Michael Bonner Interview (Uncut)
Michael Bonner is the editor of Uncut, a UK-based monthly music magazine currently celebrating its 300th issue. Michael began as the magazine's film editor when it launched in May 1997, eventually moving to features editor, and finally editor at the start of 2018. As he puts it, "I’m very proud of—and probably a little sentimental towards—Uncut, which has been my home for 25 years. I’m endlessly grateful that I’m still doing the job that I love."
How did you get to where you are today, professionally?
I started out in comics in the late ‘80s. I wrote for Deadline, Marvel UK and other publishers—it was (paid) hobby writing, essentially, while I finished my A levels. I did a year at University, before realising I could have more fun and possibly make a living writing full time. By then, I’d begun freelancing for Melody Maker—this is 1989. I was a lowly freelancer at the Maker, until around 1995 when I was invited to edit Preview, the paper’s entertainment section—films, TV, books. Even though the section only covered two pages, we’d have interviews with (subversive genius of UK TV shows The Day Today and Jam) Chris Morris next to the Coen brothers or (Guardian newspaper cartoonist) Steve Bell, so it felt like we covered a lot of ground every week.
Then I moved to Uncut as film editor when we launched in May 1997. This coincided with the ascent of filmmakers like Tarantino, Linklater, Soderbergh etc. At the same time, the industry was beginning to grasp the value of anniversaries. The DVD was taking off—The Godfather making its DVD debut to coincide with its 25th anniversary, etc. Over the years, my role shifted and I became features editor. Then I became editor at the start of 2018. I’m very proud of—and probably a little sentimental towards—Uncut, which has been my home for 25 years. I’m endlessly grateful that I’m still doing the job that I love.