Exhibit This 2013: Media Event

Whether you have a passion for all things radio, enjoy reading top-notch journalism or have an eye for fabulous photography, make sure you come along to Exhibit This 2013. The two-day event, set up by third year Media and Communication students from Birmingham City University, will showcase some of the finest work produced by innovative media workers of the future.

Taking place on both Tuesday 28^th and Wednesday 29^th May 2013 at the Custard Factory in Digbeth from 6pm-9pm, the event promises to be buzzing with creative individuals showcasing their skills in journalism, television, radio, music industries, public relations, photography and web and new media. Students will be showing off their individual portfolios, group projects and creative displays for the perusal of others.

Showing an array of talents, you can speak to PR specialists, admire photographer’s portfolios, enjoy short films from television students and much, much more – there really is something for everyone at this wonderful event. If you’re a singer and want some more recognition, why not get in touch with some journalists to get an article produced about you for promotional purposes? Or speak to photographers to get some snaps of you in action if you’re a dancer – there is a great opportunity to network as well as the chance to admire some quality media work. Refreshments will also be provided (free wine, anyone?).

So get one of those dates in your diary! Make sure you venture down to the Custard Factory in Digbeth on either the 28^th or 29^th May to enjoy some top quality media work and network with creative individuals.

Venue: The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham, B9 4AA

Dates: Tuesday 28 May and Wednesday 29 May

Time: 6.00pm until 9:00pm

Twitter: @ExhibitThis2013

By Grace Montgomery

Embarrassing Celebrity Moments

Is it possible to act normal in front of celebrities? Could someone actually talk to them as usual without making a fool of themselves? Apparently not! The stars in our eyes clearly mush up our brains when in the presence of a famous person, which can only result in one thing: utter embarrassment. Read all about our shameful celebrity interactions right here...

“I was on a show was called Genius, which is where you had to send in your own genius ideas. They chose me to be on the show because they liked my idea; which was to have Paul McKenna as a bonus feature on DVD. The point was for you to watch a film, and then watch the feature, where Paul hypnotises so you forget what happened, so the next time you watch that film it’s like you’re seeing it for the first time. I met Dave Gorman - the presenter of the show - whilst talking about our ideas when being filmed for the programme. I had a card with a succinct description of my idea on, but I got quite nervous and forgot about the card, so I ended up rambling on for too long. They cut me out of the final show, which is pretty embarrassing when you are sat there on the sofa watching the show with your family and friends and expect to appear on TV but everyone else is shown and not you...”

Ben, 23, Knowle

“I was at ultrasound music festival with my friends and while we were there we met Gaz, James and Gregg from Geordie Shore. Because I love Geordie Shore so much I had James' bare bum as the background of my phone. When I hugged him he saw it and he asked whether it was his bum as my wallpaper. I obviously had to say yes, but it was the most embarrassing and awkward moment of my life!”

Beth, 15, Knowle

It isn’t just you guys though – we girls at Student Speak have had our fair share of awkward A-list encounters too...

“I used to work for a hospitality agency and they asked me to help cater for an exclusive fashion event. We had to serve champagne and fruit juice in the VIP room and during my shift George Lamb - who was presenting the show – came in for a drink. Myself and the three other workers excitably huddled together as he sauntered over to us looking all dapper in his smart suit. He shook our hands and then said “So, how has your weekend been?” whilst stopping and looking directly at me. I couldn’t seem to formulate an answer; I just stood there staring right at him smiling like an absolute idiot. Time stretched on and he gave me at least ten seconds to answer but I couldn’t seem to respond, so he just walked off. I spent the rest of the day replaying it in my mind and wondering why the hell I didn’t say anything!”

Hannah, Editor

“Mark Wright made an appearance at a club that we went to every week, and when I went over to him during the meet and greet, he was a lot shorter than I expected! Whilst taking a photo with him I had to bend my leg significantly to reach his height. I’m already quite tall, but I had big heels on which didn’t help! I also looked really pale next to him, because of his glowing Essex tan next to my English rose (super pasty) complexion!”

Grace, Copywriter

By Hannah Montgomery

21st Birthday Gift Ideas

 

For a lot of you students, you will be fast approaching your 21^st birthday. And as you all must be aware, 21^st birthdays are significant, so why not make your mates’ special day even more special by giving them a gift to remember? Forget chocolate or wine; get them something different, or put in some extra effort to make them feel great. Here are some ways which you can show the love to your pal on their 21^st...

Birthday gift countdown: For those of you who adore your friends, have a generous heart and a pretty bulging wallet, this is a perfect idea! Give them a present a day for a week, going from the smallest (or cheapest) gift to the most significant one on the actually day. It’s sweet, its thoughtful, its original...and they will feel spoilt by you, meaning you = the best mate possible! Go you.

Birthday present hamper: Find a basket, or a casket, or even just a shoebox (well, you ARE students) and fill it with gifts for your buddy. Their favourite food, their preferred alcoholic beverage, a piece of trendy jewellery, a new phone cover...whatever you find which you feel will appeal to your good friend, stick it in the hamper and dress it up with sequins and ribbons or anything else which will suit their style.

Handmade card: Cheesy, but who cares? Maybe write 21 reasons as to why they are such a brilliant mate? Or 21 fun and memorable times you have shared with them? Okay, that is definitely cheddar cheesy, but chances are, it will warm their heart and make them smile, and it will be completely worth it. (Wow, this is nearing stilton-esque proportions...next paragraph, thanks.)

Handmade cake/cupcakes: Nothing shows you care more than a homemade cake. You’ve actually took the time to make something for them, from scratch (or a packet, it doesn’t really matter), with them in mind – extra brownie points for you!

Scrapbook: Buy a scrapbook from a stationary shop or a department store, and fill it with whatever you like – photographs, quotes, poems, memories, stickers, embellishments...the list is endless. For you arty and thoughtful souls, this will be perfect for you. Much time will be needed for such a gift though, so buy it in advance to ensure you can finish scrapbooking before the birthday.

Photo montage: Make them a photo montage of the two of you, so when they look at it they can be reminded of all the good times. If you can’t be bothered to go to such an extremity, then just purchase a photo frame and stick your favourite photo of the two of you inside it. Awww.

Personalised gift: Personal presents are always the best! Whether you have nicknames for your pal, or banter between you both, make sure this comes across in a gift specially made just for them. Shop online at various stores such as www.gettingpersonal.co.uk for some inspiration, and get those personalised goodies delivered!

 

By Hannah Montgomery

 

 

5 Dissertation Snacks

During the last couple of months before our dissertations are due, we tent to let ourselves go, growing a mammoth beard, not showering and eating all kinds of junk. Well here at Student Speak we’ve found five of our favourite munchies.

As the advert says once you pop you can’t stop. Pringles truly are very addictive and it’s quite easy to be at the bottom of a tube before you know it.  There are some tasty new flavours available such as; BBQ and pizza however we like it old school with the classic original, salt and vinegar and sour cream flavours.

For those of us who like to be a bit healthy fruit is a great snack. However too much of it isn’t that good for you as some fruits are full of sugar. Supermarkets such as Asda and Morrisons do great little fruit packs for around a pound, usually including a variety of fruits. A nice healthy snack that keeps you fuller for longer.

And for those not so healthy are one of the greatest selection boxes around….Celebrations! Some selections tins contain only a few nice chocolates and the rest are vile coffee or strawberry cream flavour, but with Celebrations every chocolate is yummy! You get everything from; caramel to nuts and nugget to crispy bits. The only kind of celebrations you can have before your deadlines as well as after.

For all of those times that you nearly fall asleep in front of your computer screen all you have ever need is a quick rush of sugar. The tastiest way to do this is with Haribos! Student Speak can’t get enough of the Tangfastics at the moment however we also love the classic Starmix. They are impossible to put down, once you’ve finished one you’ll find yourself going back for another, until there’s no more left.

Another healthy option is a selection of nuts. Now I know they don’t sound as yum as some of the other options, but nuts are full of essential fatty acids and they are also apparently brain food.  It’s great to mix nuts into your diet a few times a week, studies have shown that people who eat more nuts are less likely to suffer from coronary heart disease.

So there you have it, a few of our favourite snacks to keep your sugars high and brain functioning through those hard days and nights.

By Amrit Pnaiser

Student Speak LOVES

Guess whose back to tell you all about what we love at the moment? Yep, the girlies behind Student Speak, of course! Read up on our latest obsessions right here, and don’t forget to tell us your thoughts too – we are only a tweet away! Get in touch: @_StudentSpeak if you agree, and if not, tell us the heck why!

 

Dayna loves:

Iron Man 3 and Robert Downey-Jnr

“Everyone loves a Marvel film right? And what more than everyone’s favourite man in an iron suit, Iron Man. After last years’ successful hit, Avengers Assemble, the hopes are high for the third film in the Iron Man saga. Iron Man 3 is a direct sequel from the Avengers film, in which Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jnr) and his super-colleagues feuded with Norse gods and aliens, destroying the majority of Manhattan in the process. These events have left him prone to panic attacks, and his worries are compounded by the arrival of two new super-villains on the scene, The Mandarin (Sir Ben Kingsley) and Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce). It’s hard to believe it was 5 years ago, in 2008 where we were introduced to the loveable character portrayed by Robert Downey Jnr. From the superhero franchise he has become one of the most known actors in the film world, especially for his roles as the superhero. Personally, I can’t wait for the release of Iron Man 3 in the UK as I’m a huge fan of the previous films, and of Robert Downey Jnr as an actor and what he has brought to the franchise.”

Hannah loves:

The Loveable Rogues: “What a Night”

“YES! They’re back! Remember the trio of dudes who wrote and performed their own eccentric and highly catchy songs on Britain’s Got Talent last year? How could you forget! You cannot deny that the cheeky chappies have that little something special about them. They are quirky, charismatic, entertaining...oh, and not to mention, very bloody talented! Their new single was released on the 21^st April 2013 and boy, is it a good’un. It’s bold, crude, rude...and that’s why we love it! Welcome back to the limelight, you mischievous fellas – we are glad to see you again.”

 Grace loves:

Vanilla Coke

“Vanilla Coke is back! Everyone has been raving about the refreshing beverage being back on our shelves. Celebrating 10 years since the launch, cans and bottles of the Coke with a vanilla twist have now returned nationwide. Cue all past fans of the fizzy pop raving on about this nostalgic sweet treat – I have personally seen many people hyping about it on my Facebook news feed, which really emphasises its popularity!  As the weather shows signs of getting warmer (kind of) the drink which takes a unique twist on ordinary Coke would be perfect to indulge in when sunbathing in the garden with a good book. Make sure you grab a bottle of Vanilla Coke if you fancy a sugary boost of something a little different.”

Amrit loves:

Transparent accessories

“One of this seasons hot trends is the see through look, and we’re not talking about clothes! Here at Student Speak we really love all these see through accessories now available in the shops. From Perspex shoes to neon purses, this new trend is really quirky!
And it’s not just for the girls; there are also men’s shoes available with this see through detail and other accessories such as satchels and belts. Shops stocking this chic look include; Forever21, Dune, H&M and Miss Selfridge. However if you do go for the see through look, be sure to have something underneath!”

Mcfly Review

Mcfly, everyone’s favourite foursome are back, after being quiet on the music scene, after various ventures of reality television and getting married, and as part of their latest tour, they rocked up to Birmingham’s 02 Academy on Saturday night, much to the joy of their fans across the city. Student Speak were there to see what the fuss was about.

They hit Birmingham with a bang with a packed out venue, that as soon as the lights dimmed, the loudest screams I have ever heard took over. Danny, Tom and Dougie appeared on stage starting off with an acapella version of ‘Memory Lane’, the crowd went wild while chanting the lyrics back to the boys. The curtain soon dropped, and revealed Harry behind on drums, and crowd screamed even more. They soon launched into fan favourite ‘That Girl’, which had the crowd jumping up and down. The boys kept them glued with their amazing energy on stage, gaining an amazing reaction from the crowd. Without a break, they launched into catchy ‘Star Girl’, before having a chat with their excited audience.

They next burst into a short rendition of Dougie’s song ‘Transylvania’, before launching into the recognisable tune of ‘Five Colour in Her Hair’, they’re first single, 10 years ago! This drove the crowd into frenzy, dancing away and singing the lyrics word for word to the Mcfly boys!

The boys revealed that they wanted Birmingham to be as loud as possible, and make this the best gig of their tour, which encouraged the audience to make much more noise! Danny encouraging the audience by saying “Nobody sits down at a Mcfly concert”. They next moved on to perform two of the bands ballads ‘Falling in Love’ and ‘Room on the Third Floor’. The crowds were screaming their names and singing along as loud as they possibly could. They next asked the audience if they knew which song was the first song they wrote way back in the day. The crowds shouted various songs from the band’s first album, which shot straight to number one in the UK, “Room on the Third Floor”. Before the band revealed it was in fact ‘Obviously’ when launching into the catchy tune.

Moving on to performing firm favourites ‘Lies’ and ‘I’ll Be Ok’, the audience were bopping along and singing and screaming at the top of their voices. Next the boys donned some trademark hats, and treated the fans to party favourite ‘Y.M.C.A’ with the crowds doing the dance actions right back at them.

Fans were then treated to firm favourites ‘Shine a Light’ and ‘One for the Radio’, but revealing to the audience that this would be their last song for the evening, ending where they started with the full version of ‘Memory Lane’.

After 5 minutes of screaming, shouting and chanting Mcfly, the boys appeared back on stage, much to the crowds delight, for the finale. They wanted to go out with a bang, and that’s what they did. Finishing off with recent ballad ‘Love is Easy’, Comic Relief single ‘All About You’ and lastly, ‘The Heart Never Lies’, changing the lyrics to “Mcfly are here forever”. The vocal power and presence of Mcfly, along with the audience made for such a powerful and energetic set and incredible atmosphere for all those there.

Mcfly are firmly back on the music scene, with the announcement of their 6^th studio album to be released this Summer. Let’s hope that they are forever!

By Dayna Farrington

It's Student Night at the Bullring!

Make sure you keep the evening of Thursday 25^th April free guys! Pop it in your diary now! For one night only, the ultimate student event at the Bullring is back!

Those with a valid student ID card can take advantage of exclusive discounts, offers and in-store entertainment between 4pm and 9pm. The Bullring will become the must-visit student destination! For one night why not forget about those last semester blues, put your revision and assignments on hold just for the evening, and why not treat yourself! You deserve it after all!

There will be double discounts from a variety of shops and restaurants at the centre including 20% off at Topshop, Topman and New Look! With exclusive discounts offered from many who don’t’ normally offer student discount, including 10% off at H&M. What more could you ask for! But don’t forget to register beforehand!

During the evening there will be music from Capital Radio on the Lower West Mall, provided by their breakfast DJ, Katy. There will also be tons of prizes to be won during the evening on Twitter as @Bullring run a series of retweet competitions to win a whole host of prizes! Make sure you follow them now! And make sure you add #BullringSU to join in the conversation.

For more information about registering and a full list of all the discounts and offers, visit www.bullring.co.uk

Follow the Bullring on Twitter @bullring

Become a fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/bullringbirmingham

Follow them on Instagram @bullring

By Dayna Farrington