Students at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) are putting their journalism skills to the test by quizzing some of the country's big-name comedians.
Members of Demon Media will be interviewing comics and reviewing shows as part of this year's Leicester Comedy Festival.
Ashton Matthews, Entertainment Producer for Demon TV, is involved in the Leicester Comedy Festival
Students have already secured phone interviews with comedians Bobby Mair, Harriet Kemsley and Peter Brush, who will be performing during the 25th annual festival from February 7 to February 25.
And this is just the start of what is planned to ensure the comedy festival is reported on for the student population.
All their comedy festival articles will be published on The Demon website and in the February edition of The Demon magazine.
Some of the comedian interviews will also be used on Demon TV and featured as short three-minute links on Demon FM.
Ashton Matthews, Entertainment Producer for Demon TV, said: “It's great being involved in the comedy festival as it opens up so many opportunities for us.
“Students are really positive about the experience. Those who have already interviewed comedians are buzzing.
“We are all getting real-life media experience and the chance to improve our technical knowledge.”
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Ashton, 19, a second-year Drama Studies student, has been busy researching comedians and contacting their agents to request interviews.
She said: “It's been a massive task; I must have sent about 50 emails.
“I've also been helping to train students who are doing the interviews; it's all been a great opportunity, I've already learnt so much.
“We are giving all students, including many first-years, the chance to carry out the interviews; it's something to put on their CV.
“Three interviews have already been carried out and we have six more lined up over the next couple of weeks.”
She added: “It's great that so many comedians are so willing to connect with the students of Leicester.”
Sara Torres, 22, Deputy Editor of The Demon, said she was looking forward to publishing a wide-range of reviews.
The second-year Journalism with Creative Writing student added: “Having your work published is great for your future career. When you have a job interview, you can actually take along your work and show them what you can do.”
Demon Media volunteer Ashton Matthews is pictured in the Demon FM studio
It is hoped that the students' comedy festival work can also form part of Demon Media's entries into national awards organised by the National Student Television Association and the Student Radio Association.
Journalism students at DMU are also working in conjunction with The Leicester Mercury to provide reviews of comedy festival reviews when requested. They will also be publishing their reviews on their own Leicestershire Press website.
DMU is the Higher Education Partner of the Leicester Comedy Festival.
For more information or tickets for the Leicester Comedy Festival, visit the website.
Posted on Tuesday 6 February 2018