Behind The Word: Part 2
Hello, hello, hello, again! Welcome back to the second of a five part series, Behind the Word. Last time, we interviewed one of the editors of the Word, Valerie Wong. This issue; we’re going to interview the four people who place the articles onto the pages of the newspaper. Introducing, the Layout Team: Tammy Lee, Jenny Ho, Nicole Yu, and Henry Tan!
1. What did you think of the Word Committee when it was first started?
N: I was actually a bit skeceptical about it at first. I didn’t really like the idea of the change, but I got used to it after a month.
T: I was really looking forward to help create an issue a month for the word!
J: I thought everything was slightly crazy!
H: Unique. Not sure how it was going to be.
2. Why did you join the Word Committee in the first place?
N: Do you remember Jenn Lin? That lady told me to join, I think. Actually, no… I joined by myself, but she gave me the job of layout creator.
T: Well… I really like art, and I wanted to exert all that artistic ideas somewhere. When I heard that the Word needed members to create the pages every month, I thought it was an excellent way to use my skills where it would be needed. Besides, ever since I’ve joined the Word Committee, I’ve learned how to use Adobe Photoshop so much better.
J: I was already writing for the word, and I wanted to continue and take on another role in the paper.
H: Well, I wanted to join the Word for a while, but didn’t really know what to do [I can't write articles =/] Also for my grade 12 Leadership Project.
3. Do you like being a Layout Creator for the Word?
N: …It’s an okay job. It’s a lot of work, but I enjoy it.
T: Despite all the bad times, overall, I really enjoy being a Layout Creator for the Word! :D
J: Most of the time!
H: For the most part, yes.
4. Describe your job.
N: Oh gosh here it comes. Well, I wait until the articles come in and are edited, then one of us (Usually Tammy or myself, but Tammy’s recently banned me from making the list…) sends out a list of all the articles, which everyone then claims the articles that they want to layout. After that, we usually get anywhere from half a week to two weeks to finish the layouts, depending on how many articles we get in late. Then we have to place the text in, make a pretty title, stick in some pictures, throw in a brush in the background and we’re finished. Our job usually doesn’t finish until the Word is actually released, so the day after the release is awesome.
T: Typically, work starts for me on the last Wednesday, of every month; if I’m lucky, it starts on the last Tuesday. Things start off with me creating a list of all the articles that will be present in the Word for that month. Then, that list is sent out to all members of the Layout team, and we pick and take articles we would like to work on for the month. A single page for the Word takes me about twenty minutes, to as long as an hour. Everyone works aton their own pace, and eventually, all the articles are sent to me for a final check to maintain quality control. Right around here, I’m a total jerk and I will complain about the slightest things that just bother me. Nearing the release of the Word (on Wednesday!), I save all the articles I receive into ‘pdf’ format. Finally, I sendt off all the pages to Gurjita toin order to be be printed off, and I go hibernate for another month until this whole cycle happens again. :)
J: We wait for all the articles to come, then a designated person organizes the articles by length. We then pick and choose which pages, along with the website banner we design. We send all our pages in, and complete any revisions the night before Word Wednesday.
H: See above, they described it best.
5. What do you enjoy about your job?
N: I get to download pretty brushes and fonts that I can use for school projects.
T: I enjoy that special feeling you get inside when I realize every month I’m probably one of the first people to read the articles for the Word. As well, I really like getting my hands on fresh warm copies of the Word while releasing them to the crowds in the hallways.
J: I like reading some articles before everyone else does :)
H: I love playing around with Photoshop.
6. What about things about your job that you don’t enjoy?
N: You never know when an article will come late. Also, all nighters = not fun.
T: I absolutely hate waiting for late articles; that really “grinds my gears”. The day before the release is something else I also dislike because I frantically worry whether or not we can all get the pages done. I also hate how I end up staring at the computer monitor for hours working on pages only to get an extremely sore back. :(
J: I don’t like the fact that sometimes articles come in really late, and we have to stay up late to complete the pages.
H: The bossy layout head.
7. What do you like the best about releasing the Word?
N: I love the looks on people’s faces when they see these random people running around with stacks of warm paper. I also love the looks on their faces when they’re given those stacks of warm paper.
T: Seeing all the people in the halls running after you because you have a giant stack of copies of the Word in your hand, as well as feeling accomplished with the fact that you’ve finished the Word and survived yet again.
J: The best thing is probably handing out warm copies of the Word!
H: Umm… having people see my layout designs? I don’t know =D
8. Which part do you dread the most while releasing the Word?
N: Putting up the posters and taking them down. Even on a chair, I honestly still can’t reach the ceiling, so I usually walk around with the chair so the other person can put them up. At that point, I feel like failure.
T: The constant back pain I get while working on last minute edits and looking for sources for images.
J: Running out of the issue when people still want them!
H: Deadlines, people getting uptight/annoyed.
9. Are you going to stay next year?
N: Most likely. I have a feeling Tammy will hunt me down if I don’t.
T: Of course! I’ve committed myself to working on the Word this year; why would I suddenly drop out next year? :)
J: Yes.
H: Yep!
10. What extracurricular activities do you have?
N: Prepare for a long list. I’m in the Athena Arts program, which means rehearsals for the musical, Theatre Company, which also means rehearsals for the play… I’m a WCP leader, and I’m also in Reach for the Top, Math Challengers, this, and the Radio show.
T: Well…Besides the Word, I’m involved with Fastbreak, Reach For the Top, and the garden. I’m also a WCP substitute leader/volunteer, especially for Nootka programs! I practically live at Nootka, and I spend countless hours in the library over there helping out! :) I’m also an avid member of the Badminton Club who wishes sheI could show up more often…
J: WCP twice a week, Peer Facilitators, and Link Crew.
H: Reading club, and applying to teach guitar.
11. Any notable mistakes that you’ve made when making the Word?
N: I will never forget the time when I dumped two tablespoons of salt into my tea, instead of two teaspoons of sugar. (I drink tea like crazy when I make layouts.)
T: Hmm… I can’t think of any because any horrible mistakes I make are erased from my memory almost abruptly.
J: I don’t know, I don’t think anyone noticed.
H: Not yet, I haven’t done too much.
12. Okay, pretend that you don’t have to do anything with the Word this week. What do you do in your free time?
N: Draw. Like a tool. I’d draw so much and then I’d cry happy tears. I’d probably hang out with friends a lot, too.
T: I’d probably bother people who are involved in WCP before going home and spending much more time doing my homework. If I have no homework, I’d probably start reading manga online, or start drawing and painting more art with my trusty markers and watercolours.
J: Hang out with friends, read, or catch up on some much needed sleep.
H: Gaming, Music/Guitar, photography…
13. So, pretend that you’re on a skyscraper with Miley Cyrus, Robert Pattinson and Britney Spears, and one of them has to jump. Who do you push off?
N: Myself. I’ll magically descend onto the ground so I won’t die. Or, actually, maybe I’ll stay on the building and push all of them.
T: Oh my gosh, what’s with my choices? I think I’d push myself off, only to have my super awesome tri-coloured parachute open up, guaranteeing a safe landing for myself, and getting away from the celebrity trio!
J: Can I be the one to jump off?
H: Robert Pattinson, who would pull down the other two =D
14. Last question! What keeps you up late so you can work on these layouts?
N: Tea. Lots and lots of tea. Well, actually, I stay up late well enough on my own, so I don’t really need help.
T: Probably the fact that one day, I’ll look back at all the work I’ve spent with Layouts, and say to myself, “Wow, I sure did a lot back in the day…”HAHAHAHAHHA NO. I’m probably able to stay up so late working because I know I’m working with a bunch of people who will help me out along the way when I’m downright confused and upset. Thanks guys! :)
J: Loud music, and the bright LCD screen!
H: Layout head =(
