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THE Volume 10, Issue 2
FOUNDER The Independent Student Newspaper of Royal Holloway, University of London
October 2015
Party Conferences
Inside: News
Indecent Exposure in Egham page 5
Comment
BY MATT JONES NEWS EDITOR
80,000 protesters gathered outside the Conservative Party Conference. Photos provided by www.independent.co.uk
Party conference season comes to an end leaving streamers, empty bottles and, above all, confusion in its wake. Coverage of political party conferences is often easy fare for political correspondents, with no shortage of blunders to report on. This year’s conferences were not without incident. Unusually, however, the bulk of 2015’s incidents occurred far from the lectern. 80,000 angry protesters gathered outside the Conservative party conference. Some came armed with eggs and wayward tennis serves. Boris Johnson came under fire from an activist group for the disabled. He was pelted with tennis balls as he was ushered into the venue by a police officer. The majority of anti-austerity protesters were well behaved, but a diminutive number resorted to spitting and other such tactics. These acts drew much of the media coverage with vile acts, rather than the motivation for the protest, dominating the headlines. At the Labour Party Conference, Jeremy Corbyn undertook his first significant action in the political
sphere as party leader. His speech was functional, if a little unstylish, much like his ill-fitting khaki suit. The leader of the opposition condemned the acts of spitting by a minority of protesters at the Conservative conference. He again appealed for a new and friendly politics, a model built around discussion in lieu of name-calling and egg throwing. L abour’s lectern quote also referenced this “honest politics” and the speakers were honest. John McDonnell was honest enough to admit to having no idea what he’s doing. The shadow chancellor reversed his economic stance within two weeks of accepting Osborne’s proposed fiscal charter. In a bid to explain this apparent U-turn, McDonnell sent his fellow Labour MPs a letter. In it, no attempt was made to acknowledge an initial policy oversight. Instead, he claimed the prevailing economic circumstances had forced his hand into a policy change. This backtracking sets a precedent that does not bode well for the
Volkswagen fudging emissions test numbers page 9
Features
Blogging and Social Media Expert at RHUL page 11
Arts 5 shows to look out for on campus this term page 15
Music
The return of Fall Out Boy page 17
Film
Sexism in the film industry page 22
Sport What You Need to Know About the Rugby World Cup page 26
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About The Founder The Founder is the independent student newspaper of Royal Holloway, University of London. This means we are not affliliated to the students union or college. We pride ourselves on our investigative journalism and aim to keep our readers up to date with news on and off campus. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Editors, particularly of comment and opinion pieces. Every effort has been made to contact the holders of copyright for any material used in this issue, and to ensure the accuracy of its stories.
How to get involved The Founder is always looking for contributors - without them, we wouldn’t have a paper! As you’ll see from this issue, we print a huge variety of articles. If there’s a particular topic you’d like to write about and you aren’t sure whether it’s appropriate, just email our editor (editor@thefounder.co.uk) and they will be happy to discuss any ideas you have.
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Our Editorial Board 2015/16 Editor Jasper Watkins Managing Editor Dominic Pini Deputy News Editor Kyle Hoekstra
Editor/Designer Sami Roberts News Editor Matt Jones Comment Editor Joe Burns
Features Editor Alex Santema
Arts Editor Laura Burnett
Lifestyle Editor Eleanor McCloskey
Sport Editor Sam Williams
Music Editor Natasha Barrett
Film Editor Zak Derler
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Party Conferences future. Accepting that he may have been wrong and welcoming the resultant discussion would have been refreshing and a welcome move in the direction of the “honest politics” his leader advocates. Instead, it undermines Labour’s credibility at a time when the party is attempting to move in what is touted to be an “economically rebellious” direction. As Labour settles under the rule of its new leader, the Conservative party faces a leadership battle of its own. David Cameron has announced that he will not run for a third term, thereby paving the way for Tory front benchers to stake an early claim to the leadership. The emergent frontrunners are George Osborne, Teresa May and Boris Johnson. All three gave speeches at the party conference. George Osborne addressed many aspects of the workforce and claimed the Conservatives are the only “true party of labour”; Boris Johnson criticised the “vested interests” and “interesting vests” of socialism; Teresa May spoke of plans for a fair immigration policy but vowed never to meet EU migrant quotas, not “in a thousand years.”
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Boris Johnson speaking at Conservative Party Conference.
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Squatters previously evicted from Coopers Hill Lane now relocated to The Oast House
Squatters Plan To Form Adult Learning Centre BY MATT JONES NEWS EDITOR
Photos provided by www.getsurrey.co.uk/
Squatters who were evicted from the land around the Runnymede Magna Carta memorial have moved into a Surrey County Council-owned adult learning centre that closed in February 2006. The squatters were removed from Coopers Hill by bailiffs on 16 September and have rechristened themselves the “Four Seasons Community Cooperative.” They have occupied The Oast House, which used to serve the area of Staines with adult learning classes until it was closed. Oast House has been occupied by another discrete group of squatters since June 13. It is thought the resident squatters welcomed the arrival of the new eco-squatters. The cooperative has declared a desire to work with the people of Staines in an endeavour to return The Oast House to its “previous capacity in some form” under the Localism Act of 2011. The group believe that the building should be protected and used as a place of community value. ReSpace Projects, a community interests group, have been asked to help the cooperative in their efforts to reuse vacant buildings. The community cooperative have stated that they intend to “ascertain what people want to happen to the building and then we can incorporate that into our own sort of social community centre. We work under a model which says everything achieved is through a donation basis.” The squatters claim that that their reasons for occupying the premises include the council’s lack of assistance in helping them to find alternative accommodation after their eviction from Coopers Hill. Mouse, one of the occupiers, revealed that the group will try to “contact the owner, or whoever is responsible for the building, to see if they are open to negotiation.” Surrey County Council has said that it is aware that a group of squatters have occupied one of its buildings. A spokesman said, “They have refused to leave, so we are taking urgent steps to bring court proceedings to secure their eviction.” The members of the group have appeared at Guilford County Court where “inaccura-
cies” in the council’s statements prompted the judge to rule in favour of the cooperative who were able to prove their residency since June 13. Circuit Judge Alison Raeside dismissed the Interim Possession Order for the property in Kingston Road. Having seen dated photographic evidence from the squatters at the site, along with evidence that the officers did not respond to internal alarms, the judge ruled that the council ought to have known of the squatters’ presence. Surrey County Council’s area facilities officer Ian Horgan claimed the council had only become aware of the squatters’ presence at the site on September 17, after he discovered a “loose chain” wrapped around the entrance doors that he had not seen during a site inspection with a colleague two days previously. Mr Horgan said, “we inspected every room and every nook and cranny,” and that “there were no signs of any habitation whatsoever.” Mr Horgan said council officers carry out site inspections every quarter at the Oast House and provided dates when the building had been attended by council staff on June 22, August 21, 24, 26 and September 8. The judge remarked that these were times when the council officers should have seen the squatters if the inspections had been as thorough as previously suggested. Photographs provided by Daniel Baker, a member of the Four Seasons Community Co-Operative, showed the squatters had secured the site with a new padlock on June 13. Mr Baker told the court that the council had failed to provide any documents to prove the site had been inspected and when he had first entered the property the alarm went off three times but “no one followed it up.” The squatters have an online petition, signed by more than 100 people and will submit this to the council in a bid to have the site named as a community asset and restored to its previous function as an Adult Learning Centre. Even if they are not evicted, the unavoidable problem of funding such a project will likely prove a deciding factor in the survival of Four Seasons Community Cooperative.
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Appeal for Information Following Egham Indecent Exposure Incident BY KYLE HOEKSTRA DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR
Photo provided by surrey.police.uk
Police officers are investigating an alleged indecent exposure in Egham and are asking for help to identify the suspect, who is male. The alleged incident occurred on Station Road on Wednesday, 7 October, between 4:30 and 4:40 pm. Officers suspect the man then walked in the direction of Pooley Green crossing. Police believe a man seen in CCTV footage may be able to assist with the investigation.
Royal Holloway Ranked in Top 20 UK Universities BY KYLE HOEKSTRA DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR Royal Holloway has been ranked 19th among UK universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 201516. Narrowly within the top twenty universities nationally, it ranks above main rivals York, Sussex and Nottingham and sits beside Lancaster and Birmingham, just below Queen Mary. The university is also within the top 20% of universities in the world, ranked 129th of the top 800. However, the table shows a drop of 11 places since last year’s rankings, and 27 places since 2013. Royal Holloway is ranked ninth in the UK for “international outlook” and retains its 90+ scores in the “international outlook” and “citation impact” categories which place it within the top 10% internationally for both categories. “Our success in these rankings is a testament to our academics who constantly strive to deliver against the highest academic standards and who are committed to helping to ensure that every student is able to reach their full potential during their time at Royal Holloway,” said Principal Paul Layzell. “As one of UK's most international universities, both students and staff benefit from a global perspective while feeling supported and inspired by the close-knit community we enjoy here at Royal Holloway.”
PC Sophie Best said, “Incidents of this nature are taken extremely seriously by Surrey Police. Although thankfully unharmed, the victim was very shaken by the ordeal.” "We would like to speak to the man in the CCTV as he may be able to provide vital information and I would urge him or anyone who recognises him to call 101.” "Similarly, I would urge any members of public who were in the area near Egham railway station between 3:30 and 4:30 pm and saw anything suspicious or believe that they saw the man in the CCTV to contact police—it was a busy time of day and we believe there are a number of potential witnesses who may be able to help our investigation.” Surrey Police ask that anyone with information call 101, quoting crime reference number 45150091140. The independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800555111.
650k Refurbishment of Liquid To Begin BY JASPER WATKINS EDITOR Windsor’s Liquid nightclub shut its doors on 17 October in order to begin a £650,000 refurbishment. Following the refurbishment, the club will reopen as “Atik,” creating 25 new full and part-time positions. Jon Taylor, general manager, said, “Liquid has been part of the Windsor scene for over 12 years, but it’s time to create an entirely new experience for today’s clubbers. “We are confident that our existing and new customers will really enjoy the look and feel of Atik.” Deltic Group which owns many of the country’s nightclub chains, including Liquid and now Atik, has applied to the Royal Borough for a variation of the premises licence, with the intention of altering the seating, bars and DJ booths. Mr Taylor added, “We understand that Liquid holds many fond memories for people, from celebrating their 18th birthday to meeting their life partner, and we will help people relive those key moments through the music we play on its final night.” The official opening of Atik will be on 30th October, with a special Halloween event on the following evening.
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RHUL's Carbon Emissions Revealed RHUL’s CO2 emissions rose by 1,000 tonnes last year BY KYLE HOEKSTRA DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR Royal Holloway is further from reaching its 2020 emissions reduction target than it was last year, a new report indicates. Despite an overall reduction of 23% in carbon emissions since 2005, which the college committed to halve by 2020; the report by “Brite Green” noted an increase in emissions in the 2013/14 academic year of over 1,000 tonnes, 10% higher than the previous year, which accounts for 7.5% of the original 2005 emissions. The University Carbon Progress Report predicts a 13% shortfall to Royal Holloway’s target reduction of 48%, which requires the college to produce less than 8,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year by 2020. Last year, the college produced 11,928 tonnes of CO2 emissions. The report’s projections do not take account of plans to expand the college. Brite Green, a sustainability consultancy firm, studied 127 universities in England and found that only 31 are projected to be on track to meet or to exceed their carbon reduction targets. They found that almost 80% of universities are set to miss the 43% reduction across the sector by 2020 as set by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) in 2010. According to the report’s forecasts, higher education institutions will achieve only a 12% reduction in absolute carbon emissions. Oxford, King’s College London and Cambridge are among the 35 universities found to have
increased carbon emissions since 2005, ranked 113th, 118th and 119th respectively. Royal Holloway ranks 30th in the chart, despite its shortfall, while London Metropolitan University ranks first, having already more than halved its emissions. Researchers used public data from HEFCE and the Higher Education Statistics Agency in their analysis and offered universities the opportunity to provide more information on their emissions. Although the majority of universities are not on course to meet emission targets many, including Royal Holloway, have introduced initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and invest in sustainable energy. When asked for comment by The Founder, David Haygarth, Energy and Sustainability Manager in Royal Holloway’s Estates Department said, “Royal Holloway is committed to reducing carbon emissions and the College has a carbon management plan, which outlines how it will deliver an ongoing reduction up to and beyond 2020. “Since 2005/06, Royal Holloway has reduced carbon emissions by 23% by making improvements in academic, residential and social spaces, through the use of energy management software and carbon reduction measures such as improved insulation and renewable energy sources. This 23% reduction has been achieved alongside an increase in student numbers and floor space.” Yvonne Hawkins, HEFCE’s director of universities and colleges, suggested growth in the sector has stalled progress, saying the targets did not account for “significant recent growth in university estates and student numbers.” Darren Chadwick, Brite Green’s managing partner, also said that “…despite the significant efforts of energy and estates managers, strong growth in the sector has meant that many universities have fallen well behind their targets." He urged carbon strategies to be updated, citing a “disconnect” between universities’ carbon management plans and their commercial
strategies. Andrew Taylor of People and Planet argued that government funding relating to carbon reduction had been “gutted” and regretted that “after years of student campaigning, some universities continue to de-prioritise sustainability." Royal Holloway’s student body has grown in recent years and the college expects to accommodate 2,000 more students by 2021 and 1.5% more per year thereafter. Residential plans include 56 new townhouses for 600 students, to be completed by 2017 alongside the new library. David Haygarth said “the College has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to carbon saving” by setting high sustainability standards for the new Library and Student Services Centre and new residences, where ratings of Excellent to Outstanding are sought under the BREEAM assessment framework.
CollegeNews Stay Safe, Stay Well As part of “Check Yourself Week,” Support & Advisory Services will have our Stay Safe Stay Well event on 29th October, together with the Students’ Union. Here is a round-up of our top tips for the event to boost your personal safety and wellbeing…
Be Active • Regular exercise lowers stress, increases mood, improves sleep quality, reduces the likelihood of you developing serious illnesses, and generally makes you feel healthier and happier. • It is recommended you do 2.5 hours of moderate intensity exercise per week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise, with muscle strengthening and flexibility exercises on two days a week.
Think Well • Make sure your work, social and relaxation times are balanced to prevent stress building. • Do daily relaxation exercises such as mindfulness, an art activity or yoga, whatever helps you to unwind. • Acknowledge your thoughts and feelings and use problem-solving techniques to work through issues. • Seek help if you’re not coping well.
World Mental Health Day World Mental Health Day was on 10th October, and days such as this give us the opportunity to talk openly with each other about mental health, student wellbeing, and to encourage one another to seek support if needed, without feeling ashamed or embarrassed. We work to reduce any stigma with seeking support and to make you aware of how prevalent student wellbeing issues are. We want you to know where to go if you or a friend need advice or support. In recent years, Universities have seen:
- Demands for counselling increase year on year. - Higher numbers of students experiencing stress. - An increase in the diagnosis of depression, anxiety and eating disorders. We have lots of support to help you, whether you have a mental health condition or if you are just going through a difficult time.
Eat Well
Student Counselling (Founder’s West 171)
• The easiest way to eat well is to follow the “Eatwell Plate.” 1/3 of your meals should be carbohydrates, 1/3 fruit and vegetables and small amounts of meat, fish and dairy products make up the rest. • We should only eat small amounts of foods and drinks which are high in fat, salt and sugar.
• Offers individual confidential appointments for a range of academic and personal issues. • Workshops this term: Mindfulness for Students, Stress & Time Management, & Anxiety Management with Mindfulness Practice. Email counselling@royalholloway.ac.uk for further information.
Personal Safety
Health Centre (Founder’s East 1st Floor)
• You can collect personal safety alarms, safe walking route maps & alcotops from Founder’s West 170. • Register your possessions online with immobilise. • Know your limits when drinking alcohol. • Take the SSHH bus home.
• Daily appointments with a GP or Nurse Practitioner. • Specialist mental health services on campus including: Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Community Psychiatric Nurse, Eating Disorders Nurse & Talking Therapies Therapist.
Personal Finances
Disability & Dyslexia (Founder’s West 151)
• Set yourself a monthly budget for spending – and stick to it! Keeping track of your spending will help you make a realistic budget. • Find a part-time job to boost your income. • Look out for student deals and offers on dedicated websites and apps.
• Educational support and reasonable adjustments for students with a psychological condition. • Appointments with our Mental Health Adviser.
For wellbeing advice or further information on all of our support services please email: wellbeing@royalholloway.ac.uk Further information and resources on all aspects of personal safety and wellbeing can be found on our eCampus Welfare pages: www.royalholloway.ac.uk/ecampus/welfare/home.aspx
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On Human Rights In Britain BY CHLOÉ BOUTRON
On Friday, October 2nd, Sir Simon McDonald, the current Foreign Office secretary, declared the following on Human Rights, “Although it is one of the things we follow, it is not one of our top priorities.” His words engendered a strong reaction from the media, and so it probably requires a comment. From The Independent to The Times, many newspapers declared their shock at Human Rights decreasing in the United Kingdom’s list of priorities. Trade, imports and exports, and diplomatic relations have overstepped human concerns in a country that can nowadays be considered as one of the world’s leading liberal democracies. But Britain’s twists with Human Rights are not brand new. Though the United Kingdom is proud to be considered as one of the initiators of rights conventions, implementing the first of them in 1215, it has never manifested a proper bill of rights. When other European countries did so in the 18th century, the government believed that there was no need to imitate them, as people would naturally respect each other. According to Edmund Burke, a renowned political thinker of the time (today remembered as the father of British conservatism), such a bill would limit the conduct of the government, which should
Through not having its own bill of rights, the country is free to escape some of the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights, which it helped put together in 1951.
If you would like to respond to any of these articles, or want to offer an opinion on university events, current affairs, entertainment or anything else, please email replies to joe@thefounder.co.uk with the subject line ‘IN REPLY TO’.
not be submitted to socially made claims; the socalled rights. Ever since, though several writers like Ronald Dworkin or Frank Stacey tried to arouse Britain’s awareness on the need for a bill, no changes have been made. British people and companies have always been protected by independent courts and not by a general legal system. This is not without repercussions, especially in a country seemingly infatuated with profit. On Thursday, October 8, a conference was given by Women for Refugee Women at Royal Holloway. It drew attention to several women’s mistreatment at Yarl’s Wood, a private detention centre, and re-
vealed one of the major lacks existing in the British way of protecting rights. I was horrified to learn that, while 6,000 women come to the United Kingdom seeking asylum each year, 2,000 of them are being detained as part of the deportation process. Added to the fact that most of them end up being relieved in British territory—which means these women are detained for no reason—the detention conditions are alarming. It has been proved many times that the detention centre is violating Human Rights. Women explain that they are physically or psychologically tortured, raped or mistreated, or all of the above. Listening to one ex-detainee, there is no doubt that action should be taken. Yet, as Yarl’s Wood is privately owned by Serco, no charges have ever been taken against it, nor were the detention centre’s methods questioned. In the best cases, independent courts were seized in order to internally sanction the behavior of some members of the personnel, notably guards. Such judgements were satisfactory to the government, and no further actions have ever been taken to protect these women, who, in the end, are not British. Britain’s behaviour towards Human Rights is contradictory to international principles. Through not having its own bill of rights, the country is free to escape some of the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights, which it helped put together in 1951. The conservative government is even considering withdrawing the United Kingdom from this convention by scrapping the Human Rights Act of 1998—thus ignoring MP Dominic Grieve’s warnings—while remaining in the European Union. Even the UN worries about the effect of such an action. This raises fundamental questions. How can a strong coalition such as the European Union be built and stable if its members do not follow the same principles on human lives? The United Kingdom should start revising its views on Human Rights. Not only would it secure its position in the EU, but it would also demonstrate the government’s concern for human beings, with no consideration of social classes or ethnicity.
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Volkswagen Spoils the
Water
BY JOE BURNS COMMENT EDITOR German car manufacturer Volkswagen has been fiddling the figures on emissions tests. According to more recent data, so has Volvo, Nissan, Renault and others. This means that pollution is at illegal levels in many parts of the UK and could have caused many thousands of premature deaths and billions of pounds in health costs. These companies built cars that passed the EU’s official lab-based regulatory test (called NEDC), but the test has failed to cut air pollution as governments planned because certain companies designed vehicles that perform better in the lab than on the road. The scary thing is that this is not illegal. However, VW built and installed software in their cars that lowered emissions test results, which is definitely illegal. One thing all of these companies have in common is that they continue to make billions of pounds of profit each year. Unfortunately it seems that this scandal goes far beyond VW, and should cause decision-makers to question the future of diesel vehicles on our roads. This is a huge public health disgrace and the failure to stop companies breaking pollution
rules will have cost lives. The public cion by many. Scandals like this only can only trust that mega-corporations inflate pessimism about the ability are staying in line with pollution and of the for-profit world to act for the health policy, but it seems we have greater good. Companies like Google, Apple and been deceived. These revelations take on another Microsoft regularly promote their toxic significance. Not only do they own plans for decarbonisation and chip away at the public’s trust in busi- play a key role in shaping the wider nesses to act morally and legally, they discussion about global sustainabilalso flow into a broadity. These companies er sceptical narrative: are admired by their that climate scientists This is a huge public enormous consumand researchers are ex- health disgrace and er base which puts aggerating the risks of them in extremely the failure to stop climate change to get powerful positions. grant funding, cam- companies breaking But when global mulpaigners are overstattimillion dollar busipollution rules will ing personal damage nesses abuse this reto increase supporter spect (as Volkswagen have cost lives. income, and the priso blatantly did) their vate sector is ignoring potential for credible green rulings to maintain profits. climate advocacy is weakened—and This is a turbulent sea of relation- that is a problem for people on both ships that needs to be calmed in order sides. for all parties to achieve a cohesive Trusted voices on the issue of cliresult. mate change are in short supply. It is The VW betrayal also means a much easier to angrily disagree with major inconvenience for the many an environmentalist than to acknowlbusinesses that operate ethically and edge that severe change is needed in openly, as climate and sustainability all of our daily lives. Worse still, if our enthusiasm from the corporate sector biggest and ‘best’ corporations are is already looked upon with suspi- lying about their green regulations
in order to sell more products, why would individuals bother to take the issue seriously either? Meanwhile, a new paper has found that the food chains of the world’s oceans are at risk of collapse due to the release of greenhouse gases and increasing localised pollution. The paper, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found there was “limited scope” for animals to adapt to warming waters and acidification, with practically no species escaping the impact of increasing carbon dioxide pollution in the ocean. The study focused on 632 published experiments of the world’s oceans and found that climate change is stripping the earth of a huge section of marine species. This type of news is not new, but another reminder of the issue at hand. Looking forward, governments from around the world are bracing for two weeks of climate change negotiations this December, in Paris. Any agreement reached there would decide the global response to the threat for decades to come. In the light of scandals like this one, I hope strict and immediate action is taken.
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Holding Out for a Hero BY EMILY HANCOCK It was impossible to grow up as a slightly book- also needs to have a dazin the past ish, strongly liberal, proudly Canadian girl without zling personality, exude were almost revering Margaret Atwood. Novels like The Edi- benevolence and wisdom, always out ble Woman, Alias Grace, and The Handmaid’s Tale supply all the answers— of reach—and made her a standard-bearer not just for women in as well as serve up a steady therefore unCanada, but for women globally. stream of witty Tweets. And real. Shakespeare For girls of my generation she served as a kind of we don’t just expect this of artists. remains a towering feminist fairy godmother—someone who could, by Journalists, intellectuals, sports stars, figure in Western imagiimmersing us in the magic of her art, both encour- even chefs have to be larger than life. nation in no small part because age and inspire us. So when I heard that Atwood No self-respecting public figure today can get by we know virtually nothing about him. would be speaking at a Guardian Live event in on their work alone. They have to ceaselessly parade No Facebook page, no tell-it-all interviews, no reWestminster two weeks ago, I jumped at the chance themselves before their devoted fans. They show up al-time streaming of his every day life—just a few to buy a ticket. on book tours, TED talks, even celebrity challenges sketchy letters and some portraits of questionable As it turns out, her lecture was good—not bril- to feed our insatiable appetite for real-life heroes. authenticity. liant, not mind-blowing, certainly not The problem is that real people can never live The received wisdom about Shakespeare is in life-changing, but respectably and solidly up our heroic imaginings—and this is particular- many ways as contrived and carefully wrought as good. To be honest, I was a little disapHamlet or Macbeth; thus he never suffers the fate pointed. I don’t know exactly what I was of our modern literary superheroes when they It’s not enough that Atwood expecting. Prophecy, revelation, a kind of are forced to reveal themselves in all their human weird, artistic bonding? frailty and inevitable imperfection. writes brilliantly, creates beloved What I got instead was more prosaic—her Shakespeare, the man, remains as legendary characters, and composes literary coyness about fellow writers, her refusal to get and immortal as his art. The same can be said works that seem likely to stand the drawn into discussions of her craft, and her for Mozart, Austen, Van Gogh, Monroe and any surprisingly transparent efforts to pitch her test of time. She also needs to have of the other artistic giants who were fortunate newest book. All of this clashed with the heroenough to predate television, the internet, the a dazzling personality, exude ic Margaret Atwood of my imagination. When all-seeing eye of social media. a fan in the audience gushed about how At- benevolence and wisdom, supply all That these figures were inaccessible to their wood’s work sparked her feminist awakening, the answers—as well as serve up a audience is precisely what made them legends. Atwood remonstrated that she did not write Our modern public figures are doomed. We, steady stream of witty Tweets. feminist literature. I could feel the dreams of a the adoring fans, demand immediate and unrehundred young women in the audience physlenting access to our heroes. Moreover, we want ically wilt—mine included. ly true of artists. Can the flesh and blood J.K. Rowl- them to embody the magic and mystery of the art I suspect that none of the people who trudged out ing, however articulate, kind and civically-mind- they have created. of the auditorium that evening would ever again see ed, ever embody the magical world of witches and However, as soon as they walk out into the public, Atwood in quite the same adoring light. wizards that generations of young people grew up and we meet them face to face, they are revealed to I suspect something else; that we were all being in? Can Meryl Streep, on a day-time talk show or be just people—no longer superheroes. Either way, unfair. Unavoidably so, but unfair all the same. in a red carpet interview, ever match the poignant there is no winning for them. It makes me wonder There seems to be an irrepressible need in our and powerful characters she has portrayed on the if Margaret Atwood was maybe rather better than I modern culture to turn our artists into superhe- big screen? Is it John Mayer’s fault that his real-life remembered her. roes. It’s not enough that Atwood writes brilliantly, character always falls short of his romantic and creates beloved characters, and composes literary heartfelt songs? works that seem likely to stand the test of time. She It was not always like this. Our artistic heroes
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The Professional Bookworm and Social Media Expert at Royal Holloway BY SAMI ROBERTS EDITOR/DESIGNER She’s on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and blogs to an enormous viewership. Gemma Edwards started out by turning her endless thoughts and conversations about the books she read into blogging on her first website. She is currently an executive writer for Bookinity and works for two publishing companies in London. “So, professional fangirling, essentially,” she described. As well as achieving the professional equivalent of most 30-year-olds, Edwards is a second-year student here at Royal Holloway, studying English and Creative Writing. “A year or two ago I attended a public fan event for Divergent, and was offered tickets to the film premiere by the distribution company. I went, of course, and had such a spectacular time that we—myself, and two friends—decided to start a little blog to discuss movie and book related news. It launched (and it was positively horrific and basic) and we started generating views,” she said. With the help of her family she soon started her first website, to see where it would take her. At the time she couldn’t have known that this was her footin-the-door to the media world. “I think being UK-based ultimately made the website more popular, because our exclusive content came from UK events and authors a lot of the time,” she said. “We’re very fortunate in the UK in regards to the amount of publisher-based events and blogger events, which definitely helps network and meet a variety of different people.” Her first website got very popular, very quickly, and people from all over wanted to write for her. This kind of management and editing experience is priceless for students, especially one studying in her field. She has since taken down this website in order to
spend less time doing the admin work like editing and running the site itself, and spend more time doing the creative work she is passionate about. “University reading takes priority over any other reading,” said Edwards. “And I try to stay pretty strict on that, so I'll often take a break from reading course books to books I want to read myself, and switch between them. I essentially take time from reading, to read.” This level of balance requires strict time management, Edwards says. “It just so happens that I am terrible at managing my own time. I'm unorganised at best, and when deadlines are looming you can find me topping up with tea at 5:30 am to cram in work—it happens to the best of us.” she
‘I essentially take time from reading, to read.’ said, crediting multitasking as the key to staying on top of things. On a different platform, Edwards recently started discussing books on YouTube as well. “It’s a platform that is growing exponentially and is completely unique,” she said. “With writing or blogging, my thoughts are more analysed and revised, but with YouTube I tend to sit down and ramble on and on until my SD card can't hold any more footage, and then I'm left with the job of editing the majority of it out hours later!” Edwards advises people to keep their personal and blogging social media accounts separate, and she applies this
same principle to her life. However, being popular on the internet is hard to keep at bay when living in the close quarters that we do with housemates and friends at university. “I've always kept my business side separate from my personal side, so when some of my friends wanted to know more about what I was doing and what I was interested in, it gradually just came out.” It was inevitable that her story would get out. Now the question is, will she turn this into a career? “I know plenty of people who have made YouTube their full-time job, and those who have used it as a stepping stone to go in to careers in the industry,” Edwards said. “Having an insight into the publishing industry, I know how difficult it is to be published by large publishing houses, and whilst it's always been my goal to get my work out there, I'd also like to [continue working] in the publishing industry.” Edwards is now in a place where she can enjoy the rewards of putting in a long-term commitment and dedication into her blogging. “As a blogger, you do get access to exclusive events where authors will make an appearance, do talks and signings, which is always nice,” said Edwards. “I've gone to events at Harper Collins and met Francesca Haig, and whilst working at Orion I sat in on in-house signings with authors such as Ben Arronovitch and Ian Rankin all in the space of a week!” But it is exactly this commitment and dedication that made it possible for her to get invites to these events, and made it possible for her to meet John Green and Veronica Roth. “If you're not dedicated to it, you most likely won't hold out long before you quit,” she said. It’s easy to look at the perks and the glamour and choose to aim for that, but it is an expectation that will be disappointed for a long time before reaching this level of internet recognition. “My most valuable advice I can give anyone is: never, ever do it for the free stuff,” Edwards said. “Whilst it is lovely, you should never go in to blogging expecting to receive an abundance of products at your doorstep.” You can follow Gemma Edwards on Instagram at @anovelyouth, Twitter at @TheStiffsUK, and search for her YouTube channel under “anovelyouth” too, to hear the latest about her book reviews and recommendations.
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Vlogging and Voyeurism:
insidious than hu- base into overdrive. Companies across the globe mankind’s historical are cashing in on the financial benefit of sponsordesire to align and ing YouTubers. The underlying sense is that viewdifferentiate oneself ers trust vlogs, far more than they would typically against an “other.” A trust an advertisement. search on YouTube Particularly with younger viewers, the vlogger for “daily vlogs” will becomes their friend. They look up to them. Anyreturn thousands of one with a daughter under the age of 15 will have results in which in- heard the name Zoella. Modern advertisement dividuals take you has tapped into and is manipulating what makes on an excruciatingly vlogging tick: the desire to be a fly on the wall, to dull journey. Vital in- observe the intimacies of another individual’s evformation eryday life in order to identify and align oneself relayed with an established uniformity. may or may not include: what they ate for Looked Perhaps it is the desire for at from this breakfast, what the cat ate for breakfast, our daily routine to match point of view, how long they spent brushing their hair. We can mock, but I’m positive many in- and mirror the daily routine of the age of the telligent individuals amongst us have at one other individuals. And not just any Yo u T u b e r point watched a “vlog.” In performing their other individuals; individuals with can appear everyday routine and uploading it onto Youbleak. While 3 million subscribers whose cyber Tube, beauty vloggers satisfy fervour for esvlogs cash in reality is ironically granted a greattablished uniformity. But what do we mean on human by “established uniformity”? Perhaps it is er authenticity than our own. desire for sithe desire for our daily routine to match and militude, admirror the daily routine of other individuals. And not vertising companies cash in on the vlog’s illusion just any other individuals; individuals with 3 million of the personal. The vlog, when looked at closely, subscribers whose cyber reality is ironically granted a starts to look like a strange mix of interconnection greater authenticity than our own. and isolation. In attempting to “reach out,” do the The commercial command of YouTube celebrities vlogger and the viewer really succeed? Perhaps so, should not be underestimated. One skilfully placed but it is an interconnectivity enthusiastically moncomment on one product can send a vlogger’s fan- itored by the corporate world.
The Age of the YouTuber
BY ISABELLE FINN
The “vlog,” described by the Urban Dictionary as “a journalistic video documentation on the web of a person's life, thoughts, opinions, and interests,” is fast becoming the cultural emblem of the 2010s. A movement of undeniable narcissism, propped up by cyber superpower YouTube, the vlog attempts to communicate with its audience on a personal level. Distinguishing itself from its hackneyed older brother the “blog,” the vlog prides itself on unashamed visuality. Even the less tech-savvy among us will have heard the phrase “vlog,” and only a quick peruse on YouTube would confirm its popularity. At its zenith, beauty and lifestyle vloggers such as Zoella and Tanya Burr carry an average of 3 million subscribers. Both of these women have successfully created a brand as banal and uninspiring as it is unsettlingly likeable. However, what exactly does their mega-fame symbolise in modern culture? In its early seedling, the obsession with “other people’s lives” manifested in the flagship reality television programme, Big Brother. Few predicted what would follow in its wake: swathes of television shows in which the audience was cast as voyeur. Non-famous, non-remarkable individuals offered up their private lives for vulgar dissection by the British public. Reality itself became a performance—shows such as The Only Way is Essex and The Real Housewives unveiled the true extent of modern society’s appetite for peeping. Shows such as Big Brother were an example of how individuals seek to both align and differentiate themselves from pantomime characters of extreme proportions (i.e. “the super bitch,” “the womaniser”). In observing their success and failure, you’re able to take away some aspects of their performance (“in some ways I can be like ‘X’”) whilst simultaneously condemning other aspects (“I would never be as stupid as ‘X’”). Yet this is where the vlog differs. The vlog and its online luminaries symbolise something more
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e d i u G f e i r AB
to Digital
Footprints
BY VIKRAMJEET SOKHI
You leave a digital footprint whenever you interact on your digital device. For example, while playing online games on your smartphone, browsing online shops on your tablet or posting on someone’s social media page. It is normal to have a digital footprint, but it is recommended that you know what your publicly accessible digital footprint looks like and how you can manage it. As a post-graduate Information Security student who specialises in online safety, this article will cover some of the key basics. It can help you discover what can be found out about you relatively easily and how you can control the information that you have shared. Firstly, decide what your stance is on posting information about yourself and your family on-line. Everyone should have a view on how his or her personal information is shared. Some are more open than others. For example having comments re-tweeted or photos shared is common and widely accepted. If necessary, spend time talking to those that are in a position to share your information. Bear in mind that what you post does not only affect you. Do your family or friends know your views on drugs? How would your views on euthanasia go down at your mum’s workplace or your local church? The key idea is to think before you post. Think about the aggregation of information online regarding you or your family. Anyone who finds out enough could potentially impersonate you or use the information to your detriment. Criminals use social media posts to establish when people are on holiday and their properties are left unattended. Often, insurers will not compensate for burglaries if it can be proven that you mentioned you were away on social media. As a result, always consider entering the minimum amount of real information into online registration screens. Think hard about whether there is a need to enter real information when there are no legal reasons to do so. One of the reasons hackers were able to break into
celebrity’s Apple iCloud accounts in 2014 was because of easy answers to security questions and predictable passwords. Moreover, become aware of the necessity to protect your phone number. Your phone number is like a bankcard. Nowadays, some savvy applications can charge payments to your phone number like a back card PIN. Some websites also sell your number to third parties. Only enter your mobile online if it is absolutely necessary. Likewise, be weary of apps that want access to your phone or email contacts. Some apps will attempt to harvest and link people in your contacts list to others in their database. You might find that random person you gave your number to at the SU being prompted to make contact with your family or “real” friends by those apps without your knowledge. Finally, here are a couple of websites that can help you with understanding and monitoring your digital footprint. Pipl.com What it is good for? Search specifically for personal information. Refine searches using geographic location or leave a blank to see how many people in the world share your name. Search criteria: “Forename surname” (for example Lilly Singh) and/or include initials (for example L Singh); e-mail address (for example Lilly@Singh.com); phone numbers; and Twitter or other social media or dating usernames (Rusty Rocket, for example). Who.is What it is good for? Search for information regarding websites. This is useful to see if a new website you have come across is legit. If you run a website, you may find there is information about you out there that you do not to be publicly accessible, like a personal address. Search criteria: Name of websites. Images.google.com What it is good for? Search for images rather than text. Useful to see if someone is using your pictures without your permission or where your pictures can be publicly found. Search criteria: Upload the image or URL of an image to be searched on.
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The Student Workshop’s Di and Viv and Rose
Behind the Scenes
BY LAURA BURNETT ARTS EDITOR Following sell-out performances at Hampstead Downstairs in 2011 and a successful West End stint, Amelia Bullmore’s unique play is coming to Royal Holloway this month. The Founder caught up with The Student Workshop cast in their final two weeks of rehearsals. “Bullmore’s play really stood out for me,” enthuses director Lizzy Fretwell, the brains behind Student Workshop’s first year only production. “The plot line is very identifiable and I was so happy to have won the bid and show how great the play really is.” Di and Viv and Rose was not the first choice however for Student Workshop’s mini production. Bullmore’s all-female piece was selected as a replacement following rights issues, but looks set to be a great success. The story is recognisable: three students in the same halls of residence at university with very different personalities. Rose, a free-spirited art history student who sleeps with any boy she likes the look of; Di, a sports-loving lesbian who is taking business studies; and Viv, a sociology student with a fierce work ethic. On the surface, they seem unlikely friends but the cast argues that this is Bullmore’s point. “These women have a shared chunk of the past, ”says Amber Lickerish who is taking on the role of
Viv. “The play shows how, despite our differences, we live and co-operate through an attachment to shared experiences—through the past.” This personal connection between friends is what makes the play so popular. “It deals with real issues,” adds Samantha van den Esschert, who plays Rose in the production. “Part of the reason it is so funny is that the characters face such normal day-to-day things that I could see myself doing.” The play is unique in that not only does it have an amazingly small cast of three, but also is all female. The latter could be considered surprising in an industry where, often, females dominate auditions. Lizzy believes “there need to be more women on the stage. Theatre is generally boy heavy in terms of roles and there should be opportunities for everyone, with more strong female characters on display.” “The small cast means that the show feels quite intimate,” says Stacey Pascalle van Vliet, who is playing the role of Di. “We’ve all gotten to know each other very quickly. We’d seen each other around before we auditioned and it felt very natural from the beginning.” Amber and Samantha agree that it’s allowed them more time to find their characters, which can be quite difficult sometimes in a bigger cast. With only two weeks until the first performance, however, has the strict time frame caused any problems to arise? The team immediately talk of intense rehearsals that are now increasing from three nights a
week, the pain of securing rehearsal rooms and the dreaded learning of lines. Stacey says, “The only way to truly get our lines learnt is by going over scenes again and again.” Amber considers cues as “probably the hardest things to memorise.” Despite these small problems, the cast clearly get on well and are thoroughly enjoying being part of the Drama and Theatre department at Royal Holloway. “It’s great escapism,” says Amber. “There have been flying scripts and at one rehearsal Stacey fell off her chair.” This enthusiasm is immediately apparent in the performance and the talent showcased in Di and Viv and Rose should not be missed. With limited audience capacity of 35 for each night, tickets should be bought quickly to avoid disappointment by booking online at www.thestudentworkshoprhul.ac.uk or alternatively on the door. Following the launch night at the Monkey’s Forehead on the 21st, the run begins on Wednesday 28th until Friday 30th October in the Studio, Caryl Churchill Theatre with a 7.30pm start. Tickets are £4 adults, £3 students, £2.50 Student Workshop members. Photos provided by Laura Burnett
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5 Shows to Look Out for on Campus this Term BY LAURA BURNETT ARTS EDITOR
A View from the Bridge
Drama Society
This term Drama society take on Arthur Miller’s infamous tragedy that confronts the troubling ideology of the American dream. Set in 1950’s Brooklyn, Eddie Carbone welcomes his Sicilian cousins to the land of freedom. But when one of them falls for his niece, they discover that freedom comes at a price.
Where? SU When? Saturday 21st--Tuesday 24th November 2015
A Night at the Theatre From the Classical Society to Fashion, A Night at the Theatre showcases the talent of Royal Holloway’s performing arts societies, an event with something for everyone. With performances from Dance Society and previews of the autumn shows hitting campus this term, ANATT is not to be missed.
Where? SU When? Saturday 24th-Monday 26th October 2015
Henry V
Shakespeare Society While the RSC’s production returns to the Barbican this November, Shakespeare Society takes on this popular history play. Hal is now King and with England in a state of unrest, he must leave his rebellious youth behind, striving to gain the respect of his nobility and people. Laying claim to parts of France and following an insult from the French Dauphin, Henry gathers his troops and prepares for a war that he hopes will unite his country.
Where? Jane Holloway Hall When? Tuesday 24th-Thursday 26th November 2015
Into the Woods Musical Theatre Society We’re all familiar with the Grimm’s fairy tales, but MTS’s production of Into The Woods looks set to banish all preconceptions about Sondheim and Lapine’s tale-twisting musical. Set amongst the rubble of Blitz ridden London in the 1940’s, the characters attempt to escape the hardships of war while trying to outsmart the giants from above. Aided by Sondheim’s memorable score, MTS’s reputation for high standard productions looks set to continue.
Where? SU When? Saturday 14th--Tuesday 17th November 2015
Anything Goes Savoy Opera Society Featuring the hit songs “Anything Goes” and “I Get a Kick Out of You,” Cole Porter’s hugely popular musical is Savoy’s latest production. The story concerns the madcap antics aboard an ocean liner bound from New York to London in the 1930’s, where love triangles and disguise trickery ensues.
Where? Jane Holloway Hall When? Thursday 19th--Sunday 22nd November 2015
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tre a e h T 5 p o T his T s g n i n e p O Month T
Flooded with exciting new shows, London’s theatre calendar is unmissable this month. Boasting big names and celebrated directors, why not take in some culture? Here is your definitive guide…
T A BURNE BY LAUR OR ARTS EDIT
Consensual Kicking off the NYT’s annual West End season, Evan Placey’s play explores teenage testosterone, teacher pupil relationships and the age of consent in the UK. The play follows the relationship between PSHE teacher Diane and her class, specifically fifteen year old Freddie. The rep season also includes Wuthering Heights and The Merchant of Venice. Ambassadors Theatre, Covent Garden Tuesday 13 October 2015 – Wednesday 2 December 2015
Medea Rupert Goold directs Euripides’ masterpiece, as one of world drama’s most infamous characters is brought to life in a new version by controversial feminist writer Rachel Cusk. Kate Fleetwood stars as the titular character who murders her children to take revenge upon her husband. Almeida Theatre, Barnsbury Monday 12 October 2015 - Saturday 14 November 2015
The Hairy Ape Directed by award-winning director Richard Jones, The Hairy Ape follows the awakening of an ocean liner labourer to the world of the upper classes, exploring the wealthy neighbourhoods of New York society. Starring Olivier Award winner Bertie Carvel and Gavin and Stacey star Steffan Rhodri, The Hairy Ape is an iconic piece of American drama brought to the British stage. The Old Vic, Southwark Saturday 17 October 2015 – Saturday 21 November 2015
Ubu and the Truth Commission Drawing on Alfred Jarry’s 1888 play Ubu Roi, William Kentridge directs the Brilliant South African puppet theatre company Handspring (of War Horse fame) in this new piece by Jane Taylor. Expressing a tale of apartheid, the play also involves live performance, music and animation to provide a fully immersive experience.
Measure for Measure Following her recent appearance in Suffragette, Romola Garai heads up a cast directed by Joe Hill Gibbins in the third production of Measure for Measure to grace the London stage this year. With almost an hour cut from the play, this is an excitingly memorable retelling of Shakespeare’s morality tale. The Young Vic, Southwark Monday 12 October 2015 – Saturday 14 November 2015
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Wembley Arena BY ANDREW MITCHELL
Fall Out Boy
After 2013’s successful comeback with Save Rock ‘n’ Roll, following a three year hiatus, Fall Out Boy returned to the UK for an arena tour in support of their latest release American Beauty/American Psycho. On a tour that may have been scaled back since their last one, the band reinforced their progression from punk band to pop megastars with a collection of songs ranging from their very first major label release “Take This To Your Grave,” to the new album, released last year—successfully ignoring “Folie A Deux,” which I think we can all agree is for the best. Their progression from punk to pop, even since their last tour, is evident in their choice of support act. The last tour was kicked off by NY punk rockers The Pretty Reckless; this year, by Charley Marley, a pop-funk act signed to Pete Wentz’s record label. He was followed by Matt & Kim, a lively double act, and then sur-
Photo provided by www.standard.co.uk
prisingly, Professor Green. There is no doubt that he is great at what he does, but despite his efforts, the crowd unfortunately did not return his energy. On the subject of statements, Fall Out Boy opened their 22 song set with “Sugar, We’re Going Down,” a pop-punk classic, before immediately rolling into the epic new single, “Irresistible.” The contrast of the recorded versions of these songs could be more obvious, but live, they merged seamlessly. The more raw, less produced live versions of the songs from their new albums show a rockier side to their most pop-based songs. Despite the style of their new albums, the band has not forgotten their punk past. This contrast between old and new continue with “The Phoenix,” a jumpy track from Save Rock n Roll, followed by the just as bouncy “A little Less Sixteen Candles…” and “I Slept With Someone In Fall Out Boy…” which definitely did not attract the mosh pits that it once did. Nonetheless,
this made me feel 13 again, which was probably the average age of their fans on the night. Jay Z’s voice then echoed around the venue as “Thriller” kicked in, followed by the sing along “Alone Together,” and “The Kids Aren’t Alright,” before ending this particular section of the show with the song that probably made them big: “This Ain’t A Scene, It’s A Goddamn Arms Race.” The band then, exactly as they did on the last tour, left the main stage to take up their acoustic guitars in the middle of the arena, playing “Immortals” and “Young Volcanoes” to a much more intimate crowd, before returning to the stage and kicking the gig back off again with the messy new pop and punk mash up, “American Beauty/ American Psycho.” The title track of the new album was followed by “Jet Pack Blues,” which caused the two young girls next to me to cry, and then their excellent cover of Michael Jackson super-hit “Beat It,” and “Grand Theft Autumn,” which is, and will always be, my favourite Fall Out Boy song ever. They ended their main set with “Uma Thurman,” followed by their most successful song, “Thnks Fr Th Mmrs,” the energetic “I Don’t Care,” which was the only song from Folie A Deux (it’s release precedes the album so we can let them off) and “Centuries.” The last being a song that samples Suzanne Vega excellently, and that will be the music to sporting montages for years to come. A short encore followed, with the band returning to play “My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark,” and then ending with “Saturday,” a classic that has become their go-to show finale. They may have announced their comeback with Save Rock n Roll, but they have certainly cemented it with American Beauty/American Psycho.
That One Deaf Music Critic
What Not To Do At A Concert So recently I went to Rhodes’ concert at KOKO in Camden. It was a great gig in a great venue and I enjoyed myself greatly, BUT I also saw so many examples of exactly what not to do at a gig. So here follows a guide of what not to do at a gig. Don’t sit on the floor while people are standing around you. Don’t shout shitty jokes during lulls in the show; we’re here to see the performer not listen to you attempt to revive your failed stand-up career. Don’t film the whole thing on your shitty phone. Don’t take a photo and spend half a fucking hour, while the gig is still going on, drafting the accompanying text for the Instagram post and don’t post it while you’re still at the concert. Don’t spill your drink on anyone. Don’t lick your significant other’s face and hair while grinding them into the stranger standing in front of you. Don’t brag about how you found a great spot to stand when you’ve literally just come and fucking stood in front of me when there isn’t enough fucking room. Don’t bring a rabid bat to the show and let the fucking thing loose, giving everyone at the concert rabies. Don’t attempt to cook hot dogs on a shitty portable camping stove you somehow managed to smuggle into the venue. But, DO watch the show. DO enjoy the show. DO enjoy yourself and let everyone else enjoy themselves as well.
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Interview With (David) Rhodes Do people call you Rhodes in real life?
BY SAM BARKER
kind of healing properties they might have. But I’ve never really thought too much about whether or not it’s real. I think it’s nice not think about Yeah, when I’m being those sorts of things too much. Rhodes, yeah. It’s my surname. So people would always call me that in school and things. My school friends are coming tonight and they’ll probably be like “Rhodesy.”
In interviews you’ve talked about how when you’re writing or doing music, you need to get in the headspace using the reverb. Do you need to do that before you perform? I like to sort of get lost in the sound-checks a bit sometimes, and just sort of have a bit of time on my own on the stage just with my amp up loud, and just feeling the space and trying to figure it out. That’s the beauty of doing the live shows, is you can spend a bit more time getting to know the space.
You often talk about crystals, could you elaborate? My mum’s really into crystals’ healing energy and she does reflexology and she’s very spiritual. She got me into it. It’s nice. I have a piece of kyanite, which is supposed to balance your throat chakra. My mum is always texting me saying, “I think you need to take a piece of amethyst today” or something like that. I think because I’ve grown up with it, it’s always just been there. I spent a lot of time researching different stones and finding out what they do and their meanings and what
Do you apply that same belief when it comes to writing your lyrics?
No, I spend a lot of time writing lyrics, so it’s very personal. My approach to it is to leave it open, so there’s a subject, but there’s a sentiment. So the subject can be quite obvious, but the sentiment is the thing that people can relate to. Close Your Eyes is about overcoming fear, so, okay, my fear is singing. But somebody else’s fear might be they’ve got some health problem or something like that. That’s where it’s left open. I think that’s really interesting, when I meet people and they tell me what the songs mean to them, it varies quite a bit. I think that’s really cool that people can move their own meanings into things. I think I do that. I think everyone probably does too.
Do you think music videos detract, or add to, the emotional engagement of a song? Music videos are a really hard one. When you’re touring and on the road and recording an album, it’s kind of like, “Where am I going to find the time to do a music video?” And then you collaborate with people and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. The thing I think I’ve learnt over the last year and a half is that beauty is the most effective way of making a good music video. I think storylines and narratives can be cool but it can be hard for people to really relate to it, unless it’s visually stunning. My favourite music videos are like the Coldplay one where he crashes the car and it’s all in reverse, [“The Scientist”]. They’re great music videos and they’re visually stunning.
Photos provided by theidleman.com
was running through a field with my mates. “Raise Your Love” is about my parents’ relationship breaking down and how vulnerable you feel when that happens and how the older people they don’t really think you understand so you have to try and escape somehow. The guy I was working with made his own interpretations of it and we went and filmed it and, yeah, it turned out quite cool, it was good. It was an experiment and it was fun to do.
You’ve got a two part series of music videos: “Run” and then “Raise Your Love.” Are those If there was one sound or linked just by video, or is there noise you could eliminate a link in the songs as well? from human existence which They’re both stories reflecting on you would never have to hear my childhood so that’s the only real link I think. At that time I’d not done again, what would it be? a lot: I hadn’t done any gigs and I wanted to keep it quite ambiguous. No one really knew who I was or what I looked like, or if I was a band or if I was a solo artist. So I didn’t want to be in them. This one guy had some pretty cool ideas and so we hung out and spoke a lot about filming. Run was about childhood adventure and growing older and reflecting on it. Even though we’re not old, I feel old compared to my 10-year-old self who
Maybe white noise. When we’re sound checking and stuff. Because we wear those in-ear monitors and I’m kind of getting used to those at the moment, but then someone flips a switch and it’s like [groans].
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Interview with Spector Moth Boys is a lot more album, but not like faster tracks we done before like “Celestine” or Shortly after the release of their consistent and sophisticated have “Chevy Thunder.” I like Fred’s vocal brooding latest album Moth Boys, on the track and also how it’s not too Stockton in the North East was than your debut—was this Spector are recovering from their wordy. tour of in-store gigs and busy prepar- great because the venue we played ing for their upcoming stint of shows in is a great record store that’s been important to the band for the around for ages so there’s a lot of hisaround the country. The music scene is rife with The album plays a bold card to tory. That one was really busy. Leeds second album? go so heavily on the 80s synth sound and Newcastle were also really good On the new album we only had new bands at the moment— which definitely seems to have paid because they were so busy—I like the one producer and about three mixers, off, as so far Spector are avoiding Northern cities! whereas on the first album we had being in a band yourself, are the dreaded second album lull. Moth about seven different producers and Boys takes a different tone to that of loads of mixers, so that’s the main there any in particular you the band’s debut Enjoy It While It Your upcoming tour must reason it sounds more consistent. We Lasts, so I was keen to find out about didn’t choose it to be that way but would tip for the big time in the album’s more sophisticated sound be exciting! You’ve got great hopefully our albums are getting betin an interview with drummer Dansupports like Spring King on ter every time! Enjoy It While It Lasts the future? ny Blandy. can be a bit much to just sit and listen Definitely my friend’s band The the bill—how do you choose to so that is the main difference with Rhythm Method—they’re really great. Moth Boys. How is the album release If we’re talking indie bands I’d go with the support bands? Spring King and The Magic Gang begoing? I’ve read you being compared cause they’re great live. The scene is I knew one of the guys from Spring just never-ending and there’s always King from uni and they’re a great to other artists. What has something new around so there’s a lot band! We’ve had other great supports Good (I think). The like Pale on our last tour who have of great stuff to keep up with! album has been a long unfortunately split now, but really we been your favourite time coming since the just choose bands that we like! comparison to date? release of Enjoy It While It Lasts so I think we’ve set the world ablaze! You can’t really have a review withWe wanted to create something that The sound of Moth Boys is out a comparison to another band, could be well-known and quoted in but being compared to anyone who’s Twitter bios or something so I think very different to that of Enjoy made music is a compliment, as long we’ve done that. not someone really bad! I like It While It Lasts—did you astheit’scomparison of us to The Pet Shop Boys and The Smiths, I like You went on an in-store tour of draw from different influenc- those bands so it’s a because great complithe UK—how was that? es when writing the tracks? ment to be compared to them. It was definitely weird driving The album felt more like a natural What’s your favourite track on round to places that we’d never been evolution for the band because it took to before, like the one we did in so long to make. We weren’t aiming Moth Boys? Blackburn, but it’s nice that some- for it to sound a certain way, and it BY CERI-ANN HUGHES
times people just see you on the offchance and seem to like the music. It’s different in smaller places because you expect the big cities like Leeds to be really busy because there is a fan base there.
Which in-store was your favourite?
was more of a collaborative effort of what we personally like. Moth Boys is how we wanted it to sound rather than Enjoy It While It Lasts which was more song-led rather than what sounds we really liked ourselves.
I think each has its own merit! I like “Kyoto Garden” because I love the synths and it feels like it develops in a natural way that is quite slow and subtle. I also like “Decade of Decay” because it’s a faster track on the
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THE FOUNDER October 2015
FOUNDER Music
MUSIC
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Music@thefounder.co.uk / @rhulfounder
Deafheaven New Bermuda Review BY ALEX BARRINGTON Black Metal is a genre which is unfortunately famous for being insular and regressive, forever tainted by snobbery and its association with white supremacists like Varg Vikernes. Considering this, whenever a new band or sound comes around that enrages the mainstream black metal scene I’m keen to give them a chance. It was this inclination that caused Deafheaven to pique my interest with their debut record Roads To Judah back in 2011, a gorgeous blend of elements taken from various genres, most prominently black metal, post-rock and shoegaze. This wasn’t a particularly unique mix, as blackgaze has been established as a niche sub-genre of metal for over a decade now, and it wasn’t until their second offering Sunbather that I was truly struck by the band. Their sophomore record showed a group that had matured in almost every facet of their craft, from the production value through to the structure of the material. It was the strength of Sunbather that prompted my keen interest in the future of Deafheaven. The band’s frontman, George Clark, described the concept of their third album New Bermuda as signifying “a new destination in life, a nebulous point of arrival, and an unknown future where things get swallowed up and dragged into darkness.” This is reflected in the album artwork, an oil painting by Allison Schulnik, which shows splashes of pastel colour being slowly devoured by eddies of black paint. The opening track, “Brought To The Water,” perfectly epitomises the sonic palate of the record as well as the underlying themes, a fact which prompted the band to stream it ahead of the album release. Gone are the bright, sunny textures of Sunbather, replaced instead with an overbearing gloom. The band’s ability to marry seemingly disparate sonic timbres and dynamic transitions marks an ever improving songwriting technique. The guitar tracks sound frenzied and desperate, before shifting into cleaner, reverb drenched melodies. These dynamic shifts never feel out of place or tacked on. Clark’s voice is placed higher in the mix than
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on previous projects, and he commonly makes use of a delay effect to punctuate certain phrases. While his lyrics are still mostly indecipherable, this is certainly not due to a lack of skill. Reading the lyrics alongside listening to the music adds an enjoyable, synthetic quality to the experience. This is not music that panders to the listener, but requires careful uncovering over the course of several listens. Despite this, it manages to be incredibly immediate, such as on the second track Luna, with it’s chugging guitar riffs and blast beats and Clark barking like a deranged street preacher over the broiling chaos, or “Baby Blue,” which begins as an instrumental, dripping with spacey, phased guitars into a gutsy belter of a track, with almost comical classic rock-esque solos laced over the top. “Gifts for the Earth” is possibly the most interesting track, typified by synth drones, gorgeous melodic guitar playing over some interesting chord changes, and vocals that are pushed further to the front than ever before on a Deafheaven track. This album lives up to the promise of its forebear and the themes laid out by the band. It presents a vision of a person struggling with their ability to trust their vision of the past, unable to conquer the uncertainty of the future, and therefore, incapable to cope in the present.
Concert Reviews at the SU Nothing But Thieves BY SAM BARKER They started as they meant to go on, and finished in the same vein: starting with a scream from the vocalist and ending with a torrent of squealing feedback as instruments were dumped on top of the drum kit, screeching wildly. They were glorious all the way through. By the second song the drummer was blind, drumming so hard that he couldn’t keep his glasses on, and then breaking part of the kit a further two songs in. The vocals were incredible, with the vocalist breaking into haunting falsettos, and at other times screaming. The two guitarists and bass player smashed away at their respective instruments, and the whole set ended in a song with what felt like the longest build up to the breakdown ever, so long that by the time it came the SU almost lifted off its feet as literally everyone jumped as one. There was no dancing, and there was little flailing around. The band simply played, and played hard, and gave one of the most convincing rock performances I’ve seen. They weren’t just some blokes on the stage performing; they were a rock band.
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FOUNDER Music
October 2015
THE FOUNDER
Music@thefounder.co.uk / @rhulfounder
Little Comets
Signals A band that introduced themselves to the crowd with three sharp hard chopped attacks at the bass and guitar and carried on with abrupt song endings and abrupt beat changes, dropping us from beat three to one without warning. The vocalist provided powerful vocals, accompanied at times by the bass player and the guitarist. Their energy was high, with the bass player prowling all over the stage and flinging his hair everywhere. The energy was actually so high that the bass player broke his strap two songs in. Signals were an extremely good build up for the next band. Keep an eye out for any future concerts they might do.
Little Comets were undeniably good, and are clearly talented musicians and songwriters, blending the styles of Alt-J and Vampire Weekend smoothly with sprinklings of math rock and perfume genius' later recordings. But they came after Nothing But Thieves, and something felt off about the stylistic change. After Nothing But Thieves the crowd wanted to keep jumping and keep shouting along with the lyrics of a chorus that they could learn after one go through. Unfortunately, Little Comets couldn’t quite keep up with that demand. Still a clearly talented band, just unfortunately placed during the night.
My First Month As A Spotify Student Brand Manager What It’s Like To Have The Perfect Student Job BY NATASHA BARRETT MUSIC EDITOR Having made it through a three-stage application process over the summer (much to my genuine surprise) I’ve managed to secure myself what many people deem the ultimate student job. The application was intense due to the popularity of the position with 1000’s of people applying; an online form followed by a phone interview and then an assessment day including presentations to a group. To break it down, being an SBM allows you both a termly pay package and an incredible series of perks and experiences. Throughout my time in the position I can earn cash bonuses and tickets to festivals, I get to attend amazing events like the Spotify Secret Social and even the assessment and training were brilliant fun with the added bonus of free snacks and a post training party. In addition, I can get special consideration for summer internships and make both great friends and great contacts for graduate job prospects, all while achieving something that will look brilliant on my CV with a big name company. Considering all of the benefits of being an SBM, I should also mention that as part of the job you receive a PS4, a portable Bluetooth amp and various lights, balloons, disposable cameras and general party equipment as well as an enormous amount of paper cups and then host or support pre-drinks, parties and socials around campus. Considering that I’m a pretty sociable person anyway, this is basically the perfect job for me even without my keen interest in music and spreading music love through my positions at The Founder and Insanity Radio.
Freshers’ week saw the launch of Spotify’s “Hello Freshers” tour, with buses driving around the country to spread the love and give out freshers’ packs for pre-drinks and ice-breaking in new flats. Alongside this was the launch of “Spotify Mix Mates,” which allows you to enter your favourite artist and a friend’s and work out how similar your tastes are, whilst creating a bespoke playlist. Overall the campaign was a roaring success and the beginning of term was improved with a little bit of Spotify delight. It was brilliant to start meeting freshers and to get involved in societies starting up for the year. Since term started I was invited to support LGBT+ Society’s first big social and have hosted numerous Spotify themed pre-SU gatherings. Friends and acquaintances alike have been really keen to get involved and help me with the job—from blowing up giant balloons to transporting equipment, which has helped me enormously whilst creating the buzz and sense of community that Spotify aims to achieve. The company introduced Student Brand Managers not to act as sales associates but simply to help create a love for the brand in an environment where Spotify is particularly appreciated. The successful students are get to “enhance student life” and create “incredible music moments” which is hardly difficult when university life revolves around music so acutely to begin with. Royal Holloway has an incredible musical base with Insanity Radio, musical content in both The Founder and The Orbital, as well as the Red Cup Company events, club nights and a whole host of
student bands and artists. These elements allow me even more potential for the role and I definitely hope to incorporate them into my Spotify projects. I am already in love with the position; it allows me to meet and engage with people, help maintain the sense of community that Royal Holloway is so well known for, and promote music (one of my greatest passions) all through creating great playlists and maximising social events. For anyone looking to add something brilliant to their CV, I would definitely recommend the job for next year and that’s after only a month in the role! The two main events of last year were the Spotify Secret Social and the Spotify Sound Clash, which were run brilliantly by last year’s SBM with Royal Holloway’s Feminist Society being amongst the national winners of the Spotify Sound Clash and receiving £500 sponsorship. This year I will also have the social kit (amp, PS4, disposable cameras, balloons, cups, lights and logo projector) available to support any events, pre-drinks or socials your house or society might be holding. You can follow the “Sound of Royal Holloway” account on Spotify from which I will post Insanity’s weekly playlist as well as the top picks of various societies and lists to hype you up for event nights at Medicine or the SU. So make sure you get in touch if you have any upcoming events you want a little extra Spotify support for or if there’s anything you particularly want to see from the “Sound of Royal Holloway” profile and keep an eye out on Facebook and Twitter for upcoming campaigns!
THE FOUNDER October 2015
FOUNDER Film
FILM
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Film@thefounder.co.uk / @rhulfounder
Sexism and Gender Inequality is Rife in the Global Film Industry Suffragette Premiere rekindles ongoing debate on the lack of women in the US and UK film industry BY ZAK DERLER FILM EDITOR
On Wednesday 7 October, Sisters Uncut, a feminist group targeting domestic violence issues, stormed onto the red carpet of the Suffragette premiere chanting “dead women can’t vote” and in homage to the colours of Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), released purple and green smoke flares into the city air. The protesters were campaigning against recent domestic violence cuts and decreased government funding for refuge and support services, yet the fundamental issue: inequality is just as prevalent in the film industry.
Women have accounted for a mere 22.6% of film crews in the US box office. Although the lack of gender diversity in film production is nothing new, recent studies have shown shockingly low figures on the role of women in film crews, and the scariest thing is that these numbers are continuing to decrease. According to Stephen Follows, a British film producer, women have accounted for a mere 22.6% of film crews in the US box office. In his study he looked at 2000 movies; the top 100 grossing of each year from 1993-2013. The camera and electrical department was the most predominantly male with only 5.1% of jobs being taken up by women and only 1.8% being cinematographers. Instead the most “female” departments were found to be costume 68%, casting 66.5% and makeup 57.2%,
which I imagine does not sit well with young female filmmaking talent. The genres with the highest proportion of women were cruelly stereotypical, with musicals at 26.9%. On the other hand, sci-fi and action movies had the smallest percentage of female crew members, each with around 20%. “The results are pretty shocking, and should hopefully serve as a wake up call to parts of the industry,” claimed Follows in the introductory paragraph of his research report. “I don’t believe that the majority of the industry is fundamentally sexist or anti-women but when you look at these results, especially over time, it’s plain to see that something is wrong and it isn’t fixing itself.” What was perhaps most degrading was that from the 2000 films in question, Tina Fey’s Mean Girls, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Honey (three films encompassing very similar narrative styles) all had 42% on Follows’ chart, making them the three films with the highest percentage of female workers, and even then it is a minority figure. On the other end of the spectrum, action-adventure On Deadly Ground, directed by Steven Seagal, had the smallest female workforce at 10%. It is worth noting Seagal has been accused multiple times of employment discrimination. German filmmaker Lexi Alexander went so far in a recent interview as to say, “99% of women working in the film and television
industries have experienced sexism,” and then began listing the numerous examples she could think of off the top of her head. Various other celebrity icons have also recently spoken out about the rising display of sexism within the industry including Emma Watson, now a UN Women’s Goodwill Ambassador, and Suffragette stars Meryl Streep and Carey Mulligan. “It's a film to mark the achievement of what these women did and what they gave to us, but it also highlights where we are in the world. We still live in a society that's sexist,” Mulligan states.
The film industry is only a singular microcosm for a society which is openly and consciously discriminative to gender. Streep blames the film’s critics and reviewers for a vastly male-dominated production industry and according to an annual 2013 report by the Women’s Media Centre, men wrote 82% of all film reviews. “In our industry, it’s all controlled by buzz. Who creates that?” Streep argued in a promotional conference in London, naming Rotten Tomatoes and attacking its one-sided male/female reviewer ratio. Just look at the creation of things like the Bechdel Test, for instance, that challenges fictional works to
have at least two women talking about something other than a man. So often, women in film are presented as the sexy companion, secondary to the male protagonist, and there are very few films which feature a female lead who isn’t sexualised/glamourised or on a quest for love. If current box-office films are sexist in their portrayal of women, then there will be a continued approval that sexism and discriminatory hiring practices can continue in the industry, unchecked. But maybe, and more probably, the reason lies within the broader issue of society as a whole in which the film industry is only a singular microcosm for a society which is openly and consciously discriminative to gender, just as much as it is discriminative to any other categorical distinctions such as race or age. Ultimately the film industry, too, would benefit if we had a larger variety of taste and creative thought fuelled into the production of cinema. Perhaps we would see an improvement in the films we watch and could be introduced to new ideas rising out between the current swarm of boring and repetitive storylines.
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FOUNDER Film
October 2015
THE FOUNDER
Film@thefounder.co.uk / @rhulfounder
The Intern:
BY ZOE GILHAM
A review
This mediocre comedy, directed by Nancy Meyers, centres on a loveable widow, Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro) who, deciding that he needs something more from life, applies to a senior intern program at an online clothing start-up company founded by Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway). This film follows Whittaker as he reacquaints himself with the world of work, forming close relationships with his younger co-workers along the way. While this may appear to be an unrealistic premise in the modern world of age discrimination, the touching performance by De Niro helps make this film appear more realistic and ultimately comes across as an ingenious idea for businesses today. The Intern provides a few small laughs, with one particular standout moment featuring the senior intern and three co-workers breaking and entering in a funfilled sequence which will leave an audience in stitches. This light-heartedness contrasts with the day-to-day struggles of existing in the modern corporate world that, while clearly evident, are not touched upon in this film.
Why I Fell In Love With Victoria BY CAROLIN WOLFSDORF If people ask me what my favourite film from this year has been, they tend to be surprised when it’s not Jurassic World, even though Chris Pratt on a motorcycle is a stunning sight to behold. No, my favourite film so far is the German low budget film Victoria by Sebastian Schipper. Filmed in Berlin, the Drama/Thriller follows Victoria, a young Spanish woman, through an eventful night where she meets a group of four young Berliner men outside of a nightclub. The brief acquaintance turns into a dangerous friendship when Victoria helps them to settle one of their debts and ends up being involved in a bank robbery. I sat tense, on the edge of my seat for the whole 136 minutes.
having a script consisting of only 12 pages. They therefore had to improvise most of the dialogue. The performances of Laia Costa as Victoria and Frederick Lau as Sonne are highly believable and true to life. What makes Victoria stand out the most, however, is Sturla Brandth Grøvlen’s cinematography. The whole 136-minute film was filmed in an astonishing one take: there isn’t a single cut between scenes and instead the camera follows the characters for nearly 2 and a half hours through the streets of Berlin regardless of whether they are walking, running, cycling or driving in a car. If you have ever worked on a film set you can just imagine how hard it was for Schipper to control and pace the actors, let alone the additional 150 extras, three sound teams and six assistant directors.
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The major problem with this film is the lack of a clear, definitive plot. Even though this film establishes Whittaker as the main character, any conflict in the film does not appear to directly affect him. This vague narrative structure lets the film down whereby the lack of focus on the journey of the main character leads to an ending that does little to satisfy the audience; a baffling move for a mainstream film. Whittaker’s endearing personality, facilitated by the brilliantly cast De Niro, is what elevates this otherwise average film about an undeterred widow who does not let retirement slow down his drive. Ostin is adequately played by Hathaway, whose main issue is being compared with a similar film of hers, The Devil Wears Prada (David Frankel, 2006), a more iconic film that will be remembered when The Intern is eventually and inevitably forgotten.
Schipper creates a dynamic and immersive cinematic experience, making the viewer feel part of the group’s adventure, which is accomplished by the film’s minimalistic and atmospheric tone. Moreover the use of language is remarkable. The men talk in German with a Berlin accent, or more specifically with “Berliner Schnauze,” a coarse, Berlin slang that incorporates humour, much like the Cockney accent of London. Consequently, they struggle to communicate with Victoria in English and speak in a non-fluent and mistake-ridden manner; this makes the characters relatable and real. This realist feel is owed to the actors
Schipper’s courageous decision proved successful, as Victoria was the great winner in the German Film Awards winning 6 “Lolas.” Unfortunately Germany cannot nominate Victoria for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards because the film does not fit the criteria due to it succeeding the maximum 41% English language usage. But why not nominate it for Best Picture then? My support would be guaranteed. If after reading this you decide you can’t wait to see the film then I have to disappoint you: the film will probably not be released in UK cinemas, but do be sure however to keep your eyes open for the DVD release!
THE FOUNDER
October 2015
FOUNDER Lifestyle
LIFESTYLE
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Lifestyle@thefounder.co.uk / @rhulfounder
BY ELEANOR MCCLOSKEY LIFESTYLE EDITOR
A few months ago I read somewhere that the number of women becoming Catholic nuns in England and Wales has hit a 25 year high. From a measly 7 women joining religious orders in 2004, the number has steadily risen to a remarkable 45 in 2014. Astonishingly perhaps, the majority of these women are under the age of 30, many of them graduates, and all of them with their whole lives ahead.
a constant state of flux when it comes to religion; I was a Buddhist for about a year when I was 15. I think I just don’t like facts and science. The Catholic Church can sometimes feel like an institution; something that is so ingrained, that you can’t ever fully shake off. Sometimes I am fiercely protective of it, and sometimes I feel nothing but apathy. Because I am a feminist, I struggle to reconcile the teachings of the Catholic Church with what I know in my heart to be common sense. How It’s almost more could I possibly follow and devote myself fully to impressive to become a nun a religion that believes all the evil in the world in 2015, because we have all can be traced right back to Eve? How on earth could I support a church that wouldn’t allow me these outside noises to become a priest, if I wanted to, because I am distracting us with money a girl? I am passionately pro-choice, pro-contraand sex and things like that. ception, pro-gay marriage; all things that don’t sit well with the Catholic Church. As a feminist, I am fascinated by nuns. On one hand But, ever the investigative journalist, I decided I was dismayed to learn that, in this day and age, to put my money where my mouth is and find out when young women have more opportunity and what sort of life awaits these new nuns, who are
office, with more pictures of the Pope. Sister Cecile, the tiniest woman I’ve ever seen gives me a hug and shows me around. I meet Sister Angela a bit later, and then Sister Pauline, and I feel so at ease around them. Over lunch, the sisters ask about my faith and I am honest. I tell them that I find it hard, impossible even, to reconcile my feminist beliefs with a Church that seemingly doesn’t value women, or value them in the modern sense anyway. Sister Cecile says that she has “no time for big boot-wearing feminists who go around marching and protesting,” as I slide my Doc Martens under the table and gulp. As Sister Angela and Sister Cecile chat about something else, Sister Pauline grabs my hand and says, with wide eyes, that I “mustn’t go into the chapel at night” because “someone might whack you over the back of the head with a statue,” before going back to drinking her tea, as if that wasn’t the maddest thing to say ever. That afternoon I go for a little walk around Rot-
How Do the Sisters Act? Third-year Eleanor McCloskey sees for herself by immersing herself in the life of a nun
freedom than ever before, some of us were choosing to throw it all away. And then on the other, it’s important to consider that nuns might be the most feminist people ever. Think about it. They completely reject patriarchal norms like the inevitability of getting married and having children, to live in what is essentially a commune with other women, their friends. Many religious orders devote their lives to working with women who have been domestically abused, or those who have been victims of sex-trafficking. Because of my Irish Catholic upbringing, I feel as though I am able to critique the Church. I am in
not much older than you or I. I email a number of convents and am pleasantly surprised to have a reply almost immediately from Sister Cecile at St Martha’s convent in Rottingdean, who invites me to stay the very next weekend. I am careful about what I pack; I am determined to appear pious and good, so I throw the Marlboros out of my weekend bag and chuck the New Testament in. In the email I sent I talked about how I would like the Catholic Church to play some sort of role in my life, but that I’m not sure how. It’s not a total lie; I feel as though a bit of soul-searching wouldn’t go amiss. I arrive early Saturday morning to the sweetest house I’ve ever seen. Think Dolores Umbridge’s
tingdean with Sister Cecile. I am already headover-heels in love with her. She is a marvellous, funny woman who has lived such an interesting life. We talk about life for young women today, the immense pressure that we feel, and navigating the pitfalls of relationships. She tells me that our generation is “disposable of people” and that it worries her. It really strikes a chord with me, because aren’t we? Later that night as I lie in bed, wide awake, I remember Sister Cecile saying that the chapel is always left unlocked should I be in the mood for a spot of moonlit prayer. I am, in fact (when in Rome and all that) and I haven’t seen the chapel properly, so I tiptoe out of my room and make my way quietly down the little dark corridor. I’m pleased that I brought my smartest silk pyjamas in case I bump into any fellow devout night owls, but I don’t. It’s just me, and the chapel is deathly
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LIFESTYLE
October 2015
FOUNDER Lifestyle
THE FOUNDER
Lifestyle@thefounder.co.uk / @rhulfounder
A Weekend at St Martha’s Convent quiet. Statues and saints stare down at me from all I have a bit of free time in the afangles. Judging me, probably. I hear creaks and a ternoon so I have a wander through the scuffle, which I assume must be one of the cats, grounds. There is an orchard, and an alor perhaps a ghost? Convents must be brimming lotment, and I stomp up the stone steps with ghosts, especially ones as old as St. Martha’s. to the statue of St Martha herself, who I’ve scared myself now so I hot foot it back down looms over me. She looks so serene and the corridor, jump back into bed and fall straight beautiful that I find myself confessing a to sleep. few things to her. Catholic guilt is a real The next day at lunch I ask them all when they thing guys. I half expect her to wobble, or decided to become nuns. Sister Pauline was five. cry tears of blood or something, but she I ask them whether they think it means more to doesn’t. choose the religious life in 2015, rather than in The nuns the 1940’s, when women had fewer choices. Sis- invite me ter Cecile says that it’s almost more impressive to to silent become a nun in 2015, because we have all these prayer at 4 outside noises distracting us with money and sex o’clock. I am determined to do everyand things like that. They all agree though that thing properly so I accept wholeheartthe meaning hasn’t changed. edly, although I wonder how long I can It’s all very jovial until Sister Cecile asks me really be silent for. Since arriving I’ve about my future plans in terms of getting married become very aware of my own volume, and having children, and I tell her that I don’t want because the convent is so so quiet, and I either. I find it difficult to explain to these women, am so not. We all sit in different corners these lovely lovely women, why I think marriage of the chapel and bow our heads while, is a patriarchal construct, historically used to buy to my delight, the cats slink around the and sell wompews, sometimes en, a matter sitting on a nun’s that womlap as if in prayer I find it difficult to en had little themselves. explain to these women, or no choice It’s about half these lovely lovely in, and why, though I past 8 in the evedo have the choice, I am ning, and I go women, why I think opting out of it. They all and find Sister marriage is a patriarchal blink back at me, a bit bePauline to tell mused. I’m not sure they her that I’m goconstruct know quite what to make ing for a walk. of me. Before I go to bed She is delighted Sister Cecile hands me some leaflets on the “sin- – it means I can swing by the co-op and gle life.” get some milk for the morning. I decide Inevitably, perhaps, we get on to the subject to go for a wander along the beach of gay marriage and of course we have differing The sun is setting and the sky is a views. I raise the point that Pope Francis is an ex- very fetching rose-gold and it’s all very ample of tolerance and kindness in the Catholic pleasant. As I stomp over the pebbles Church when it comes to gay marriage, but Sister and inhale that gloriously salty smell of Cecile tells me that people “can be gay without the sea, I suddenly realise that I’m crybeing a practising gay.” Where’s the fun in that, ing. I have only cried twice in the last though? four years, so it comes as quite a shock.
It’s just a few tears, and I don’t know whether it’s the kindness of the nuns, the fact I’ve been thinking about Granny, the beauty of the beach or the stress caused due to lack of Wi-Fi (perhaps a mix of all four). I suddenly feel very emotional and quite ridiculous. I sit down on a big rock for a while, thinking about everything that the sisters and I have discussed, and how happy I’ve been at the convent. I don’t think I feel any more religious particularly, but I do feel incredibly peaceful. I don’t think I have ever been so at peace with myself or with the world. It must be something to do with the quietness of St. Martha’s, I decide, and the fact that I’ve had a lot of time to think about things. I wonder if this is how the new nuns, who are my age, feel at their convents. In the dreary hustle and bustle of modern life, with all the noise and busyness and rushing, no wonder so many young women are searching for meaning and purpose, and finding it in religion. I think we all need a little bit of faith in something, otherwise, what’s the point? I pull myself together, head back to the convent, and fall straight to sleep. A few months later I am back in Brighton for a weekend, and I pop in to St Martha’s to see the nuns and give them a hug. As I walk through the gates, I feel that same immense sense of peace that I felt that weekend. The nuns are as delighted to see me as I am to see them, and let me pick as many apples as I want from the orchard to take with me back to uni. To my absolute joy there is a new nun, who looks as though she is in her mid-20s. I’m so happy that they will have someone to look after them and that the rise of nuns has trickled down to this tiny convent at the edge of England. God bless you all.
THE FOUNDER
October 2015
FOUNDER Sport
SPORT
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Sports@thefounder.co.uk / @rhulfounder
World In Union Quarter Final Turmoil BY SAM WILLIAMS SPORT EDITOR I’m sure by now many fans of English rugby had to sit through the “An Englishman walks into a bar, but he’s the only one there, everyone else is at the World Cup” joke. Well, have no fear because the rest of the Northern Hemisphere have come to join you, so make some room at the bar. First up came Pool A runners-up Wales vs Pool B winners South Africa. Despite a loss to Japan in the first round, South Africa had spent most of their World Cup journey untroubled in an effort to show their early loss was a mistake. On the other hand Wales came into the game with everything to prove after a loss to Australia despite a two-man advantage in the second half. The game showcased the game plan of both sides, with the gigantic South African pack piling on the pressure with solid attacking play and the backs intelligently using the boot to pin Wales back into their own half. Wales battled back with a defensive effort that has almost become the norm for the team, a wall of red that rarely let an attacker through. Most of the game seemed dedicated to the fly-halves as Handre Pollard and Dan Biggar exchanged penalties that kept the sides almost level, with the only try of the first half coming from Biggar collecting his own kick and offloading to scrum-half Gareth Davies to touch down for his 5th try of the tournament. The conversion and a subsequent drop-goal, again from Biggar, allowed Wales to keep the pressure on and go into half-time leading 12-13, a score line that refused to budge past a point or two for the rest of the game until its dying minutes. An error of judgement in the Welsh defence from a scrum on their own 10 metre line led to the captain of the South Africa, Fourie De Preez, running a try into the corner, crushing the World Cup dreams of the Welsh as they struggled to fight back. The final whistle blew with the score reading 23-19 in favour of the South Africans who stride on to a semi-final place, while the Welsh go home with dreams of what might have been. Later that night came New Zealand against France, a game that featured as the final of the last World Cup and a game the All Blacks usually approach with trepidation. That did not seem to be the case this year. After giving a vote of no-confidence to their head coach the French team coached themselves going
into their game with the reigning World Champions, however when the game began the lack of leadership from the staff seemed obvious. Going into half-time the score line seemed attainable for the French, down 29-13 to the champs, an upset could still occur. Little could anyone know the floodgates were about to open. What followed the whistle commencing the second half was a men-against-boys situation where the World Champions proved why they are ranked number 1 in the world. Running in 5 tries in the space of 22 minutes, France could not keep up with the relentless attack from the Men in Black. Julian Savea took poll position in the World Cup try scoring ranks by running in his second hat-trick in a performance that was reminiscent of another great All Blacks winger, Jonah Lomu. France never seemed to really trouble the All Blacks who can now look forward to a game against South Africa. Meanwhile the French need, as retiring player Frederic Michalak said, a serious readjustment in order to remain in contention with the rest of the world. Sunday produced another set of very surprising games for the fans. First up an injury-laden Ireland went head to head against a very strong-looking Argentina, but despite the adversity they faced the Irish seemed determined to continue their winning ways past the pool stages and into the semis, though the Argentinians obviously didn’t get the message. In a first half that saw Argentina come out with a 10 point advantage over their northern hemisphere opponents, despite a yellow card early in the match, thanks to a duet of tries scored in the opening minutes from Los Pumas. This discouraging score line did disappear for a moment during the second half as the Irish do what they do best and bravely fought back to make the score 20-23 to Argentina at 53 minutes. However this seemed to jolt the Argentinians back into top gear as fresh legs from the bench were deployed
and again victory soared out of Ireland’s reach thanks to another pair of tries in the last 10 minutes. With yet another southern hemisphere team going on to the semi-finals, the northern half of the world looked hopefully on Scotland, the perpetual underdogs, to give them hope for rugby on the top half of the world. This was potentially the most surprising game of the whole weekend. Everyone expected hard-won games (New Zealand/France not included) that came right to the wire, but despite coming second in their pool, Scotland did not seem to have the same expectation put on them as the rest of the home nations. Perhaps that is what spurred them to play like men possessed. In a game that went back and forth more often than a metronome and had Ozzies and Scots, as well as the rest of the world, teetering on the edge of their seats. With Australian winger Adam Ashley-Cooper running in a try in the first 10 minutes, the game seemed to be going as expected, playing out to the tune that the Australians chose. A tune that was soon drowned out by bag-pipes and war cries that would make William Wallace shiver as the Scots matched the Ozzies penalty for penalty, try for try. Both teams were forced to fight and claw for every point they scored and just as it seemed as though Scotland could achieve the impossible and become the only northern hemisphere team to reach the semi-finals, disaster struck. In the 80th minute, French referee Craig Joubert penalised Scotland’s Jon Welsh for playing the ball illegally and the Australians slotted the penalty for a final score of 35-34 to Australia. The World Rugby committee has released a statement saying the ruling of the referee was incorrect, but only after the event had taken place, meaning despite the law being in their favour, Scotland join the Welsh, the Irish and the French in watching the southern nations battle to be crowned World Cup Champions 2015.
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SPORT
FOUNDER Sport
October 2015
THE FOUNDER
Sports@thefounder.co.uk / @rhulfounder
Meet the Captains: Louis Raynaud, Men’s Volleyball Team What would you say is the best thing about sport at Royal Holloway? It will be hard for me to focus on only one thing since sports at Royal Holloway bring so much. It makes you meet so many people from all over the world. As you play with them you develop skills that will help you for your future life such as teamwork, problem solving and communication. Socials will give you the opportunity to spend nights that you will never forget. But if I had to choose one, it would be competition. This idea of representing your university through a sport is just beautiful. There is nothing better than the spirit that reigns during a game, when your team and your friends are there to support you, no matter if you are winning or losing.
the BUCS league. The year continued with victories and defeats, but unfortunately we did not get promoted. On the other hand, we came 2nd in the BUCS cup and our best performance was in the Student Cup. We managed to qualify for the finals, and be ranked as the 15th best team of the country.
What do new members have to look forward to when they join? Sport will allow them to meet amazing people. Even if they are new to this sport, it doesn’t matter. Most of the time, they will improve really fast and will have some opportunities to show what they have learned by playing games. Socials are really good to know the team better. ‘Come in your kit’ SU nights are the perfect definition of a fun night with the sports teams.
What are you aiming for What is the this year? Promotion of course! This is what best/funniest thing that we could not achieve last year, and we has happened to you are going to give everything we have in order to finish on the top of our while playing at uni? league. Regarding the BUCS cup, we are aiming for the final, and this time, we will win. The Student cup gathers teams of an amazing level, and we will do our best to qualify for the finals, just like last year.
How was last year for your sport? Last year was really good for the men's team. It was my first year in the club and the team spirit was amazing. After only a few weeks, the team was built and playing together was a real pleasure. We started the year with a victory against Middlesex in
Last year we had to go to London for the finals of the student cup. It was the most important fixture of the year and we had to wake up really early, around 6AM. I was really tired. When we arrived, I was ready, not tired anymore, I just wanted to destroy the other team and win this cup. I opened my bag and realised that I took two right-feet shoes. Both white, one was my running shoe; the other was my volleyball shoe. I managed to find a place where they were selling volleyball shoes and I bought brand new ones. I could not play the first set since I was late, but this was a good excuse for me to buy new shoes!
BY SAM WILLIAMS SPORT EDITOR
Isabella Franzini Monteiro, Women’s Volleyball Team What would you say the end. We came together as a team and made it work. is the best thing about sport at Royal Hollo- What do new memway? bers have to look forI think the variety of sports you ward to when they can join and how you can try difjoin? ferent ones and join a sport you have never played before, or just enjoy playing casually in ‘be.active.’ Everyone is quite eager for you to join their team; it’s great to feel like you’re a part of something.
What are you aiming for this year? We are in first division this year, so there is a lot of pressure to stay up there. My most important aim this year is to build a committed team that is willing to work hard to learn and improve as the season progresses. As for the team, we are aiming for the top three spots on the league, hopefully going to the finals of student cup again, and ranking higher than last year.
How was last year for your sport? Despite struggling with attendance and having some issues with the coach we managed to win the league, come second in the cup, and rank 14th best team in the UK, which was pretty amazing. I feel like everything that went wrong gave us that extra push to win at
We are a small club so new members get to know everyone pretty quickly. We’re like a big family. On court it gets more serious and we work really hard; it’s not just a game to us. We’re definitely very passionate about our sport. But they can definitely look forward to all that hard work paying off at the end of the day.
What is the best/funniest thing that has happened to you while playing at uni? The best moments were definitely on the minibus on the way back from matches singing at the top of our lungs and eating brownies; one of the players would occasionally cook. One [girl] saved a ball with her face and we carried on with the point, and another wore her kit backwards—luckily we spotted that before she got on court.
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