1. Matador Trips
A search for “Fez” on Matador Trips reveals that, although the city has been referenced in one or two other articles (a piece on food in Morocco is the only one in which it plays a largeish role), the site has never done a Fez feature. I also notice that a number of the pieces tend to follow a certain structure – “25 Things to Do in This Place”, “5 Experiences Not to Miss in This Other Place”, etc.
So I might propose a piece which looks at Fez as an appealing alternative to the more popular (and therefore touristy) Marrakech for a city break in Morocco and presents a digestible overview of what to see and do there: “10 Things Not to Miss in Fez,” for instance.
Before my trip, I would want to research potential destinations and experiences in Fez. I would look at guidebooks but also contact residents – friends who live there, for instance – who might have slightly more offbeat suggestions, so the piece wouldn’t just be a Lonely Planet rehash. While there, I would explore with the article in mind, taking note of important information such as names and addresses. After my trip I would need to check facts, perhaps using some of the contacts I’d made during the trip to confirm details.
2. Matador Change
The articles on Matador Change tend to focus on green travel, activism, and cultural/sociopolitical issues. The structure of the pieces varies; there are “Green Guides”, calls to action, lists, and more straightforward features (a recent one, for instance, on a female wrestler in Bolivia).
So I might like to pitch an article about the new centre for craft just outside the Fez medina, which seeks to promote quality local craftsmanship and to provide young people with professional qualifications, primarily through apprenticeship in traditional artisanal areas such as weaving, zellij tiling, and pottery. The centre has the potential to be both a culturally and economically positive development in Fez, with its emphasis on quality and education.
In order to prepare, I would want to arrange a visit to the centre ahead of time – although visitors are welcome to wander around, I would probably want to speak with instructors and administrators, as well as some students, to gather on-the-ground impressions of the centre. In some cases this might require a translator, as I have no Arabic (or indeed French), so I’d want to start making arrangements before I actually arrived. Once there, a lot of my research would revolve around the centre itself, gathering facts and interviews. Upon my return, I would want to place the story in context by researching education and employment in Morocco, and Fez in particular, as well as looking for any recent studies or reports about the economic situation there. Similarly I would want to be familiar with the traditional arts and crafts of the area.
3. Matador Nights
Matador Nights publishes more offbeat pieces – often centring around nightlife, food, music, and festivals.
So I might like to pitch a photo essay on the Cherry Festival at Sefrou, a small town just outside of Fez. At 90 years old, the cherry festival is among Morocco’s oldest festivals, and is not just a celebration of the town’s famous cherries but also a chance for artists to display their work.
To prepare, I’d want to find out the exact dates of the festival (which happens at the end of June each year), read about the festival’s history, and perhaps make contact with some people to speak to when I arrived (I know a woman who works with artists to get paintings displayed over the course of the festival, so I might start with her). While there, I would primarily take photos, but also try to talk to locals about the festival, discover quirks and interesting facts, and take note of any important details, as well as take note of things like where to eat and stay in Sefrou. I presume that if I was taking photos of people, I’d also want to ensure that I had their permission to publish them. And once home, I’d definitely want to fact-check.
Assignment 5 Part 2: Finding Your Story
1. Matador Trips
A search for “Fez” on Matador Trips reveals that, although the city has been referenced in one or two other articles (a piece on food in Morocco is the only one in which it plays a largeish role), the site has never done a Fez feature. I also notice that a number of the pieces tend to follow a certain structure – “25 Things to Do in This Place”, “5 Experiences Not to Miss in This Other Place”, etc.
So I might propose a piece which looks at Fez as an appealing alternative to the more popular (and therefore touristy) Marrakech for a city break in Morocco and presents a digestible overview of what to see and do there: “10 Things Not to Miss in Fez,” for instance.
Before my trip, I would want to research potential destinations and experiences in Fez. I would look at guidebooks but also contact residents – friends who live there, for instance – who might have slightly more offbeat suggestions, so the piece wouldn’t just be a Lonely Planet rehash. While there, I would explore with the article in mind, taking note of important information such as names and addresses. After my trip I would need to check facts, perhaps using some of the contacts I’d made during the trip to confirm details.
2. Matador Change
The articles on Matador Change tend to focus on green travel, activism, and cultural/sociopolitical issues. The structure of the pieces varies; there are “Green Guides”, calls to action, lists, and more straightforward features (a recent one, for instance, on a female wrestler in Bolivia).
So I might like to pitch an article about the new centre for craft just outside the Fez medina, which seeks to promote quality local craftsmanship and to provide young people with professional qualifications, primarily through apprenticeship in traditional artisanal areas such as weaving, zellij tiling, and pottery. The centre has the potential to be both a culturally and economically positive development in Fez, with its emphasis on quality and education.
In order to prepare, I would want to arrange a visit to the centre ahead of time – although visitors are welcome to wander around, I would probably want to speak with instructors and administrators, as well as some students, to gather on-the-ground impressions of the centre. In some cases this might require a translator, as I have no Arabic (or indeed French), so I’d want to start making arrangements before I actually arrived. Once there, a lot of my research would revolve around the centre itself, gathering facts and interviews. Upon my return, I would want to place the story in context by researching education and employment in Morocco, and Fez in particular, as well as looking for any recent studies or reports about the economic situation there. Similarly I would want to be familiar with the traditional arts and crafts of the area.
3. Matador Nights
Matador Nights publishes more offbeat pieces – often centring around nightlife, food, music, and festivals.
So I might like to pitch a photo essay on the Cherry Festival at Sefrou, a small town just outside of Fez. At 90 years old, the cherry festival is among Morocco’s oldest festivals, and is not just a celebration of the town’s famous cherries but also a chance for artists to display their work.
To prepare, I’d want to find out the exact dates of the festival (which happens at the end of June each year), read about the festival’s history, and perhaps make contact with some people to speak to when I arrived (I know a woman who works with artists to get paintings displayed over the course of the festival, so I might start with her). While there, I would primarily take photos, but also try to talk to locals about the festival, discover quirks and interesting facts, and take note of any important details, as well as take note of things like where to eat and stay in Sefrou. I presume that if I was taking photos of people, I’d also want to ensure that I had their permission to publish them. And once home, I’d definitely want to fact-check.