confetti student magazine

AUT/WIN 2019 BRIA MAKING IT AT CONFETTI SPLENDOUR SPECIALS EXCLUSIVE BAND INTERVIEWS 25TH ANNIVERSARY CONFETTI TURNING 25 CONTENTS

04 Confetti 25 Anniversary 06 25 Years Gallery 08 Degree Showcase 2019 10 Celebrate College Showcase 2019 12 BRIA 14 Splendour Specials - The Coronas 16 Splendour Specials - Ava Saint 18 Splendour Specials - Do Nothing 19 Splendour Gallery 20 Flamingods Editor’s Note Hello! This month, Confetti turns 25 and Glastonbury, performing and crewing 22 Film & TV Connections 2019 has turned out to be one of the at Splendour Festival, and helping 24 Hidden Gems of Nottingham most memorable in our history. coordinate Notts TV’s huge 5th birthday 26 Zero Latency live broadcast, to name just a few. We’ve been visited by some incredible 28 Student Crew at Glastonbury guests during Industry Week, wowed With our 25th anniversary event just 30 Studying Games Technology at Confetti by student work at both the Degree around the corner, it’s a great moment 32 Social Snapshot Showcase and Celebrate, and inspired to reflect on some goings-on from the by some fantastic live performances at past year. We hope you enjoy reading 34 Do It For Reel the now one year-old Metronome. about them in this issue. Help share 35 Applying through UCAS your memories using #confetti25 36 Women in Live & Technical Events Our students have been hard at work on a number of ‘Do It For Real’ The Confetti Team 38 Circle of Light Album opportunities, which have included working behind the scenes at

Front page: Confetti band, BRIA performing at Splendour Festival 2019 (credit: Andrea Bottino) Left: Confetti students working at Splendour Festival 2019 Bottom: Film students at Splendour Festival 2019 Right: Confetti Arrows Overwatch Esports team 2019/2020 4. INSERTCONFETTI TEXT 25 ANNIVERSARY confetti.ac.uk 5.

We turn 25 this year - happy birthday to us!

After an amazing quarter of a century, we thought it was a good TWENTY-FIFTH moment to look back and reflect on some of the technology, buildings and people who have been part of this journey.

Have a look through some of the photos through the years and enjoy some nostalgia with us as we mark this very special year ANNIVERSARY in Confetti’s history. OUR 25TH 6. 25 YEARS GALLERY confetti.ac.uk 7. BIRTHDAY

25 YEARS YOUNG 8. INSERTDEGREE TEXT SHOWCASE confetti.ac.uk 9. DEGREE SHOWCASE

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Each year, the Degree Showcase gives our HE students a stage for their work to be seen. Not only did some Image credits phenomenal projects get shown amongst students, 1. Games Art & Technology student work their families and tutors, but industry names including 2. Shane Meadows, Vicky McClure & Max Solomon BAFTA winning director, Shane Meadows, actor Vicky 3. Student award-winners McClure, Sumo Games’ Carl Cavers and Framestore’s Max 4. Metronome’s auditorium ready for the awards Solomon presented awards to students at the awards ceremony 4 5 ceremony. It really was a night - and day - to remember. 6. Film and TV crew vox pops 10. COLLEGE SHOWCASE confetti.ac.uk 11.

CELEBRATE

A true celebration of our college-level students’ creative work, the aptly named ‘Celebrate’ saw some amazing projects being showcased to fellow students, their families, staff members and industry visitors. View some of the shots from the day!

1 2 Check out our Celebrate course showreels by holding this snap code on Snapchat.

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Image credits 1. Student band performing 2. Games Technology display 3. Live and Technical Events student crew 4. VFX work showcase 5. Games Technology students take a breather 6. VFX work being displayed 5 6 12. BRIA confetti.ac.uk 13.

From performing on the Confetti stage at Splendour, to recording and launching a single on Spotify and vinyl, it's been a roller-coaster of a year for student Bria Buxton. We chatted to her about her developing career in the music industry and what it takes to succeed.

What’s the most important Is social media the key Which is more important – lesson you’ve learnt from to success? gigging or recording? being in the industry? Absolutely, it’s probably When you first start out Don’t expect success to the most important bit – I as a performer, gigging is happen overnight – it’s so know it sounds dreadful, really important, as that’s disheartening when you and I wish we lived in a how you work out your don’t instantly ‘make it’, world where this wasn’t stage presence, and you but it’s important to keep the case, but the more realise what does and playing gigs and plugging followers you have then doesn’t work for you as an away. I’ve played so the more popular you are artist. You also learn a lot BRIA many unpaid gigs and and will become. vocally when you perform MUSIC PERFORMANCE STUDENT performances to try and live – I’ll be honest, I get my name out there – The competition is already much prefer performing COVER STORY it’s what you’ve got to do. saturated on social media, live; I actually prefer how so if you don’t have it then I sound. Recording is How has Confetti been you’re really missing out - important too, but start out instrumental in your the power of social media with gigs and have some success as a musician? is huge for any artist out fun with it. Before I came to Confetti, there. I’d never really sung in What’s your favourite front of anyone. I didn’t What advice would you performance you’ve done play any instruments and I give to anyone wanting to to date? was a bag of nerves when get into the industry? Splendour, without a it came to performing. One really huge bit of doubt. I love performing advice I’d give is to live anyway, and so many Now, I’ve had the chance support other acts and amazing things happened to learn guitar, I’ve found musicians. Don’t forget to - I bumped into Rag ‘N’ my stage presence, go and watch others when Bone Man backstage, released two singles and you’re producing your own and then a couple got performed at Splendour music – you never know engaged right before my Festival. I’ve also met my who you may meet and set – so when I sang my fantastic guitarist Lewis what you may learn. It’s set it felt like there was who has been a massive great to get your face out a lot of love in the air part of me finding my there and support other already. My family came sound. It sounds clichéd, people doing the same as and supported me; Mum’s but Confetti really has you – I’ve started going to been watching it back changed my life! gigs alone and love it! non-stop ever since! 14. INSERTSPLENDOUR TEXT SPECIALS confetti.ac.uk 15.

We caught up with some of the fantastic acts at this year’s Splendour Festival about their experiences in the music industry and what they love most about being musicians. THE CORONAS

Tell us something surprising about If a band is just starting out, should the music industry. they be spending more time playing Probably the fact that there are so live or in the studio recording? many amazingly talented bands Live gigs are more important I think. and musicians out there who don’t Being a touring band is the best way make it. It’s a tough industry and to make a living out of this industry. you need luck among other things to We’ve had multi-platinum albums be successful. in Ireland and we’ve barely made any money off album sales or Is there a key to success in downloads. You need to be a great this industry? live act to survive. Be well rehearsed; get used to setting up and striking down your What advice would you give equipment; be nice and respectful budding musicians looking to to local crew/venue staff/other start a career? performers; play charity nights and Write and rehearse as much as play for free while honing your skills. possible. Gig as much as you can. Get a good manager who you trust. What are your tips for developing Write music for yourself, not what a fan base? you think might sell or is popular. Watch our Splendour Gig as much as possible; get your Enjoy the journey. documentary by live set tight and impressive; write holding this snap code your own music and when you feel on Snapchat. it’s ready, release some stuff online. 16. SPLENDOUR SPECIALS confetti.ac.uk 17.

AVA SAINT “Image communicates everything about you - Holly Taylor-Gamble is a bit of a your confidence, your Confetti all-star. Having studied Music sound and your story. Performance and Songwriting at BTEC Level 3, she stayed at Confetti to do Holly Taylor-Gamble her FdA and top-up in BA (Hons) Music Lead singer Performance, and is now studying a postgraduate degree with us.

What was one thing that took as well as your music, they will there will be an audience you by surprise about the feel involved in your journey! waiting to hear what you music industry? Sometimes, people will support record in the future. After you It doesn’t matter how good you an artist simply because they do release your first bit of or your band are, if you don’t like them as a person. Image material though, there should act nicely, you won’t get very and social media are probably be a good balance between far. I’ve heard lots of stories the two most important factors gigging and recording as they of bands acting badly and underneath the music itself. both support each other. basically ruining their career because of it. Image communicates What advice would you give everything about you – your budding musicians looking to We have a lot of students who confidence, your sound and start a career? are just starting to get gigs, your story. If you and your 1. Do it because you love it. It’s what advice would you give social media has a consistent a tough game and you have them to get as many bookings and interesting image, people to put a lot of work in, but as as possible? will be more inclined to pay long as you’re doing it out of a Never stop slaving away, attention. Why would anyone place of love, it won’t feel like sending emails and pay attention to someone hard work. making contacts! Making who comes across just like people simply aware of your everyone else? As I said 2. Only work with people you existence is what will get before, be unapologetically like. You will end up having to you gigs – so don’t let yourself and be loud about it – spend a hell of a lot of time anyone forget your name. especially on social media. around your team and your Be persistent, but do not band – having people you be annoying. Should a new, unestablished like around you will make the band or performer spend more process so much easier. What’s the best way for time in the recording studio or a performer to develop playing at live gigs? 3. There will be a lot of hurdles a fan base? Initially, gigging should – don’t let them get you down. Being authentic is key – if you definitely be the priority. If you have a bad gig or you don’t act yourself, people will Gigging allows you to network don’t win that Battle of the be able to see straight through with people and get your name Bands, use it as motivation to it. If you enable people to get in people’s consciousness. work even harder. Hurdles are to know you and your story, Once you have networked, opportunities for growth. Image credit: On set at Splendour Festival 2019 18. SPLENDOUR SPECIALS confetti.ac.uk 19.

Image credits 1. BRIA crew DO NOTHING SPLENDOUR 2. Live and Technical Events student crew 3. Camille Christel 4. Film & TV student What’s the most important Is social media the key to start putting yourself out GALLERY 5. Live and Technical Events student crew lesson you’ve learnt from success? there. It’ll help give you 6. Ava Saint performing being in the industry? It certainly helps, but it’s a bit of a running start if The importance of building not the massive deal that you’re already super tight a great team around you people make it out to be. and have good songs right (artists, videographers, out of the gate. photographers, managers, What advice would you agents) and knowing when give to anyone wanting to Which is more important – to do things yourself, or get into the industry? gigging or recording? when to lean on talented Talk to people! Both are super important friends. Communication is always and rely on one another key, the more friends - a good live show is less What’s the best way for a you make in the industry, effective if you don’t have performer to develop a whether it be promoters or good studio stuff, and fan base? other bands/artists, the paying loads for studio Develop something good, more opportunities you’ll stuff then being terrible 1 2 something you think find being presented to live isn’t great either. Put matches the originality and you. Then, make sure you hard work into both and quality of other artists you figure out what kind of you can’t go wrong. like, then practice loads, music you want to make, then play loads of gigs. and hone it, before you

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5 6 20. METRONOME AUTUMN FEATURE confetti.ac.uk 21. FLAMINGODS

Flamingods are coming to Metronome this Autumn, and we were lucky enough to chat to them about their musical journey, the power of social media for bands and their favourite tracks of all time.

Photo credit: Elle Hardwick

What’s it really like being a Who/what are some of your musician – what don’t they biggest musical influences? tell you before you work in The list is endless but to give you the industry? a spectrum - Pharaoh Sanders, I guess the most surprising thing Candido and Deerhunter. is all the non-musical skills you Besides music, getting to travel have to learn. You have to know and experiencing different how to tour manage, become cultures is a big influence on us. business savvy and, more importantly, you need to know What advice would you give your service stations before to anyone wanting to get into pulling over somewhere. the industry? To surround yourself with good Is social media key to people in your team and that by developing a good fan base being a decent person can go and following? a long way for not just you but We wouldn’t really say it’s the everyone around you. key but it definitely helps! Having a rapport with fans is just fun Favourite song, album and anyway and you get to know live band? them as much as they get to Song: Locomia by Locomia is an know you. absolute banger. Album: Before Today - Ariel Pink’s Do you prefer recording or Haunted Graffiti performing live, and why? Live band: Boredoms are one of We enjoy both, but it’s always fun our all-time faves to watch live. just getting to play the music to an audience. We write the music Want to go and watch for the stage and it’s meant to be Flamingods play at Metronome heard loud and with a big crowd, on Friday 25 October? so when we’re able to do both it’s Visit metronome.uk.com always a treat for us. and book your tickets now. Photo credit: Ali Sharji 22. INSERTFILM & TVTEXT CONNECTIONS IN NOTTS confetti.ac.uk 23.

FILM & TV 2 Spool

CONNECTIONS 3 IN NOTTINGHAM Confetti

Confetti’s roots are spread throughout the city of Nottingham, with links to many film and TV organisations benefiting our students through work experience opportunities and industry connections. 5 Metronome

Broadway Confetti 1 Documentary filmmaker Jeanie Finlay 3 Actor Vicky McClure has strong works from offices in Broadway Nottingham roots, and has attended Cinema. She has made several Industry Weeks and Degree acclaimed documentaries including Showcases at Confetti, giving great 4 The Last Watch - the official Game of talks to students and presenting Notts TV Thrones documentary and Seahorse awards through the years. As well as which has just premièred on BBC 2. this, Vicky is a Confetti ambassador!

Wellington Films is a Bafta-winning production company also based at Notts TV Broadway, with whom Confetti have 4 Situated in the Creative Quarter a strong connection – providing alongside Confetti, Notts TV working opportunities and invaluable provides hundreds of hours of experience to our students over experience for students each year, the years. both behind the camera and on the studio floor from live shows, to pre- recorded programmes. 1 Broadway 2 Spool Known for their audio post work on Shane Meadows’ the Virtues and 5 Metronome This Is England, Spool also produce Metronome is a hive of activity, original content. Part of Confetti Media hosting live music performances, Group, Spool the production company TV programmes, productions and also support student internships and awards events. With the likes of the placements from their amazing studios BBC, Notts TV and Nottingham Post in Antenna. frequently visiting, it’s at the centre of Nottingham’s media scene. 24. FAVOURITE SPOTS IN NOTTINGHAM confetti.ac.uk 25.

HIDDEN GEMS OF NOTTINGHAM

Nottingham isn’t a huge city, but the streets are packed full of fantastic independent cafés, restaurants and bars. Here are some of our favourite picks from across the city...

Junkyard, 31k, Goose Gate a quick breakfast. There’s Bridlesmith Gate bar31k.com more to the bar than just a junkbars.com Opened by a group of quick stopover – with views Located in Nottingham’s passionate friends with over the canal and comfy Bridlesmith Gate, Junkyard 35 years’ experience in seating, Cured is a great is a craft beer bottleshop the hospitality industry, place to grab some food and pour house, jammed 31k uses a scratch-card and drink with your mates. full of bottles and cans of style menu - customers craft beers for drinking in choose their sauce (tzatziki, 200 Degrees, Flying Horse or taking home. In the bar, arrabiata, gravy or salsa), Walk/Carrington Street fifteen taps dispense the carbs (pasta, chips, mash 200degs.com very best American, British or pitta) and greens (salad, A staple of the Nottingham and European craft keg edamame bean medley, coffee scene, 200 Degrees brews and you can even broccoli or picked veg). is not to be missed! With order from their nibbles Apparently there are 250 two shops opened in and food menu if you get possible combinations – so Nottingham already, 200 peckish. Did we mention even the fussiest eater can Degrees is one of the there’s a big outdoor beer definitely find something to best independent coffee garden in the back? enjoy! shops in town. With a quiet, relaxing atmosphere and Tier, Pelham Street Cured, Carrington Street fully working Wi-Fi – this tiermelts.co.uk Conveniently located right could easily become your Blink and you’ll miss it! next to Nottingham train new favourite revision spot! Tier is a tiny hideaway on station, Cured is a great Takeaway is also available Pelham Street with a great stopover on your way in for coffee and fresh food menu of gourmet grilled or out of town with coffee, for those days when you’re cheese melts and cocktails. beer and wine and platters running late! With a happy hour offer and of charcuterie and cheese. a wide selection of cocktails As well as serving late – Tier is the best place into the evening, the bar to go for brunch or opens early each morning Top right: Tier date night. for that first caffeine fix or Bottom: 200 Degrees 26. ZERO LATENCY NOTTINGHAM confetti.ac.uk 27.

Over the past year, Confetti BSc (Hons) Games Production ZERO course leader Gin Rai has been busy forming a partnership with Nottingham’s new virtual reality LATENCY space, Zero Latency.

The relationship is set is excited for the met with equal passion to provide a number partnership, and is happy and excitement from of student enrichment that the space will provide both sides. Having the opportunities, as well as opportunities for the world’s most advanced a space for student VR students. Gin, alongside free-roam VR centre on work to be showcased at colleague Paul Allen, your doorstep, opens different points in the year. have been instrumental up a range of really Indeed, students will be in setting up this exciting collaborative able to use the facilities partnership since Zero opportunities which we for project development Latency first came to the are all really hyped about! and some live brief city back in 2018, and are We are currently looking at setting; a fantastic excited about its presence embedding projects addition to the roster for students. for our second and third of facilities available to years, looking at Confetti students. Gin said: “We have been innovative VR technologies looking at a number of that can be repurposed Zero’s Chief Technology different opportunities with for use within the VR Officer, Luke Petchey ZLVR, which have been games industry.” 28. STUDENT EXPERIENCE AT GLASTONBURY confetti.ac.uk 29.

STUDENT CREW AT GLASTONBURY

Tutor Rob Baldock also Check out some shots of the attended the festival, pair in action. supervising the students, and spoke of how impressed Could you see yourself he was by their work. working at a festival or another live event? Each Rob said: “Both Aaron and year, there are always a ton Jordan were fantastic, and of opportunities to get provided Ceri and the Arcadia involved in exciting work team with invaluable help! like this through Confetti, so Our students really are remember to keep an eye out industry-ready once they’ve and put yourself forward for studied with us, and this was anything and everything! a great opportunity to You never know where it showcase this.” might lead…

Being behind the scenes The students helped out at Glastonbury would at the Arcadia area over be many music lovers’ the duration of three dream come true, so weeks, doing everything when two of our lucky from digging trenches, to students got to work at building stages and sound the festival it was set systems and even firing to be something they’d pyros during Arcadia’s never forget. opening set.

Confetti prides itself Head of Arcadia – Ceri on ‘Do It For Real’ Wade – visited Confetti opportunities, and this during Industry Week 2019 year was no exception to deliver a fantastic talk to as two of our BSc (Hons) students about the live and Live and Technical Events tech events industry, from students went to work at which the opportunity for Glastonbury. the work experience arose. 30. CONFETTI GRADUATE EXPERIENCE confetti.ac.uk 31.

Confetti really helps you grow and become STUDYING GAMES “ more employable. TECHNOLOGY Recent graduate Maggie spoke to us about her time AT CONFETTI at Confetti and what she’s been up to since she got her degree...

Which course did you study What was the best project What are your future career at Confetti? you worked on? plans, and have you got any I started with FdSc in Games This is a tricky one as there jobs lined up currently? Technology, which took two are so many to pick from, I’m going to work for years. Then I did a top-up but one time we got to build Supermassive Games, which year, which was BSc (Hons) an arcade machine in just is amazing because when Games Production for a year. two weeks! That was so I came to the UK to study much fun. I feel like the best it was so I could work for What made you choose projects are those ones someone like them one day - Confetti, and what do you when you work with people and now I am! think sets us apart from who want to succeed just other unis/colleges? like you do. What advice would you give It’s hard to describe it, but to someone wanting to study it really feels like a small How has Confetti helped you or currently studying at family here. Teachers are pursue the career you want? Confetti, to get the most out really motivated and it’s Confetti really helps you of their time on their course? clear that they love what grow and become more Make sure you take part in they’re doing. employable. Industry Week every opportunity you’re was always a big thing able to. Finishing university When I joined Confetti for me and helped me to with a degree - even if it’s three years ago, I felt it understand what I need to a first - just isn’t enough straight away. Tutors were do to be more employable. anymore. At the end, incredibly nice to me, people If I didn’t attend, I wouldn’t everyone has not only got a were super supportive. I know how to properly write degree, but experience too was straight away in an my CV and cover letter - which is invaluable. Group environment where I could or how to prepare my up, work on a game over grow by doing what I really portfolio. If I hadn’t attended summer. Where other people loved - making games. I employability talks put on see something pointless, or have never been in a place by Confetti, I would never too hard, you should seek like this. Even despite the know about opportunities something which would help fact that my English wasn’t like Grads4Nottm. you improve and impress perfect, I never felt excluded other people. Getting into from anything, people were industry is hard, university very patient and supportive. is hard, moving away from home and friends is hard, but you need to do it. 32. SOCIAL SNAPSHOT confetti.ac.uk 33.

SOCIAL SNAPSHOT BE FIRST, GET CONNECTED WITH US

Don’t fall behind We’re always keen to everyone else in knowing hear from you, so if you what’s going on in and have news, events and around Confetti. Be the fundraisers, or just want first to know by following to share your personal/ us on social media. academic achievements, just send one of our From seeing news about accounts a message. events and competitions, to blogs promoting ConfettiICT student success stories, Confetti_ICT our social channels Confetti_ICT are the go-to spots for Confetti_ICT students and staff. TheConfettiInstitute 34. WELLINGTON FILMS - DO IT FOR REEL confetti.ac.uk 35. DO IT FOR REEL UCAS

Thinking of going to university after college? Then you’ll need to start thinking about applying. Confetti can help you with completing your application and writing your personal statement.

To connect your application to us you’ll need to use the buzzword ConfettiNTU20.

Earlier this year, three lucky “We know the value of “Working on a professional students had the opportunity bona fide, hands-on film set is the very best form to work with Wellington Films industry experience – and of training students can get on the production of a short these properly managed to equip them with the skills film, to be released in 2020. placements, organised and contacts to support their The project saw saw students through Confetti, made it future careers. Our students Rowan Stothard, Christie Ellis very easy for us. The three responded without hesitation and Honor Webb work on trainees threw themselves within a few hours of finding Don’t worry – the official UCAS deadline isn’t and how you want to use your skills and exciting traineeships in the into their roles and were all out about this amazing until 15 January 2020, but at Confetti we have experience to form your future career lighting, sound and production brilliant – we have no doubt opportunity, packing up and an internal deadline to make sure we have • Think about the entry requirements for design departments during the that these traineeships will travelling to Hastings for a time to check your application, attach your the course you’re interested in - are they filming of ‘Such Small Hands’. be the first rung on the week. Their individual trainee reference and send it to UCAS. The deadline realistically achievable? This short film was directed industry ladder for them.” roles gave them a huge for you to complete your UCAS application is by Maria Martinez, funded by confidence boost, invaluable 6pm on Friday 13 December 2019. Confetti offers a range of degree-level courses Film4, and produced by Tom Confetti’s Head of Talent experience and positive in music, media and games and as part of Wood for Wellington Films. Development, Alison feedback from Rachel. Choosing a university course might seem Nottingham Trent University, you’ll be studying Whitlock, was instrumental Confetti is always keen to daunting, but we’re here to help. Here are at the Guardian’s University of the Year 2019, The students involved in setting up the work arrange hands-on work some of our top tips when choosing the right with access to NTU’s societies and facilities. received glowing reviews experience for students, experience for our students course for you: from Wellington Co-Founder and is pleased with and look forward to supporting So why not continue your studies in the Rachel Robey, who believes how much of a success Wellington with similar • Choose a course that you’ll enjoy and can creative industries - take a look at our degree wholeheartedly in the benefit it has been: opportunities in the future.” see yourself studying for the next few years level courses now at confetti.ac.uk/degree- of ‘doing it for real’: • Think about what you like doing day to day courses-nottingham 36. WOMEN IN LIVE & TECHNICAL EVENTS confetti.ac.uk 37.

The Guardian recently published an Recently there have been some more eye-opening article about women encouraging statistics published, however – working in live and technical events. according to a study by UK Music, the number WOMEN of women working in the music industry alone This really got us thinking about our rose from 45.3% in 2016 to 49.1% in 2018 - fantastic female students, staff and and amongst these are some of the talented IN visitors who crew live events – and graduates emerging from Confetti! do an incredible job of it, despite the industry being pretty saturated with Let’s take a look at some of the events our male professionals. students have been involved in during their time here…

TV Workshop at Metronome Ceri Wade at Industry Week Earlier this year, some of our Live and Famous for her involvement with Technical Events students helped out Arcadia Group – creator of the at the TV Workshop’s production of Glastonbury ‘spider’ – Ceri Wade is a Wendy and Peter Pan at Metronome. well-known industry name in live and They worked on everything involved technical events. She visited during in the successful showing of the Industry Week 2019 to talk to students production, including lighting, audio about her experiences of the events and video technology, ensuring the scene and how she got to where she is production went smoothly. today; despite fierce competition, often from men in the industry. Radfest Level 3 Live and Technical Events We’re always thrilled to see women student Holly worked at Nottingham at the top of their game in their festival Radfest, helping with audio chosen creative industry, and the and lighting across a number of acts talk certainly proved inspiring for at the festival. When we asked about students and staff alike! being a female in the live and technical events industry, she said: Splendour At Splendour each year, our female “For Radfest I worked on FOH with two students help with all elements of other students and I really enjoyed it. live events – whether it’s working I was aware when starting the course on audio quality for a performance, that there are not many women in the helping with visuals, or coordinating live events industry and I know that lighting displays. Confetti are keen to get more women interested in live and tech events. I feel Some of our students have gone very supported in terms of my studying on to work as stage managers, on the course and have tutors who tour managers, sound and lighting give great advice about how to get to engineers and many other exciting where I want to be in terms of my future positions in live and tech events, career. I don’t feel that I am treated thanks to the experience they’ve differently to the boys in my class on gained at Splendour. the course and I hope that I am treated just as equally outside college when I do eventually start my career.” 38. CIRCLE OF LIGHT ALBUM confetti.ac.uk 39.

CIRCLE OF “I feel like a different person after just three weeks with this LIGHT ALBUM amazing group. Music really has the power to change lives! Poppy This summer, Metronome hosted Tricia said: “This project has been Circle of Light – a free-to-access a great success – our group have workshop promoting mental all grown massively in the space health support through the arts. of just three weeks. Many of our The project aimed to give young practitioners have had mental people a chance to create not health issues themselves, so have only music, but conversations been able to relate to the group, around any mental health issues encouraging them to talk openly.” they may be facing. We spoke to a couple of the young Organiser Tricia Gardiner of Green people involved in the project, Shoots Nottingham explains that including Tiffany (23), who says it’s important for young people to the project “came at the right time” have a platform through which to during a tricky moment in her life. talk openly about any issues they may be facing in a safe space, and She said: “I was unhappy and music offers a wonderful way for facing some tough things in life, people to open up. and this project has lifted my spirits massively. In such a short space of By going through the process of time, I’ve made friends for life and writing and recording songs – and found a vocation – the way I feel Credit - Fred Glenister even having a vinyl cut – teamwork when I sing is so great that I want to and communication was put to the pursue it as a career.” test which was a challenging and After such a successful “microcosm of life”, the yet rewarding task for many. Poppy (18) was struggling with her project, organiser Tricia workshop was made confidence, but has explained she vows to set up another possible through access now feels much less guarded than in future. to Metronome’s studio she did before. facilities for the duration of “I feel we’ve got a duty the three weeks. Poppy said: “I feel like a different of care to this group person after just three weeks with now, and I’m very keen The album created by this amazing group. Music really to repeat this project – or the group was released has the power to change lives!” others like it – in future. on vinyl on 10 October – We’re already putting in a World Mental Health Day funding bid to Youth Music - with an official launch at – fingers crossed!” Metronome that night. Visit the Metronome website A group and a for more information at project described by metronome.uk.com. the organisers as a Free Student Membership Offer 50% off events 20% off drinks Priority bookings + more

Discover new music, comedy and spoken word at one of the best new venues in Nottingham. Become a member at metronome.uk.com/membership

Brought to you by Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies, part of Nottingham Trent University. metronome.uk.com