So next week I have to pitch my idea to both my MMP tutor and another academic. In preparation for this, I’ve had to make sure I’ve used my time wisely this week, contacting potential interviews and delving further into research.
I mentioned in my last post about potentially speaking to Steve Pycroft, the Musical Director of the Kaleidoscope Orchestra. I managed to contact Steve through his website and asked him about why he started the orchestra and his reasons behind the Avicii tribute etc. Steve actually opened up to me about his own struggle with his mental health and mentioned how some of the musicians in his orchestra have also struggled. I thought that this might make a nice angle for the online piece as I could then use some of my footage of the orchestra from Creamfields in the video content.
As well as speaking to Steve, I’ve also managed to interview a psychotherapist who specialises her therapy for musicians. Helen Brice detailed how she had provided therapy for some big name musicians, telling me about some of these common factors that DJs are coming to her with.
I also used Twitter to reach out to some more potential interviewees by making a journo request.
In response to the request, the manager of electronic dance artist, Emika, contacted me. She mentioned how Emika was releasing a debut album, in which her own anxiety and depression influenced the lyrics. I’ve arranged to speak to her on a Skype call next week.
After looking at the Sunday supplements as a possible target publication, I decided that my subject matter wouldn't really suit those publications. I looked at this month's Mixmag issue and noticed an interview in there from Denis Sulta, a Scottish DJ who details how his 'alter ego' was a coping mechanism for his anxiety and depression. The fact that Mixmag had covered this proved to me that they do actually cover heavier, more emotionally driven features, not just light hearted ones. I brought this to the attention of my MMP tutor who agreed with me, so I will now be targeting my feature for Mixmag.
In preparation for my pitch next week, I'll be producing handouts, which will cover all of this on including a detailed target audience profile as well as a SWOT analysis of my entire project.
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