Industry Week 2022 continued on day two, with some brilliant guests. Take a look at some of the highlights below!
Laura Rankin – Video Editor & Motion Designer
Having already been part of the NTU Employability team’s “Working on It” podcast on Monday, Laura returned to Confetti for a session dedicated to content creation. She talked about her experience in editing and animation, having created content for a range of channels from YouTube, to video game trailers, apps and adverts for TV. Laura’s talk was full of interesting work examples shown on screen, 3rd year BSc Film Production Technology student, Jura Trimonyte, found the talk really insightful, she said:
“It was really interesting to see the designs she created for the Harry Potter “Wizarding World” website and app. She showed us some exclusive footage that you can’t see online. I loved how interactive the session was, she’s very professional and talented. I liked that she incorporated lots of video examples to illustrate her talk, this is my favourite Industry Week event yet!”
Michael Wilde – VFX Artist
Michael treated us to lots of useful advice and tips on how to make it in the VFX industry. Michael’s been working in the industry for 10 years and has worked for many different companies. He explained how he was first inspired to pursue a career in VFX after watching a Shrek Christmas film, having been blown away by the way the characters moved through the snow and the footprints they left. Michael went on to describe further influences not just in film but in video games, like Final Fantasy 3D, which spurred him on to study 3D animation at university. He gave insights into his transition from university to his first job working as a “digital hairdresser” for 3D animated, furry creatures. Michael took students through some visual examples of CGI and feature animation, including some from his own impressive body of work (Fantastic Beasts, Detective Pikachu and Dune). Michael opened up about the level of hard work and dedication it took for him to complete his degree, and how it inspired in him a lifelong passion for learning and set him up for what came next:
“It takes a lot of self-motivation to get through a 3D course, but it’s worth it. At university you have all this extra time to take in as much knowledge as you can, you’ll never get that time again, make sure you take advantage of every opportunity and make connections. Mine got me my first job and it’s something I’ve been able to leverage ever since.” – Michael Wilde
Sumo Digital – Audio in Games
In this online session, composer, Ross Tregenza, audio director and composer, Jay Waters, music maker and sound designer, Dextor Prior, and our very own Games Curriculum Lead, Dan Doughty, discussed writing music for video games. They provided insights on the different disciplines in sound design, from composers to sound designers, what they involve, how they differ, the spectrum of opportunities available, and the important relationship between animation and music in games. Sumo also spoke about free and low cost tools that anyone can use starting out and what they consider to be their biggest priority when recruiting new team members: “It’s the people that you know you can trust that you end up hiring… being reliable and submitting things on time are really important qualities in the industry and no one teaches you that.”
Anna Meredith – Composer, Producer and Performer
The musical genius and 6 Music favourite delivered a standout session on day 2 where she explored her career to date, her composition processes and how she takes her show on the road. Anna shared in-depth screenshots on-screen with students demonstrating how she approaches her writing, and the routine steps she takes: “I use the same approach whatever I’m doing, whether it’s a remix, a song for my band, or writing for orchestra. The pacing and the feel is the most important thing in my writing.” Anna’s music has been performed everywhere from the BBC Last Night of the Proms to PRADA, Chloe & Fendi fashion campaigns, Apple adverts, films, TV shows, installations and documentaries, the list goes on. She’s a great female role model for our students and we were delighted to receive her session on International Women’s Day.
Confetti Fighters Championship
Confetti Fighters Championship took place from 4 – 10pm in Metronome, it was a celebration of the most popular and greatest fighting video games of all time. Our Esports Production students were hard at work setting up in Metronome from midday. The atrium was transformed into an arcade with modern consoles set up to play FIFA and Rocket League, there were also some cool Raspberry PIs set-up for students to play over 25 retro games like Tekken and Super Smash Bros. There was also a VR experience, some handheld games consoles, and a selection of tabletop games available to play in the Venue bar. From 5pm onwards, students made there way to the Venue for a Street Fighter V esports battle royale. Students competed against one another in front of a live audience, in-person and online, to be crowned the Confetti Fighter’s Champion and secure a £100 voucher. The tournament was a full esports production with lots of our Esports Production students providing vital events management and broadcast production support. The level of professionalism shown was incredible and, above all, it was just so much fun! Well done to our Confetti esports squad.
Linda Perry – Producer & Songwriter
Linda Perry’s session was full of inspiring anecdotes and stories. She took us on a whistle stop tour of her career working with a range of phenomenal female artists, including Pink, Christina Aguilera and Adele! Not one to be put in a box, Linda told us about her latest projects including a film she’s working on called “The Luckiest Girl Alive” starring Mila Kunis and produced by the same director as the The Handmaid’s Tale.
Honesty and integrity were key themes that came across within Linda’s masterclass, having fallen in love with music at an early age and largely self-taught, Linda’s advice is so simple and yet so powerful:
“Honesty is the number one ingredient in the industry.
“Think about the creative before money and influence.
“Lyric writing is a vulnerable place to be. When you pick up your instrument of choice, let it show up… go with the flow and add lib. It’s in the moments of vulnerability where writing happens with open communication with yourself, your instrument and your voice.”
Having reached a level of success few others could dream of, Linda is soon launching a new business aimed at aiding more women in the industry. What a fantastic note to end on, on International Women’s Day.
Are you interested in attending events like Industry Week as part of your studies? Book onto an open day to find out more about our offer at Confetti.
