Midlands: People looking to break into the world of filming live performances of everything from ballet concerts to rock shows are being offered the chance to join an exciting new skills bootcamp.
Championed by The Space, the bootcamps offer students a compelling opportunity to be trained by some of the best in the industry on how to become a producer, vision mixer, or multi-camera director.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has teamed up with digital agency The Space and Solihull College & University Centre, so people can learn skills directly from professionals working at high profile performing arts organisations like Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham REP, Birmingham Hippodrome and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
The WMCA has provided £129,000 funding for the skills bootcamp to encourage more people into the performing arts industry and help shape the region’s future film makers.
Dr Julie Nugent, Director of Productivity and Skills at WMCA, said: “We are thrilled to be working in partnership with The Space and Solihull College & University Centre to train the next generation of live performance film makers right here in the heart of the West Midlands.
“The live performance bootcamp is a fantastic opportunity to not only get hands on experience for those aspiring to develop a career within the arts but also get the chance to meet some of the best performing arts organisations which are based here in Birmingham.
“We know that the pandemic has impacted the performing arts industry dramatically and this bootcamp is a fantastic way for individuals to learn the skills of the future to bounce back into employment quickly.”
The new bootcamp gives students an essential overview of how live performances are recorded and put together as well as hands on experience, working with arts organisations to record and shadow events.
The bootcamp also looks at the responsibilities of different industry roles and gives a secure understanding of all aspects of live filming and multi-camera work.
After the training, the curriculum development team works with each student to provide CV clinics and industry contacts that can help secure a job.
The 16-week bootcamp includes:
- Intense workshop weeks to provide a solid skill base in filming, mixing and editing
- Rotations at partner organisations working on live capture projects
- Masterclasses with industry experts
- Matching students with an industry expert who will act as a mentor throughout the course
- Employability skills and support in developing effective CV‘s and showreels
The Space’s chief executive and creative director, Fiona Morris, said: “There are a huge number of opportunities for artists and cultural organisations to present their work digitally leading to an unprecedented demand for the skills required to film live performance.
“I’m delighted therefore, to be working with our partners in providing such brilliant opportunities for trainees to gain hands-on experience and benefit from working alongside such internationally renowned arts organisations.”
To apply applicants must be 19 years old or above and have a postcode within one of the seven metropolitan authorities of the WMCA (Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull Walsall and Wolverhampton). Applications will be accepted from Friday 25 March 2022 to Sunday 10 April 2022 (inclusive).
A CV and covering letter should be submitted to livecapturebootcamps@solihull.
