80six goes on tour with Production Futures
A SERIES OF IN-PERSON EVENTS ACROSS THE UK DEDICATED TO INSPIRING YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT THE EXCITING CAREER PATHS IN LIVE & VIRTUAL PRODUCTION
80six teamed up with Production Futures to create opportunities for young people to learn, train, network and develop careers in production across all aspects of live, virtual and hybrid events, music, touring, theatre, TV, broadcast and film.
Production Futures kicked off the first leg of its brand-new UK tour at Depot Mayfield, Manchester on 24 March and at Rose Bruford College on 12 April.
Students, graduates, young entrepreneurs and freelancers across all disciplines of entertainment and production industries attended, taking advantage of the training workshops, networking and career opportunities.
“We feel lucky to have been able to deliver these two events before the start of the summer festival season and to finally 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 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 extremely 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”
We headed to Backstage Academy on 29 September and Solent University on 19 October. During the stop at Solent University, our Camera and PPU technician Billy Young took part in the ‘Future is You’ talk, speaking about his pathway from studying at Solent to working at 80six.
“The hardest part of getting into this part of the industry is knowing where to look, once you know where to look - it’s relatively easy. Production Futures is a great start for that. My advice email people and get the experience, because that’s what’s going to lead to more.
At the 80six Virtual Production demo event in February with SMPTE, Solent and ETC, 80six put out a call for students, and I thought ‘I’ve not really done that before but can give it a go’ - that’s how I learned about VP, Mo-sys and more.
Over Easter I emailed 80six saying “hello”, please can I have a job! In better words. Here I am, 8 months later, having worked on shows like Michael Kiwanuka at Alexandra Palace and Years and Years at Wembley Arena.”
Production Futures On Tour was capped off with a final event at LIPA on 8 November, closing an incredibly fun and fruitful tour.
Salford University: 24 March 2022
80six joins Production Futures at Salford University for a whole day of hands-on workshops, industry talks and networking with students and graduates in live events, film & tv, broadcast and entertainment technology
Rose Bruford: 12 April 2022
Backstage Academy: 29 September 2022
Solent University: 19 October 2022
LIPA: 8 November 2022
We've been so warmly welcomed by the colleges and universities where Production Futures brought its contagious energy and excitement. The level of passion we've seen from the students at Solent University, Backstage Academy, The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, Rose Bruford College and The University of Salford has been incredibly uplifting.
Touring the country with our long-standing partners ROE Visual, Brompton Technology and disguise to inspire tomorrow's generation of talent about the many opportunities in entertainment technology has been an inspiring experience of its own.
A huge thanks go to the PF team: Hannah Eakins, Ben Hyman and the whole production team who work so hard to grow the show with each edition.
We're hitting the road again in Jan 2023 – in Nottingham!