Vice Magazine - Research:
For this project, we have been commissioned to shoot a cover photo and a double page spread for Vice Magazine.
My Client:
Vice magazine describes itself as "The Definitive Guide To An Uncertain World". They aim to help people navigate the ever-changing world we are surrounded by through the use of new and undiscovered content.
The History of Vice:
1994: Vice was founded by Shane Smith and Suroosh Alvi in Montreal, and began as a 16 page magazine.
1996: Vice was originally called "Voice" but after logo developments the "O" was dropped and a digital logo was produced using the word "Vice", this is the same logo that Vice uses today.
1999: Vice headquarters moves to New York and launch they the first Vice website called "Viceland.com".
2002: After Atlantic Records hand over the record deal of a Birmingham hip-hop group called "The Streets", Shane Smith and Suroosh Alvi Launch Vice Records. In the same year they also launched Vice Uk setting up offices in London
2003-4: The following years Vice expands even further to Asia opening offices in Melbourne (2003) and Tokyo (2004). In 2004, Vice also bought the pub "Old Blue Last" located in London.
2006: Vice get turnned down by MTV so create "The Vice Guide to Travel" this then develops into "The Vice Guide to Everything". The Guide was a 30 minuet News show which aired on MTV2, this was the first time Vice had appeared on TV. In the same year Vice found the creative agency "Virture". The agency was set up as an alternative to traditional advertising and is currently by some of the most influential brands on the planet in 21 different countries.
2007: After the success of "The Vice Guide to Travel/Everything", Vice launch their first independent online video channel called "VBS.tv". In this year, Vice also opens offices in Paris and Amsterdam.
2008: Extending its global reach further Vice opens more offices in Mexico City and São Paolo.
2009: In this year Vice launches the website "Motherboard" which is specifically for subjects around science and technology. After the success of this website Vice partner with "Intel" to launch a content series based around art, creativity and technology, this was called "The Creator’s Project".
2011: Vice and the technology company "Dell" team up to launch "Noisey" which is a vertical market focusing on music.
2012: Vice change their website domain to "Vice.com". Vice also bought the British fashion, music, art and youth culture magazine "i-D magazine". Also, in the same year Vice Launches "MUNCHIES" which is a channel dedicated to food.
2013: Vice Launch "Vice News", which is aimed at a global youth audience as an alternative to regular news formats.
2014: Following the documentary series "Vice" which was available on The Home Box Office website, Vice then launched "ViceNews.com"
2015: Vice forms "Broadly" in order to better address their growing audience. "Broadly" is a vertical market for anything related to astrology, witchcraft, identity and LGBTQ.
2016: Named after the pub "Old Blue Last" which Vice bought in 2004 Vice released their first beer. Also in 2016, Vice launched their TV channel "Viceland", followed by "Vice Tv" which was launched in the UK and France, Australia and New Zealand.
2017: Vice launches their own TV studio called "Vice Studios", and go on to produce scripted and unscripted television/film. Vice also expand to the Middle East, launching "Vice Abi Dhabi" and "Vice Dubai".
2018: Vice expands further by opening offices in Singapore, Mumbai and Seoul. Also in 2018, "Vive News" is the most-nominated nightly newscast show at the 39th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards.
2019: For the second year in a row, "Vice News" dominates The Emmy Award nominations. "Vive News" is also given a primetime block on Vices channel "Viceland".
Vice Magazine Facts:
1. Vice produces 1500 pieces of content every day through five key lines of business which include: Vice.com, VICE Studios, Viceland, Vice News and Vice Virtue
2. 26% of the Vice audience is under 24 years old
3. Vice has a 300 million digital global audience reach
4. Vice has had 19 Emmy nominations in 2019
5. Vice has 35 offices globally
6. 90% of people under 35 familiar with VICE News trust it
Vice Magazine Competitors:
1. BuzzFeed
2. Mic Network
3. Vox Media
4. Verizon Media Group
5. Mashable
Chief Creative Officer of Vice: Alex Miller
Study: Alex Miller Studied a Masters Degree in 20th Century English Literature at Leeds University from 2001 to 2005.
Work and Now: Alex Miller started his career as the "New Brands Editor" for the online magazine "New Musical Express", after working there for almost 3 years he left and started at Vice Magazine. He has worked for over 11 years, starting off as an "Online Editor" and eventually working his way up to his current position of "Chief Creative Officer". Since Alex Miller has been the Chief Creative Officer of Vice, the magazine has won a number of awards for its journalism and video content. These include, "Best Video Journalism" from the "American Society of Magazine Editors" awards, "Best Cultural Website" from the "Webbys" awards, "Media Company of the Year" from the "British Media Awards", "Best Editorial Team" from the "AOP Digital Publishing Awards" and "Best Original Web Channel" from the "Broadcast Digital Awards". Also while working for Vice Alex Miller won the "Digital Editor of the Year 2015" award at the "Online Media Awards".
Style: Alex Millers main style is investigative journalism, he has hosted and created many news documentaries from all over the world in this style. Some of the content he has covered ranges from protests in Venezuela, to the rise of the far right in the UK and the Greek economic crisis.
Influence: This information will influence my project and ideas as I now have a deeper understanding of my client and therefore, will be able to use this knowledge to for fill the brief in a successful way.
What is a Profile Feature?
A profile feature is a magazine or newspaper article which details the characteristics and background of a certain person or group of people. The aim of a profile feature is to focus on and document a single element of the subjects life, this could be a personal or professional element.
Example of a Profile Feature:
Below I have researched an example of a profile feature, the profile feature I have looked at was from "Vice.com" and documents how Mexican people living in New York celebrate The Day of the Dead Festival. The reason I have chosen to look at this particular profile feature was because I liked the traditional costumes and makeup the subjects use to transform themselves. The people who feature in the article do this every year between the 31st of October and the 2nd of November in order to reconnect with lost loved ones. I think the reasoning and culture behind why these people dressing up is very interesting, which is why I want to take inspiration from this article for my own Vice shoot. I have been particularly inspired by The Day of The Dead/Mexican skeleton themed costume and makeup in this article. As a result of this I want to look further at ways I can use costume, makeup and lighting to make my model appear as someone/something they are not.
Here is the link to this article: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/3kvken/nycs-day-of-the-dead-gathering-celebrates-life-in-photos
