Latest news with #60Seconds
Perth Now
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Astronaut Chris Hadfield reveals why Space Oddity cover put 'big smile' on David Bowie's face
Chris Hadfield is glad his version of 'Space Oddity' "put a big smile" on David Bowie's face. The 65-year-old astronaut and spaceship commander performed his own "optimistic" rendition of Bowie's iconic 1969 hit 'Space Oddity' from the International Space Station in 2013, and he has opened up about the process of putting a different spin on the track. He told the Metro newspaper's 60 Seconds column: "He wrote that song before Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin went to the Moon. "There had been the Apollo 1 accident, where the astronauts burned to death and there was a huge amount of uncertainty and much higher risk than we might be willing to take today. "So the original was more pessimistic. My song Evan updated the words to have an optimistic take at the end, instead of dying alone in space. "We got permission and Bowie loved the final version. The great delight for me was it put a big smile on his face in the final years of his life." Chris' version was the first music video to be performed in space, and featured him floating around the space station as he sang and played guitar. In the original song, the character of Major Tom lost communication with Ground Control and ended up lost in space. However, in Chris' story Tom gets orders to land and manages to do so safely. Bowie - who died aged 69 in January 2016 - referred to the cover on his Facebook page as "possibly the most poignant version of the song ever created". Meanwhile, Chris has now admitted he's received offers to turn his own experiences in space into a feature film, although it's not something he's immediately jumped on board with. He said: "I was approached recently by someone who wants to do a biographical movie. It's flattering and maybe interesting but..." If the project did come to fruition, Chris has a simple guideline for who would be best to portray him on the big screen. He quipped: "Someone with a moustache, I guess! When I was living in London, as I turned 18 that year, that was the last time that I shaved my upper lip."
The Spinoff
28-04-2025
- Business
- The Spinoff
The Spinoff is hiring for three new roles
We have three exciting new roles! The Spinoff is advertising for three new roles – one permanent and two fixed term opportunities. This is an opportunity for three creative people in vastly different areas to join our small team. Video journalist The Spinoff has been funded by NZ On Air for a new current affairs project called 60 Seconds. 60 Seconds is a dynamic and essential short-form online video series where an urgent issue affecting Aotearoa is unpacked for rangatahi in just one minute. We're looking for a video journalist to join The Spinoff team for the 42-week duration of the project. You'll be responsible for scripting approximately three episodes of 60 Seconds each week and presenting at least one of those three episodes as a recurring presenter. Working closely with the editorial and audience teams as well as the video editor and series producer of the project, you'll be responsible for delivering each episode on time to maximise reach to our audience. Understanding current affairs and digital media is crucial to this role. Excellence in writing, meeting deadlines and presenting on camera are a must. Building strong working relationships and effective communication are also essential. You will report directly to the head of audience and will work closely with the video editor and series producer of 60 Seconds. Next steps This job is a full time fixed-term contract, for 42 weeks. Ideal start date is Monday June 9, 2025 but there is a degree of flexibility here. Applicants must be based in Tāmaki Makaurau and have the right to live and work in Aotearoa to apply for this role. We would also consider fewer than 40 hours a week for the right candidate. For more information or to apply for this role, please visit SEEK. All applications require a CV and a cover letter to be addressed to The Spinoff general manager, Sophie Dowson. Please note that the second part of the application process will involve a self-tape screen test. Applications are due by May 23 but may close earlier if a suitable applicant is found. Audience insights specialist The audience insights specialist will be a key contributor to our audience-led strategy and the growth and sustainability of The Spinoff's award-winning, locally owned and independent journalism. You will work closely with the head of audience and the audience team at an exciting juncture for the company to increase our paying membership base, deepen audience engagement and inform critical and strategic decisions with insights as we implement our roadmap for the future. This role combines data analysis and audience insights experience, a love of experimentation, efficiency and results, communication and data presentation skills. You'll build our understanding of what drives audiences to strengthen their relationship with us across all our channels. You'll be involved in all audience activity, including onsite, always-on activity, campaigning, display advertising, SEM, life cycle and communications email programmes, newsletters, video, podcasts and social media. You'll translate audience data into insights to assist all teams at The Spinoff and investigate ways to provide accessible and useful reporting on strategically important audience insight, metrics and KPIs. You will work with the audience team to test and refine approaches to deepening audience relationships and providing them with experiences and interactions they value. In this newly created position, you can contribute to the future of The Spinoff, how we understand and respond to our audience's needs, create more meaningful relationships with them and build sustainable and effective paths to revenue growth. Next steps This job is a full time fixed-term contract, for 48 weeks. Ideal start date is Monday June 9, 2025 but there is a degree of flexibility here. Applicants must be based in Tāmaki Makaurau and have the right to live and work in Aotearoa to apply for this role. For more information or to apply for this role, please visit SEEK. All applications require a CV and a cover letter to be addressed to The Spinoff head of audience, Anna Rawhiti-Connell. Applications are due by May 23 but may close earlier if a suitable applicant is found. HR and Finance Support The Spinoff is looking for a highly organised and proactive HR and Finance Support person. This role is critical in ensuring smooth day-to-day operations, including HR and administrative functions, and supporting our finance manager. You'll be responsible for managing HR processes and office operations to maintain a welcoming and well-organised environment where people can thrive. You will also be supporting our finance manager. The ideal candidate will have experience in HR and office administration with some knowledge of financial management. On-the-job training from our finance manager will be available. Next steps This is a permanent position. We would also consider fewer than 40 hours a week for the right candidate. Ideal start date is Monday August 4, 2025 but there is a degree of flexibility here. Applicants must be based in Tāmaki Makaurau and have the right to live and work in Aotearoa to apply for this role.
