with thanks to the following whose images feature … 3? cover photo courtesy of niklas ahlberg,...

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2015-2016 PROSPECTUS

For technical and creative careers

in live events production

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What will you become?

COVER PHOTO courtesy of Niklas Ahlberg, Mediatec www.mediatecgroup.com

With thanks to the following whose images feature within this prospectus: Livepix, Timm Cleasby, Wakefield Council, TPi Magazine, d3 Technologies, FIX8Group, Nick Robinson Photography, Jill Jennings, Alex Durasow, Tom Biddle Photography, Laurie Cooper-Murray and Green Hippo.

All the editorial content and images in this document are the property of Backstage Academy and copying and/or reproducing any part of it is strictly prohibited without prior written permission. Content listed in this prospectus is subject to change.

Contents

1 Why choose Backstage Academy? _ 4

2 Staff & facilities _ 5

3 Industry engagement _ 12

4 Backstage Academy Crew _ 14

5 Careers & our industry _ 16

6 Life in Wakefield _ 18

7 What the students say _ 22

Undergraduate courses

8.1 Live Events Production _ 24

8.2 Visual Production _ 30

8.3 Stage Management _ 36

8.4 Stage Engineering & Automation _ 40

8.5 Sports Event Management _ 44

Postgraduate courses

9 Masters Programme _ 48

10 How to apply _ 48

11 Diversity & student support _ 49

12 Visiting us _ 50

13 Open Days _ 51

http://www.mediatecgroup.com

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Why choose Backstage Academy?1 Staff & facilities

Eric Porter

Eric has worked all over the world, and has seen the evolution of our industry over more than 30 years. He started out as a Touring Carpenter for Queen and ELO, and went on to rig for Elton John and Eric Clapton to name but a few. He started to deliver rigging training in 1995, going on to help shape the National Rigging Certificate with PLASA and is a qualified assessor for the scheme.

Tutors

One of the most innovative features at Backstage Academy is how we deliver learning and teaching. Wherever possible industry professionals are engaged to deliver the most up-to-date techniques and practices, ensuring you leave with the right skills and expectations about working in the industry.

These are some of the experts we’ve had deliver seminars, workshops and masterclasses in the last 12 months; you can read about contributors prior to this year on our website.

Timm Cleasby

Over the past 22 years Timm has worked in the live music industry in various roles, starting out as a Roadie, Sound Engineer and running his own PA company, to tour and production managing for artists and festivals. His current role as the Production Director for the multi award-winning Tramlines Festival in Sheffield sees all his experience come together, right from the early days of engineering to the arena and stadium tours, and shows with artists such as Arctic Monkeys. In 2009 he was awarded Tour Manager of the Year at the TPi Awards. Timm brings his wealth of knowledge and experience to our Introduction to Working in Live Events Production and Event Production Planning modules on the FdA course.

Lincoln Parkhouse

From working as a Lighting and Sound Technician at the Barbican Centre in London, Lincoln created Just FX to provide dedicated, safe use of pyrotechnics to venues, performers and events across Europe. Lincoln has worked with some of the country’s premier venues, theatres and orchestras, and is one of the founder members of the Association of Stage Pyrotechnicians.

Phil Green

Phil is Director of Scenograf, a design and project delivery consultancy. After training as a Fine Artist in painting and photography, Phil has spent most of his professional life working in theatre, museum and heritage, and live events. As a Designer and Project Manager, Phil has worked with clients as diverse as Bourne Leisure, Alton Towers and Phoenix Dance. He has lectured in Theatre Production and Stagecraft at ARTTS International and LIPA and is now in his fourth year at Backstage Academy.

2Backstage Academy provides the best possible training for the flourishing live events industry, with fantastic industry links and state-of-the-art production facilities. Learning from industry professionals, and working on a wide range of events and productions, our degree courses are reminiscent of the old apprenticeships. You will understand what work and life in the live events sector is really like - our aim is always to ensure your employability.

Backstage Academy is based at the largest production rehearsal arena facility in Europe, LS-Live. In the last 12 months many renowned artists have kept the arena busy, from One Direction, Jay Z, The 1975, Kings Of Leon, Bullet For My Valentine and Manic Street Preachers, to Tinie Tempah, Susan Boyle, Boyzone, Status Quo and Frank Turner. It’s not just live music that finds a home here; theatrical productions like Jesus Christ Superstar and CBeebies took shape in the studio, film and TV companies such as the BBC and ITV, and brands like Jaguar, Aston Martin Racing and Monster Energy have all used the space to help them achieve their production requirements.

The site is also home to LS-Live’s award-winning stage and set hire division, with over 30 years experience in the supply of staging and automation equipment, and set construction. Our neighbours here are Litestructures Projects Ltd (a specialist in the world of brand experiential, leisure and art project design and build.) The family of companies also includes Brilliant Stages in Hitchin (who played a lead role in supplying the dazzling stage set for Robbie Williams’ ‘Take The Crown’ stadium tour) and scenic solutions company Perry Scenic, based in Dudley. All of this means that, as a student of Backstage Academy, with hard work and the right attitude you will gain valuable contacts and insight into the industry, whilst having exclusive work experience opportunities on a wide range of leading productions and events.

ROBIN WATKINSON DIRECTOR OF COURSES

Introducing our new industry consultant… Mike Darling

Mike has worked extensively as an award- winning international tour and production manager, gaining valuable knowledge and experience of many aspects of live event logistics and production around the world. He is a Director of the Ibiza Rocks Group and has been instrumental in the company’s growth over the last ten years. Present and previous clients include BBC Live Events, The Specials and Kaiser Chiefs.

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Jeremy Roberts

Jeremy works for Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC) in the UK and South Africa. ETC is the premier manufacturer of theatre lighting equipment. Before joining ETC, Jeremy was Head of Lighting and Sound at Nottingham Playhouse, resident Lighting Designer at Bolton Octagon, spent time at Hull Truck as a Lighting Designer, was Head of Sound at the Sherman in Cardiff and also the Gateway Theatre in Chester. He picked up awards along the way for both lighting and sound designs.

Kate Stevens

Since leaving Leeds based promoters Futuresound Events in late 2012, Kate has been an Account Director at Artist Needs, a market-leading events and production company. As well as dealing with many of Artist Needs’ aviation accounts, Kate heads up the company’s Artist Liaison teams at events throughout the year, which in 2014 includes Radio 1Xtra – Live in Glasgow, Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Cocoon In the Park, Glastonbury, Global Gathering, Beacons Festival, SW4, Wilderness, Mint and Festival No6.

Matt Howarth

Matt’s career spans 25 years in broadcast TV and games, during which time he has worked on many household names, especially in TV, including Stars in Their Eyes, Cracker, Coronation Street and Cold Feet. He was nominated for a BAFTA for his work on Cold Feet and won a Royal TV Society Award for work on children’s show Gross for the Discovery Channel. Matt has taught classes on 3D modeling and helped the students discover some of the ways they can create content for their Live Visuals module on the FdA.

Richard Herrick

Richard is a Stage Manager with 20 years professional experience across plays, musicals, opera, dance, festivals, parades and gigs. He has stage managed the opening of productions in the West End, New York, Japan, Las Vegas, Australia and all over the UK and Europe. He has worked for companies ranging from Blue Man Group, Scottish Opera and Cameron Mackintosh, to name but a few. He is working for Aldeburgh Festival and the opening ceremony of the Tour de France in 2014. Richard has taught on our FdA Live Events Production, talking about the differences in stage managing something like War Horse compared to Blue Man Group and has taken a lead role in writing the new Stage Management degree.

Our students have also enjoyed seminars from some of the industry’s leading manufacturers, resellers and suppliers, including Electro-Voice, Midas, Rosco, A.C. Entertainment Technologies, Load Cell, Kinesys, J&C Joel, Perry Scenic, GrandMA, High End Systems, Avolites, Jands Vista, Laserworld, LS-Live, Green Hippo, Ambersphere, Immersive and ETC.

Dave Swallow

Over the past 15 years, Dave has been honing his skills as a Front of House Audio Engineer for acts such as the late Amy Winehouse, La Roux, DJ Fresh, Billy Ocean and Underworld, amongst many others. He’s most recently embarked on a worldwide tour with Italian act The Bloody Beetroots. In 2011 and 2012 he was awarded the Audio Pro Industry Excellence Award for Live Sound Engineer of the Year.

Tony Bowern

Tony Bowern, General Manager of Brilliant Stages, has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry. He began his career as a precision fitter, progressing into designing his own sound systems for the touring music industry and later joining Studiomaster as the manager of their hire department. Since 1982, as one of the founders of Brilliant Stages, Tony has been honing his problem solving skills that have helped him design some of the most complex and advanced engineering products used in the touring entertainment industry.

Roger Lindsay

Roger has engineered live performances for many of the world’s most successful and respected artists. His international reputation and knowledge of live audio has led to consultancy work for clients as diverse as Formula One motor racing teams, The Arts Council of Great Britain and the British Royal Family. Prince, George Michael, Pink Floyd and James Taylor have entrusted their concert sound to the safe hands of this man whose experience and natural ability bring a unique dimension to each project he undertakes. The Academy was lucky enough to have Roger for two weeks during the Live Sound module, during which he talked to the students in small groups about his experience and the wealth of knowledge he has gained over the years mixing sound.

Carys Evans

Carys graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University with a BA (Hons) in English and Drama and went on to work in professional theatre as an Actor, Writer and Director for major repertory and touring theatres in England and Wales, including: Youth Theatre Director for The Crucible Theatre Sheffield, Associate Director for Clwyd Theatr Cymru and Actor/Teacher and Writer for Theatr Powys Wales. Carys also has extensive experience as a Teacher and Lecturer and taught the collaborative working session based on industry roles for the first module of the FdA.

Tony Andrews

A highly regarded designer and manufacturer of high quality point source loudspeaker systems, with numerous patents to his name, Tony Andrews’ landmark developments include the hugely successful Flashlight and Floodlight systems, and more recently the distinctive Funktion One Resolution Series. In 2010 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Audio Pro Magazine.

Katy Fuller

Katy is a Creative Producer and Consultant in the outdoor arts and festivals sector. She set up the organisation Pinwheel in 2010 and since then has produced events including Enchanted Parks, an after-dark winter arts adventure, Birthday Blaze, a fire-filled anniversary celebration for Newcastle Theatre Royal and The Great North Passion, a large-scale multi-disciplinary event broadcast live on BBC1. In her masterclass, Katy encourages the students to look beyond the usual models for events and think creatively and innovatively with case studies of some inspiring and ambitious outdoor events. She also looks at how to respond to a brief and develop a creative concept.

Simon Stevens

Simon spent eight years at Futuresound Events in Leeds promoting events at numerous venues with capacities from 100 to 7,000 at cities across the north of England. Working with artists such as Adele, The Maccabees, Laura Marling and Noah & The Whale, Simon oversaw the creation of festivals such as Live At Leeds and Constellations before leaving Futuresound in early 2013 to create his own promotions company and open Leeds’ Belgrave Music Hall..

Nigel Pease

A freelance Audio Engineer, Producer and Educator, Nigel works regularly in both industry and education. His specialisms are soundscape composition and multi-channel music production. Nigel has been an Avid Certified Instructor for Pro Tools since 2003.

I’m really keen on working with the students as they are the next generation of employees and nurturing new talent is the best way to grow ElectricFly as a business.

NICK JEVONS, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, ELECTRICFLY

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World-class facilities

Backstage Academy is based on site at the state-of-the-art LS-Live production rehearsal arena, which was purpose built in 2005 to accommodate large-scale productions and test builds, launching with Coldplay as its first client. This means students will get first hand experience of a live working environment at the centre of the events industry.

Attached to the arena are Backstage Academy’s modern facilities, including an Apple MacBook Pro based IT suite running a range of industry standard programs (Photoshop, Pro Tools, Final Cut, WYSIWYG, Autodesk Suite, d3 and Isadora, to name a few), a full d3 visualisation and edit suite including HD projection and surround sound, a 3D stereoscopic projection system and a range of classroom and seminar spaces to accommodate both academic and practical work.

The BA Visual Production degree will be taught at the newly restored, Grade II listed Unity Hall in Wakefield, due to launch in September 2014 with a 600-seater venue, 100-seater function room, Apple Suite (with 27” iMacs with Adobe Creative Cloud, Autodesk, AutoCAD, 3ds Max, d3 and WYSIWYG), five flexible classroom spaces, a practical space for exploring visualisations and technology, and a 4k workstation based around the new Apple Mac Pro.

Backstage Academy has additional teaching facilities based at the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Stadium, where some of the Sports Event Management Degree will be delivered.

Read more about our facilities here www.backstage-academy.co.uk/facilities

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Industry engagement3 A big thank you to all our partners who have enabled

our students to access the latest state-of-the-art equipment, training and support.

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4 Our students are… skilled

productive

and adaptable

They all showed amazing resilience with a superb work ethic. Having a very close-knit and quality team was key for me to ensure this project was a success. I had no issues with trusting any of them.

JAMES BAWN, TECHNICAL MANAGER, A.C. ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGIES LTD.

It was a pleasure to work with the students last year, I can say they were very attentive, keen to learn and asked all the right questions. They were all especially hard working and I found their enthusiasm very encouraging; these are exactly the sort of attributes we require from anybody wishing to work in our industry. They are a credit to the Academy.

DAVID HOPKINSON, AUDIO PRODUCTION MANAGER AT ‘THE ONE’

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HERE ARE SOME COMPANIES OUR STUDENTS HAVE WORKED FOR IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS:

We place great emphasis on practical learning, and we offer a vast array of paid and unpaid work opportunities throughout the course. This year our students have worked on a diverse mix of events, in a number of different backstage roles, including Lighting Operator, Stagehand, Sound Engineer, Stage Manager, Production Assistant, Followspot Operator, Artist Liaison, Set Builder and Technical Crew.

They have worked as crew on tour production rehearsals that have come through the LS-Live Studio such as Biffy Clyro, X Factor Live and Kings of Leon, as well as staffing all aspects of events such as Download Festival, Sonisphere, Lovebox, Somersault, SW4, Tour De France, Wilderness, Beacons, Hull Freedom Festival, Clear Channel and the Commonwealth Games. They have worked with production companies like BBC Radio One, ElectricFly Productions,

Artist Needs, Cuffe & Taylor, The Music Consortium, Northern Ballet, Ethix Management, Ear To The Ground, DNG Productions, LS-Live, Brilliant Stages, Prolyte, Litestructures and Audile.

All our students are eligible to apply for Backstage Academy Crew positions following the successful completion of various certificates that prove they are safe to be in a work based environment, along with demonstrating the right attitude for the job.

We are always looking to form new partnerships for Backstage Academy Crew and aim to work with companies to support existing crew teams. Please contact Sara Gleadhall for more information:

T +44 (0)1977 659 880 E [email protected]

They want to learn “why” as much as they do “how”.MARTIN SMITH, DEPUTY CHIEF ELECTRICIAN, NORTHERN BALLET.

mailto:sara.gleadhall%40backstage-academy.co.uk?subject=Prospectus%202015/2016

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Careers & our industry5

There are an amazingly diverse range of careers in the live events sector, from Tour Manager, Creative Director and Artist Liaison, to Lighting Programmer, Venue Technician and Sound Engineer, to name a few. Each event, whether it’s a music gig, fashion show, corporate event, festival or theatre production, requires a team of people working in collaboration, using their various skillsets to produce a successful end result.

To put it into perspective, the Bon Jovi ‘Because We Can’ world tour incorporated 250,000 tonnes of production elements across five touring stages, 200 personnel, six tour buses and over 80 trucks that facilitated the European, American and Australian tour dates. As an industry, events lead to

the provision of over 530,000 (full time equivalents) jobs from apprenticeship level upwards… most importantly, the industry’s aspiration to expand by £12bn by 2020 supports the growth agenda for the UK.

Source: All Party Parliamentary Group UK Events Industry Inquiry Report into the ‘International Competitiveness of the UK Events Industry’ May – August 2013

The UK events industry is currently worth £39.1bn and accounts for 35% of the UK visitor economy.

Source: Britain for Events

The events sector creates engaging careers, for young and old, male and female, skilled and less skilled, across all cultures. It maximises a wide range of creative, technical and personal talents to produce inspirational and world-changing events.

Source: ‘Events are GREAT Britain’ report by the Business Visits & Events Partnership (BVEP), March 2014

JON BON JOVI

JON BON JOVI

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TONNE

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Where are we based?Backstage Academy is located in South Kirkby, West Yorkshire. The nearest city is Wakefield, which is situated between a number of larger cities, Leeds (15 mins away), York (40 mins away) and Sheffield (50 mins away). All are easily accessible by bus and train. Wakefield offers many different forms of entertainment for students, catering for all interests both cultural and social.

Local connectionsBackstage Academy is forging close links with key entertainment venues in Wakefield that will present you with ongoing opportunities for valuable work experience and networking. The Academy has created partnerships with Wakefield Theatre Royal, Wakefield College’s new theatre and performing arts centre, and will be working closely with the new multi-million pound Unity Hall, which is due to launch in September 2014.

Once a run down market town, Wakefield is now a city that has been re-inventing itself, with arts and live events integral to this growth.

Wakefield has recently been voted in the top 20 “arty” places to live by the Daily Telegraph and voted one of the top places to live in Britain by The Sunday Times.

Life in Wakefield6

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Live music

Wakefield has a flourishing live music scene with venues such as The Hop and The Orangery.

Further afield, the new Leeds Arena will host Robbie Williams, Ed Sheeran, Status Quo, Prince and Miley Cyrus in 2014. The Leeds O2 Academy will see the likes of Paloma Faith, The Specials, Katy B and Sam Smith playing this year. There are also local festivals held in Yorkshire throughout the year, such as Leeds Film Festival, Long Division (Wakefield’s urban music festival, celebrating truly independent music – 70 acts play at 30 city venues each June), Crooked Ways and Tramlines, which often offer opportunities for you to gain valuable work experience.

Get activeWakefield offers a wealth of activity to suit all interests – fans of water can try out sailing, kayaking and windsurfing at Pugneys Country Park, there’s the multi-million pound Sun Lane Leisure Centre or for adrenalin junkies looking for thrills head to Xscape in Castleford, with a 170m real snow ski slope, indoor surfing, climbing and much more. Much of Wakefield district is rural with a vast range of country parks to explore either on foot or on two wheels.

Culture vultureWakefield is home to the award-winning Hepworth Gallery, the largest purpose-built exhibition space outside of London. Wakefield Museum celebrates the rich history of the town whilst further afield Yorkshire Sculpture Park is one of the leading open air art galleries in the world. Explore the remains of Sandal Castle or visit the National Coal Mining Museum to discover the hidden world of mining through the centuries.

Wakefield communitiesThere is a wide range of local societies and activity clubs for you to get involved with, from Wakefield Film Society to Wakefield Sailing Club. For more information visit www.wdco.org.

ShoppingYou are spoilt for choice when it comes to shopping. A recent multi-million pound regeneration project in Wakefield has seen the addition of Trinity Walk, a large shopping and leisure complex. There is a diverse range of restaurants and places to eat in Wakefield, many places offer special deals for students.

Accommodation• We have partnered with local estate agents Linley and Simpson who have student housing options in and around Wakefield. Find out more at:

www.linleyandsimpson.co.uk/students.

• Or for further details please see our website: www.backstage-academy.co.uk/accommodation

Backstage Academy is located in a suburb of Wakefield called South Kirkby. It’s just 15 minutes train ride from Wakefield, and a 30 minute journey from Doncaster. Moorthorpe train station is a stone’s throw from Backstage Academy on one side, and the town centre on the other, which features a strip of shops, cafés, pubs and mini supermarket.

It’s easy to get to by road, rail and air, with good transport links to London and the rest of Europe. It’s close to the M1, M62 and A1.

Unit 53, Langthwaite Business Park, Lidgate Crescent, South Kirkby, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF9 3NR, England

WAKEFIELD

M1

M62

A638

A638

A642

A650

SHEFFIELD50 MINUTES

LEEDS15 MINUTES

www.wdco.org

www.linleyandsimpson.co.uk/students

http://www.backstage-academy.co.uk/facilities

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What the students say…7

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I have made so many new friends since coming on the course, it’s been a really good experience working with other people that come from all different walks in life and working as a team.

JOHN TODD

I had worked in a casino, on cruise ships and volunteered on a few live events, so I decided to look for a course where I could pursue my interest for the entertainment industry, including the electrical and technical side of things. I chose the FdA in Live Events Production because the course covered all areas of working in live events, and the majority of subjects really took my interest. It has exceeded my expectations and I would recommend it to anyone.

LAURA SHOTTON

One of the best things about studying at Backstage Academy is the contacts you make and the work experience opportunities. I have been lucky enough to help with crewing and stage builds at Download, Parklife, Wilderness, Global Gathering and Lovebox festivals this summer, which has given me a really good grounding of what it’s like to work on live events and festivals.

JAMES ERVING

Backstage Academy taught me how to deal with real-life situations and helped me stand out from the crowd. It gave me opportunities I wouldn’t otherwise get; I went from being a poorly paid builder to gaining a job as a Set Carpenter on the Jay Z tour travelling the world! I’ve now toured with John Barrowman and Disney, stage managed festivals, put on my own events and set up my own record label, music development agency and event production company, LoveTunes Ltd, with some other graduates.

GARETH EDWARDS, GRADUATE, FOUNDER OF LOVETUNES LTD

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The quality in guest lecturers has been amazing. Everyone is clued up on the industry and current practices because they all still work in the industry, which means the networking opportunities come regularly and everything you learn comes from reliable sources.

FIONA ABER TAURUONA

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Modules Credits

Year 1

1 Academic & Professional Skills for the Live Events Industry 20

2 Concept Design & Presentation 20

3 Staging 20

4 Live Sound 20

5 Lighting 20

6 Live Visuals 20

Year 2

7a Industry Practice 20

8 Entertainment Networks & Show Control 20

9 Production Planning & Realisation 20

10 Research for the Live Events Industry 20

11 Event Production Planning 20

7b Advanced Industry Practice 20

The FdA Live Events Production (which forms the first two years of the three-year BA (Hons) Live Events Production), is an innovative course that introduces you to all the different areas of event production, across all sectors. It focuses very much upon employability, ensuring that you leave with a broad portfolio of relevant experience, together with the right skills and attitude to work in a safe and responsible manner.

By the end of the two-year course, you will be capable of engaging in a range of creative processes, from design for live music, to brand awareness, dealing with artists or simply managing your client’s expectations, and you will have a good understanding of the various processes and technologies that are used in the industry.

You will gain a range of industry-based certificates during the first module, which will equip you with the basic knowledge and skills to make you more employable on events throughout the course, to build on your work experience portfolio.

1Academic & Professional Skills for the Live Event Industry

This module introduces you to many of the personal, practical and business skills you will need, and how best to apply them in the planning and development of a successful career in live events production. From roles and responsibilities within the industry to working with artists, licensing, risk assessment and how to work as a freelancer, this module lifts the lid on how the live events sector works. You will also gain a range of ready for work certificates included in the course (which would cost a total of £1,344 if taken individually, thus saving you money):

• Event Safety Passport• Emergency First Aid• Stage Pyrotechnics• Practical Fire Safety• Working at Height• Introduction to Rigging• Working with Electricity

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Concept Design & PresentationThis module enables you to provide a creative response to a range of events and productions. You will look at different design case studies, from theatre to live music and corporate events, learn how to understand, negotiate and deliver a client’s expectations, and be able to draw creative ideas from music, text or a brand. At the end of this module you will understand how creative requirements impact on your choice of technology for live events. You will also learn how to pitch and present your creative ideas through sketching and drawing, basic AutoCAD and Google Sketchup, and how to deliver a presentation to clients or the production team.

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StagingIncreasingly challenging creative ideas often require complex staging responses. From looking at temporary staging methods and systems (including outdoor structures), to an overview of motors, trussing and set construction, this module ensures you understand what is possible with modern staging techniques. Some of the leading companies and experts in this sector deliver masterclasses so you can see how some of the biggest tours and events cope with spectacular staging solutions.

4 Live Sound

Live performance and events often rely heavily upon high quality sound to connect and engage an audience. In a world where access to digital music is commonplace, the focus of this module starts with listening skills, what goes into mixing live sound to the highest standards and the building blocks of a modern live sound system. A range of industry partners provide masterclasses and kit specific training whilst practical hands-on experience will consolidate new skills.

5LightingLighting helps to create moments in time that audiences remember; the art of lighting design enhances atmosphere, directs attention and dictates emotion. Starting with a creative approach you will understand how to engage with an event, how to design a lighting rig and how to choose equipment that delivers your design ideas on stage. You will also understand how these ideas can be visualised using industry standard software (e.g. WYSIWYG) and how a lighting rig is connected and controlled.

6Live VisualsWith the increasing convergence of lighting and video elements on stage, it is vital that you appreciate both the latest creative and technical possibilities that are available to modern events. Video projection mapping onto 3D structures has become a leading design tool. From planning visual content, to image capture and edit and the use of media servers (e.g. Green Hippo and d3), to projectors and LED displays, this module is designed to give you a thorough understanding of the cutting-edge techniques used on modern productions.

Year 1

Live Events Production

8.1 FdA UCAS code: N820 // Duration: Two years BA (Hons) UCAS code: To be confirmed // Duration: Three years

Validated by:

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Assessment

Assessment is by portfolio, group practical, presentation and (where appropriate) a supporting piece of work relevant to the module. All assessments are based around you evidencing your skills and experience, reflecting upon how you are developing both professionally and personally and are a useful tool for you to set goals and targets. You will also be expected to research methods and practices that are not covered in the module, and to relate and compare these to your learning.

Other work relevant to the module might include a stage design and layout, a festival event plan or perhaps a lighting design and visualisation.

Admissions Criteria

For BA (Hons) admissions criteria please see the website. For the FdA you would normally have five GCSE’s at Grade C and above, including passes in English Language and Mathematics. In addition you would:

Either have 160 UCAS points based around 2A / AS levels, Vocational A levels or BTEC Level 3.

Or have a portfolio of work experience / creative design relevant to live events or theatre.

If English is not your first language you will need IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

7a

Industry Practice

Throughout the first year you will be encouraged to think about the type of career that you wish to pursue and begin a supported process of sourcing relevant work opportunities. In the first part of module 7 you will spend a minimum of 100 hours undertaking this work. In reality, Backstage Academy’s connections in the industry produce many opportunities throughout the summer for you to work on a huge range of events and activities. This will enhance your portfolio, give you a better understanding of life in the events sector, and build towards module 7b.

8Entertainment Networks & Show Control

Even the simplest of events now use some form of networked control systems, from accessing media playback to controlling complex audio-visual events utilising pyrotechnics, water features, lighting and sound. It is important for designers and technicians to understand how networks can connect and control devices, and also appreciate the creative and logistical issues that arise. You will also evaluate a range of scenarios and productions, and understand how certain effects were created using show control and networking techniques. You will look at various show control software such as Isadora, Q Lab and d3.

9Production Planning and Realisation*There is nothing like the experience of actually creating and delivering events for a live audience. You will work in a collaborative team to deliver an exciting programme of live events for a paying audience at a commercial venue; Unity Hall Wakefield. This module brings it all together, building on the skills and knowledge gained in previous modules on staging, sound, lighting, live visuals and show control. As well as technical pre-planning and production, roles may include programming, artist liaison, marketing and front of house duties. *subject to validation

Year 210Research for the Live Events Industry

This is an innovative module that enables you to create a pathway that is most relevant to your interests and aspirations. Either as an individual or as part of a small team you will choose to research a particular aspect of the live events industry that interests you. This could be from a technical, creative or management perspective. You will be tutored in how to explore your chosen subject and this research methodology, together with the targeted knowledge gained will enable you to become a more effective practitioner within the industry.

11Event Production Planning

From venue and site design, to major incident planning, crowd and transport management, this module provides valuable insight into the planning of safe events from street parties to large festivals. Based around the Event Safety Guide, you will work through actual events to generate a range of policies and procedures that satisfy the relevant regulatory bodies. Specialist seminars from events practitioners will support you by talking through real world scenarios and solutions.

7bAdvanced Industry Practice

The final part of module 7 will help you progress into employment, commence freelance working or go on to further study. Building on the work you undertook in module 7a (and generally throughout the course), module 7b is designed to be flexible enough to accommodate your own circumstances and aspirations. For instance, you might wish to implement the career plan you developed as part of module 7a, or start to apply for full-time employment. It might be that you will start your own business, or commence working on a range of projects on a freelance basis.

For more information about careers, fees, start dates and how to apply, please visit: www.backstage-academy.co.uk/degree-courses


http://www.backstage-academy.co.uk/degree-courses

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Modules Credits

1 The Music Business 20

2 Production Planning & Management 20

3 Event Logistics 20

4 Work Experience 20

5 Major Project 40

The one-year BA Top Up degree - which also forms Year 3 of the BA (Hons) – provides a progression route for students who have successfully completed either our FdA or another related Level 5 qualification. It is also suitable for people with industry experience who are looking to enhance and develop their careers.

The Top Up year – or Year 3 BA (Hons) – is focused on management and will provide more insight into the key issues involved in the strategic management of large events, festivals and venues. Personal and professional development is emphasised and encouraged during the programme along with employability skills and a commitment to continuing professional development. The modules reinforce the programme’s vocational nature and are designed to teach students to design, develop and deploy management strategies over key areas within the live events sector for a successful event management career.

The course is full time, based around one day per week contact time for the first three modules together with seminars, tutorials and masterclasses. The delivery structure is designed to be compatible with students being able to maintain employment in the sector throughout the course, together with opportunities to get involved in a diverse range of practical projects, manufacturers’ seminars and visits.

1

The Music BusinessThis module introduces you to the diverse and dynamic nature of the music and events industry. From looking at the diversity of the sector, range of venues and type of events, to the size and worth of the industry, students will be capable of assessing the structure of the industry. You will also examine roles and functions of events, regulations and authorities relevant to UK and international events, together with marketing, financial and legal considerations, contracts, budgets and evaluation / review techniques. Finally as part of this module you will look at working with artists, riders and contracts.

2Production Planning & ManagementYou will be encouraged to analyse your own values, attitudes and interpersonal skills as a platform for continuing personal development, management and leadership. You will also develop your ability to critically evaluate theories relating to personal development and leadership.

Those involved in the management of events or venues should have a good understanding of strategic and operational planning, provision of food and beverages and support services, health and hygiene together with pre- and post-event evaluation. Risk assessment, disaster and adverse weather planning also form an integral part of this module, together with negotiation, communication, delegation and leadership.

3Event LogisticsThis module offers you the opportunity to determine the fundamental issues related to logistics and supply chain management in the live events industry. From administrative and legislative requirements including Customs & Excise, to documentation, contract and traffic law, you will learn to develop and implement a logistic strategy and plan. In addition to this, you will look at risk assessment and management including exchange rate exposure, insurance, contingency planning and operational exposure, amongst others.

4Work ExperienceThis module is designed to provide you with a vehicle to develop prior and concurrent learning into practical work related skills. This module will use the learning gained from the previous three modules and place the learning into a realistic work based project.

You will be encouraged to develop and implement a project to the benefit of your placement venue or company, demonstrating your managerial skills and abilities.

5Major ProjectThe major project is your chance to demonstrate the extent of your achievement on the degree as a whole. Having identified a suitable topic that builds upon work undertaken thus far, you will justify in writing the nature, appropriateness and relevance of the topic. You will draw up a learning agreement (including project objectives consistent with the SMARTER notion – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timed, Extended and Relevant) and you will also make reference to research elements which informs or supports your agreed project. This learning agreement will be agreed with your tutor, and will specify precisely what form all components of the submission will take and when it will be made.

Assessment

Generally, assessment is by portfolio and (where appropriate) a supporting piece of work relevant to the module. The portfolio is based around you evidencing your skills and experience, reflecting upon how you are developing both professionally and personally, and is a useful tool for you to set goals and targets. You will also be expected to research methods and practices that are not covered in the module, and to relate and compare these to your learning.

Other work relevant to the module might include a report on a particular aspect of the industry.

Admissions Criteria

For BA (Hons) admissions criteria please see the website. For the Top Up degree you will have successfully completed either our FdA in Live Events Production, or another related Level 5 qualification.

You would normally have five GCSE’s of Grade C and above, including passes in English Language and Mathematics.




BA (Hons) Top Up UCAS code: 4F89 // Duration: One year Year 3 BA (Hons)

Validated by:

http://www.backstage-academy.co.uk/degree-course

3130

Welcome to our new BA (Hons) Visual Production, a three-year full-time degree that has been developed in conjunction with a range of industry partners including d3 Technologies, FIX8Group, Green Hippo and XL Video. This unique course has been designed to meet the growing demand for skilled visual professionals who are able to take a project through from concept and design to delivery on site. The course develops your skills and application of a variety of traditional disciplines such as design, art, photography, multi-media, graphic design, content design, event management and lighting technology to today’s cutting-edge techniques for designing visual shows. Based around an integrated creative workflow developed by d3 Technologies, the course is designed to:

• Develop the personal and professional skills you will need to work successfully in the visual production industry worldwide.

• Equip you with the creative skills required to interpret a client’s requirements, and contribute to the artistic design process in a collaborative and positive manner.

• Introduce you to the cutting-edge range of experiential technologies and work practices utilised in delivering visually stunning events.

The knowledge and skills acquired on this course will be transferable across a range of industries, from live music, theatre and opera, to film and TV, and architectural installations.

September 2013: Creative production agency Drive Productions partnered with Orion Arts to launch the G20 opening ceremony

in St. Petersburg with a multi-dimensional show using d3

Modules Credits

Year 1 1 Academic & Professional Skills for 20 the Visual Production Industry

2 Visual Production Toolbox - Basic Techniques 20

3 Concept Discovery & Development 20

4 Experiential Technologies - Design 20

5 Experiential Technologies - Hardware 20

6 Show Time Basics 20

Year 2 7 Industry Placement 20

8 Visual Production Toolbox - Content 20

9 Creative Research 20

10 Show Technologies Integration 20

11 Show Technologies Practical 20

12 Contemporary Issues in Visual Production 20

Year 3 13 Visual Production Design 20

14 Experiential Technologies - System Design 20

15 Show Time - Applied Project Management 20

16 Work Related Project 20

17 Major Project 40

1Academic & Professional Skills for the Visual Production Industry

This module gives you an overview of the visual production industry, from masterclasses with the world’s leading experts, an overview of work practices, managing your own well being and safety, to planning your career and developing the right attitude and expectations.

From an academic and learning perspective this module will equip you with all the necessary methods and techniques to support your studies. You will understand the importance in developing lifelong learning skills to cope with the ever-evolving technologies and work practices in the visual production industry.

2 Visual Production Toolbox - Basic Techniques

To support your creative and technical journey you will require an understanding of a range of software. This module will introduce you to a range of packages including Autodesk 123D, AutoCAD, Google SketchUp, Google Earth, Vectorworks, d3, Adobe Creative Cloud, Green Hippo, ESP Vision and WYSIWYG. You will begin to explore the techniques that go into projection and UV mapping.

This module will also introduce you to a range of social media and creative forums (such as Adobe Behance) that will encourage and allow you to find inspiration, showcase your work, get feedback and gain global exposure for your developing creative portfolio.

3 Concept Discovery & Development

Visual Production involves working on a hugely diverse range of projects across many sectors, and discovering your client’s needs is the common element that is key to all. It is imperative that you interpret the client’s requirements appropriately so you can develop and communicate your ideas and solutions effectively, and subsequently how best to manage their expectations.

This module assists you to gain an understanding of how to interpret brands and products effectively, examining how designers make the connections between ideas and images, and in addition you will learn how visual research techniques can assist you to refine your ideas, enabling you to offer truly creative solutions.

Communicating these ideas in an accessible manner is hugely important and you will gain skills in sketching and drawing, enabling you to quickly and easily visualise ideas.

Year 1

Visual Production

BA (Hons) UCAS code: N811 // Duration: Three years8.2

Validated by:

3332

4Experiential Technologies - Design

This module introduces you to the evolution and use of visual imagery in live performance, from large-scale film projection to psychedelic oil wheels and flying pigs. You will study a range of designers, discuss case studies across many sectors and come to understand the importance of style and theme; the skills and knowledge you acquire will inform your own artistic style. Finally you will explore the artistic qualities common to both light and video, and define boundaries between the creative uses of both.

5Experiential Technologies - Hardware

This module commences with defining boundaries where you will investigate the limitations of lighting and video technologies whilst exploring their convergence. You will also gain an understanding of how to interpret artistic ideas and transform them into a technological response that embraces both lighting and video. You will use this knowledge and skills gained to look at the basics of lighting technology and video, from system building blocks and interconnects, to control and programming. Safety and risk assessment considerations are integral to this module, together with an overview of basic entertainment networks, working with electricity, and an introduction to rigging.

6Show Time Basics

This module prepares you for the process of transferring your design and technology solutions to real performance environments. You will examine international work practice, analysing the production process, rehearsals, working with artists and performers, collaborative working with colleagues and working as part of a production team. You will gain skills and knowledge in how to manage a performance, and how to reflect upon the process so that you are able to manage the standard of your own work.

We think Backstage Academy hits the nail on the head in different ways: firstly, the close connections directly with the industry are beneficial for the students as they get connected in ways they couldn’t have done without this course, and because they are creating a new generation of show designers.

CHRIS BIRD – DIRECTOR, d3 TECHNOLOGIES

Green Hippo are proud to be playing an active role in the BA Visual Production course at Backstage Academy. This first of its kind course is a fantastic opportunity for students wanting to specialise in the visual elements of the live events industry. Video and visuals have become a major element in small to medium size shows as well as those with bigger budgets so it comes as no surprise that the Backstage Academy are there to teach, mentor and inspire students in the evolving world of pixels.

SIMON HARRIS – TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, GREEN HIPPO

8Visual Production Toolbox - Content

Building upon the skills learnt in the first year, this module looks at how original digital content is sourced and created using packages such as After FX, Trapcode, Twitch and Element 3D. The work you complete in this module will be developed into an industry standard showreel that will showcase your style and creativity. You will also explore a range of camera techniques, chroma keying and scanning of 3D surfaces including manipulation of 3D files with 3dS Max and d3.

7Industry Placement

This module prepares you for work placement in the visual production industry. A series of workshops prior to your work placement will include personal development planning, interview skills and preparing a CV along with how to create a reflective diary. Work placements can vary between established companies and events to individual in-house activity with significant and appropriate contributions from visiting practitioners. Our Work Placement Manager will help you research and facilitate your work placements, and you may also be offered a range of opportunities via our unique Backstage Academy Crew.

9Creative Research

This module introduces you to the theory and practice of research methods for visual production. You will appraise a range of creative journeys, from great works of art to architecture and photography. In this module you will acquire skills to undertake investigative research that underpins your studies and encourages you to develop your own style and creativity, along with understanding how best to present your findings.

10Show Technologies Integration

In this module you will assess the expectations of audiences, designers and performers, regarding artistic and technical systems, and how those expectations grow each year. Increasingly complex control networks are employed to synchronise and control numerous core systems and devices in terms of the staged performance. In addition you will gain awareness of how centralised control of lighting, sound and automation systems presents new options to artists and designers. As an industry professional you will need to appreciate the creative possibilities these networks offer, and be able to demonstrate an ability to plan, program and maintain show control networks in such diverse environments as cruise ships and theme parks.

11Show Technologies Practical

With show systems increasing in complexity it is vital that you are able to take a creative brief and manage the entire production process, from client sign off to the actual performance or event. This module brings together a range of creative, technical and project management skills that will test your prior learning of creative research, design, managing a client and experiential technologies (design and hardware). Throughout the duration of the module, you will be taught how to apply theories that relate to creative workflow, from creating a brief, developing ideas and concepts through to client sign off of both content and style, planning and staging the event, working as part of a group and reflecting upon the success of the event.

Year 2

Visual Production

3534

Permanent installation for the Venetian Hotel & Resort by The Projection Studio,

Las Vegas 2012

Assessment

Generally, assessment is by portfolio and (where appropriate) a supporting piece of work relevant to the module. The portfolio is based around you evidencing your skills and experience, reflecting upon how you are developing both professionally and personally and is a useful tool for you to set goals and targets. You will also be expected to research methods and practices that are not covered in the module, and to relate and compare these to your learning.

Other work relevant to the module might include creative elements such as research and mood boards, visual content or system design plans with supporting risk assessments.

Admissions Criteria

You would normally have five GCSE’s at Grade C and above, including passes in English Language, Mathematics and Science. In addition you would:

Either have 260 UCAS points from at least two A levels in any subject, or BTEC National qualifications in Creative & Digital Media or Productions Arts (Theatre Technology).

Or if you do not have 260 UCAS points, but have a minimum of two years relevant industry based experience, together with a portfolio of creative work (photography, animation, production design or similar) then we may still be able to offer you a place subject to you completing a diagnostic assessment and attending an interview.


15Show Time - Applied Project Management

This module aims to progress your design and technical skills by looking at the supporting knowledge that is required in the management and safe delivery of visual productions on a global basis. Visual and creative agencies are often requested to work in a sustainable way across a range of international settings often balancing the impact of events on the site and the community. Production planning takes into consideration a range of skills apart from design and technology. It is also important that you are able to develop a professional approach to pre- and post-event evaluation, both in ensuring you undertake the correct projects and are able to take control of the standard of your own work.

16Work Related Project

This module is designed to provide you with a vehicle to develop and transfer your prior and concurrent learning into practical work related skills. It is further designed to help you develop your own personal management skills in terms of time and working with others towards a final preset goal. The module will require you to complete a period of work placement and provide you with practical experience of working in the visual production industry. The module will utilise the learning gained in the other modules studied and aid you to apply your learning into a real work based project, which you will develop and implement to the benefit of your work placement provider.

17Major Project

This project module is designed to give you the opportunity to pursue a piece of individual research under the supervision of a tutor. The project selected must be relevant to visual production and be academically rigorous. The work should also be unique and address a specific question or issue. The work will require that you demonstrate familiarity with a range of data, research sources and appropriate methodologies. Throughout the work you will need to express critical evaluation of theories, principles, concepts and models appertaining to the visual production industry operational practices. Throughout the project you will be expected to demonstrate an awareness of theoretical models and contemporary literature relevant to your chosen area of research. In addition you will be expected to demonstrate a high level of analytical and critical ability in the application of theoretical frameworks and in interpreting secondary literature.

It’s great that a formal qualification for our industry now exists - when people ask me where they can learn about all the stuff that we do here at Bluman Associates I normally say ‘you just have to pick it up as you go’ but now I have somewhere to point them where they will get a great education about how our part of the industry works.

POD BLUMAN, BLUMAN ASSOCIATES LTD VISUAL AND DIGITAL PRODUCTION FOR LIVE EVENTS

12Contemporary Issues in Visual Production

This module addresses key issues affecting practices in the visual production industry. Your first assignment will involve in-depth research into one aspect of the industry, followed by an examination assessing key industry issues from a technical, management or creative perspective. You’ll explore developing global trends and issues in the visual production industry, supported by innovative lectures and topics from the guest speakers. Topics will always feature an analysis of the external environment, market competition and development. Distinctive and emerging topics may include developments in enhancing the event experience, sustainable practices, operation and competitive advantage, technological developments in event design and staging, and new emerging markets and themes.

Year 3 13Visual Production Design

This module will enable you to develop your own values, attitudes, style and interpersonal skills to provide a platform for continuing personal development as a visual production designer. Working to an agreed brief, you will develop creative concepts and work collaboratively with your client, exploring creative work practices, communication skills and collaborative working methods.

14Experiential Technologies - System Design

This module requires you to design a convergent, innovative and creative experiential technology system in response to your chosen creative brief in module 13. Responding to the artistic and creative requirements, you will generate a professional and technical response that will enable a budget to be approved by your client. You will also make recommendations for the application for any necessary licensing and health and safety approvals, prior to your proposed system being installed by on-site contractors and local crew.


Visual Production


3736

Modules Credits

Year 2


8 Advanced Stage Management Techniques 20

9 Production Planning & Realisation 20

10 Event Production Management 20

11 Industry Placement & Career Development 40

Year 3 – BA (Hons) only

12 Live Music & Events Production Business 20

13 Showtime Applied Project Management 20

14 Events Logistics 20


16 Major Project (Dissertation) 40

From street parades to film & TV location work, product launches to political conferences and music festivals, there’s an exciting range of events that require specialist stage management skills to ensure their smooth running. Starting with an in-depth look at traditional theatre-based stage management techniques, this unique course aims to equip students with a broad range of experience and skills to undertake a successful career stage managing a wide range of different events.

8.3

Modules Credits

Year 1


2 Backstage Technical Skills 20

3 Production Pre-Planning & Rehearsal 20

4 Production Realisation 20

5 Events & Festival Stage Management 20

6 Film & TV Location Work 20

1Academic & Professional Skills for the Live Events Industry

An overview of the industry including working with artists, industry roles, career planning, industry based certificates such as the Event Safety Passport, First Aid and also all the academic skills required to undertake the course.

2Backstage Technical Skills

The role of Stage Manager involves being at the ‘hub’ of a range of disciplines and roles; the stage management team is normally the first port of call for all those involved in creating and running a show. In order to communicate and manage this process in a professional manner, you should have a good understanding of the functions and roles involved in the technical processes of creating a show, from introducing you to the basics of stage management to staging, lighting, sound and video, this module will give you an overview of these different disciplines in order that you can act effectively as part of the stage management team on a range of events.

3 Production Pre-Planning & Rehearsal

Working as part of the stage management team, you will play a pivotal role in production pre-planning and also in the successful running of the rehearsal phase of the show. From interpreting the creative brief, understanding the script or engaging with the brand or message, this module will equip you with all the communication skills required to manage the information flow to others in the show creation team. You will learn how to deal with team members and clients, together with developing skills in contracting, scheduling and budgeting. You will also understand how the theatre rehearsal process works, including production meetings, and relate your developing communication skills to the flow of information that arises from the collaborative rehearsal process.

4 Production Realisation

This module deals with all the skills and processes required in moving from the rehearsal space to the production phase of an event, from understanding the types of venues available for performance to risk assessment and communicating with venues regarding production requirements. You will study a range of processes and techniques that will enable you to contribute proactively and manage the load-in and rehearsal period (including scheduling load-in time, studying the physical set-up and prioritising time to different departments). You will gain a good knowledge of the standard facilities associated with performance venues, and be able to engage with technical rehearsals, previews and open nights. Finally you will look at the role of the stage management team during the run of the production, together with dealing with the load-out and any post-production reflection and appraisal.

5 Events & Festival Stage Management

How do a Stage Manager’s core skills transfer to working in other sectors? This module helps you to understand the range of roles and opportunities available to you, from weddings and private parties, street parades and music festivals to political events, conferences, product launches, the circus, fashion shows and so on. This module equips you with an excellent understanding of different work processes and, via a series of guest lectures and case studies, will help you increase your employability across an exciting range of live events.

6 Film & TV Location Work

This module looks specifically at the range of roles and management structures that facilitate location TV and film working. By comparing roles and processes from live events, you will learn how your skills and knowledge are transferable to the film and TV sector. Working on location often means seeking and securing special permissions to film, and may involve utilising a range of practices including working with helicopters and firearms, filming from vehicles, dealing with the police, filming at night, and working in historical and cultural locations.

Year 1

Stage Management*

FdA UCAS Code: To be confirmed // Duration: Two years BA (Hons) UCAS Code: To be confirmed // Duration: Three years

*Subject to validation by: Please check the website

for updates on validation.

3938

7Research for the Live Events Industry

It is essential that you are able to engage creatively and pro-actively with projects, and in order to do so you should appreciate the enormous range of clients and creative scenarios available to you. This module will require you to appraise a range of creative journeys, from ceremony to celebration, globalisation of events and relevance to tourism, you will acquire skills and knowledge to undertake investigative research to underpin your study in planning and managing a range of projects from concept to delivery.

8Advanced Stage Management Techniques

This module deals with the managerial aspects of the Stage Manager’s role. You will evaluate a range of techniques to help you manage a team and deal with individuals, from motivation and quality management to pastoral care and conflict resolution. You will also look at a range of career pathways that the Stage Manager might progress into (Company Manager, Casting, Producer, etc.), and look at the transferable and personal skills required to develop a successful career in managing the staging of live events.

9Production Planning & Realisation

A vital learning environment is created by the experience of actually developing and delivering events for a live audience. You will work in a collaborative team to deliver an exciting programme of live events for a paying audience at a commercial venue. This module builds on the skills and knowledge gained in all previous modules. Realising events will enhance this knowledge by emphasising ‘connectedness’ in a knowledge base formed from real-life problem solving. Roles may include scheduling, budgeting, stage and artist management, contracting and production, events programming, artist liaison, marketing and front of house duties.

10Event Production Management

Based around the Purple Guide, this module deals with all the “production” elements associated with outdoor events, from planning, management and risk assessments to crowd safety, site access and managing food and beverage provision, the aim of this module is to enhance your stage management skills with an understanding of the planning and licensing process for a range of events.

11Industry Placement & Career Development

Throughout the first year of your course you will be encouraged to think about the type of career that you wish to pursue and begin a supported process of sourcing relevant work opportunities. In the first part of this module you will spend a minimum of 100 hours undertaking this work. In reality, Backstage Academy’s connections in the industry produce many opportunities throughout the summer for you to work on a huge range of events and activities. This will enhance your portfolio, give you a better understanding of life in the events sector, and build towards the second part of this module. The second part of the module will help you progress into employment, commence freelance working or go on to further study. Building on the work you have previously undertaken the second part of the module is designed to be flexible enough to accommodate your own circumstances and aspirations. For instance, you might wish to implement the career plan you previously developed, or start to apply for full-time employment. It might be that you will start your own business, or commence working on a range of projects on a freelance basis.

Year 2

12Live Music & Events Production Business

This module introduces you to the diverse and dynamic nature of the music and events industry and examines the role of management within the sector. The module will provide a practical framework in which a project might be planned, organised and controlled, to ensure a successful event. It sets out to develop the team-working, decision-making, negotiation and communication skills needed to effectively manage within the music and events sector. You will study organisational structures and issues related to the industry, and look at the function and interaction between the various promotion and managerial facets of the sector. You will develop an understanding of how individuals and businesses operate within the industry.

13Showtime Applied Project Management

The module aims to progress your stage management skills by looking at the supporting knowledge that is required in the management and safe delivery of productions on a global basis. Artistic and creative agencies are often requested to work in a sustainable way across a range of international settings often balancing the impact of events on the site and the community. Production planning takes into consideration a range of skills apart from design and technology; it is also important that you are able to develop a professional approach to pre- and post-event evaluation, both in ensuring you undertake the correct projects, and are able to take control of the standard of your own work.

14Events Logistics

This module offers you the opportunity to understand the fundamental issues related to logistics and supply chain management in the live events industry. You will learn about co-ordinating and controlling activities, and managing operations and the supply chain, from logistics strategy to customs and excise, traffic law and management of the supply chain.


This module is designed to provide students with a vehicle to develop prior and concurrent learning into practical work related skills. This module will use the learning gained from the previous three modules and place the learning into a realistic work based project. You will be encouraged to develop and implement a project to the benefit of your placement venue or company, demonstrating your stage management skills and abilities.

16Major Project (Dissertation)

The major project is your chance to demonstrate the extent of your achievement on the degree as a whole. Having identified a suitable topic that builds upon work undertaken thus far, you will justify in writing the nature and relevance of the topic, draw up a learning agreement which will specify precisely what form all the components of the submission will take and when it will be made, together with referencing research elements which informs or supports your agreed project.

Year 3 BA (Hons) only

Admissions Criteria

Please check the website for up-to-date information on admissions criteria.

Assessment




Stage Management*

*Subject to validation


4140

Modules Credits

Year 2


8 Stage Engineering Advanced Core Skills 20

9 Stage Construction Advanced Skills 20

10 Motion & Movement – Advanced Skills 20

11 Industry Practice & Career Development 40

Year 3 – BSc (Hons) only

12 Structural Planning for Stage Engineering 20

13 Motion Tracking for Stage Engineering 40


15 Major Project 40

Each year we see increasingly spectacular and complex live events that push the boundaries of creativity and engineering. The live music industry is at the forefront of cutting-edge engineering solutions ensuring audiences receive the same ‘wow’ factor that they get from Hollywood blockbusters in the cinema.

This Stage Engineering & Automation course aims to equip students with the necessary skills and experience to work on a variety of events in a range of roles from design and build, to operation and maintenance.

8.4

Modules Credits

Year 1


2 Stage Engineering – Core Skills 20

3 Fundamentals of Stage Construction and Materials 20

4 Temporary & Demountable Structures 20

5 Stage Engineering Toolbox 20

6 Motion & Movement – Hardware & Control Systems 20

1Academic & Professional Skills for the Live Events Industry

An overview of the industry including working with artists, industry roles, career planning, industry based certificates such as the Event Safety Passport, First Aid and also all the academic skills required to undertake the course.

2 Stage Engineering – Core Skills

Core skills range from an introduction to project management and budgeting, through to a thorough understanding of the legislation and health & safety issues relating to stage engineering. You will also gain an understanding of the design process, from initial concepts through to 3D modelling and working as part of a design and build team.

3 Fundamentals of Stage Construction and Materials

This module aims to introduce you to the range of systems and materials in common use to create a touring stage system, from modular staging through to stage construction techniques, scenic construction and an understanding of scenic finishes. Upon completion of this module you will have a good understanding of creating a safe stage set from modular systems.

4 Temporary & Demountable Structures

Many events require complex solutions in order to accommodate them outdoors, such as temporary stage roofs and marquee structures. This module will introduce you to a range of common methods and techniques employed to facilitate outdoor events. You will look at the design and build of structures, how you manage their safe use with relation to site access, ground conditions and weather, and gain an understanding of Health & Safety (CDM) regulations relating to temporary structures.

5 Stage Engineering Toolbox

This module supports you in developing all those engineering skills required, from basic engineering principles to fault finding on electronic and electrical systems and an overview of hydraulics and mechanics. You will also study the use of AutoCAD for engineering projects.

6 Motion & Movement - Hardware & Control Systems

From theatre flying systems to motors, revolves and automation systems, live events utilise a range of machinery and techniques to bring movement to scenery, performers and environments. This module will introduce you to all the common techniques and machinery that are the building blocks of motion and movement systems on stage. You will understand the health & safety requirements of such systems, and will also look at the role of the operator in the safe use of motion control systems for live performance.

Year 1Stage Engineering & Automation*

FdSc UCAS code: To be confirmed // Duration: Two years BSc (Hons) UCAS Code: To be confirmed // Duration: Three years



4342

7Research for the Live Events Industry

It is essential that you are able to engage creatively and pro-actively with projects, and in order to do so you should appreciate the enormous range of clients and creative scenarios available to you. This module will require you to appraise a range of stage engineering scenarios and develop your evaluation of the processes and procedures involved. You will acquire skills and knowledge to undertake investigative research to underpin your study.

8Stage Engineering Advanced Core Skills

This module looks at a range of concepts relating to stage engineering advanced skills. You will be introduced to basic structural theory, understand the difference in the materials behaviour of aluminium and steel, and look at safety factors and regulations relating to stage engineering. You will also continue to develop your knowledge and understanding of a range of software to support your learning.

9Stage Construction Advanced Skills

Developing the core techniques and systems from year 1, this module looks at the practical aspects of stage construction. Working to a given brief you will research staging and scenic solutions that respond in a professional manner to the brief. You will consider the practical implications of your chosen stage and scenic response, and detail safe load-in, operation and load-out procedures along with consideration of testing and record keeping relating to components.

10Motion & Movement – Advanced Skills

Developing the core techniques and system from year 1, this module looks at the practical aspects of motion and movement integration in live performance. Working to a given brief, you will research solutions and specify systems that respond in a professional manner to the brief. You will look at the practical implications of the use of the system, and will detail operation and testing procedures to ensure safe use of the system with both performers and scenic elements.

11Industry Practice & Career Development

A major part of this module relates to the planning and implementation of a range of practical and work-based opportunities. From CV preparation and observing professional practice, compiling a portfolio of evidence and a reflective work placement diary to personal development planning and applying for a job, this module will equip you with the necessary skills to gain vital work placement and career opportunities in your chosen field of interest and expertise.

12Structural Planning for Stage Engineering

This module focuses on the conceptual design phase of an events project, based around the specification of staging, temporary structures, automation or movement solutions to an agreed scenario. Its purpose is to develop the quality of students’ engineering judgement made within cost, environmental and health and safety boundaries; also their skills in communication of stage engineering and their skills in self regulation.

13Motion Tracking for Stage Engineering

This module will encourage you to apply 3D skills from a range of industry standard software solutions to complex automation multi-dimensional plotting and pre-visualisation. You will understand basic geometry types, and create, record and edit complex motion solutions for the live events and entertainments industry. You will also reinforce your knowledge and application of safety considerations in the flying of performers in a live performance environment.


This module is designed to provide you with a vehicle to develop your prior and concurrent learning into practical work related skills. It is further designed to help you develop your own personal and project management skills in terms of time and working with others towards a final pre-set goal. The module will require you to complete a period of work placement and provide you with practical experience of working in the live events industry. The module will utilise the learning gained in the other modules studied and aid you to apply your learning into a real work based project, which you will develop and implement to the benefit of your work placement provider.

15Major Project

The module aims to provide you with an opportunity to undertake a programme of in-depth research and investigation on an agreed topic or area of relevance to the stage engineering and automation industry. This module will develop your capacity for independent work and original/critical thinking, together with transferable skills in problem definition, literature and information retrieval, development of methodology, collection and analysis of data, interpretation and drawing of conclusions.

Year 2

Year 3 BSc (Hons) only


Stage Engineering & Automation*


Admissions Criteria


Assessment




4544

Modules Credits

Year 1

1 Academic & Professional Skills for the Sports Event Industry 20

2 The Sports Event Industry 20

3 Sports Event - Impact & Legacy 20

4 Sports Event Management 20

5 Understanding Sporting Performance 20

6 Introduction to Sports Event Revenue & Finance 20

Year 2

7 Research Methods for Sports Event Studies 20

8 Impact, Legacy & Sustainability – Advanced 20

9 Sports Event – Commercial & Financial 20

10 Planning for Sports Event 20

11 Work Placement 40

Year 3 – BA (Hons) only

12 Sustainable Events Management 20

13 Strategic Marketing Management for Events 20

14 Major Sporting Event Logistics 20


16 Major Project (Dissertation) 40

While the focus of a sporting event is quite rightly on the field of play, track or course, and on the players and competitors, the success of any event is reliant on a professional team who ensure that everything runs smoothly. Using the same innovative approach as the Academy’s Live Events Production Degree, this course focuses very much on broad employability skills and giving you the relevant knowledge and experience to work in the sports event sector.

For people who are passionate about their sport and want to develop the skills, knowledge and experience to pursue a career in sports event management, this course will give you the opportunity to learn about all aspects of creating, organising, managing and delivering a successful sports event. The modules studied cover the whole process from inception, through sponsorship, to marketing and the operational delivery of the event itself, whether it is a small community engagement project or a high profile international event.

1Academic & Professional Skills for the Sports Event Industry

This module is designed to help you plan and develop improved strategies and techniques to support your studies, academically, professionally and personally. Throughout the duration of the module you will be developing essential academic and related learning skills for your programme of study, to support progression in a range of lifelong learning skills and to prepare you for the workplace and a career in the sports event industries. As a student you will develop academic learning in the form of a Personal Development Plan, which will commence at the start of your programme of study and continue throughout your whole course. This Personal Development Plan will relate to your professional practice, both academically and in the world of work, and involve career development planning throughout.

2The Sports Event Industry

This module will give you an overview of the sports event industry, from looking at the history and evolution of sports events, engaging with the spirit of the sport to understanding the importance of sports events. You will study a range of events (from local match days to international competitions and tournaments) so that you gain an appreciation of the scale and worth of the industry, together with how the structure of an event varies with the scale. This module will also introduce you to the range of organisations that support and develop sport nationally and globally including government bodies.

3 Sports Event - Impact & Legacy

Sports events can support and deliver a range of positive impacts to communities, from regeneration of communities and infrastructure, to tourism, social regeneration and aspirational motivation of young people and marginalised members of the community. This module will (through a series of case studies) demonstrate the social and economic impact of a number of different international events. You will also look at the negative impacts sports events can have on a community, including traffic congestion, large crowds, the possibility of crowd disorder and the environmental impact of spectator travels.

4 Sports Event Management

The planning of a sports event begins many months before participants prepare and the spectators arrive. Those involved with the technical aspects of events should have a full and proper understanding of the planning, licensing and permissions process that must be followed to help ensure a safe and successful event. They must also be capable of preparing site and venue surveys, budgets and commercial and community proposals. In this module you will explore these elements so that you have a broad understanding of what is involved in the safe planning of sports events and can contribute to the process. This module also addresses contextual issues around the nature of events, audiences and the marketing of events.

Year 15 Understanding Sporting Performance

In managing sports events, the role of the participant is pivotal in the success and commercial sustainability of the event, from ensuring a positive experience to understanding participants’ schedules, dealing with families and friends (MICE), the use of contracts, marketing and merchandising, incentives and bonuses in attracting participants. You will look at the issues based around participants’ drugs and alcohol consumption, and look at how participants prepare for their sports events, including measuring, developing and enhancing performance, and training, diet and exercise.

6 Introduction to Sports Event Revenue & Finance

This module enables you to understand the basic skills and processes that ensure a business can operate and succeed in a competitive environment. You will examine the setting of objectives (organisational and business objectives), to budgeting, cost control and monitoring, setting of income and expenditure targets. You will also look at the basics of risk management, sponsorship and other revenue.



8.5

4544

Sports Event Management*

FdA UCAS Code: To be confirmed // Duration: Two years BA (Hons) UCAS Code: To be confirmed // Duration: Three years

4746

7Research Methods for Sports Event Studies

This module introduces you to the theory and practice of research methods for sports event subject areas. With such a diverse range of events, competitions and tournaments, it is essential that you are able to engage with a broad range of sports based projects. This module will require you to appraise a range of sporting journeys, at community, local, regional, national and international levels. In this module you will acquire skills and knowledge to help you undertake investigative research to underpin your studies. This will encourage you to examine themes in further depth as an aid in producing ideas of your own. You will present your ideas in an academic context, underpinning your practical application of skills and knowledge. You will gain an understanding of intellectual enquiry of theoretical perspectives and movements.

8Impact, Legacy & Sustainability – Advanced

Building on the basic skills learnt in Yr 1 Impact & Legacy, this module develops your skills in order that you might measure impacts and evaluate event sustainability and legacies. You will look at the economic impacts of events using multiplier effects (direct/indirect and induced spending), input/output and cost benefit analysis. Environmental impacts details carbon offsetting, event travel, infrastructure

12Sustainable Events Management

This module examines how the concept of sustainable practices has risen in recent years and what impact this concept has for the design and staging of events. At the start of the module, the principles of sustainable practice are explored to develop understanding of the core concepts and tools for the implementation of sustainable practices at strategic level. The module content will include an outline of the need for sustainable event management. The roles of various event stakeholders will be evaluated to gain an understanding of how all those involved can work together to develop a more robust business model of good practice and operations in sustainable event planning and implementation. Tools and assessment practices for monitoring sustainable management and measuring the impact of events on host communities and the natural environment will be investigated and evaluated. In addition tourism destinations, new and in decline, will be investigated to evaluate how the events can be developed to provide a sustainable events industry for future generations.

13Strategic Marketing Management for Events

This module provides an understanding of the events industry’s strategic marketing process, building upon existing knowledge of basic marketing principles and theory. The module will explain how marketing opportunities and strategies are developed for organisations within the events industry

and the role strategic marketing plays in organisational development. The content of the module will investigate the marketing process in an events context. The role of marketing in strategic planning will be investigated and examples applied to case studies in the events industry. How the external environment affects the marketing operation of the industry and how market research can aid organisations to market their companies and events will be examined. Market segmentation, targeting and positioning of events within the industry will be explored. Contemporary theories will be used to demonstrate how events organisations develop their marketing mixes strategically. Finally trends in managing events industry marketing will be explored.

14Major Sporting Events Logistics

The purpose of this module is to bring together all your prior learning and apply this to the management of major events. You will be able to define a major event (for instance the World Cup or the Olympics), identify the media and socio-economic scales of major sporting events, and fully understand the phases involved in the bidding and delivery of a major event. You will study competitive bidding, identify and summarise resources and impacts, then deal with organising responsibilities during the event period. Finally you will demonstrate an understanding of the ‘post event’ period (immediate and legacy) especially in relation to urban regeneration.


This module is designed to provide students with a vehicle to develop prior and concurrent learning into practical work related skills. This module will use the learning gained from the previous three modules and place the learning into a realistic work based project. You will be encouraged to develop and implement a project to the benefit of your placement venue or company, demonstrating your stage management skills and abilities.

16Major Project (Dissertation)

The major project is your chance to demonstrate the extent of your achievement on the degree as a whole. Having identified a suitable topic that builds upon work undertaken thus far, you will justify in writing the nature and relevance of the topic, draw up a learning agreement that will specify precisely what form all the components of the submission will take and when it will be made, together with referencing research elements that inform or support your agreed project.

and event activities (including site clean up and education of visitors relating to environmental impact of sports events). You will also consider social impact (based upon Small’s Social Impact Model), and finally event sustainability based around BS8901 and the study of legacy impacts (both tangible and intangible).

9 Sports Event – Commercial & Financial

The sports event industry relies heavily upon commercial support from sponsors and stakeholders. It is essential that all employees within the industry understand commercial sales and the financial regulations and actions within the professional sports event industry. In addition there is an expectation that employees contribute to engaging and recruiting new sponsors and partners, evaluating partnerships and improving them through working in a collaborative manner. In this module you will analyse and assess the models of sponsorship. You will also be given an introduction to the financial regulations within the industry and other stakeholders regarding sponsorship. You will prepare business plans based upon the financial regulations attached to a chosen sports event, together with preparing packages for existing sponsors that are carefully thought out and work within the whole budget. This will be done with the support of industry professionals.

10 Planning for Sports Event

This module identifies the importance of a planning process for sports events, how to recognise short, medium and long term objectives and how to set benchmarks throughout the planning process. Consideration is given to setting your objectives and ‘designing’ a concept (including market research for competitors, scale of event, location and facilities required). You will also consider managing stakeholders, event scheduling, food and beverage/concessions and event logistics. At the completion of the module you will also be able to reflect and evaluate on the success of the sports event.

11 Work Placement

This 40-credit module prepares you for a range of work placement roles. Learning will include how to seek and secure employment, and further develop the skills required to work effectively in your chosen area. You will gain experience in the workplace where you can apply theoretical and practical knowledge gained in other modules on your programme and learn about the policies and practices of the work-based environment. You will pitch for work opportunities and communicate and collaborate with a range of industry partners. Demonstration of skills in a range of areas will be expected, as will the ability to communicate with clients and stakeholders and deal with members of the public, other students and work colleagues.

Year 2

Year 3


Sports Event Management*


Admissions Criteria


Assessment




4948

Masters Programme

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9

How to apply

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Diversity & student supportBackstage Academy is committed to equality of opportunity, and we encourage this opportunity regardless of age, race, gender, religious belief or sexual orientation. We welcome applications from disabled applicants or those with learning difficulties – please ensure that you disclose relevant information when completing your application in order that we might provide additional support during the interview process. We are particularly keen to encourage more women into the backstage industries, and also acknowledge that ethnic minorities are currently under-represented. We seek to engineer a diverse student body here at Backstage Academy that benefits both students and the industry as a whole. Here at Backstage, we have a range of learning and personal support that can help whilst you are studying with us. Please ensure that you discuss any requirements or help that you might require with your personal tutor.

Living CostsWe asked two of our graduates to add up their yearly expenditure whilst studying at Backstage Academy, one of whom lived at home for the duration and one of whom rented accommodation, this is what they said to expect:

FundingYou would normally be eligible for a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of fees, some of your living expenses may be funded by a student maintenance grant. If you have previously received funding to study at HE Level 4 or 5 then you will not be eligible for student finance, but may qualify for a career development loan. Full information can be found at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance.

Living at home with parentsMonthly outgoings 2013/2014:

• Rent (inc bills and food) £200 (£2,400 a year)

• Phone £32 (£384 a year)• Phone insurance £4.99 (£59.88 a year)• Eating out £50 (£600 a year)• Social activities £120 (£1,440 a year)• Travel £25 (£300 a year)• Other £40 (£480 a year)

Total per month £471.99Total per year £5,663.88

Renting accommodationMonthly outgoings 2013/2014:

• Rent (inc bills and food) £346 (£4,152 a year)

• Phone £32 (£384 a year)• Phone insurance £4.99 (£59.88 a year)• Eating out £196 (£2,352 a year)• Social activities £43 (£516 a year)• Travel £92 (£1,104 a year)• Household goods £25 (£300 a year)• Other £25 (£300 a year)

Total per month £763.99 Total per year £9,167.88

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Applications are normally made via UCAS (www.ucas.com). When completing your UCAS application please give special consideration to your personal statement, as this is the primary basis upon which we select applicants. Special consideration will be given to those without the necessary academic qualifications, but who are able to demonstrate relevant practical experience. We may additionally invite you to attend for an interview.

Our interview process is relaxed and informal; it’s your chance to tell us all about your experiences, ask any questions and for us to make sure the course is right for you. We try to make sure that current students are on hand to discuss their experience of the course with you.

For same year admission after the end of June please apply direct by contacting us at Backstage Academy on +44 (0)1977 659 880 or email [email protected]

EU & International Students

We welcome applications from EU residents (including EEA or Swiss nationals). If English is not your first language, then you will need IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. Depending upon your status you may be entitled to financial assistance with tuition fees and living expenses. We are currently unable to accept applications from international students.

Backstage Academy will be launching two exciting Masters programmes in January 2015 (subject to validation).

The MA Live Events Production is a one-year full-time course for those students who have completed a relevant HE6 level qualification.

The MA by learning contract is a two-year part-time course suitable for people with significant industry experience, who would wish to continue working whilst studying, and who are looking to enhance and develop their careers further. It’s a bespoke Masters course allowing us to draw up a learning contract tailored specifically for you.

Please contact us for more information regarding our Masters programmes.

www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

http://www.ucas.com

mailto:ria.forsyth%40backstage-academy.co.uk?subject=Prospectus%202015/2016

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The Open Days are for people interested in applying for any of our degree courses. During the Open Day you will be able to:

• Take a tour of the facilities• Talk to a member of staff about course content• Talk to a current student about what it’s like to study here • Ask any questions about accommodation, UCAS, Student Finance

or anything else you would like to know.

We have different Open Days depending on when you would like to come and study and which course it is you are interested in. Sometimes an informal interview is included at the end of the Open Day to help the application process of same year entry.

Please see the website for available dates www.backstage-academy.co.uk/OpenDays

13 Open Days

It really is worth coming to have a look round, the facilities are amazing and you really can’t get an idea of the scale of the arena until you actually see it!

CHLOE MEE, STUDENT

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12 Visiting usAddresses BACKSTAGE ACADEMY® – LS-Live Unit 53, Langthwaite Business Park, Lidgate Crescent, South Kirkby, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF9 3NR, ENGLAND

BACKSTAGE ACADEMY® – Unity Hall Unity Works, Westgate, Wakefield, WF1 1EP

BACKSTAGE ACADEMY® – Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Stadium Belle Vue, Doncaster Road, Wakefield, WF1 5EY

AirportsRobin Hood Airport, Doncaster 40 mins Leeds Bradford Airport 1 hour Manchester Airport 1.5 hours London Airports 3 hours

TrainsMoorthorpe/South Elmsall For Backstage Academy – LS-LiveWakefield Westgate For Backstage Academy – Unity HallSandal & Agbrigg For Backstage Academy – Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Stadium

Find us on:

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Find pictures, events and more on our facebook page, Facebook.com/backstageacademy

Search companies for ‘Backstage Academy’

We’d love to hear from you, tweet us @BackstageAcad

Get the latest news via our Backstage Bites e-newsletter. Sign up via our homepage www.backstage-academy.co.uk

http://www.backstage-academy.co.uk/OpenDays

http://www.backstage-academy.co.uk

BACKSTAGE ACADEMY®

Unit 53, Langthwaite Business Park, Lidgate Crescent, South Kirkby, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF9 3NR, England

T +44 (0) 1977 659 880 E [email protected] W www.backstage-academy.co.uk

Backstage Academy understands what employers in the industry are looking for; graduates that come with core skills, relevant experience, basic industry knowledge and the right attitude.

JOHN JONES, MANAGING DIRECTOR, LIFT TURN MOVE

mailto:enquiries%40backstage-academy.co.uk?subject=Prospectus%202015/2016

http://www.backstage-academy.co.uk

with thanks to the following whose images feature … 3? cover photo courtesy of niklas ahlberg,...

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