So here's the deal, at least, how I understand it. A star-studded team of journalists, designers, photographers, and developers from the US are teaming up to create and distribute a magazine with a with a self-imposed deadline of 2 days. Why? To prove that media landscape has drastically changed. And because they can.
To complete a magazine in two days, the team is crowdsourcing for article submissions and photos, and all the stuff that makes up a magazine. The topic of the magazine changes for each issue.
On May 7th they will announce the topic for Issue Zero. After they announce the first issue's topic, the first day will be used to write and gather crowdsourced submissions. Contributing writers from Rolling Stone and Wired are already onboard to submit articles - so the idea seems to have gained some traction. Day two is reserved for compiling the submissions and designing both the online and physical copy of the magazine.
If you'd like to contribute an article to the magazine, you can add your email address to the website. They’ll email you the magazine’s theme, then you have a maximum of 24 hours to contribute something worthwhile to it. I signed up. But mostly because I’m curious.
It would be neat to see something like this here in London. I know there are some decent writers, journalists, designers, photographers, and developers right here on LondonFuse. If anyone's interested then let me know. I figure that if anyone in this city is interested in this -- its the LondonFuse crowd. The idea seems crazy enough to work.
This is a really cool idea. I'm curious to find out how it turns out.
I like it - a lot! Definitely something worth looking into. I'm interested in the "behind the scenes" who the team is and what the layout will look like. This is clearly a statement as to where our media is going and something all consumers (of media) should think about.
THanks guys. I don't know how serious I am about making an entire magazine in two days. But the fact that this team is trying is "mind-bottling."
This team obviously has some great connections in the industry and their distributers all lined up. But the idea of using a crowdsourcing model and harvesting all the talent out there definitly appeals to me. It could even work for LondonFuse content.
I also like the behind the scene's of putting this project together. I wouldn't be surprised if they post a video montage on YouTube of them working - or Ustream it.
Very interesting project indeed.
You probably could guess this, but I'd be interested for sure.
I'm also probably going to sign up on the site.
I'd be in for sure. :)
After participating in the Fringe 62 Hour Film Contest I have to admit that although the task might seem daunting at first glance I think its something that is achievable with a group of motivated individuals.
I’m glad to see people are interested in this. I've been thinking about the subject of a local arts and culture magazine for a while now, and I’m sure I brought the idea up with many of you in our past conversations.
One of my favourite magazines is called Monocle. I know Ian (ibullock) is also a fan. It’s a great read because it covers so many topics from such a diverse group of writers. The magazine's content and art direction is great, and they supplement a lot of their material with online videos, podcasts, links ext.
The magazine has sections covering current affairs, culture, art, business, reviews (music, books), technology. It even has a graphic novel insert. Also on their website, you can purchase posters of the illustrations used in past editions.
I think a local magazine built around the same concept as Monocle would work here in London. Available by subscription or by purchasing at designated retailers in town. The content is made by an always-changing group of contributors (possibly crowdsourced). There isn’t much competition for an arts/culture magazine in London. Scene and The Beat come to mind. But they are both free. The magazine wouldn’t get huge and make people rich. But it could fit a unfulfilled niche in town and make a bit of money.
There was also Zephyr Magazine in London for a while last year (in addition to The Beat).
I am doubtful that there is any money to be made in publishing a magazine, but I am interested in doing it as an experiment and to get people creating content. It takes a huge amount of work to produce high quality, original content, so unless there was money to be made doing it I don't think it would be sustainable beyond a couple issues if you wanted to put a publication out on a regular basis, although that's not to say there wouldn't be interest in it or a market for it.
Amazing suggestions, everyone. Here's a link to the complted 48 Hour magazine. Hopefully we too can try this out.
http://magcloud.com/browse/Issue/81528/