Media Man Australia - The Online Home of Greg Tingle

Interview: Michelle Lovi, Writer, Editor and Creator for The Surface:
5th February 2004

What's your background?

I'm a recent graduate of the Canberra Institute of Technology, having just completed a Diploma in Communication and Media (Multimedia). I currently work fulltime in an editorial position with the Department of Defence, as well as working on the editorial and marketing teams for a young women's
magazine called "lip".

I also have a background in photography, mostly photojournalism as well as promotional photography for local bands. I've dabbled a bit in community radio production, and have recently started freelancing as a web designer.

I try to diversify my skills as much as possible, and take an interest in anything creative or that reaches out to a lot of people.

What motivated you?

It was an idea I had in my mind for a while, that came to life as my final multimedia project for my diploma. I had just finished my film production unit, and wanted to make a short film to submit to an upcoming film festival. Then I found out I had passed the cut-off age and they wouldn't accept my entry. So this prompted me to do a website instead, to form a community of people, like me, who could link up and create exciting things together, and have a forum to showcase what they had achieved.

What is The Surface?

The Surface is playground for creative people of all genres to display their work, share their ideas, and get involved in a range of online projects to stay inspired and inspire others.

Later on down the track, we want to be able to produce books, magazines, cds, videos, t-shirts... you name it, to provide alternative mediums to showcase the fantastic work that is being produced.

What interesting projects do you have on the go?

We're starting up a free downloadable magazine, which is based on a different theme for each issue. Anyone can contribute, and submissions can be anything from stories, poetry, photography, graphic art etc. It's a great opportunity to get your work seen by a large variety of people.

We're also in the process of recruiting volunteer web journalists to write about a range of issues, events and reviews. Our main goal is to provide opportunities for people to get published, regardless of their age, location, or genre.

What do you consider your greatest achievements?

The feedback I've been getting has been fantastic! The most rewarding email I've received since starting The Surface was from one of the artists I featured. She is currently studying an Arts degree at the age of 51, and was recently approached to show her work in a solo exhibition in Brisbane. I was thrilled that the profile on The Surface had helped her gain this opportunity.

Why is it important to stay young at heart?

There's not a lot we can do about the aging process, but as long as you stay young at heart, you can achieve anything you desire.

I found this great quote I think sums it up well: "There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of the people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will have truly defeated age." Sophia Loren

How has the Internet helped you?

The Internet is a fantastic tool! It has allowed me to get in touch with and learn from so many people in so many ways, not just academically. It's a great source of information and entertainment, and allows people to share and communicate with others so easily. It has also provided me with the opportunity, through my own website, to reach out to people with common interests who I might never have met otherwise, and in turn provide them with the opportunity to share their interests with others too.

What media converge have you received?

The Surface has been featured in a variety of Arts community newsletters and websites since the launch in November. I was recently interviewed on Sydney's 2SER. I've also been asked to write a few articles for a few other zines, magazines and newsletters. It's been quite overwhelming in the short time The Surface has actually been online.

What do you do to relax?

I'm a magazine junkie; I'm reading a lot of alternative and street press at the moment. I really enjoy lying in my hammock in the backyard with a good mag. That, and going out to see live bands play - the louder the better :)

Michelle Lovi
Editor, The Surface
www.thesurface.net

Editors note: Keep an eye out for The Surface and anything else that Michelle Lovi is involved with. This young lady had everything it takes to get to the top of the mountain.

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