Designs for Life in Conjunction with Cardiff Music Festival & ArtsConnect Present

Musical Theatre Panel and Q&A

Date: Wednesday 27th March

Venue: Muni Arts Centre Pontypridd

Time: 6pm – 7.30pm

Free Entry: Registration Required:

Guest Panelists Include:

Mal Pope: Presenter, Musician and Composer.

Sophie Evans: West End Star, Singer and Actress.

Steve Balsamo: West End Star, Singer, Actor, Musician and Composer.

Guy O’Donnell: Arts Development Officer, Theatre Critics Awards, ArtsConnect

Dave Mahoney – Artist Manager, Artistic Director and member of Only Men Aloud.

Join us for this special Musical Theatre event where performers, producers and theatre critics will discuss their experiences working in musical theatre and their own personal career paths, whilst answering audience questions and giving advice to those interested in starting or progressing a career in the industry.

Guests:

Mal Pope

Mal Pope is a broadcaster, Writer, Producer and one of Wales leading Directors in Musical Theatre. His career spans many years in Television, Radio and Theatre. Mal is responsible for producing Cappuccino Girls which is the longest running musical outside of the West End, his other credits include a Musical on the life of Tommy Farr called The Contender. Mal is also a popular host on BBC Radio Wales.

Sophie Evans

Sophie Evans rose to fame through Andrew Lloyd Webbers search for Dorthy in the BBC TV Series Over the Rainbow, going on to perform as Dorothy at The London Palladium. So far in her short but busy career Sophie has been the subject of a ITV Wales Documentary, had her own BBC Christmas TV show, performed at the Olivier Awards, concerts, theatres, stadiums, and made numerous television appearances and radio appearances. Sophie is also due to star in her first feature film ‘The Worlds End’ alongside Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Martin Freeman in summer 2013.

Steve Balsamo

Steve Balsamo is a singer-songwriter from Swansea. After years of learning the ropes in local rock bands, he shot to prominence in 1997 after playing Jesus to great critical acclaim in the West End revival of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’. After winning a Variety Club Award for the role, Steve decided to return to his first love – writing and performing his own music – and signed to Columbia Records soon after. In 2002 Steve released his debut album – All I Am – which reached the top 40 in the UK. He then went on to win Best Male Solo Artist at The Welsh Music Awards the same year.

Guy O’Donnell

Guy O’Donnell is an accomplished Theatre Designer and one of the founders of the Theatre Critic Awards. Guy is also a well known Arts Development Officer for Bridgend Council, and is part of the Arts Connect Network.

David Mahoney

David Mahoney is the founder and Artistic Director of the Cardiff Music Festival, a member of Classical Brit Award winning group Only Men Aloud, founder of the Novello Orchestra and an artist manager representing the likes of Connie Fisher, Lucie Jones and Shane Williams. He has also produced television programmes including the ‘Jonathan and Charlotte’ documentary for ITV1, has developed ideas for BBC’s ‘Songs of Praise’, and worked on projects with Dame Shirley Bassey and composer Karl Jenkins.

The Designs for Life Programme and Soundtrack International Film & Music Festival present a day focusing on Music Video, including an industry panel discussion, screenings and ‘in conversation’ with an established filmmaker, and a practical music video workshop.

This event is open to those resident in Rhondda Cynon Taf with an interest in learning more about creating music videos.

To book your place email Simon Griffiths: simon.griffiths@rctcbc.gov.uk

The day is made up of 3 different sessions

12:00-13:00 ‘Sound on Screen: Exploring Music Videos’ Place in a Digital Landscape’

A panel session that shines a light on the role of video content for music in the digital world.

14:00-15:00 Vincent Moon presents ‘Petites Planètes’

Parisian filmmaker credited with ‘reinventing the music video’ by the New York Times presents extracts from his latest project.

15:00-18:00 Music Video Practical Workshop

Led by Media Education Wales and experienced music video producers, learn about concepts, location scouting,  live performance capture, editing and everything else you need to know to start making music videos.

The Designs for Life Programme is made up of a series of events to raise awareness of the Creative and Cultural Industries sector as a career pathway to residents of Rhondda Cynon Taf, focusing on the routes into the Music, Film, TV and Fashion industries.

Here are some photo’s.

Caroline O'Neill of Rhondda Cynon Taf's Arts Development Team introduces the session.

The Panelists: (from left to right) Gareth Lawrence (Tha Blackout), Romesh Dodangoda (Longwave Studios), John Davies (The Factory), Matt Lissack (Capital FM) and John Rostron (Swn Festival).

The Audience

It wasn't too long before the first questions were fired at the guests.

J'accuse!

Star of the Show? Gareth Lawrence of The Blackout discusses "chasing your dreams" v's "smalltown mentality."

Who said these things can't be both fun and informative?

Doing It Yourself: Music Industry Panel

Free Entry

Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd

Friday 30th March 2012

5.30 – 7.00pm

To coincide with BBC Wales Music Day, the Designs for Life Programme presents this free 90 minute seminar which will focus on the Do It Yourself route to working in the music industry, featuring a panel of professional musicians, producers, broadcasters and promoters, discussing their routes in to the industry and giving practical tips and advice on how to do the same.

Already confirmed for the panel are

• Gareth Lawrence: Drummer with The Blackout
  

• Romesh Dodangoda: Record Producer (Lostprophets, Motorhead, Bullet For My Valentine)

• Matt Lissack: Radio DJ at Capital FM

• John Rostron: Promoter of Swn Festival

More guests will be confirmed soon. Spaces at this event are strictly limited, so registration is a must. To book your place at this free event, email us via our Contact Page

This panel will form part of the Designs for Life Programme, a creative and cultural industries programme run by the Rhondda Cynon Taf Cultural Services Arts Development Team.

The Designs for Life Programme is made up of a series of events to raise awareness of the Creative and Cultural Industries sector as a career pathway to those aged 16+ within Rhondda Cynon Taf, focusing on the routes into the Music, Film, TV and Fashion industries. More info can be found at www.designsforlifeprogramme.com

Wednesday 7^th of March 2012: 11.00am – 12.30pm

Coleg Morgannwg (Nantgarw Campus): Heol yr Odyn, Parc Nantgarw, Cardiff, CF15 7QX

‘Designs for Life’, the creative and cultural industries programme run by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council’s Cultural Service Department, which aims to highlight the pathways in to the creative industries for those 16+ in RCT, will hold its next event ‘Futures in Fashion’, on the 7^th of March 2012.

Taking place at the Coleg Morgannwg Nantgarw Campus, this free seminar is aimed at those who wish to learn about the various jobs in the Fashion Industry, and will hear from a panel of industry guests who will talk about their own personal routes in to the industry.

One special guest set to take part in the event is Welsh fashion designer Jayne Pierson, who has previously worked with Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and has just presented her fifth signature collection at London Fashion Week. Cited as a ‘New Talent’ by Vogue Italia in both 2009 and 2010, Pierson, who graduated from the University of Glamorgan, has been commissioned by the likes of Platinum selling artists La Roux and Florence and The Machine, and is considered a rising star of British fashion. www.jaynepierson.co.uk

Other Guest confirmed to take part so far include

• Tracy Pritchard: Head of Fashion and Retail at Atrium (Cardiff School of Creative & Cultural Industries)
• Gwyneth Moore: Editor of www.cardifffashion.com
• Nicola Smart: Head Designer for the Brand ‘Bedroom Athletics’

There are a limited number of spaces available at this event. To book a place get in touch via our Contacts Page.

Are you interested in a career in the TV or Film industries? The Designs for Life Programme, in association with Zoom Cymru and Skillset Media Academy Wales, present ‘Creative Careers: TV & Film in Wales’ seminar at The Factory (formally The Pop Factory), Porth, on Saturday 19^th November.

Part of the Soundtrack International Film and Music Festival 2011, a guest panel of TV and Film professionals will discuss their career paths and the routes open to a career in the TV & Film industries in Wales, as well as answering your questions.

Guest will include Elizabeth Morgan Hemlock, Oscar shortlisted and BAFTA nominated Producer for Arturi Films; Rob Light, Producer for Orchard Media and Adrian Jones, Director for the Boomerang Group.

The morning seminar will be followed by a special ‘Image to Sound Workshop’, delivered by Media Education Wales.

Both sessions are free to attend, but participants must register for places by emailing Register@soundtrackfilmfestival.com.  Places on the ‘Image to Sound Workshop’ are strictly limited, so register early.

The Designs for Life Programme is a series of events that explores the pathways open to those who wish to pursue a career in the Creative Industries, focusing on Music, TV, Film and Fashion. The programme is run by Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council’s Cultural Services and more info on the Designs for Life Programme can be found at www.designsforlifeprogramme.com

Are you interested in a career in the TV or Film industries? The Designs for Life Programme, in association with Zoom Cymru and Skillset Media Academy Wales, will hold ‘Which Way In? TV and Film in Wales Seminar’ at the Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd, on Saturday March 5th. A guest panel of TV and Film professionals will discuss their career paths and the routes open to a career in the TV and Film industries in Wales, as well as answering your questions.

The morning seminar will be followed by a special ‘Introduction to Filmmaking Workshop’ in the afternoon. Both sessions are free to attend, but participants must register for places by emailing carlina@thinkorchard.com. Places on the Introduction to ‘Filmmaking Workshop’ are strictly limited, so register early.

The DFL Programme is a series of events that explores the pathways open to those who wish to pursue a career in the Creative Industries, focusing on Music, TV, Film and Fashion. The programme is run by Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council’s Cultural Services.

This event is part of Zoom Cymru: Wales’ International Young Peoples Film Festival, which takes place at various venues across the South East Wales region, and visits Rhondda Cynon Taff on March 9th 2011. More info can be found at www.zoomcymru.com

Are you interested in pursuing a career in the creative industries? Not sure how to break in to the worlds of Film, TV, Music, Dance, Theatre and Fashion?

Well why not come along to the Designs for Life Creative and Cultural Industries Careers Fair at The Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd on Tuesday 5th of October, and speak to creative organisations, education providers and career advisers about the best pathways available to you. The event is completely free and there’s no need to book a place, just turn up and get the advice that you need to make a start on the path to a future in the creative industries.