me understand what the cords and it’s not easy when you’ve hype was around it. But more time, got an artist that’s put their heart By Mariama we know when something is going and soul into a record and they’ve to be big - artist or song. spent £2000 or £3000 on the video

NU!

28

The art of music

“...like one time, I was

in a meeting and Jay-Z walked in. You know what I mean?

That being my job man, I can’t complain.

I definitely feel blessed.”

Austin in the 1Xtra office.

29

The art of inspiration

Meet Andy Amadi Age: 22 Occupation: Rapper How long: Nearly two and a half years Perks: Writing music & working with other artists to create magic!

30

Photo source: Andy Amadi

The quintessence of an individual is found mostly in the expression of their gifts, talents and abilities.

Andrew Amadi’s is such a one who has been endowed with a unique skill in directing movies.

With a penchant for hard work and a desire to succeed, his posture and demeanour says it all.

“I like directing, I don’t like working for anyone, I’m my own boss says Andy Amadi”. Expressly Andy speaks and might think he carries a condescending attitude but before you judge him, listen to him speak further. But no, with humility Andy took time to explain the reasons why he’s always desired to be his own boss. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I studied media for GCSE through to A-levels then degree level. It was in college during my A-levels that I realized I wanted to take on the “media” orientated life. This happened when we were a task to produce a music video. It was during the project that I developed the attitude of being a leader and felt it was something I could get used to.

Interestingly, Andy has had some setbacks even in this young career as a director- from being misconstrued to being termed a perfectionist, the young man has not been deterred from pushing on with the vision he has for his life.

“I’ve been making films for about three years now. It all started during my university with my mates.

We had camera equipment to work with so I used that opportunity to enhance my skills. I also extended the “equipment book-

ing” so I could bring it home and practice film making on my own.

I didn’t get to edit the film, but it taught me a lot. It taught me everything I know now, just because I took that camera out and actually decided to put it to practice. From the mistakes it showed me, it allowed me to understand exactly how to make films from what YouTube or what my teachers would teach me.“NextUp” caught up with Mr Amadi at one of his projects and out of his generosity, he granted us an interview. When do story ideas usually hit you? There are several ways by which I am inspired. When I’m in the shower, driving with music especially when I am on the motorway. Also when I’m coming home late or listening to music through my headphones.

I love taking lonely walks and it

also nurtures my inspiration for storylines for my movies. But majorly, I think it’s those walks that inspire my new ideas most of the time. Do you think each film is better than the last or is there a huge mark somewhere along the way you’d like to hit once again? Funny enough, every film I direct is better than the one before that. I believe this due to the fact that you are afforded the privilege of learning from your environment and the mistakes you made in your last one. The stage I’m at right now makes it easy to learn from my mistakes. Because I make so many, I critically look at the remember mishaps from previous ones and amend where necessary. So yes, each film is better than my last because I shows how am progressing in my chosen field.

Remember the name of your first film? Off course! The first film I made was called ‘Cinema Veritie’, which showcased on YouTube but is now somehow lost. I made it with my class mates depicting the everyday fun we had as Students. However, my second film was; ‘Deeper than the Hood’. It was during this movie that I got together my peers who were in the media industryactors, non-actors etc. I was a more serious project which basically had a storyline to go with it. Were you trying to portray anything meaningful when making ‘Deeper Than The Hood’? I was just trying to do what anyone would do if you gave them a camera and said “make a film”, bring up a storyline from the streets and try and make another “Kidult/Adult Hood”. I felt that even if it was cliché, people will still want to watch it and will say “alright because I know this guy, I want to see what he has to offer”. They might not necessarily like it in the end, but the curiosity will be there as to why I made a film. Yes! This is the curiosity that has kept us all

glued to our TV sets and favourite cinemas. What are your intentions when you make a movie? I love art and film making is an art. I could watch a film based on Christianity being insulted at. The natural reaction will be to get angry as a Christian but no, I will look at the way the film is constructed and if it’s artistic, I will like it. I like portraying visual art for people to watch and I’m not trying to send out any specific message, the only thing I can say I’m trying to do it touch people, gain the audiences emotional response and cause them to relate to my stories. I want someone out there to say “listen I’m going through this and I can relate to it” or better still use my stories as a form of escapism. I find myself doing a lot of emotional things. Especially when i write scripts, most of them are emotionally oriented.

Because I feel that when I’m write emotional scripts, I’m not wasting my time as I believe it will touch somebody’s life. Truth be told we are all emotional creatures by default. Looking at how busy you

are, do you have any new projects in the pipeline? “For Kai” is the newest film I have finished working on. In one word I would say it’s a movie about Pursuit! I was inspired by the Will Smith’s film ‘The Pursuit of Happiness’. It was something I had been thinking about for a long time so I came up with the story and plot, and handed over to a friend of mine called Charles who is also a member of my team but a director in theatre.

He being a scriptwriter like myself took the story and turned it into a great story. I was extremely pleased with the outcome this time. He grasped the whole idea and gave me exactly what I wanted because I believe he understood my vision for the movie. So the project you’re working on right now is ‘Emotional Mistake’, what is it about? First of all, I have coined out a new concept in my movie making career called “5minutes”.

‘5 minutes’ is basically a collection of short storyline (short movies) that are 5 minutes long each. They have no correlation with each other are just random mini clips of strong storylines. Emotional mistake is the first out with regards to the “5minutes concept. This is what we are shooting right. We also have five other scripts ready to work on. Andy, do you believe being formally educated in Media has really helped improve your career? It was worth it because of the fact that you need to know what you’re doing. However, the practical aspect is the most important if you truly want to be good at what you do. In the long run, I will advise people to be more practical, because the course I did was more theory based, I had to quickly learn how to be practical and this is what has brought me this far.

Have you chopped any successes professionally in recent times and where do you see yourself in the next five years?

31

My biggest achievement has been to create a brand called SnowPix Media and it’s been running for almost a year now. We are still young nevertheless a committed bunch.

We have managed to trademark it. I see myself and SnowPix grow into new heights. I see it becoming a major UK production company, well established and well known in the UK. I see the company among big names in terms of urban film companies. We also have a vision to collaborating with other well know media outfits in the UK. Everyone has someone who inspires them in life. Who are yours? You mean people who inspire me? Yes! Hmm, the Film director I would say who has inspired me the most is Hype Williams. He has a way of bringing that whole contemporary feeling and vibe to bear. I like the things I do to look less vintage and I guess Hype does the same. , and he does that so i support his work a lot. Tyler Perry is my ultimate inspiration, his stories more than what he does, is what inspires me.

The fact that he is an independent film maker and it’s worked for him, gives me the hope I can also make it. His films also impact on minorities, especially people of the African race. I actually see him as a pointer in what I have chosen to pursue. , for me it doesn’t really matter who you’re reaching out to as long as you’re reaching out to a demographic and it’s actually sending the message to them. If you had the chance to work with another film director, who would it be? I would want to work with Noel Clark with the reason being that it’s not common to see a lot of ‘black’ directors in the industry. He just come out without any attachment to convention and has had the chance to release two films one of which was a sequel. He has even acted in his own films and it’s all about getting there in the end.

Is there any actor you would want 32

I want all of them to shine equally so I’m involved in everything they do even though everyone has a different role to play in making us successful. I don’t see myself as ‘the boss’. I’m always there to help when needed, and no matter how successful we become, that ‘family love’ won’t change. My team are all freelance and are free to go out and do whatever they want. No matter what it is, they always bring back a wealth of knowledge to the group. That’s what i like, the urge to elevate SnowPix. Everyone has a foible. What do you think could be a major downfall for Your Vision?

Well there’s no ‘I’ in any team. If we desire to win, then unity of purpose and clarity of vision should be our outmost. Things like availability of team members is important as it can easily derail anything we want to do. Is there any one in your family with artistic qualities? Yes I do, my twin brother is an actor, and he is “crazy”, I tend to use him in a lot of my films, but I’m trying not to over expose him. He’s someone I rely on a lot. He is a strong tower in my vision and I have great admiration for his talents. My younger sister, well she’s just a replica of me, she strives to do everything where ever you place her she finds something to do. What would you say is the best route to get into the media industry? Find what you’re good at, hold on to it, then try and look for people that have the same interest as you. You try and flow with the, get energy of them, gain experience off them and once you do this, the sky’s is just the beginning.

Finally what advice would you give to other aspiring directors? Release all that’s in you into a show reel so that you back up yourself later on.

Even if it doesn’t work for you at least you know that; “listen this is a collection of what I’ve achieved”, so just network and hang in there.

to work with it? Of a certainty, it will be Idris Elba. I tend to forget he’s from the UK and also I would have to say will Smith. He’s so amazing and also a very inspiring Character. Why do you think you are different from other directors?

I’m different in terms of the way I work. I’m not ‘too big for my boots’ and I get on well with my crew. That’s my family right there. By Zoe

NU!

Photos source: Gavin Glave

T H E MAKING OF A P H OTOG R A P HE R Gavin Glave captures breath taking models, shoots sexy musicians, and aspires to one day shoot on top of a skyscraper in New York. NEXT UP finds out what makes this London based photographer stand out.

The art you see

Meet Gavin Glave Age: 29 Occupation: PHOTOGRAPHER How long: A YEAR Perks: MEETING BEAUTIFUL Gavin Glave is an up and coming photographer based in North London. He shoots a mixture of fashion, glamour and portraiture photographs. With his G9 Camera he aims to one day shoot for the best magazines in the world.

We sat down with him to find out more about the man behind the lens.

NU: How would you describe your style?

GG: I would describe my style as fun, bright and bold! I like to try and capture images that are eyecatching that exude some personality and an edgy, contemporary look. I am constantly evolving my style and I feel the more I shoot this year it will continue to progress and the exciting thing is seeing where it goes and how different it will look like by the end of the year even.

WOMEN photograph a good photographer will consistently produce work that is not only visually stunning but also evokes one’s emotions. But as photography is so subjective it is hard to say who is a good/bad photographer as we all prefer different styles.

NU: How long have you been a photographer?

I have always been taking photos since my teens and did some photography in college and later a year in University but I have only been doing it seriously for about a year now.

NU: What’s the best part of being a photographer?

GG: I would say the best thing is creating something artistic and visually arresting by capturing a moment, a split second that makes someone look happy, sexy or whatNU: What are your favourite two ever, I love the spontaneity of the images you have shot recently? process!

GG: A shot of singer Bluey Robinson at sunset. A shot of model Charlotte Herbert in a leotard and mask eating a pack of Mike & Ike sweets!

It is something that I love to do because it can be so much fun and you get to interact and collaborate with lots of different types of people.

NU: What makes a good photog- NU: Did you go to school to study rapher? photography?

GG: I think a good photographer is someone who can capture images that are engaging and creative. While anyone can take a good

GG: I studied Graphic design and Contemporary Lens Media at university, basically because I enjoyed doing different things. This allowed me to 3 subjects Graphics,

photography and video. Although I was really good at illustration too.

NU: What type of cameras do you shoot with?

GG: Mainly Canon brand of cameras, as it’s what I learned with. I’ve been shooting with a simple old 450d and a G9!

NU: Can you describe how and when you use flash, video light, reflectors and natural light during photo shoot?

GG: I use my flashgun mounted on top of my camera or in a bracket in a majority of my images, which results in the strong shadows and the image quite a raw, simple look to them. I love shooting with natural sunlight best with the use of reflectors as I love the shadows and tones it can produce in an image.

Being in England we don’t get the most bright sun so I’m looking forward to summer so that I can shoot as much in the daylight as possible!

NU: How important is Photoshop in your final images?

GG: Photoshop is very important in the final outcome of my images as every photo I take will be edited in some way with it for my work.

Sometimes its’s simple levels, contrast and tones adjustment whilst other times it will be all of those things as well as extensive use of the clone, spot healing and even the puppet or warp tools. Although I try to use these sparingly to 35

The art you see keep the images as real and raw as possible.

NU: How do you keep yourself motivated and your photography fresh?

don, around 5pm so we were running around trying to catch the light before the sun went down, I positioned Bluey directly in front of the sunlight so he would create a cool silhouette and I wanted him to look like he was contemplating GG: It is easy to stay motivated be- something profound. cause I have not been shooting all that long, just coming up to a year The piano happened to be further now, so I’m really hungry for suc- up the street and just looked cool cess and improvement and a con- when he sat up on top of it, I find tinuation of the development of when shooting on location and my style. I have not achieved my with not much time you have to goals so I have to keep it fresh until be spontaneous. I work in the moI get that big breakthrough. ment. While the shot of Charlotte

was us just having a laugh and NU: What do you feel is the most challenging thing about photographing?

GG: Getting your subject to relax and feel comfortable can be tricky.

Sometimes there are factors out of your control that can be putting them off but at the end of the day you still have to try to get a good outcome.

NU: Is there a website and/or blog you visit often?

GG: There are lots of websites that I look at, GQ, Complex magazine, Trendland, The AOP, Ffffound, lots of different tumblr sites, Ftape.

NU: Where would be your dream destination to photograph?

GG: Either somewhere hot and exotic like Hawaii, Cuba or Brazil or a rooftop on a skyscraper in New York! If I had to pick one I think it would be Brazil.

NU: Can you describe their creation in regards to location, lighting, composition, camera settings etc,?

GG: The Bluey shoot was shot in the Old street/Hoxton area of Lon36

I would love to shoot the Victoria Secret models, Tyra Banks and Will Smith! Not at the same time though because that would probably be quite a challenge.

NU: What ambition have you not yet achieved?

As I have not been shoot that long I still have many ambitions to achieve, the biggest being one day to shoot for a Conde Nast title such as GQ or Vogue and to be a photographer on America’s next top model.

good photographer will consistently “Aproduce work that is visually stunning.” messing around and I captured a image that is sexy and playful that show off her personality.

NU: What gives you ideas and inspires you to create such amazing imagery?

GG: I get inspiration from everything around me magazines, movies, music videos, adverts things I see on the street. Sometimes locations can be inspiring too as well as the random crazy, stupid thoughts that I have floating around in my head!

NU: If you had to choose one lens which one would it be and why?

GG: A Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L USM lens because of its sharpness of image and depth of field.

NU: And lastly what advice do you have for anyone wanting a career in photography?

GG: Shoot lots and lots, practise, and always continue to learn new techniques, then share your work NU: What has been your most with as many people as possible for memorable assignment? feedback and networking.

GG: I shot two rappers, Wizard By Munira Sleeve, for a shoot that took place outside Windsor Castle with them holding a 10ft yellow python snake and a Tarantula surrounded by about 20 tourist kids, all of which was being being filmed for a Sky TV show. It was a really fun day but I was pretty nervous about being filmed, and when we actually got shooting I was so nervous and anxious because I really wanted to get a great shot but felt under pressure.

NU!

“ I love capturing a moment, a split second that makes someone look happy, sexy... �

The art of music

Meet DJ Fis-T Age: 21 Occupation: student/dj How Long: 5 years Perks: Seeing the crowd’s reactions to my sets

and make it sound live. You could give him any tune and he just mixes it so well, really talented.

NU: What music do you specialise in?

F: House and funky. I used to play Bashment but I moved on to House and funky because that’s what I make now, so I specialise in that.

NU: What’s been your best experience playing at an event so far?

Photo source: Fis-T The North-London based DJ give us the low down on his career so far, Boom Ents and Glastonbury!

NU: How long have you been Djing for?

F: About 5 years now. I’ve been practicing for like 6 years but I officially started djing 4 years ago.

It’s a weird thing because I started practicing but didn’t actually put anything out until 4 years ago.

F: It’s weird because when I first started, I was paling on vinyl and that is just a different story! I couldn’t really get into it. Then CDs came out, started using CDs… it was hard getting used to the change but after a while it was alright.

NU: Do you have any DJs or musicians that you look up to or who inspire you?

F: Well I produce as well so I listen to a lot of producers like TimbaNU: How difficult was it starting land, Pharrell - who i’m a really big out? fan of, Swizz Beatz. DJ wise, Jazzy Jeff. He’s sick! He can play anything 38

F: My first ever Uni event. It was a Valentine’s rave and when I finished, I literally got carried off the stage! Got loads of phone calls, texts, everything. My walk home everyone was following me. I felt like a celebrity that whole night, like i’d just won an Oscar or something. All I did was play tunes for 45 minutes. It was too much! Yeah and from that, more bookings came, so yeah.

NU: What’s been the worst event you’ve played at?

F: Woah! I don’t think i’ve had a worst event, I just had to play at an event I wasn’t really into. I just had to play and quickly get out of there and go home. You know? Wasn’t feeling the atmosphere. I just did my job and went home basically.

Did it well but I didn’t enjoy it.

You know some places you go to and the crowd isn’t really what you expected and the usual reactions don’t happen, so you have to force

The art of music it or play stuff that you might not want to play just to get the crowd going. So you may not enjoy it as much because you’re playing what the crowd wants - but that’s what matters.

NU: What’s it like being part of ‘Boom Ents’? Are they all DJs too?

F: When we first in 2005 - We all went to the same Sixth Form - we basically just came together and said ‘Look, you’ve got talent, I’ve got talented, we’re talented.

Let’s bring it all together and do something, you know? Let’s call ourselves Boom Ents and be something.’ Everyone was a DJ when we first started but we all had something that stood out and separated us from each other. Like me, for example, I can DJ and produce and I’m good at the engineering side. Marie can DJ, she taught us all but now she’s doing video’s as well, so she films and edits them. Sam does photography and Mikel does designs and he’s a bit of a technician too, so everyone has a part to play.

We all work closely together too. There’s always two people on the job. I can guarantee you that if they’re not doing anything right now, Mikel’s phoning Marie like ‘I’ve got this idea or this plan’ Every moment something is happening with us.

NU: What would you be doing if you weren’t into djing?

Probably dancing or football…

NU: What kind of dancing?

F: Street dance. None of that contemporary, flying in the air stuff (laughs) But when your Dad doesn’t really support you in that, you kind of just forget that

dream.

you regret it.

NU: Did you study music at school?

NU: How do you parents feel about you wanting to do this as a full time career?

F: When I was doing my GCSEs, I was more into ICT and computers then when I got to doing my A Levels, my teachers said I could study music, I was like, ‘Oh I can do music?’ and they were like ‘Yeah.’ I dance to music, listen to it all the time so I thought let me try it. After my first lesson and making my first beat, I was like rah this is fun!

From when I was like 15, I’ve had the software so I’ve been doing it

“

F: Well when I first stared, You know how parents are - they want you to be a doctor or lawyer. But I think the fact that they see that I’m passionate about it, they don’t really complain. They don’t really see it as a problem. They encourage me because they want to see me do well.

NU: Where do you see your career

I felt like a celebrity that whole night, like i’d just won an Oscar or something. All I did was play tunes for 45 minutes!

It was too much!

”

from then but I wasn’t really into it.

So when I got to doing my A Levels I thought let me take this seriously and learn it properly.

NU: Your brother Bennie Bizzie (on page ..) is a singer, do you come from a musical family?

F: My dad was a DJ, my mum nothing to do with music (laughs) But my brother used to MC before he sang. He used to make beats and I used to watch him do that.

His friends would come over and make tunes and it made me want to get involved and be part of it. So he did influence me plus the love I have for music already, it just gave me the drive to get started.

in 3 years time?

F: I think after my first release, that gave me an edge and made me realise that I can go further than I thought in this. I feel like in the next 3 years, I could be on tour somewhere… I don’t have a limit basically, I feel like I can go everywhere. In 10 years time, I see myself with a label - established!

With good artists, good recognition, a strong team behind me and be number 1.

NU: Finally, If you could play at any event or festival which one would it be and why?

F: Glastonbury! If someone gave me the opportunity to do something at the Grammy’s or Oscars, NU: What’s the most important I don’t think I would do it. It just thing you’ve learned so far in your doesn’t seem as fun as it would be career? at Glastonbury. Even if it’s for half an hour, I’d be over the moon, so F: Enjoy it. If the crowd can see many different people there, it that you’re enjoying yourself then would be good to see their they’ll have fun too. Do it because reactions! you enjoy it, you’ll never feel like

By Mariama

NU!

39