Our Entertainment Public Newsroom, scholarship applications and a new Southside film studio
plus what happened with the suspected spy balloon?
Welcome back to ‘In the Loop’! It’s you newsletter team — Kate, Citlali, Monique P., Faith, Chinyere, Cary, Lauren, Abena and Monique M. — here with your Monday night newsletter!
Tonight, we hosted our Entertainment Public Newsroom where local entertainment reporters and storytellers helped create a lively discussion about reporting in the entertainment industry. Reflecting on our conversation with the panelists, we’re sharing some of our biggest takeaways from tonight’s newsroom for those that couldn’t join us.
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With that, let’s look back on tonight’s event!
5 Takeaways from tonight’s Entertainment Public Newsroom
By Citlali Perez, Monique Petty-Ashmeade and Kate Linderman
Music, TV and all things entertainment reporting drove the discussion at 14 East’s Entertainment Public Newsroom this evening. Panelists Alejandro Hernandez, Ariel Mejia and Nekia Nichelle shared their career insights, experiences and advice about the entertainment journalism industry.
1. Make genuine connections
Our speakers come from different backgrounds and focuses in arts and culture, but one thing they shared that helped jump start their careers was meeting people in the field that they are interested in and making genuine connections with. Going into journalism isn’t as narrow as it is made out to seem and our panelist showed it’s okay to branch out.
2. Building your own brand
Building a brand for yourself is an important part of working as a freelance journalist in entertainment. Nichelle and Hernandez advise to cut out the middleman and compile your work in one place like your own website instead of relying on social media platforms or publications which can be unpredictable. Furthermore, they emphasized having your own brand that isn’t just tied to your day-to-day job. If you come in with an established brand when it is time to move on to future endeavors you will still have your brand with you.
3. Bringing Humanity
Looking to have the conversations no one else is having with artists? Our panelists spoke on the importance of humanizing the talent and artist they interview. When preparing for an interview it is important to do your research and have some questions ready. This will help you know what has already been asked. However, don't let overpreparing get in the way of your own curiosity and having a free-flowing conversation. Hernandez said he is all about going with the flow. Our panelists encourage digging deeper beyond the artist’s work.
4. Cater to Your Audience
In such a fast-paced society where we can gain information on multiple platforms, it is important to consider how to best reach your audience. During tonight’s panel, our speakers expressed that while not only is it important to build your own brand, it is also crucial to create what Nichelle calls an “ecosystem of digital landscape.” Ensuring that you create multiple avenues for your audience to hear, read, or see your content. This is all in the means of meeting your audience where they are comfortable.
5. Establishing your credibility
The panelists tonight were adamant that your true credibility will not come from chasing the tea and gossip. Hernandez said that following it might give you a quick boost, but it’s not worth it. Spending your day searching for negative things in someone’s life is not fulfilling, according to Nichelle who strives to ask new invigorating questions to entertainment stars. Where should you go instead of gossip? Mejia says to follow your curiosity and ask questions that humanize the celebrity. If there's some curiosity about rumored gossip, it’s okay to ask.
This public newsroom was inspired and in partnership with City Bureau. The event was co-hosted with DePaul NAHJ and DUABJ.
DePaul News
By Faith Hennig
Vincentian Service Scholarship Applications
Applications are currently being accepted from first year students for the Vincentian Service Scholarship. Any interested applicants must have a financial need for the scholarship and a minimum 2.7 GPA. The application deadline is Monday, February 20, contact the Division of Mission and Ministry regarding any questions about the application process or the deadline.
DePaul cybersecurity program ranked among top in the country
The university’s masters in cybersecurity program was recently ranked third in the nation. Additionally, the School of Computing’s online masters in data science took the 11th spot on the Fortune list. The MS in cybersecurity gives students abilities to work well in information security, more can be found about the program and its accolades here.
Black Cultural Center Mental Health Activities
Join the DePaul Black Cultural Center to talk about mental health this winter! A Black Mental Health panel will be hosted February 23 in the Black Cultural Center in O’Connell Hall room 300. Students will be able to hear from Black therapists and professionals located around DePaul as well as ask questions. Opportunities will also be given to students to discuss issues in the Black community revolving around mental health. More can be found here.
Lastly, here is your weekend sports update (Feb. 4-5)
The Men’s basketball team lost to Seton Hall on Saturday 64-69.
The Women’s basketball team won against Xavier Saturday 93-48.
Chicago Headlines
By Chinyere Ibeh
Developers and Mayor Lori Lightfoot begin building film studio in South Shore — The $100-million Regal Mile Studios project aims to bring a state-of-the-art media campus and educational programs to young people. According to Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Ald. Michelle Harris (8th), developers are working with Chicago Public Schools to offer opportunities in film and television production. City Council greenlit the project in July 2021 in a unanimous vote to approve the zoning change for the properties. Block Club Chicago’s Maxwell Evans has the latest updates for the project.
Domestic workers and undocumented immigrants up to receive $500 payment — Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services is accepting applications for the Chicago Resiliency Fund 2.0. The fund will provide a $500 payment to about 17,000 undocumented immigrants and domestic workers. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, live in Chicago, and have a total household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. The city aims to reach households that were shut out of federal stimulus checks during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. For the application and further details, Elvia Malagón has the full story for the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Art Institute of Chicago announces new Salvador Dalí exhibit — The new exhibition, “Salvador Dalí: The Image Disappears,” will run from February 18 until June 2. The collection will have 25 paintings, drawings and surrealist objects created by Dalí during his career. It will honor notable Spanish artists in the surrealist movement. The new exhibit will be the Institute’s first dedicated to Dalí. Full story by Lauren Stewart for NBC Chicago.
Attorneys for R. Kelly want a new trial — Kelly’s legal team in a court document accuses the star witness of the trial of lying to the jury about her plan to seek millions in restitution. The star witness was Kelly’s goddaughter, who has testified against him repeatedly. The motion asked to throw out Kelly’s conviction on all counts relating to “Jane,” the pseudonym Kelly’s goddaughter uses. Last week, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx dropped four indictments against Kelly. Jason Meisner and Megan Crepeau write the story for The Chicago Tribune.
National Headlines
By Cary Robbins
The U.S. shoots down suspected Chinese spy balloon off the Carolina coast — On Saturday, the U.S. military shot down what they suspected was a Chinese spy balloon, and now China is accusing the U.S. of “indiscriminate use of force.” The balloon traveled over military sites in North America and was shot down off the Carolina coast. China is saying that the balloon’s flyover was not intentional, claiming its involvement with a civilian aircraft. Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Xie Feng lodged a complaint about “the U.S. attack on a Chinese civilian unmanned airship by military force” with the U.S. Embassy. Read more about how this has caused a great dispute between China and the U.S. from Emily Wang Fujiyama’s article with AP news.
Earthquake in Syria and Turkey devastates hundreds of thousands of people — On Monday, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed more than 3,400 people in Turkey and Syria and injured thousands more. Thousands of buildings were destroyed and residents were trapped under the buildings. An AP article described the impacts residents were feeling during the aftermath of the earthquake. Even after the initial shock, there were major aftershocks, one that was “nearly as strong as the initial quake.” Tens of thousands of people were homeless and seeking shelter for the night, seeking refuge in malls, community centers, mosques and stadiums. Mehmet Guzel, Ghaith Alsayed and Suzan Fraser write more about the effects of the earthquake in their article for AP news.
Wildfires in Chile continue to destroy people’s homes and kill civilians — More than 1,000 homes have been destroyed by the wildfires in Chile, which started on February 4. The wildfires are continuing to burn and have destroyed 667,184 acres of the south-central regional land in the country. The wildfires have left 24 people dead. On Sunday, Chilean authorities said that 1,182 people have been injured and nearly 1,100 homes have been destroyed. International aid from Spain, Argentina and Mexico has arrived, and more aid and assistance is expected from Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Venezuela and Peru. Read the full story on Al Jazeera.
At least 34 people killed during fighting in Somaliland — In Somalia’s northern breakaway region of Somaliland, at least 34 people have been killed after a fight was started in eastern Somaliland between forces from the region on February 6. Somaliland gained independence in 1991 but has not received international recognition. It has seen opposition from Puntland over land on its eastern border, and doctors are claiming that at least 34 people have been killed and 40 injured during the fighting. For the full story, read Al Jazeera’s article.
Hey, Check This Out!
With Featured Columnist Lauren Sheperd
Hello everyone! Today, I have a musical recommendation for you. Though this album is not new, it is one of my favorites and it won the Grammy for Album of the Year yesterday. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a huge fan of Harry Styles, and songs from his third album “Harry’s House” took all five spots for top songs in my 2022 Spotify Wrapped.
“Harry’s House” – which was released on May 20 of last year – is Styles’ third solo album. Prior to his solo career, he was one of five members of the boy band One Direction, who produced five albums during their time as a band. “Harry’s House” contains 13 songs including pop hits like “Late Night Talking” and “As It Was,” as well as lesser-known songs like “Cinema” and “Little Freak.” Even after learning the words to every song on the album, I still find myself rediscovering songs on weekly bases. This week, I rediscovered “Keep Driving,” which was one of my favorites when the album first dropped. The best part of this album is the fact that there are both songs you can dance to and songs you can cry to. No matter what mood you’re in, you can turn on a song from “Harry’s House” and relate to it.
I would also recommend both of Styles’ other albums, which are completely different from his most recent. His first, self-titled album was released in 2017 and has more of a rock music feel than “Harry’s House” does, which tends to feel more low key, but still fun. His second album “Fine Line” was released in 2019, and is my favorite of his albums. It’s also the first album that made me a fan of Styles.
When you’re looking for some new music to try next, listen to “Harry’s House,” or any one of his three albums. See you all next week!
Resources
Need resources regarding cooling centers, rental assistance, abortion access, COVID-19 testing and vaccines or mental health? Check out our complete list here.
That’s it for today! See you next Monday.
The 14 East Newsletter Team