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Resume
- Download as pdf file here
Shahryar Rizvi
8700 Wyatt Circle, Argyle, TX 76226
syar.rizvi@gmail.com
mindqila.com
(906) 281 - 77 73
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SUMMARY
Writer and multimedia producer pursuing full-time position at a news media company. Experience in copywriting, web design, web administration and multimedia methods. Works best as part of a team.
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SKILLS
- AP Style Wordpress, Movable Type, PHP, HTML, CSS.
- Microsoft Office: Access, Excel, Word
- Adobe Creative Suite: Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, InDesign
EXPERIENCE
Dallas Observer, Dallas, TX Feb 2010 - Present
Freelance Writer
- Writing weekly pop music posts for blog and reviewing events from various genres in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Granada Theater, Dallas, TX Apr 2012 - Nov 2012
Web Copy Intern
- Managing and Updating blog and administrating site via Wordpress. Applying design principles for web store design
ChowMingle.com, Dallas, TX June 2012 - Aug 2012
IT Intern
- Writing, marketing, copying and officiating web content for, web-based food delivery startup
DFW International Community Alliance, Dallas, TX Aug 2011 -June 2012
Communications Coordinator
- Administering mass email lists and drafting press releases and grant proposals for non-profit organization serving underrepresented groups in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.
University of North Texas, Denton, TX Aug 2009 - June 2010
Research Assistant
- Conducted literature reviews and organized content for academic research on Internet and Media Law.
- Developed reports and research papers on the subject and participated in research conferences, seminars and workshops.
WMTU 91.9 FM Sep 2008 - May 2009
Radio Host
- Hosted electronic music program "Sietch #9" at college FM radio station consisting of weekly themes
- Assisted in organization for on-campus concerts.
Michigan Tech Lode, Houghton, MI Oct 2007 - May 2009
News Writer
- Covered international and general interest events in the local area for a campus audience
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Masters of Journalism
- Mayborn Scholar: 2010-2011 school year
- Relevant Coursework: Editing Practices, Narrative Journalism, New Technologies in Journalism
Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 2005 - 2009
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communication and Culture Studies
- Activities and Societies: Webmaster, International Club, Tech T.E.A.
- Relevant Coursework: Introduction to Journalism, Creative Writing.
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- Basic Speaking: Mandarin
- Basic Reading: Spanish
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Posts
- May 03, 13
This year, Free Comic Book Day is on Saturday, May 4th. This promotional day was created to capture a wave of interest alongside newly-released superhero movies. This year’s touchstone is the film Iron Man 3. This is an opportunity to engage new readers in the rich world of comic books. This year will offer 52 different books for every demographic. When you visit your local comic book store on Saturday, feel free to explore the aisles and take the free comics in this list, remember to save some for other readers. Below is my selection based on my intuition and history with comic books.
It’s a shame that this is the only title representing Japanese comics in Free Comic Book Day, and that the focus is limited to Shonen manga(comics that are targeted towards boys, after all, this is the only demographic that the superhero comics responds to) Nevertheless, these two franchises were my gateway to more Manga titles with greater perpsective. I endorse this title based on the hope that new readers will follow my example and explore more of the diverse world of Japanese comics.
What to read next?: 20th Century Boys, Death Note, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind(Viz Media) Akira, Gunsmith Cats, Eden: It’s an Endless World
My experience with Dark Horse has mostly been through their Manga releases. I’ve never been compelled to check out their licensed sci-fi comics based on Star Wars, Aliens vs Predator, Mass Effect or Firefly. What caught my eye for this release was the name Brian Wood, who wrote the comics DMZ and Northlanders. I’m interested to see how Wood’s contemporary writing translates into Star Wars.
What to read next?: Saga, Prophet(Image) Guardians of the Galaxy, Universal War One(Marvel) Stormwatch(DC) Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire, Fear Agent(Dark Horse)
Released by the auteur Canadian publisher Drawn and Quarterly, Marble Season responds to the more mature, urbane demographics who read “graphic novels”. I recommend this title in the spirit of diversity and goodwill through all comic genres. In my opinion, “graphic novel” is a meaningless distinction between genres that only serves to Balkanize the medium.
What to read next?: Optic Nerve(Drawn and Quarterly) Ghost World(Fantagraphics) Maus(Pantheon)
I recommend this title for those in my generation who remember the absurd humor of 1990′s cartoons such as the Fox cartoon adapted from this comic and Freakazoid! (the WB cartoon inspired, possibly lifted, from the comic Madman)
What to read next?: Scott Pilgrim(Oni Press) Chew(Image) Deadpool(Marvel)
This British weekly comic is FCBD’s example of an anthology comic, a collection of unrelated stories told serially. This nearly 40-year-old anthology hosted the famous character Judge Dredd and was a launching pad for esteemed writers such as Grant Morrison, Alan Moore, and Mark Millar.
What to read next?: Dark Horse Presents(Dark Horse) Shonen Jump(Viz Media)
- Mar 05, 13
This last week, my preview for Kelly Clarkson’s Friday March 1st concert appeared on Dallas Observers’s print edition. (No link appears yet, I will upload the scanned page when available)
Previously, I wrote one of my “The Problem With…” columns about Clarkson’s single “Mr. Know It All”. Ever since I wrote that, I’ve falsely boasted to people at parties that I was the inspiration for that song. Writing about Kelly Clarkson again shows me how little I actually know about her.
I once heard the evocative, acoustic, pop-country song “Breakaway” in every venue tuned to a country music FM station -from diners to auto shops to dentist waiting rooms- since 2005. I only discovered last year that Kelly Clarkson was the credited artist. It shows what I know.
I was also surprised by the song “Stronger”, whose title chorus paraphrases a popular Nietzsche quote and includes a catchy electro-clash rhythm.
- Dec 17, 12
2012 was a great year for live and studio-re music. This year saw great music from young, web-addled upstarts and seasoned rockers. I had to opportunity to attend concerts from countless genres and write on a few of them as a freelancer. For brevity, I’ll include five of my favorite songs of this year. At the end of this post, there is also a Spotify list for the rest of my selections for 2012.
- 5. Grimes – Genesis
Vancouver’s Claire Bucher’s project Grimes is the most popular example of what I call a retro-Cyberpunk music wave coming out of Canada, which includes artists like Purity Ring, Crystal Castles and Mathematique. The single “Genesis” is a refreshing take on drum ‘n’ bass rhythms that includes airy pop vocals on the studio mix. I may have rated this song higher had I not been disappointed by Grimes’ live performances, which had her desperately trying to reach high studio notes and gagging. While her artistic vision is charming, she has to practice much more before I can consider her more highly on this or any critical pedestal.
- 4. Karin Park – Fryngies
Swedish women seem to be the most reliable class of artists to deliver great music. My favorite artist from the class this year was the eerie Karin Park. The industrial composition and Park’s raspy, wide-ranging vocals in “Fryngies” displayed an uncommon level of anguish and grit, even to someone like me, who dabbles in aggressive music.
- 3. Michael Kiwanuka – Tell Me A Tale
I usually try to avoid the staid genre of Roots Revival. However, Afro-British musician Michael Kiwanuka’s debut album Home Again shows that he knows, and more importantly feels, the Blues. My favorite track in Kiwanuka’s debut was the first rack ”Tell Me a Tale”, which featured a jazz-like ensemble to go with his timeless take on the Blues.
- 2. Santigold – Disparate Youth
Santigold returned to the spotlight this year with her mix of Atlantic-tropic rhythms and Afro-punk rock energy in Master of My Make-Believe. I had the privilege of seeing her live with an understated goth-pop singer Charli XCX opening. Santi White shared the stage with a backing band and two silent Caribbean dancehall showgirls. Santi’s second single ”Disparate Youth” includes a laid back dub rhythm and an undercurrent of discontent, calling to the Lost Boys of Peter Pan fame.
- 1. Poliça – Lay Your Cards Out (feat.Mike Noyce)
The Minneapolis quartet Poliça’s debut album Give You the Ghost certainly delivers a phantasmal mix of trip-hop and ambient rock. Singer Channy Leanagh employs Auto-Tune as an opaque screen to her voice as opposed of an artistic crutch.The track ”Lay Your Cards Out” includes a kinetic drum duel between Drew Christopherson and Ben Ivascu that elevates the music from mopey to energetic.
- Dec 04, 12
Last month, I had the opportunity to attend the electronic game sports event the Major League Gaming Fall Championship in Dallas. My journalism sense tingled as I brought a recorder the second day and interviewed friends and random people about the grouth of electronic gaming. My report is at the link below for my game blog Game Jerno.
Game Jerno : Jerno goes to MLG Fall Championship Dallas.
- Oct 15, 12
It’s shameful to admit, but I am infatuated by both Natasha Khan, the half-Desi British musician known as Bat for Lashes, and Barbadian pop star Rihanna. Bat For Lashes recent cover of Rihanna’s song “We Found Love” is an interesting development. It’ll be harder to choose between the two as they both offer different music styles to one catchy song.
- Sep 13, 12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7_lSP8Vc3o
Last week, I wrote an article for Dallas Observer about Korean pop . The genre rose in popularity through the world in the last few years. PSY’s video for the song “Gangnam Style” increased Korean pop’s global profile and started discussions about the genre and the video’s satire of class in South Korean society.
At first, I posted videos of another popular K-pop group 2NE1 on my social network to raise interest. I later thought to write an article to foster interest in another Korean group trying to send an evocative social message through commodity-driven pop music.
Six Korean Pop Artists To Watch After “Gangnam Style” – Dallas – Music – DC9 At Night.
- Aug 26, 12
I started a new miniblog on tumbr called Game Jerno. I created this blog to bring my unique advocacy perspective to gaming a little at a time.
- Aug 06, 12
This morning, authorities identified Wade Michael Page as the shooter who attacked a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, WI, killing seven people before morning services. The shooter may have confused Sikhs with Muslims or targeted people of color regardless of faith.
More facts are coming to light about Page. We know that the shooter was involved in the white supremacist movement as a musician and visited the white supremacist web forum Stormfront. Page was also a former service member in the US Army.
Page was never deployed overseas, which discounts the racial implications of foreign invasion, but I see a connection between his racial views and his domestic armed forces experience. Page was stationed in Fort Bragg in the 1990′s in a Psychological Operations position. Around this time, a white supremacist culture grew in the base, emboldened by racist publications like The Resister, Special Forces Underground, and The Turner Diaries (Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh also read Resister and Turner Diaries)
White supremacy in the base also motivated servicemen Jim Burmeister, Malcom Wright, and Randy Meadow to drive to a predominantly African-American neighborhood in Fayetteville, near Ft. Bragg, and murder Michael James and Jackie Burdern in December 6, 1995. All three servicemen were sentenced to life in prison. The media attention around murders prompted a congressional investigation about extremism in the military and a later investigation of same by the Pentagon.
Army representatives have not disclosed the years Page was stationed in Ft. Bragg yet. I pose this question to investigators in the FBI because it is relevant to my safety as a person of color in America. I cannot accept a lone-wolf excuse for this tragedy in the state I was born. Wade Page was part of a culture in the U.S. that will never forgive me for the fact that I was born at all.
As I keep posted on news, I also read that a Joplin, Missouri mosque was attacked and destroyed a few hours after this event. Fortunately, no one was harmed. A bunch of lone wolves, you say?
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Photos
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Recent Tracks
- Preservation Bias by Linea Aspera
- Beyond by Daft Punk
- Touch (feat. Paul Williams) by Daft Punk
- Instant Crush (feat. Julian Casablancas) by Daft Punk
- Within by Daft Punk
- Giorgio by Moroder by Daft Punk
- The Game of Love by Daft Punk
- Give Life Back to Music by Daft Punk
Amon TobinMux MoolDaft PunkKilling JokeBonoboParallelsTRS-80Flying LotusBurialStarkeyCrystal CastlesChildish GambinoSkunk AnansieTwin ShadowKanye WestCom TruisePaul OakenfoldKuedoPoliçaArchitectBloc PartyTorcheAb-SoulDark Time SunshineThe WeekndHaujobbIke YoshihiroKendrick LamarDeath GripsWireActressFaltyDLLaurel HaloHammockActive ChildFour TetHybridLazerhawkAlt-JTychoDanny BrownStepdadDyeSchool of Seven BellsMassive AttackFront Line Assemblymind.in.a.boxRihannaKavinskyMNDR -
Tweets
- First Listen: Mount Kimbie, 'Cold Spring Fault Less Youth' : NPR http://t.co/LhwNj9KnYF
- Great Job, Internet!: Here's a clip of Ken Cosgrove tap dancing to Daft Punk http://t.co/7HnzPwgPLv
- Publicity Rights Aren’t Property Rights: Appellate Court Gets It Very Wrong in Hart v. EA http://t.co/JCKhUU0PZc
- What does Nintendo’s claiming of Let’s Play videos mean for us PC gamers? http://t.co/5L1EKXLAoq
- DayZ Standalone map designer recalls time in prison http://t.co/lzFXTHwrK8
- Tracking 'The Warriors' through old New York, in 1979 and 2013 http://t.co/76Mo9PzbIn
- Pakistan, Islam and Democracy http://t.co/KP9XTdsHfw
- Happy Bob Moog Day! http://t.co/41WYoJIKHv
- Newswire: Henry Rollins says he won't be playing any "old music"—or maybe any music at all—any time soon http://t.co/v2NH3L8egt
- Newswire: Kanye West wants Will Smith to come out of rap retirement, be one of the apostles of Yeezus http://t.co/DOjHVU2QGy
- Giorgio Moroder DJ Set @ Deep Space, Output, NYC, USA http://t.co/lnxu5GnKF7 via
- Great Job, Internet!: Listen to a bunch of rappers reference former NBA center Alonzo Mourning http://t.co/bYrKx1YMjp
- How Warren Spector hopes to bridge industry gaps with UT's new grad program http://t.co/tb28suKxe1
- Confession Kid on trucks and big rigs http://t.co/DAj01LSyzN via @quickmeme
- confession kid on first-aid kits http://t.co/zZEL2yYJQF via @quickmeme
- The crowd-funding conundrum: The line between bringing fans closer and taking advantage | The A.V. Club http://t.co/wem7Pg5KTK
- Grizzly Bear Eats GoPro http://t.co/2QHj0Pg3io
- Friday Foolishness: Selena Gomez Is Wearing A Bindi? http://t.co/qt7sc8sgdG
- Is sensor journalism feasible, or even ethical? Columbia’s Tow Center hopes to find out http://t.co/MJLhlldh6G
- The man behind famous 'Minority Report' interface is back for 'Star Trek Into Darkness' http://t.co/kJYbLbB6GM
