Londoners wanna be a VJ
Imagine signing up for a contest, fully aware that thousands of others would also be vying for the coveted spot as a host on one of Canada's most well-known television stations.
Then, almost as quickly as you signed up, you suddenly find yourself almost at the top, leaving those overwhelming thousands behind.
It's where Londoners, Liz Trinnear, 21 and Kelly Peter, 22 find themselves after entering Doritos and MuchMusic's V.J. 2.0 contest and successfully making it to the final eight, beating out about 4,000 entries.
“It's so crazy, everyone's been so supportive,” said Peter, a graduate of Fanshawe's broadcast program and current radio personality for BX93.
“Four thousand people. To think that many people wanted it,” said Trinnear, a student in the media, information and technoculture faculty at the University of Western Ontario. “I feel like I'm Alice in Wonderland. It's surreal. It's amazing.”
The competition began back in September, when contestants were asked to submit a photo and video that people could vote on based on their “hot” and “cool” factor. Contestants have been using social media as their main means of promotions, so everything from Twitter to Facebook is fair game. It's all about putting yourself out there and hoping people notice. The challenge is standing out in a sea of hopeful VJs who likely all love similar things — music, fashion, TV and media.
Peter, is putting her focus on her on-air experience. She's already got four years of working in media under her belt.
“I'm grateful I have that,” she said. “It helps me out a lot.”
Also, as someone who used to run home from school to watch her own VJ idols as a kid, she believes she could fit well into that position.
“I portray a good image,” she explained. “I can be a positive role model.”
Trinnear's passion to be a VJ comes from a veritable obsession with music. In the last three years she's been involved with promoting bands and taking every course she can to learn about the industry from sound production to post-WII rock and roll. Her love of music is what will set her apart, as well as her determination to stay true to herself, she said.
“My friends can say, ‘This is Liz.' I'm not going to put my personality on hold,” she said. “And every part of the world has music — it's a unique language on its own. I want to indulge myself in every aspect that I can.” In addition to tweeting and posting, the girls have offered voters an inside look into their lives with their videos. In one video, Trinnear takes viewers on a tour of her home that's reminiscent of an episode of Cribs. Peter, on the other hand, takes viewers outside and into her car as one of her friends takes a quirky look through her CD collection and busted phone.
In addition to self-promotion, the contestants have also faced challenges along the way. Most recently, they were asked to choose a charity and they had a week to raise money. Peter chose the Children's Health Foundation, a local charity. She created the “Change is Good” campaign, visiting the John Labatt Centre and even her old high school to collect funds. Her goal was $5,000 in five days and she surpassed it — making $6,225.
Trinnear chose a charity close to home. As a child she was diagnosed with epidermolysis bullosa, a condition that makes her skin extremely fragile and prone to getting blisters and infections from anything like going outside to even the seams on her clothes. She is grateful the competition gave her a chance to give back, she raised over $4,700, and bring more awareness about the disease with the help of the non-profit organization, dEBra.
“I would never take this disease back,” she said. “It showed me that you are someone outside your appearance.” The competition lasts till the end of November, so more challenges are ahead. But these two Londoners are determined to be the one you watch on MuchMusic.
“I want to try as hard as I can, network myself as much as I can — be a little different from everyone,” said Peter.
Trinnear also wants to reach out to the audience who will hopefully be tuning in to see her.
“I want it to be like hanging out with a friend. I want to bring you the music that changes your life,” she said.
If you want to vote for Liz or Kelly, visit their profiles on MuchMusic's website.
Liz:
vj.muchmusic.com/liz/
or Kelly:
vj.muchmusic.com/kelly/
Then, almost as quickly as you signed up, you suddenly find yourself almost at the top, leaving those overwhelming thousands behind.
It's where Londoners, Liz Trinnear, 21 and Kelly Peter, 22 find themselves after entering Doritos and MuchMusic's V.J. 2.0 contest and successfully making it to the final eight, beating out about 4,000 entries.
“It's so crazy, everyone's been so supportive,” said Peter, a graduate of Fanshawe's broadcast program and current radio personality for BX93.
“Four thousand people. To think that many people wanted it,” said Trinnear, a student in the media, information and technoculture faculty at the University of Western Ontario. “I feel like I'm Alice in Wonderland. It's surreal. It's amazing.”
The competition began back in September, when contestants were asked to submit a photo and video that people could vote on based on their “hot” and “cool” factor. Contestants have been using social media as their main means of promotions, so everything from Twitter to Facebook is fair game. It's all about putting yourself out there and hoping people notice. The challenge is standing out in a sea of hopeful VJs who likely all love similar things — music, fashion, TV and media.
Peter, is putting her focus on her on-air experience. She's already got four years of working in media under her belt.
“I'm grateful I have that,” she said. “It helps me out a lot.”
Also, as someone who used to run home from school to watch her own VJ idols as a kid, she believes she could fit well into that position.
“I portray a good image,” she explained. “I can be a positive role model.”
Trinnear's passion to be a VJ comes from a veritable obsession with music. In the last three years she's been involved with promoting bands and taking every course she can to learn about the industry from sound production to post-WII rock and roll. Her love of music is what will set her apart, as well as her determination to stay true to herself, she said.
“My friends can say, ‘This is Liz.' I'm not going to put my personality on hold,” she said. “And every part of the world has music — it's a unique language on its own. I want to indulge myself in every aspect that I can.” In addition to tweeting and posting, the girls have offered voters an inside look into their lives with their videos. In one video, Trinnear takes viewers on a tour of her home that's reminiscent of an episode of Cribs. Peter, on the other hand, takes viewers outside and into her car as one of her friends takes a quirky look through her CD collection and busted phone.
In addition to self-promotion, the contestants have also faced challenges along the way. Most recently, they were asked to choose a charity and they had a week to raise money. Peter chose the Children's Health Foundation, a local charity. She created the “Change is Good” campaign, visiting the John Labatt Centre and even her old high school to collect funds. Her goal was $5,000 in five days and she surpassed it — making $6,225.
Trinnear chose a charity close to home. As a child she was diagnosed with epidermolysis bullosa, a condition that makes her skin extremely fragile and prone to getting blisters and infections from anything like going outside to even the seams on her clothes. She is grateful the competition gave her a chance to give back, she raised over $4,700, and bring more awareness about the disease with the help of the non-profit organization, dEBra.
“I would never take this disease back,” she said. “It showed me that you are someone outside your appearance.” The competition lasts till the end of November, so more challenges are ahead. But these two Londoners are determined to be the one you watch on MuchMusic.
“I want to try as hard as I can, network myself as much as I can — be a little different from everyone,” said Peter.
Trinnear also wants to reach out to the audience who will hopefully be tuning in to see her.
“I want it to be like hanging out with a friend. I want to bring you the music that changes your life,” she said.
If you want to vote for Liz or Kelly, visit their profiles on MuchMusic's website.
Liz:
vj.muchmusic.com/liz/
or Kelly:
vj.muchmusic.com/kelly/
