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Freelancer of the Fortnight: Kate Mead, UK

Posted: 29/07/10 By: Joel Gunter

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Click here to view Kate Mead's full freelance profile on Journalism.co.uk.

Why did you choose to become a freelancer?
I had worked for eight years on a local paper and done the odd shift for nationals and news agencies and thought that if I didn’t make the jump and do something different I never would! I also wanted to widen my skills by working in documentary production. As documentary producers are mostly freelancers, I thought I would give it a go. I also wanted the freedom to follow up stories that really interest me, especially investigative projects, rather than being tied to a specific publication.

If you trained, where? If not, how did you become a freelancer?
I did a part time course with NoSweat Journalism Training in London to get my prelims and then the paper I was working for – Kentish Times Newspapers, owned by Archant London, saw me through my NCE examinations. Since then, I have paid for my own training in Z1 DV camera training, computer-assisted reporting at the Centre for Investigative Journalism (CIJ) and the wonderful summer course last year at the CIJ has supplemented my skills enormously.

Do you specialise in any particular field and what areas do you write about?
I regularly cover criminal courts and pitch the stories to relevant regionals, nationals and magazines. I have also taken interview commissions for more corporate publications and done the odd travel feature. My main love is news, documentary and investigation but I keep an open mind to keep the work coming in and not to miss any opportunities.

Which publications have you been published in?
I have been published in various local and regional papers and websites, Evening Standard, Sunday Mirror, The Independent, The Observer, City Magazine and other corporate publications.

Which articles, in which publication, are you the most proud of?
Recently, I wrote a feature for City Magazine about a former City lawyer who packed in his career to build a business in Cape Town. I am proud of it because it was ‘out of my comfort zone’ as it was writing for a different audience than I am used to, but it had the added advantage of taking a wonderful trip to Cape Town!

Another article I am proud of is a news feature published in the Independent about a group of graffiti artists that were given prison sentences on the same day as one of their art exhibitions opening up in New York. It was a subject I was passionate about and it took a lot to get editors to sit up and take notice but eventually they did and it appeared over two pages in The Independent and the article was syndicated across Europe.

What are the best and worst aspects of freelancing?
The best thing is that you have the freedom to work on subjects you want to. Also, by being your own boss, you can accept commissions at the last minute making life pretty exciting – especially when you are offered a press trip to Cape Town the following day!

The worst aspects are of course the money, mind over matter can sometimes fail you when you are worried about your paycheck. And sometimes, as a freelancer, it takes convincing that you are a legitimate journalist so press officers and contributors can put your requests can be put on the back burner.

Do you have any interesting anecdotes in relation to your experience as a freelancer?
Freelancing can give you countless anecdotes! In the last few weeks, I have had tea with a district judge, interviewed somebody under house arrest, gone to a Welsh choral concert in Kent and had a meal in the 12th best restaurant in the world.

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fotf | freelancer of the fortnight | kate mead |

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