One of UK and Ireland's leading festivals dedicated to all things: digital tech, media and music which took place in Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland in 2013.
While completing my university course I decided to participate in the festival to gain experience in event management and the importance of time management. The festival reached it's highest attendance yet for which I was able to monitor the latest advancements from upcoming and industry professionals advancement in creative technology including sound design and digital performance art.
58th Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden after Loreen's win with "Euphoria".
I discovered the event briefly in 2007 and officially in 2008. Once I saw the full event, I was hooked to the concept and became an avid follower of the contest. After completing my A-levels and having been accepted into University in 2012, I decided to embark towards a role that allowed myself creative output in regards to the show.
I began applying for numerous popular news-sites that specialised in ESC-related news. My press work with the Eurovision Song Contest started officially in February 2013 when I got accepted as a press editor within Australian news-site; ESCDaily.com.
ESCDaily.com - Media news-site for Eurovision.
As this was my first encounter to online journalism, I discovered quickly the steep learning curve needed to monitor, write and produce articles and content relating to the show on a daily basis. Through the following months I found myself adapt to the process and decided to make the jump to on-site journalism.
Premiere of Artists - Eurovision in Concert 2013
After all entries were chosen, an opportunity presented itself to attend 'Eurovision in Concert': one of the largest promo concerts - as a press member. I embarked on a solo flight to Amsterdam where I stayed for the weekend-long event. During the experience, I was able to interview artists, view the performers live and gain first-hand experience of what it takes to organise an event to such a degree.
During the actual event in Malmö, Sweden. I remained an online writer throughout the event however could not attend as it was too soon since my inclusion with the media site. However the previous promo concert prepared me to attend my first event in 2014.
An interactive application I produced in collaboration with Ilie-Marcel Moldovan that utilised live-data from Eurovision 2013 to display the current progress of each country's participation within the contest; from confirmed attendance to artist and song selections.
Application was developed utilising Processing alongside Javascript. Allows user to select individual countries from their region and view full entry profile.
Code is available to use and re-work via "Link to Source" button below.
