Students, graduates, young entrepreneurs and freelancers across all disciplines of entertainment and production industries took advantage of the training workshops, networking and career opportunities on offer at Production Futures ON TOUR.
Both events saw major international players Avolites, Sennheiser, Neumann, ChamSys, CHAUVET Professional, disguise, Shure, Brompton Technology, Production Park, NEXO and Vectorworks showcase products with others running training with careers workshops from Interfacio.
Creative Directors, Tim Routledge, Willie Williams, Nick Whitehouse, Brian Vaughan and Audio Engineer, Simon Honywill also shared their insight and advice on how to establish long and successful careers.
Avolites Marketing Director, Andrew McKinlay commented: “We’ve always believed that young people are vital to our futures and we believe championing their skill development is extremely important to ensure we as an industry remain at its forefront and are the best in the world. The move by Production Futures this year to go on the road to get the live events industry to meet young people where they are studying, is a groundbreaking move and fundamental in attracting great talent and building relationships. We believe Production Futures will soon become students’ primary gateway into the industry.”
80six, Sterling Event Group, Engine No.4, FIX8Group, Pearce Hire, White Light, RSH Audio and Colour Sound Experiment shared their upcoming projects and work opportunities available for graduates and young entrepreneurs as well as offering summer placements and internships for students.
PSA, UK Music, ISCVE and NEKO Trust offered invaluable careers advice and insight to visitors, who travelled from across the UK.
Industry panels ran throughout both days on the main stage, where speakers were welcomed from the likes of Epic Games, National Theatre, Broadwick Live, Live Nation, No Nonsense Group, EFM Global Logistics, Neutral Human, Festival Insights, We are the Fair, Ethix Management, UKTV, Wise Owl Productions and Spiralstagelighting – covering various topics from entering the industry, hidden job roles, promoting transferrable skills and diversity, to the latest real-time technology in virtual production.
Neutral Human’s Sarah Cox commented: “We are all too aware of the huge skills shortage across the event technology industry and it’s not going to fix itself overnight. Production Futures is exactly what our industry needs, to inspire the next generation to look at what we can offer and the varied roles and pathways they could follow, to bring our profession out from the dark. A roadshow that tours the UK, is an inspired way to ensure we are making ourselves accessible up and down the country! I can’t wait for the next event.”
Rob Fowler, Director of Business Development at Brompton Technology, commented: “It’s been a tough two years for the production industry, but I still believe it’s an incredible industry in which to build a career, and I think Production Futures is a worthwhile initiative to help young people learn and find out what a role in our industry can offer them.”
Social media was flooded with posts from attendees sharing their experiences and positive feedback of the events.
Production Futures CEO, Hannah Eakins stated: “We feel very lucky to have been able to deliver these two events before the start of the Summer festival season and to begin this new chapter for Production Futures. The touring concept for the show has been challenging, but so well received by the tutors, students, freelancers and young people looking to start careers in the entertainment industry.
“The positivity and passion from our incredible partners, panellists and speakers has already created a community which feels very special and one that we can grow as we connect with more young people around the UK. To the hundreds of young visitors who joined us for both events, we thank them all for their enthusiasm and positivity.
“We were pleased to learn that some had commuted from all over the UK to join us. The talent that we have seen already is second to none and makes us all very excited for the future. It very much feels like 2016 again for us when we launched Production Futures so we are excited to keep growing our supporters and community throughout 2022.”
Production Futures has lots of other exciting events and projects in the pipeline, and perhaps most important of all is the relaunch of the TPi Breakthrough Awards this Summer.
This article originally appeared in issue #269 of TPi, which you can read here.