Backstage on Tour, Proper Productions, YPN, and Production Futures judges announcement.

BACKSTAGE ON TOUR

Backstage Academy and industry partners join forces to bring live event production careers to life for prospective students across the UK.

Words: Jacob Waite Photos: Backstage Academy

Backstage Academy’s latest tour, which stretched across the UK from the North West to Truro in Cornwall, saw final year students from various degree courses showcase their skills, higher education experiences and encourage prospective students.

The tour, which was supported by Blitz Rigging, 4Wall Entertainment, Avolites, Sennheiser, Shure, KV2 Audio, Midas, ROE Visual, Green Hippo and STS centred on the technical production of a live band, Listomania, and focused on the core disciplines of live entertainment.

Due to access and time constraints, the tour team designed a ground support structure utilising 30cm trusses provided by Blitz Rigging. This could be easily and manually loaded-in and quickly erected without the use of hoists or forklifts. The structure supported all lighting equipment.

Rebecca Barwell, a Stage and Production Management graduate, led the charge as Tour Manager. “Planning and embarking on this tour has been a great way for us to show any prospective students just one example of what you can do, and the show aspect of the tour allowed them to visually see what we created.”

KV2 Audio provided the main sound system. EX12 mid-highs and the EX1.8 bass enclosures meant that the onboard amplification saved vital van space and weight, yet delivered a no compromise crystal clear sound with pin-point accuracy. Blitz Rigging truss came in the shape of 1/2m sections.

In addition, a wide variety of microphones were provided by Sennheiser and Shure, crucial for capturing every aspect of the four piece band’s performance. Sennheiser EW G4 in-ear monitors enabled the band to receive detailed monitor sound, without the need to transport large monitor loudspeakers, also saving time

and van space. All the audio was controlled using a Midas M32 digital console, supplied by Music Tribe.

A key part of the show were visual images, created and played back by the team on a Green Hippo Amba on a large ROE Visual BlackPearl2 2.8mm pitch LED screen with Brompton Technology processing.

“To be able to deploy such high value, stateof-the-art equipment on the tour was incredible and the results outstanding,” said Alex Sangster, a final year Live Event Production student at Backstage Academy, who assumed the role of Head of Visuals. “It was great to broaden our knowledge of kit and positive to see the responses from prospective students, they relayed feedback about how interested they were to hear more about the courses available and get hands-on with the kit.” Over 30 lighting fixtures including LED battens, moving head beams, moving head profiles, spots and blinders controlled by an Avolites Tiger Touch II were used to create an impactful and creative lighting show with kit provided by 4Wall Entertainment.

The UK wide tour showcased what students have learnt during their studies and gave prospective students not only the chance to get their hands on leading-edge equipment and technologies, but help produce the shows as well. “I’ve always wanted to tour and experience tour life, which is what I’ve wanted to go into. I’ve loved every second of it,” Sangster enthused. “Through this experience, I’ve improved my ability to mitigate risks and learn how to problem solve on the road without the comfort blanket of lecturers and teachers.”

Steve Brown, Production Arts & Live Events Lecturer at Truro and Penwith College, said: “It was fantastic for our students to get hands-on experience in the events industry and equally great for our students who will be attending Backstage in September, who got to meet their soon to be lecturers and fellow students!”

Lighting Designer, James Eccles, who attended Salford City College said: “My time at Backstage Academy has been brilliant. It is totally different from other universities. Backstage is much more career focused and there are lots of opportunities to get hands on with the kit. It’s been fantastic to have the opportunity to showcase what I’ve learnt at my old college.”

Barwell concluded: “The most important lesson I’ve learned from being on the road is to look after each other. Remembering that others in the team are equally as tired as you is key in empathising with others, and at the end of the day if you don’t look out for each other when you’re all in the same vehicle for eight hours travelling to the other end of the country, then who will?” www.backstage-academy.co.uk

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CSSD ALUMNI HELP POWER AMERICAN EXPRESS PRESENTS BST HYDE PARK

Proper Productions enlists the support of Royal Central School of Speech and Drama alumni, Fríða Frosta and Owen Donkin at the famed inner-city festival site.

Words: Jacob Waite Photo: TPi

Through their long standing relationship with Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (CSSD), Proper Productions has a history of introducing new talent to the live events sector. Past interns have gone on to advance for some of the world’s biggest festival sites, straight through to tour site managing the likes of Ed Sheeran. At American Express presents BST Hyde Park, CSSD alumni, Owen Donkin as Production Coordinator and Proper Productions intern, Fríða Frosta as Production Assistant and for the festival’s long-awaited return.

As an intern, Frosta assumed the responsibilities of a production assistant across all areas of the festival site to gain maximum exposure and hands-on experience of the sector. “Learning the basics of live events production has opened my eyes to the inner workings of this vast and dynamic industry. Everything from how the cogs turn through to networking with industry professionals with the hope of further employment in the future,” Frosta began. “Witnessing it go from four poles in a field to a fully-functional boutique festival site has been a special experience.”

Frosta and Donkin’s responsibilities varied from pushing papers, raising purchase orders, coordinating paperwork and finances for technical suppliers, as well as making sure hotels are booked, accreditation is dealt with, and coordinating backstage areas with a handover to artist liaison teams in conjunction with Proper Productions.

“It’s been a rewarding experience to work on a production of this scale and learn how to think ahead to mitigate any obstacles, while learning how to problem solve as I go along,” said Donkin, who like Frosta, shares experience producing and managing smaller, theatrical and touring shows.

The added complexities of dealing with a show in the outdoor elements as opposed to an indoor theatre show was a “learning curve” for the recruits. “I have learned a huge amount from being dropped into the deep end,” Donkin noted. “There’s different terminology and sizes of crews at a festival of this scale, and level of attention to detail is as important as ever. Plus, it’s much nicer being outside, as opposed to a dark theatre!” Frosta concurred: “Realising when to step in or spectate has been a challenge as well as the lingo and terminology, which differs from the theatre world despite crossovers of kit. Especially as English isn’t my first language, as an Icelandic national.”

Donkin highlighted transferable skills involved in both camps. “Our job is to communicate and disseminate information as a team. One of the biggest lessons I have learned has been dealing with last minute requests, rolling with the punches and getting on with it, but also learning to reach out when I’m at capacity and asking for help – as opposed to bottling things up. My advice to those looking to break into the sector is network and communicate with others,” he said.

In closing, Frosta – who was also on site at All Points East with Donkin and Proper Productions – shared her tips for those looking to break into the sector. “I’ve seen the different career paths for live events and theatre, ideally,

Proper Productions’ Mark Ward, Owen Donkin, Fríða Frosta and Tyler Cole.

I’d like to do both. Thankfully, there’s lots of opportunities available for young people looking to break into the sector. My advice is to start drinking coffee, get lots of sleep and check in with yourself. Network with industry professionals and don’t be afraid to approach people for opportunities.” www.bst-hydepark.com www.properproductions.org

YPN REFLECTS ON GLASTONBURY

Youth Production Network (YPN) supports eight production areas including Interstage, Pyramid, Other, Acoustic and Park Stages, Williams Green, Silver Hayes and the BBC Introducing Stage at Glastonbury Festival 2022.

Words: Rachel Haughey Photo: YPN

Glastonbury Festival 2022 will go down as the most iconic gathering in its 12-year history, with excited crew travelling from as far as Berlin, Germany to reunite, stand up and make their mark.

Forming the biggest ever festival training team to date, YPN crew had opportunities to join exclusive backstage tours, and supported eight production areas including Interstage, Pyramid, Other, Acoustic and Park Stages, Williams Green, Silver Hayes and the BBC Introducing Stage.

Seasoned YPN veterans provided strong team support for those emerging from the pandemic for their very first festival experience. The YPN 2022 Crew included students from dBs Institute, BIMM Institute, University of West London, London College of Music, City College Plymouth and Edinburgh Napier University. Emerging raw talent also joined from local communities across the South West including Frome, Bristol, Taunton, Totnes, Plymouth and Cornwall.

YPN Crew Chief, Jamal Maxey said: “It was a privilege to not only be at one of the greatest festivals on the planet, but also connecting with wise veterans and the new generation – reminiscing about who we have lost, the challenges that were overcome, and the reasons for optimism.” YPN first time crew, Louis Bloomberg, shared his experience: “Joining the YPN crew gave me the opportunity to get my foot through the door and gain a better understanding of how the music industry works.” He added: “With it being my first time attending Glastonbury, the experience was better than I could have imagined, I came into the experience with a general aspiration to work in the live music industry but through my varied roles, I’ve found that I’d love to work in the live events and production industry.” Officially back onsite, global YPN crews from across the world are stepping up as the new generation of inspirational production leaders, and 2022 has marked the launch of an exciting new production era to come. www.ypn.international