Preparing for work in the creative industries
The following is a list of bullet points from PowerPoint presentation on careers in creative industries:
Performance may be regarded as:
‘Cultural’ performance
Management performance
Technological performance
from Jon McKenzie. Perform or Else. London: Routledge, 2001
Backstage careers
Design and making:
Lighting design, rigging and operation
Sound design and operation
Prop making
Scenery design, building and painting
Costume design and making
Management and organisation
Stage managing
Organise actors, directors and technicians; ‘Cueing’ the show; Running rehearsals
Front-of-house and arts admin
Sales, marketing, box office; promotion and negotiation
In a variety of genres …..
New writing and translation
Music theatre: opera, dance, musical
Interpreting the heritage - classics
Commercial theatre (tourism etc)
Touring product
Social theatre: TiE and community
Physical theatre, modern circus
Theatre training equips you to do other things ……..
……. Events and promotion
….. Architectural lighting
…… Carnival and festivals
…. Public art
….. teaching
The popular view of theatre work:
Poorly paid, insecure work, in bad conditions …..
Equity minimum - £300 pw
90% of actors unemployed
Exploited by industry
Making the tea and stage sweeping
It’s not real work, is it?
Al of this may be true, but there is also another story:
Some recent graduate earnings:
Sound designer - £40,000 p.a.
Standby carpenter in film - £800 p.d.
Lighting designer for concerts - £60,000 p.a.
P.A. in music industry - £30,000 p.a. starting salary
Company manager on tour - £800 pw
Speaking part in an advert - £5,000 + repeat fees
A career in live performance – Not important?
Spending on leisure has doubled in 40yrs
People watching 2hrs+ of drama every day
541 theatres create an industry worth £2.54bn+
Performance helps us put events in perspective
Performance can bring communities together
The ‘Creative Economy’The cultural industries are:
Bigger than the engineering sector, set to overtake financial services by 2012
Employ 5% of the UK workforce
Create 8% of GVA, Earn 10% of export earnings
A fast growing, and stable, employment sector
London: worth £21bn, employs over 500,000
Creative Industries in the Thames Gateway:
Biggest development in Europe
Growth expected in Creative Industries
2012 Olympics
Stratford, Greenwich / Deptford, the Dome site
30 mins from South Bank, and heart of West End
Getting work
Be creative and self-motivated
Be prepared to manage your career on a frequent basis
Build a network of contacts (friends!)
Research the market
Develop your abilities, knowledge, outlook
Creative sector:
Small businesses / Self employed
‘Portfolio’ careers – managing multiple contracts
Multi-skilling and Specialisation
Personal qualities:
Teamwork
Initiative
Listening & negotiating
Dedication
Stamina
Curiousity
Degree Courses at Rose Bruford:
Performers:
Acting
Actor Musicians
European Theatre
American Theatre
MA Theatre practice
Management
Stage Management
Organising Live Arts
Technical / design:
Theatre Design
Lighting design
Costume production
Scenic Arts
Music Technology
Performance video
Performance sound
Lighting programming