March 05, 2004
Day Five
In my continuing quest to make life easier for the people in this office and to get under their feet as little as possible, being sent out to buy someone's leaving presents was quite a good one, as it got me out of the office for an hour or so. On the other hand it also meant that FI thought I was on my lunchbreak, as I'd been sent by the editorial assistant of another magazine (based in the same office). This meant I missed out on a group meal at lunchtime. Annoyingly.
I also did some transcription of interviews with Patti Smith and Ilya for DP. See above for my feelings about transcription.
I also did some transcription of interviews with Patti Smith and Ilya for DP. See above for my feelings about transcription.
March 02, 2004
Day Two
I find this day rather frustrating. I am given several tasks, and not really allowed to finish any of them. First DP asks me to go through a massive number of CDs and write the band names and PR phone numbers in a list in order of release date. This feels like a Sisyphusian task - every time I finish a pile of CDs there's another one to take its place.
I am interrupted from this by a request to finish looking for the Hawkwind references, and then interrupted again to go and stuff envelopes with copies of the new issue which are being sent out and have to reach the post by 5. At this point it is already 4.30.
Most frustratingly, when I say that I intend to stay after 5 (when I am allowed to go home) to finish cataloguing the CDs, I am told that there is no need. I feel rather that M (who is I suppose officially my boss, although she was a workie last week) is attempting to create a competition between us. She certainly tries to keep me away from the editorial team, pointing me to a desk with the subs. This means that I am having trouble building relationships within the office, although I have noticed that some of them will give me jobs rather than her.
I am interrupted from this by a request to finish looking for the Hawkwind references, and then interrupted again to go and stuff envelopes with copies of the new issue which are being sent out and have to reach the post by 5. At this point it is already 4.30.
Most frustratingly, when I say that I intend to stay after 5 (when I am allowed to go home) to finish cataloguing the CDs, I am told that there is no need. I feel rather that M (who is I suppose officially my boss, although she was a workie last week) is attempting to create a competition between us. She certainly tries to keep me away from the editorial team, pointing me to a desk with the subs. This means that I am having trouble building relationships within the office, although I have noticed that some of them will give me jobs rather than her.
March 01, 2004
Uncut - Day One
Arrive at KRT to discover that my contact FI won't be in this week, as she's gone on holiday! She has been replaced by last week's work experience girl, which at least bodes well for my chances! My first task is to organise the bookshelves, I have chosen to do this myself, as it's something I always seem to do on work experience, and as noone really seems to know what to do with me, I like to show willing and hopefully not manage to get under too many people's feet.
The office seems very friendly and although my task isn't very intellectually stimulating I do enjoy myself.
The staff at the magazine are older than most places I have been before. Many of them were staffers at Melody Maker in the 70s and 80s. This and the fact that the magazine is monthly makes for a fairly relaxed atmosphere in the office, even though the editorial assistant is in New York.
In the afternoon I go through the archive of Melody Makers and NMEs that is kept in a cupboard, looking for reviews of Hawkwind for another former Maker writer.
My aim this week is really to get to know the office and the 'vibe' of the magazine. Next week, hopefully, I'll manage to show the reviews editors (one film, one music) a couple of things I've written. I am going to a gig tonight and I know the bands are often covered by the magazine, so I will review that. I know, however, that my chances of actually getting anything printed are extremely slender. I would like the advice though.
The office seems very friendly and although my task isn't very intellectually stimulating I do enjoy myself.
The staff at the magazine are older than most places I have been before. Many of them were staffers at Melody Maker in the 70s and 80s. This and the fact that the magazine is monthly makes for a fairly relaxed atmosphere in the office, even though the editorial assistant is in New York.
In the afternoon I go through the archive of Melody Makers and NMEs that is kept in a cupboard, looking for reviews of Hawkwind for another former Maker writer.
My aim this week is really to get to know the office and the 'vibe' of the magazine. Next week, hopefully, I'll manage to show the reviews editors (one film, one music) a couple of things I've written. I am going to a gig tonight and I know the bands are often covered by the magazine, so I will review that. I know, however, that my chances of actually getting anything printed are extremely slender. I would like the advice though.
