Friday 21 February 2014

Passion, Persistence and Pizza!



Hello there!


I’m Claire Turner, the Art Editor! I’m a final year art student at Curtin University and a practicing visual artist/poet- http://claire-turnerart.com

These past four months I think the moon and stars drastically rearranged themselves - I've been handed a number of career making opportunities and I feel elated with the art world right now, as opposed to contemplating the harsh and never ending injustices towards artists that life seems to always offer.
   
So, I began the position a week from Monday, I am so excited to be here! I've even told my roommates to address me as Miranda Priestly, in which I only reply with “That’s all.” And I've perfected my pursing of the lips to a max. 

In terms of my plans for the Art Department at Colosoul, I have big dreams of which will all come into fruition given time! Since I was 13, I have been fixated-obsessed-hell-bent on recreating Andy Warhol’s Factory (a little insight into my crazy idealism) and I've found a place in which my obsession could become a definite reality, and in my own home town of Perth. Whaaaattt?!?!?!

Building a department and finding one’s own team may send most people into stress-ville, along with starting at a new job, or not knowing how to pay next week’s rent because your awesome new job doesn't pay and you’re too committed to look for paying word - but not me! In fact, I may be on such a creative high at the moment that nothing will ever phase me for some time! 

What I am going to love most of all about this role is meeting people through their submissions -artwork or written - and of course helping them with a uniquely important task of establishing themselves through Perth's art scene! 

Art is life and death; I'm too passionate about art to function!

Somebody posted this very inspiring picture to Instagram on the weekend  and I thought it could apply to career opportunities and the journey of making your dreams happen, as well as pizza (an equally important part of life). 






- Claire Turner (Art Director)


Sunday 16 February 2014

Goodbye Colosoul.


The summer is in full swing with festivals and gigs coming out of our ears! The Lotterywest Film Festival is already flooding the eyes and minds of cinema enthusiasts with some gems of international film, as well as some gorgeous Australian works, including the world premiere of Shane McNiel’s latest film Girt By Sea. 

I've already seen three films and am hoping to pack in a couple more. Of the films I’ve already seen, Ruben Alves’s  The Gilded Cage was absolutely gorgeous and shot straight into my top 5 films of the decade. Perth Festival (non-film) events also started on Feb 7 with the Lotterywest Spectacular: Veles E Vents, featuring the spectacle makers from Xarxe Teatre. A spectacle, as always.

I’ve put together my PIAF Top 5 not to be missed events:

1.       The National, February 14 at Chevron Gardens
2.       A Midsummer Night’s Dream (As You Like It), February 14-19 at His Majesty’s Theatre
3.       Bianco, February 11 – March 1 at NoFit State Big Top at the Ozone Reserve
4.       Opus, February 26 – March 1 at Regal Theatre
5.       Haze, February 27 – March 1 at His Majesty’s Theatre


My festival picks are usually very music heavy, but this year I’ve found myself leaning more towards the physical theatre, dance and circus acts. On the other hand, I absolutely could not imagine missing The National.

Finally, I have news of mixed emotions, I’ve been offered a really exciting work placement opportunity with one of WA’s esteemed presses and so my time with Colosoul has come to an end. It has been such a whirlwind few months and I will be taking some truly excellent memories with me, as well as some sweet new media skills. I’ve met some of the very best people in this state and look forward to reading all the good stuff coming out of Colosoul in the future.


Thanks a bunch Colosoul!
Peace,
Elaenor. 


Thursday 13 February 2014

Why holidays and work don't mix.


I love holidays, I really do. I honestly - if my current financial situation or timetable permitted it - would go to a new city every month, but I can't because it's so hard to catch up on that missed work or study and this is what I'm dealing with right now.

I love working at Colosoul, it's not just rewarding but fun as well but I'm just about to come home from being in Auckland for four weeks and I'm a bit nervous at the thought of facing all the things i've missed and all the catching up I'll have to do when I get back.

That's the worst part of going away - missing everything and being out of the loop - it makes you feel like you're a step behind everyone else, which makes you feel like you're not doing your best job. It's just so much easier to stay at home and focus on work and do a good job but that's not always how it plays out!

I'm back in the office next week Friday and I'm so excited to see everyone and get back into the rhythm of things, re-establish that routine and gain a sense of normalcy so that I can contribute again before uni starts up.

One good thing though for me, has been taking care of the Colosoul Blog. We're working on getting our blog to that point that allows all of you to get a genuine feeling about what it's like to work at Colosoul and also just to learn a little bit about us in turn!

This is my penultimate year of a law and journalism degree and for us law kids this year is absolutely crucial. It's about completing clerkships, gaining practical experience and competing in as many competitions as humanly possible as well maintaining your GPA; but I'm always committed to giving a thousand percent in everything I do and I know that this year is going to be rewarding.

So wish me luck because I bet you I'll be off someplace new soon and have this problem all over again!


- Jenita xo

Saturday 8 February 2014

Getting there...


Last year ended in a bit of a mess for me, not really knowing if I was doing the job right or what pieces of the puzzle I was missing but the start of the new year has started off well for me as the Colosoul Photography Editor. I think I am getting the hang of what the position requires as more information comes my way and my organisational skills are forced take a change for the better. 

The places and events I get to go to and the people I meet would not have happened if it had not been for Colosoul, so that is already a big tick in my books!

When i'm working Monday to Friday cutting fish, it doesn’t take up a whole lot of thinking so I have allot of free brain space to think about literally anything else I could be doing right now. The first and most obvious choice that pops into my head is when and where  my next holiday is, but considering I have been to quite a few places the last couple of years  I am quite set on sticking around for a bit to see what eventuates. 

I usually like to be relatively commitment free and sort of make it up as I go but with this new position comes a certain amount of responsibility that I am happy taking on. Variety is the spice of life and that is what I am getting here at Colosoul, so I intend to continue that on for as long as I can.


-Trent Simms

Wednesday 5 February 2014

Delights and Discoveries



Introduced via a mutual friend, I one day had a friendly chat over a cup of tea with the then Movie Editor of Colosoul. He encouraged me to get involved with the magazine so I, keen to work on my writing skills, signed up to write film reviews for the website. A few months later, the Movie Editor position opened up and I thought what a great way to explore the happenings of the local film scene and so...here I am.

Cinema in Perth continues to grow and grow. Each summer a new outdoor cinema pops up, the most recent edition being the cosy BamBOO Outdoor Cinema, tucked away behind Luxe Bar. The Lottery West Film Festival consistently brings amazing foreign films to our city, a joy to watch snuggled in a blanket under the stars. The blockbusters continue to delight and entertain the masses, while Luna is ever reliable in providing a fabulous space for alternative cinema. 

Through Colosoul I was able to discover and delight in all that is great in current cinema and, most importantly, help promote what Perth has to offer in film.

Colosoul is full of friendly, motivated individuals who all come together as a team to help each other out and ensure the success of this amazing project. I am so glad to be a part of it!


Thanks,

Hayley