Creative Industries News #5 📰
Welcome back to ERIC's Creative Industries News series! There's been lots of news stories surrounding the Creative Industries in January, so of course we're going to give you the rundown👇
1) Spotify cuts roles, being latest tech company to reduce staff numbers It seems as if the tech companies are cutting down staff in tandem, with this announcement coming just after cuts from big names Microsoft and Alphabet. The Swedish music-streaming giant says it will cut 6% of its about 10,000 employees. Boss Daniel Ek took the responsibility on his shoulders saying "In hindsight, I was too ambitious in investing ahead of our revenue growth,".
Check out more on that story here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-64374583
2) The King's Theatre in Edinburgh in last plea for funding The King's Theatre in Edinburgh had some lofty refurbishment plans, with £26m of funding already secured. However, after losing the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund application, the reasons for a funding gap of £8.9m are now being cited as due to 'inflation and changing trade agreements'. Capital Theatres, the charity who run the theatre, said that if the funding wasn't secured, it couldn't continue with the redevelopment, and would have to hand the keys back to the council, who own the building.
Read more on this story here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-64373378
3) A new venue has opened up in London
Southwark Playhouse Elephant is the latest theatre to open in London, with a 310-seat capacity. The venue is sister to Southwark Playhouse Borough, and is the result of an idea first thought in 2006.
Some of its first shows took place on the 26th January, in which attendees could see Bermondsey Revolution. It's next show to be featured is The Walworth Farce which will open on 17th February.
Find out more about this fresh London face here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-64347357
4) Harlow in Essex to get a refresh thanks to £20m funding
Harlow is set to welcome a new arts and cultural quarter thanks to an influx of funding from the government.
The money is planned to go towards a new music school, music venue and art gallery at College Square in Harlow, alongside funding upgrades to Harlow Playhouse, a new bar and cafe and new residential apartments.
Live near Harlow? Find out what's in store here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-64325113
5) Channel 4 launches 4skills work experience programme and expands 4schools
The channel have reinforced their commitment to supporting young people in exploring and getting into broadcast and TV careers with a new work experience programme and an expansion of its successful 4Schools project.
The work experience programme will take place online and will help young people match their skills to a potential career in the creative industries.
Aimed at people aged 16 and above, it covers some of the most important steps a TV show takes on its way to our screen – from initial idea to securing a sponsor, to deciding when a programme should be broadcast and analysing its success.
Whereas the existing 4Schools programme which is aimed at inspiring school students to consider a career in the media industry is hoping to be extended to reach more young people and schools than ever before.
The 4Schools’ programmes include workshops, online exercises and talks with industry insiders and current Channel 4 employees on how to set about securing a successful creative career.
Find out more on this great development here - https://www.fenews.co.uk/resources/channel-4-launches-4skills-work-experience-and-expands-4schools-to-help-students-and-young-people-discover-their-creative-career/
Holly Turner - Team Assistant at BBC Introducing
Hey! My name is Holly Turner and I am a Team Assistant at BBC Introducing in the South West! I am also a MA Film Production student at the University of Lincoln. Previously I was the team assistant at BBC Introducing in Lincolnshire but due to my university work left that job to have more time for my assignments. I have also been a student radio presenter for 3 years and a student radio station manager for a year. I have also previously owned a graphic design and media service company and produced a podcast called ‘Industry Wannabes’.
It took me a while to whittle down the many pieces of advice I’ve been given in my career so far, but I think I’ve taken the five most powerful snippets of advice that changed the way I approach my work currently.
Always say yes
If anyone ever asks me for advice this is the one piece I will always say. This piece of advice has gotten me to where I am today. At the time I was a student radio presenter and my student station manager told me to take any opportunity I am offered, and to ‘Always say yes.’ Now, this is to be taken with a piece of salt, creative burnout is real and looking after your mental health is crucial - but if you feel like you can take on an opportunity given to you - take it. I was offered the role of student station manager and I almost said no.
I was worried about my final year workload and how doing this role would affect that, but saying yes to that offer granted me my first job at the BBC, as I was recommended by someone else at the student station for that job. Sometimes these opportunities you might be afraid of doing or you might even believe they offer no benefits, can sometimes be the one thing you need to get into your career. So if anyone asks for advice, I always tell someone - if you have mental and physical space to do it, do it. After the crazy run of luck I’ve had throughout my career, even if my head says no, I remind myself of this piece of advice - and so far it hasn’t gone badly!
If you don’t get it right the first time, try again.
Something that was a humbling moment for me when I first entered my career was the number of times I got things wrong. One of my colleagues from my previous job told me ‘Id rather you get it wrong and learn from it, than not know anything at all’. This is something that I am still reminding myself of. I am one of the biggest people pleasers you will meet and hearing I’ve done a mistake is soul-crushing. However, with a recent change of mindset, I see failure as a chance to learn. I have learnt that the time I spend punishing myself for a small mistake could be spent bettering myself.
This change of mindset has made me realise how much of my life I have wasted by self-depreciation when I could’ve spent that time learning and progressing as a human being. When I ran my student radio station for a year when I trained future presenters, I told them - if there is a place to make mistakes it is here, this is a place to learn and to flourish your interest in radio. A mistake doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. After all, we are all human and it is impossible to never make a mistake! Just take it as a chance to learn and grow!
Network, Network, Network.
I remember my lecturer telling me once ‘If there’s one thing I want you to do, set up a LinkedIn’ I didn’t quite understand why, but now I do. The amount of opportunities I have made by collaborating with people I made connections with online and in person is mind-blowing. I used to think ‘pft, there is no way this random person will collaborate with me eventually’ but in the end we did. I also like to look at it this way: the creative industry is an expansive place, and the chance to move around and try different media practices is there.
The more people you make a connection with the more chance they know someone who is hiring or they themselves are looking for someone. A lot of my opportunities have come from personal recommendations, so networking can sometimes be a real advantage in your career and not something to shrug off!
Passion is everything.
One thing I didn’t understand when embarking on my career is how crucial passion is to a project. I didn’t believe it when people told me it is obvious when a piece of work is made without passion. But after honing my craft in my undergraduate degree and now in my master’s, I can see right through a piece of work that doesn’t have passion. I have had a few assignments I didn’t enjoy as much and my grades reflected which modules I enjoyed and which I didn’t.
In my personal experience - your best work comes from those you feel passionate about. So find out what inspires you and try to work towards that. Sometimes, I feel like I have manifested my job at Introducing as supporting local artists is truly my passion. I haven’t woken up for a shift yet where I haven’t been excited to get right into my work! It still amazes me to this day that after doing some jobs that were so unmotivating it physically hurt, that now I’ve joined the creative industry I work for something I love and get paid for it!
It’s OK to relax and take a break.
I am a true work lover, I never used to switch off. I always had work going around my brain 24/7 to the point where I struggled to sleep, as I was that busy thinking about what to do next. But what I didn’t start actively practising until recently was realising when I had hit my burnout. I am a firm believer in allowing your creative mind and mental health to have a break every day (if possible). I used to work all night without stopping on assignments, but I would find when I came back to my work after falling asleep that I would delete 75% of the work I had done. This was because I pushed myself too far so I lost the standard I had whilst I could function well.
I actively force myself to leave my room or even just go on TikTok for 15-30 minutes or even the whole evening, as I have found my productivity levels have grown exponentially, after realising taking a break is more beneficial than forcing myself to work. I still struggle with this and the guilt of taking a break whilst working - but in the long run, I finish my project faster and to a higher standard. So if you are like me and feel guilty for taking a break, then just remind yourself, you deserve it!
As a concluding note - just believe in yourself, I didn’t at first! I never scored highly in my classes but now I have started telling myself I can do it, my work standard has grown and my grades have gotten higher.
You are capable and you can do it, the only person stopping you from achieving your dream is you! I have learnt that now!
What are the highest paying creative jobs?💸
The United Kingdom's Creative Industries are some of the most rapidly growing sectors. They include a wide range of activities such as film, music, design, and digital media. A career in the creative industries can be incredibly rewarding and lucrative.
So what roles offer the highest salaries within this sector? Let’s take a look.
The top dogs🐶
Film & Television Producers
Producers are responsible for overseeing all aspects of creating films and TV programmes. This includes managing budgets, making sure that filming is completed on time and to budget, and ensuring that all safety regulations are met. Producers can earn up to £200,000 a year for their services.
Music Executives
The music industry has always been an attractive career option for many people - especially those who love music! Music executives are responsible for discovering new talent and signing them to record labels or management companies. Music execs can earn up to £150,000 a year depending on their experience and success rate with signing artists/bands.
Designers & Art Directors
Designers come in many forms – from graphic designers to fashion designers – but all have one thing in common: they create beautiful visuals! Designer salaries vary widely depending on their specialism, but art directors (who oversee projects) can earn up to £120,000 per year.
Digital Media Specialists
The Digital Media sector is one of the fastest-growing areas within the Creative Industries thanks to its ever-evolving technology. Digital media specialists are responsible for creating content specifically designed for digital platforms such as websites or social media accounts. They can earn up to £90,000 per year depending on their experience and skill set.
The middle dogs🐶
Advertising & PR Executives
As an advertising executive, your job is to get clients noticed through various marketing campaigns. You must understand consumer behavior and how to create content that resonates with customers. An advertising executive earns around £50k per year on average, but with experience, you could earn upwards of £60k or even more. Public relations executives serve as spokespeople for their client's brand—so it's their job to protect and enhance a company's reputation. PR executives can expect an average salary of £35-40K annually but can earn more depending on the size of their organization and experience level.
Video Game Programmers
Video game programmers write code that allows video games to run smoothly on different platforms such as PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. They also develop new features and add improvements over time as well as troubleshoot existing issues within games. Video game programmers typically earn between £30–45K per year depending on experience level and employer size. With time, they could potentially earn up to £75K annually.
Game Designers
Game designers are responsible for crafting engaging stories that players can explore while playing video games. They must combine art, music, programming, sound design, and other elements into a cohesive gaming experience that players will enjoy from start to finish. Game designers usually make around £30–45K per year on average but experienced game designers can earn up to £60K or more annually depending on their individual skillset and employer size.
The Creative Industries offer many exciting opportunities for anyone looking for a highly rewarding career path with potential high wages too!
Whether it’s producing films or discovering new talent in music, there is something out there for everyone who wants to pursue a career in this sector – no matter what your specialism may be! Plus with so much growth happening within this sector right now – there has never been a better time than now to get involved!
Creative Industries News #4📰
Welcome back to the second Creative Industries News of 2023! There has been some really interesting things happening throughout the industries in the last couple weeks, and we're going to catch you up on all on all of it.
1) Newcastle based Arcus Studios has sealed a large investment to help boost client work
The £150,000 investment will come from the North of Tyne Culture and Creative Investment Programme, and Arcus says it will use the injection of investment to 'aid cashflow stability, staff team expansion, and value addition through enhanced financial governance'.
Michael Gandham, the co-director and creative producer of Arcus Studios Ltd said: “We’re really excited about the opportunity that this loan offers for Arcus Studios to reach its potential. It will enable us to hone our sales and marketing skills and employ the right talent to allow us to expand and diversify our offer and well as ease capacity issues within the core team"
Check out more on this story here
2) UCAS are ditching personal statements for entry into university
In a huge move by the admissions service, personal statements will no longer be the entry requirement for applying to universities. The change was made due to claims that personal statements favour middle-class students who may have better access to “high-quality advice and guidance”, (according to UCAS).
The essay will be replaced by a series of questions regarding the course that the applicant is submitting for.
The changes are said to be implemented beginning with those students applying for 2025 studies onwards.
Read more on this change here
3) Middlesbrough based vinyl plant 'Press On Vinyl' are doubling their capacity
The vinyl plant which opened in early 2022 is planning on increasing their capacity thanks to a successful first year in business.
Co-Founder David Todd said 'the continued resurgence of vinyl records was due to factors including collectability for fans and profit margins for labels'.
If you want to hear more about Press On Vinyl, click here
4) There are currently no women nominated for 'Artist of the Year 2023' at the Brit Awards
This has been a controversial news piece recently, with artists and fans across the UK hitting out at the BRIT awards for their lack of female nominations for the 'Artist of the Year 2023' award.
After an attempt to be more inclusive by removing best male and female categories in 2022, this is a blow for fans who were hoping for female artists to be empowered rather than overlooked in 2023.
Read this statement from Loud LDN about the story.
5) The gaming industry beat out Film, TV & Music for top sales in 2022
The gaming accounted for a whopping £4.7bn of sales in the UK in 2022, with digital sales accounting for almost nine out of every 10 video games sold. Only 10.5% of sales were actual physical copies.
Consumers are now much more likely to download games through their console or computer rather than waiting for a delivery or head to the shops.
Read more about the gaming industry in 2022 here
Keep up to date with all of the Creative Industries news right here - #5 coming 3rd Feb!
The hot tea on Creativity with Phe☕️ Episode 2: Is Gen Z ready to ditch the office?
Are physical workplaces sliding down Gen Z’s list of requirements when looking for potential jobs?
The absence of physical workplaces over the pandemic coupled with Gen Z’s seamless understanding of technology has encouraged this generation of workers to look for jobs with flexibility of in person/ remote working.
For Gen Z, it’s not necessarily about having a fully remote job, but having flexibility and choice with working from home or in the office.
Reports published by various institutions show different findings when it comes to what Gen Z prefer regarding the workplace. Workforce solutions company Aquent found that “77% of 18- to 24-year-olds are worried that remote work restricts their career progression”. Whereas, a November report by the Policy Institute at King’s College found that “Gen Zers… believed remote working had benefits that could help their career progression”.
While there is no right or wrong answer to cater to the differing opinions Gen Z has on the physical workplace, the availability of choice appears to be the best option for this generation to thrive.
Even though reports from different institutions highlight that choice around in person/ remote working is best for Gen Z, this flexibility has been met with criticism.
When Gen Z enter the world of work, they, like any age group, consider many factors. Transitioning from university, apprenticeships, school/ college etc to a full-time role can be a shock to the system, so a good work/life balance is often at the top of the list for this generation. It is not laziness or lack of commitment to a job that makes Gen Z value flexibility, but having a good work/ life balance creates a happier and better employee. This balance can be created in many ways, but flexibility to choose where you best thrive enables a better balance.
However, is it all about work/ life balance or is there more to consider?
What is clear is that Gen Z prefer being given the space to choose, but will choice stunt their career growth?
The lack of in person communication in remote/ hybrid work can be argued to have a negative impact on career growth. The loss of daily face-to-face conversation may reduce chances to make connection, leading to less development opportunities. However, Professor Bobby Duffy, director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London argues that “our study shows that younger workers don’t share these concerns to the same extent as older workers”. Growing up in the digital age has enabled Gen Z to make meaningful connections online and this same knowledge can be applied to the remote/ hybrid workspace.
A virtual workplace also allows this generation of workers to use technology to “flatten hierarchies to allow them to ask questions, put themselves forward and build connections” (King’s College Policy Institute) due to Gen Z’s comfort in digital spaces.
Flexibility and giving Gen Z choice with the workplace might not be something many employers have considered. However, as no one size fits all, employers must review their work policy to reflect the wants and needs of the Gen Z employees to provide an environment where they can thrive.
SOURCE:
https://www.worklife.news/spaces/in-office-or-remote-work-which-do-gen-zers-really-prefer-for-career-progression/
Dan Sheed - Event Manager & Founder
My career journey to working in the music industry (being in charge of organising gigs at two music venues) began by following one of my biggest passions and obsessions - discovering new music.
After witnessing the much deserved posthumous recognition that Viola Beach got for their music, it triggered a desire to set up a music blog to share artists that I felt deserved to be heard.
A few months later, my blog Turtle Tempo was being noticed and I was offered an opportunity to organise my own gig which was insane and an experience that was the catalyst for my career today in working in live music - it lit a flame inside to keep on following my passion, I decided to keep on putting on my shows in music venues across London because it was just so much fun putting gigs on with the artists that I liked and selfishly wanted to see live anyway!
Eventually, it all came full circle and I became in charge of events at the pub where it all started for me. For the most part, the artists I book shows with are playing some of their first gigs which makes it even more special witnessing their growth, going on to big things and performing to rooms full of people who are all brought together, united by the magic of live music.
I had absolutely no idea how the music event industry worked and like a lot of people working in music - I was learning on the job, making mistakes, but most importantly not being afraid to mess up, and always learning!
It’s so important to do what you love and makes you feel happy, I never knew where it would lead to and I’m grateful to be doing something that is bringing people together and making a difference!⚡️
National Videography Day
Today is National Videography Day! Celebrated every year on the 25th January this day is used to celebrate all forms of videography from films and music videos to documentaries and short films. Whether you are a professional videographer or just a beginner, this is the perfect time to learn about the art of videography and create something amazing!
What is Videography? Videography is the art of capturing moving images on film or video. It is one of the most popular mediums used in media today. From major Hollywood films to independent shorts, there are countless stories that have been told through video. Professional videographers use their skills to capture beautiful shots, tell stories, and capture important moments on camera.
Tips for Beginners
If you’re just getting started in videography, here are some tips on how you could get started:
1. Start with simple shots and progress to more complicated ones
2. Keep your videos short - people don't have a lot of time to watch them
3. Use a tripod or some other type of stabilizer for smooth shots
4. Add music for extra effect
5. Experiment with different camera angles and speeds
6. Edit your videos using a software program like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro
To help with these, make sure you take the time to familiarise yourself with equipment like cameras, tripods, lenses, lights, microphones and other gear used in video production. You can also practice shooting in different settings so you can learn how to adapt your skills for different projects.
Using ERIC, you can also find some workshops or opportunities to upskill which will hone your skills even further.
Inspirational Videographers to check out
If you're wanting some inspiration to get you started, why not check out some of these links that have some great suggestions of videographers to follow!
https://blog.depositphotos.com/10-talented-videographers-to-follow-on-instagram.html
https://magazine.playstock.net/top-10-mobile-videographers-with-hacks-on-instagram/
https://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/youtubers-for-creative-cinematography-inspiration/
National Videography Day celebrates all forms of videography from films and music videos to documentaries and short films.
Whether you are a professional videographer or just beginning in this field, everyone can benefit from learning about the art of videography and creating something special for this day! Use these tips as inspiration for any project that captures your interest - let your creativity shine!
Happy National Videography Day!
International Day of Education📚
Today is International Day of Education! IDE is celebrated every year on the 25th January, and is a day to celebrate and promote the importance of education for all.
One aspect of education that should be championed on this day is creative education 🎥🥁🎭🎨
Creative education, which is the incorporation of the arts and creativity into traditional subjects such as math, science, and language arts, is crucial for developing the skills necessary for successful creative careers such as graphic design, video editing, and digital illustration.
💡 One of the main benefits of creative education is that it allows students to think outside the box and come up with unique solutions to problems. This is especially important in today's fast-paced and rapidly changing world, where creativity and innovation are highly valued in the workforce. Creative problem-solving skills are essential for success in today's job market and can lead to many exciting and rewarding creative careers.
Additionally, with the increasing digitalisation of society, creative digital skills become more important than ever. For example, graphic design, video editing, or digital illustration are all creative pursuits that are in high demand in the digital economy. Therefore, creative education should be inclusive of digital technologies and encourages students to develop creative digital skills. This way students would have an advantage in the job market and be able to create new opportunities for themselves and their communities.
Another benefit of creative education is that it helps students develop their emotional intelligence. The arts, such as music, drama, and visual arts, provide an outlet for students to express themselves and connect with their emotions. This can lead to improved mental health and well-being, as well as better social skills. These emotional skills are also highly valued in creative careers, as they help individuals to communicate their ideas effectively and connect with their audience.
In conclusion, creative education should be championed on International Day of Education because it not only improves students' cognitive and emotional skills, but also helps to create a more harmonious and peaceful world.
By promoting creative education and digital skills, we can ensure that students are well-equipped to meet the challenges of the future and to thrive in the digital economy with the potential of pursuing a successful creative career.
If you want to find out more about International Day of Education, check out the website here
Lunar New Year interview with Mae Yip
Happy Lunar New Year! Please start by introducing yourself and telling us about your heritage!
Hey everyone, my name is Mae, and I'm one of the founders of ERIC. I’m SUPER excited to share my personal and career journey to celebrate the Lunar New Year!
My dad is originally from Hong Kong, and my mom is from Burma, but I was born here in the UK. My parents both came to the UK for university and decided to stay and start a family.
Growing up in the western world and looking different from others was always something I noticed. When I was younger, I wanted to look like everyone else and had a bit of an identity crisis, but today I’m proud of my heritage and have learnt to accept and love who I am.
I was the only Chinese girl in my school, so I didn’t have many friends who could relate to me. I always felt embarrassed bringing friends back to my house because of the smell of rice or Chinese ornaments around the house. My dad also owned a Chinese Takeaway which I thought people would look down on.
For a long time, I didn’t embrace my uniqueness and qualities. After university and moving to London, I met more British-born Asians and was amazed to see how many there were.
So during the pandemic, I started a podcast called ‘Phenomenal & Asian’ where I interview Asians doing phenomenal things. I’ve had some incredible guests, including Nigel Ng, AKA Uncle Roger, Kim Adis, a rising star in the acting world, and my two brothers!
It’s been amazing to meet other people like me, and many are also takeaway kids too. You can check out the podcast here if you’re interested in learning more.
Tell us about your career journey and how you became an entrepreneur?
I used to be an accountant and studied finance at university. My parents wanted me to have a stable career, so my only career options were doctor, lawyer, or accountant.
Because I was good at maths and maths came naturally to me, I chose accountancy. I ended up studying that as a degree and went on to work for PwC, a huge company, but I was always a very creative person. I never felt I had the opportunity to explore a creative career, and this was when the idea for ERIC came about.
Sam and I were both very creative individuals but never got a chance to explore our passions and interests, and both ended up in non-creative roles. We decided to start ERIC to help young people get a career in the creative industries.
The creative industries are often not spoken about; people often think there’s no money, no jobs, or it's a declining industry. But, actually, it's one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, and there are so many new jobs being created by the combination of technology & creativity.
ERIC started in the event space, turning dull career fairs into fun career festivals. Last year, we launched our app to connect young people to early career opportunities in the creative industries. There are so many opportunities that young people don't know about. We make it easier for young people to find that first career step.
I never thought I’d be an entrepreneur. I stumbled into it because I wanted to solve a problem. I absolutely love it, and the best part is doing it with my best friend by my side.
What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs?
My first piece of advice would be to start a business with someone. I couldn’t have made this journey by myself, and it's so nice to be able to share the journey with Sam.
I’m biased and recommend working with one of your friends, but you must pick that person carefully. Sam and I have qualities that complement each other, so it works, but I don't think I could work with all of my friends.
My second piece of advice is that you need to be solving a problem. I suggest always starting with a problem you want to solve instead of ‘I want to start a business to make money’. You are working on your business every single day, every single second. You need to keep the ‘why’ with you at all times because there are high times, low times, and awful times. You will want to quit, but what drives you is the mission and the problem you're trying to solve, so make sure it's a huge problem and a problem you're passionate about.
Lastly, anyone can start a business. Anyone can be an entrepreneur.
You must be mentally committed and resilient and know there’s a long journey ahead. If you want it that badly, I think anyone can become an entrepreneur, and so many amazing people are there to support you along the way.
No entrepreneur has had an easy ride, so it's surrounding you with the right people, but ultimately anyone can do it.
What communities are you a part of that you can recommend to creatives or founders
My top communities would be Founderland, besea.n, Female Founders Rise and ERIC of course! There are so many great communities out there where you can find your tribe and grow your network. They each offer different things and there’s no limit to how many communities you can be a part of!
The hot tea on Creativity with Phe☕️ Episode 1: It’s time to say goodbye to unpaid internships!
Getting an internship in the creative industries often is the first step on the career ladder for many young creatives! It is a chance to learn skills and gain experience in a chosen industry and with an internship under their belt, the world is their oyster!
Internships usually last anywhere between a week and a year, and are comparable to a full time job.
Surprisingly, even though interns are expected to work full time for up to a year, creative internships are often without pay. With all of the hard work an intern puts in over a potential year, this uncodified practice leaves creatives undervalued and out of pocket.
According to a 2018 report by the Sutton Trust, this culture has led to 86% of interns in the UK’s creative sector being unpaid. There is a real grey area in legislation that surrounds unpaid internships in the jurisdiction of England and Wales and it appears that many companies within the creative industries have exploited this obscurity.
As much of the industry favours unpaid internships, including well known, larger companies, many creatives do not see another option to get their foot in the door. They often take on these internships in the hope that they will later be offered a paid position. Working for free with no guarantee. This might be viewed like a career risk similar to any other. However, to work for free for up to a year, often going above and beyond to prove your worth should not be a standard practice to start your career in any industry.
Not only is this culture harmful, but as a condition of the internship requires creatives to work for free this can be exclusionary and leave many marginalised communities out of the equation, leading to further elitism within the industry. It is not a feasible option for creatives in less stable financial circumstances to break into the industry this way and they should not be left without opportunities because of this.
The inaccessibility and exclusivity of the unpaid internship narrows the options for ways creatives can start their careers in the industry and restricts creatives who are without financial support, leaving them to go without. Alternatively, it might mean that young creatives work evening and weekend jobs to sustain finances, putting their mental health at risk and increasing burnout.
Aside from the exploitative and exclusiveness of unpaid internships, the value of interns and the work they produce during unpaid internships must be considered. Doesn’t the very nature of an unpaid internship devalue the work of creatives? Shouldn’t the industry lift up those who are considering creative careers and set them up for success in ways they are fairly compensated?
The answer should be yes, but the weak legislation on this subject and culture within the creative industries allows companies to undervalue their interns and comfortably request free labour year on year.
It is time for a culture shift in the creative industries!
SOURCES:
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2021/09/15/despite-legal-crackdowns-unpaid-internships-are-still-rife-in-the-art-world
Written by Phoebe Boateng, Content and Guides Lead at ERIC
10 tips on how to approach people at networking events
1) Have the 'me' talk
Talking to random strangers can be nerve-wracking. I completely get that. So, sometimes before you go to the event it can be useful to sit yourself down with a cup of tea and a custard cream (or whichever biscuit you choose) and reflect on why you're so nervous about networking? Are you worried you'll embarrass yourself? Or maybe you're super anxious that no one will find you interesting? Explore those thoughts a little. And if you ever need to talk, ERIC are here to put you at ease.
2) Perfect your introduction
Hello! Hey! Hiya! Bonjour! (Okay, maybe not bonjour). There are so many different and fun ways to introduce yourself so just experiment and see what you feel most comfortable with. Practising your introduction in front of a good ol' mirror can help too.
3) Ask questions
A good icebreaker, if you don't like to just approach someone and be like hi it's me, is to ask a question. It doesn't have to be super premeditated, it could be as simple as asking if the seat next to someone is free. Sometimes, breaking the initial silence can be enough to kick start a great conversation.
4) Be polite
Never forget your manners when you're out and about networking. Manners aren't just your usual 'thank yous' and 'pleases'; they can be a great way for getting someone's attention –similar to the whole asking questions business. If someone's on their phone or seems in la la land and you want to talk to them, a short, but equally friendly and polite, 'excuse me' can also help break the ice.
5) Compliment them
Everyone loves a cheeky compliment! Now this doesn't mean walking past everyone you see and going 'hey good looking'. No, no, no! All it means is that if that lady at the event, who is super cool and just gave an amazing talk on apprenticeships, is wearing a funky scarf- let her know. This is another alternative to your traditional introduction of 'hi, my name is blah blah...'
6) Focus
When you do get talking to people, the worst thing you can do is visibly lose interest. Soldier through the conversation, because the last thing you want is to seem rude. Obviously, if something is happening- like you need a wee- then politely tell the person and make your exit. But if someone starts talking about something that isn't really interesting try and focus and engage.
7) Make offers
Most people are used to people asking things of them especially if they're important. So, try and turn the tables a little. You've just met a songwriter and you're interested in graphic design? Awesome- that's a great match by the way. Offer to help them design their EP cover. But be careful, this will only work if you are actually LISTENING. Don't randomly offer irrelevant things for the sake of it.
8) Smile
I refuse to believe that there is anyone who doesn't look good when they smile. Smiles are beautiful! It's easy when engrossed in a conversation to resume your resting bitch face, so remember to smile. Say cheese!
9) Body language
Similar to smiling, body language speaks volumes. 55% of communication is made up of body language. 55%, that's over half! So, sit up straight, don't cross your arms and show them what you're made of.
10) It's not about you
My final sprinkling of wisdom is a huge mistake I'm guilty of making all the damn time. Someone tells you about their new project and it makes you think of your project so you interrupt them to talk about you, you, you. Well, as much as networking being a personal experience that you hope to gain from, don't forget that you're there to get to know other people. You already know yourself, silly, so make sure you're learning about them.
Written by Maddy Abela | Insta: @happydazexox
ERIC’s Guest Series: Mitch Gardner
Hi, my name is Mitch, I am a media composer who has worked on international projects with broadcasters such as CNN and the BBC. I graduated with a BA (Hons) in Film Music in 2020 from Leeds Conservatoire and have had my music used in over 7 countries worldwide, from Australia to Finland, UK to the USA.
I went to University when I was 21 so it took me a few years to decide what I wanted to go. I knew that I didn’t want to do a Music degree that covered all aspects across modules across each year. I didn’t like performing which isn’t particularly a good start when you play Piano, Clarinet, Guitar and Drums! When I originally got into writing music for film in 2015/2016, I was buying cheaper libraries of samples to compose with that would assist with my writing a little bit.
The first libraries that I purchased were Sonokinetic’s Capriccio and Orchestral Tools’ Berlin Orchestra Inspire 1. These sounds helped to let me capture a more realistic orchestral sound which meant that I can then understand what I was able to currently write. When I purchased Capriccio, as this is a phrase-based library, I used a lot of the phrases to write quite an epic track to get to grips with it, using string runs and brass stabs to make a track called Adventure (now published on Lift Music as High Seas Adventure). With this I started to understand the needs from an orchestra, so with Berlin Orchestra Inspire 1, my other library (which is not phrase based and uses MIDI to determine which notes you want to play), I came across a segment of a Wallace and Gromit with no music and decided to challenge myself and write for this (this can be heard on Lift Music’s catalogue as ‘Little Horrors’).
With this I started to create a portfolio and to understand that I enjoyed not only writing this type of orchestral music, but also writing to a visual form of media. I then found the Film Music course at Leeds Conservatoire (was Leeds College of Music), which instantly grabbed me as a path I was very interested to go down. I then started my course here in 2017 and wrote more music in many more different styles! The first track I did whilst in Leeds was originally called Against the Clock, it was called this because I wanted to see how well I could write a 60 second track in the space of 24 hours, which felt like a mammoth task at the time. I was really happy with it and has now been released by Lift as ‘The Quest’. If you watch the Channel 4 series How to Build, you’ll hear it in the intro of pretty much all of the episodes in both series (not bad for a track that took 24 hours to write!).
Going on from there I started to outsource filmmakers either also at University or actively looking for composers. The first filmmaker I came across, Sean, wanted an original score for his comedic short film. This was 10 minutes in length and took about 3-4 months in total, but the benefit of doing this meant that I was not only finding ‘real world’ work, but this work could also go towards my university assignments, win win situation! I much preferred this approach to re-scoring (like I did with Wallace and Gromit), its so easy to either hear the original or listen to it to hear what the composer originally wrote. I did a few re-scores whilst at university of stuff such as Sherlock, Cosmos, Wonders of the Universe and Doctor Who, I am currently re-creating a few of these into longer pieces of music to be released. My Doctor Who re-score (called Dark Forces) was used in a detective show in the Netherlands, so I find it important that they don’t just sit there on a shelf (or a folder in your hard drive) and collect virtual dust!
Whilst at university I liked to take advantage of opportunities that arose, one evening in December saw me invited to a Christmas Party for a big trailer music house which have had music placed in trailers for films such as No Time to Die, Lion King and Black Widow to name a few. The party was great, but the AirBnB that I stayed in had a nice breakfast the morning after where I shared it with a filmmaker who was also staying in the same place. We got talking, exchanged details and he then said he was working on a project which is scheduled to be on the BBC in March and asked if I’d be on board to write some music for it. Of course I obliged and said yes, which I worked on every day until the deadline (alongside all of my University projects and my dissertation too!). With this came the Covid lockdown in 2020, just after the documentary aired. It felt like I peaked and I knew it was going to be a difficult time when next to nothing is being filmed due to restrictions. I then decided to just write TV and Film music without a picture. At the time I liked melodic percussive instruments (such as a marimba, xylophone etc) and because I was cooped up in my room with all my instruments and computer, I had no reason not to write tracks. I wrote 12 or 13 tracks in this style (majority are now published by Poke on their album ‘Circles in the Sky’) but projects ran thin as I expected. Graduating during a pandemic was not it, I had to move back home with my parents and get a job in a warehouse, so I then struggled to find much motivation in the days or evenings to create.
A collaborator whilst I was at University reached out in around November of 2020 and said that he recorded a feature length film when the restrictions initially eased that adhered to all guidelines. I thought it was a bold move and asked if I could see the film or the script, to which he then said he was going to ask me if I wanted to do the music. My first feature film, just after a lockdown!? I would have never imagined it to have happened then, but there we are. January 2021 came around and the second lockdown was in place, I was still warehouse-working at the time but on my days off I was writing for the film (and when my NHS app would ping meaning I’d self isolate). This continued up until June 2021 where I had written around 53 minutes overall, not bad for someone with writers block for what felt like forever! The film was finished as restrictions eased and was started to be put into film festivals and even won an award for Best Feature Film (no best score though, oh well!). After this, it then got a sniff of distribution for America on streaming services such as Apple TV etc, which then led for it to be available on the Sky Store and Amazon Prime in the UK, so its not done too bad!
At the start of 2022 I then had the opportunity to assist composer Tandis Jenhudson (BBC Civilisations, C4 Jeremy Kyle: Death on Daytime) on his project at the time, which was titled ‘Patagonia’. When he was looking for an assistant, he initially found a picture of me with David Arnold (composer of BBC’s Sherlock, Casino Royale, Independence day etc) from a tweet that was in a small interview I did at the time with my University as a graduate. He then found my website and listened to my stuff, we got speaking further about it and I worked on all 6 episodes which was a fantastic experience. The collaborative aspect is great when you can feed off of each other’s energy and come up with unique ideas that you can blend together to create something awesome.
I recently bought my first house and changed jobs into something more into the audio industry, so I am around like-minded people Monday-Friday whilst also being able to find the creative energy every morning to write either new music or work on existing music.
I find it important to create a routine so that you always stay motivated and can either prepare your creative energy to write or even use it before it is consumed by something else. My warehouse job always left me drained after a shift, so I could only really write on my days off, but i’ve found that my newest job leaves me inspired at 6am when I wake up and 5pm when I clock off for the day. Moving into my first house was difficult because of the change in routine, I didn’t write anything from April 2022 until around July 2022, so to be now going into 2023 more motivated than ever is a good place to be.
My goal is to publish at least 1 album this year, which I am yet to decide if it would be self-published or not, so lets see how this goes!
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Huge thanks to Mitch for being our first guest blogger!
If you’re working in the Creative Industries and want to write a guest blog, please get in touch at lucy@meet-eric.com 📲
Creative Careers in Tech that aren't programming
Want an insider into what creative careers are available in tech? You're in the right place...
Technology is transforming the way we live and work, creating a digital revolution of new jobs and roles within the tech industry. The demand for professionals skilled in coding, software development, and other technical roles has skyrocketed in recent years.
According to research by LinkedIn, the number of job postings requiring proficiency in code has increased 200% in the last five years alone. With this statistic in mind, there’s never been a better time for those looking to enter their career in tech!
Given that coders are some of the most desired employees within the tech world, it may be tempting to explore these roles first as you consider launching your career. However, as you explore your options, keep in mind that there are several other entry points into tech that may be more accessible than coding or software development and open up more future opportunities as well.
Art and Design Careers in Tech
Art and design careers are the foundation of the creative industries and are commonly found in tech. As such, they provide unique opportunities for enterprising individuals to explore their creative side in a tech-focused work environment.
From graphic designers to product designers, artists and designers are at the core of creating new products, software, and services. If you’re a creative and looking to break into the tech industry, it’s important to understand that the term “design” is much broader than you may think.
There are a wide range of design jobs that fall under the “design” umbrella, and many of them do not require a degree in design.
Creative Writing Careers in Tech
Another way to enter tech without needing to learn how to code is to become a creative writer. Many tech companies, especially those focused on content and marketing, employ writers to generate blog posts, white papers, e-books, and more.
This type of career can be found in tech companies across industries, including marketing and publishing.
Creative Design Tech Careers in Tech
Some designers may not need a degree in design to excel within tech. Instead, they may be able to transition their non-traditional design skills into a career in technology. One way to do this is through user experience (UX) design. Whereas other types of design focus on aesthetics and the look and feel of a product, UX design is focused on the overall experience a user has with a product.
UX design can be applied to everything from websites and applications to physical products and even places like retail stores. Companies that employ UX designers include Google and Apple.
When considering creative careers in tech, it is important to keep in mind that there isn’t just one type of tech career. As an industry, tech spans a wide range of disciplines and specialties. When exploring creative careers in tech, it is important to think about what type of technology interests you and how you can contribute to it. There is a lot of opportunity within the tech industry, and many career paths are available.
If you want to keep an eye on any open opportunities in tech, check the ERIC app for new opportunities daily👏
The Creator Economy
The Creator Economy is not a *new* term. But aside from business, not many people refer to it as that in casual conversation, so it may have been one that you've missed.
The creator economy refers to the growing number of people who are making a living by creating and sharing content online, often through platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Youtube.
A recent mind-blowing fact about the creator economy, is that; as of 2022, the creator economy market size is estimated at $104.2 billion, more than double its value since 2019🤯
Many creators are able to earn a substantial income through advertising revenue, sponsorships and the like. The Creator Economy exploded during COVID, with careers all of a sudden being based at home, and people spending more time on their passions. The thing is, why wouldn't you? If you enjoyed creating content and could do it all from the comfort of your own home, it seems like a pretty good option.
The Creator Economy has absolutely switched the creative industries on its head, with industries like Marketing, Advertising and PR having to be on top of their game to stay on par with the hundreds of thousands of creators that are streaming from TikTok and Instagram.
But how has the Creator Economy really affected the creative industries?
- Brands are now focusing on the power of creators and influencers to drive impact.
- Millennials represent 42% of the Creator Economy. By comparison, Gen Z represents 14%.
- Influencers make up only 14% of the global creator economy.
- The Creator Economy has unlocked new full and part-time professional opportunities. Particularly for Gen Z and millennials who are drawn to less traditional careers.
- 17% of creators are business owners, while 39% aspire to become a business owner one day.
(Stats taken from Enterprise Times)
So, where will the creator economy go from here?
According to Dayna Winter at Shopify:
'The instability of the systems that underpin the creator economy is balanced by promising trends toward more independence for creators. The increase in adoption of remote work and polywork, and the slew of features and tools that accelerate the creator-to-founder lifecycle, are cause for optimism.
The creator economy’s bright future is best exemplified by the success of underrepresented creators, historically victims of bias and tokenisation at the hands of institutions. Many are now accessing equally underrepresented audiences hungry for faces that look like theirs and content that reflects their lived experiences'.
So by the sounds of it, the only way is up...
We’ll keep you updated on the ins and the outs of one of the most up and coming sectors of the creative economy.
Creative Industries News #3 📰 - Week 1
So, here we are in 2023! We're hoping it will be a successful year for the Creative Industries, with lots of initiatives and strategies being kickstarted.
What are the headlines then? Lets see...
1) The incredible studios behind Harry Potter & House Of The Dragon are expanding
A plan that was introduced by Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden has been approved by the Three Rivers District Council.
The blueprint includes 11 new permanent sound stages, four office buildings and three new workshops.
The good news for motivated creatives is that the development will be creating 1625 full time "high wage, high skill" jobs in the Watford area and adding £85.7m to the local economy by 2027, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
Check out more on this story here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyxez35e11vo
2) Will Audio Drama be the next big thing?
BBC Radio 4 has brought about a first-of-its-kind adaptation, by bringing the game series 'Splinter Cell' to audio, in the form of an eight part dramatisation.
Radio 1 film critic Ali Plumb states that; 'with so much competition for audiences these days it's no surprise that commissioners are giving the green-light to projects with a "built-in audience"'.
Actor Andonis Anthony, who plays main character Sam in the Radio 4 drama, shared that bringing the gaming revolution to audio drama makes 'perfect sense'. He argues that with more people turning to "non-music audio", it's a good time for BBC radio to tell stories that offer a "cinematic experience".
"Given the rise in podcasts, and audiobooks being so popular - more and more people are getting used to listening to audio as a story experience. Everyone's going out and about with their air pods on these days and listening in a different way to before."
Find out more on this interesting development here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-63874745
3) VR is quickly building its way into consumer fashion culture
The digital fashion landscape is moving at a ridiculous pace, with opportunities and new technology popping up in every corner. But, the fashion industry has it's eyes on a small group of players who are doing things differently.
'Xydrobe', based in London is working on defining itself as the 'future of fashion'. Pronounced ‘zai-drobe', the company states it is ‘a physical destination and experience that will enhance your experience of luxury fashion’. With both physical and digital entities, the company is appealing to luxury consumers who want the best of both worlds experience.
If you want to hear more about this story, read it here - https://www.wallpaper.com/fashion-beauty/will-vr-platform-xydrobe-change-the-way-you-shop-fashion
4) Welsh screen sector generating big economy profits
According to the BBC, the TV and film industry has generated £155.6m of production spend into the Welsh economy since 2020. In 2021, the Welsh screen sector also saw a turnover of £575 million, which was a 36% increase from the year before.
Over the last two years, the Welsh government's creative agency (Creative Wales) has received over 900 production enquiries to film in Wales, and further reported £14.2m of production funding since it opened in January 2020.
Funding boosts and investment in local filmmaking means that there is more support in development of talent and ideas, inclusive of Welsh Language film.
Hear more about this great news here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-64100916
5) Significant increases in artist-led spaces across the world
Artist-led spaces are nothing new in the creative sectors, however, recently it has been seen that the landscapes of residencies and institutes founded by artists are sprouting worldwide at a fast rate. These new spaces are primarily led by artists who have had their time in the limelight in the art world, have had financial gains and now want to share their experience with the younger generation of creatives.
Hear more about residencies and institutes opening up throughout the world here - https://news.artnet.com/art-world/artist-led-spaces-are-proliferating-around-the-world-filling-a-gap-caused-by-dwindling-public-funding-and-market-pressures-2232925
What is the skills gap?
The Creative Industries and the Government keep talking about the 'skills gap'. But what does it ACTUALLY mean?
As the creative industries continue to rapidly advance, it is becoming increasingly difficult for professionals in design, advertising and media sectors to stay ahead of new trends and technologies.
The skills gap simply refers to the mismatch between the skills and knowledge that are required in the creative industries and the skills and knowledge that are possessed by the current workforce.
Some of the skills that may be in high demand in the creative industries and considered to be part of the skills gap include:
Design skills: This includes expertise in graphic design, user interface design, product design, and other areas of design.
Digital skills: These are skills related to the use of technology and software in the creation of digital content and products. Examples include web development, coding, data analytics, and video editing.
Communication skills: The ability to effectively communicate ideas and collaborate with others is critical in the creative industries. This includes written, verbal, and visual communication skills.
Entrepreneurial skills: Many creative professionals work as freelancers or run their own businesses. As such, they need skills such as business planning, marketing, and financial management.
Problem-solving skills: The creative process often involves finding creative solutions to complex problems. Developing strong problem-solving skills can help professionals in the creative industries excel in their work.
Leadership skills: Many creative professionals work in leadership roles or have the potential to take on leadership roles. Developing strong leadership skills can help them effectively manage teams and projects.
Adaptability: The creative industries are constantly evolving, and professionals need to be able to adapt to new technologies, trends, and challenges. Being flexible and open to learning new skills can help professionals in the creative industries stay competitive.
This gap creates a challenge, and the lack can be attributed mainly to inadequate training opportunities leading up-to today's world as well as traditional education systems not emphasising certain areas necessary for success within the industries. The creative industries require workers to have a multitude of diverse skills - from the technical, artistic and business aspects. Unfortunately, it can be hard for professionals within these sectors to stay current with all their abilities which has contributed significantly to an industry wide gap in talent.
To close this divide, there are several potential solutions that could help bridge the gap:
- Invest in training and professional development: Providing opportunities for employees to acquire new skills and stay up-to-date with industry trends can help close the skills gap.
- Partner with educational institutions: Collaborating with schools, colleges, and universities to create internship and apprenticeship programs can provide a pipeline of talent and help ensure that the industry has access to a skilled workforce.
- Promote diversity and inclusion: Building a more diverse and inclusive workforce can bring new perspectives and approaches to problem-solving, which can foster creativity and innovation.
- Encourage lifelong learning: Encouraging employees to continue learning and developing new skills throughout their careers can help the industry stay competitive and adapt to changing market conditions.
- Use technology to improve access: We can use technology, such as online learning platforms and virtual training programs to make it easier for individuals to access educational resources and improve their skills.
- Create mentorship programs: Pairing experienced professionals with those who are new to the industry can provide valuable learning opportunities and help build a strong foundation of knowledge and skills.
There are organisations, programmes and structures currently in place up and down the country, however, the industries are hoping to have more security in their current and future workforces.
If you want to read more about the skills gap, here are some interesting articles to check out👇
Profound skills shortages in creative industries, says BBC boss
Creative industries ‘will need 1.2 million new workers by 2022′
DCMS Committee calls for urgent financial support and new regional funding focus to level up country through culture
If you want to hear more about creative industries terminology and what is happening across the sectors, we've got lots of great blog content coming this year! Stay up to date by checking this blog every week📲
ERIC’s 2022 Roundup🎉
Would it really be a new year if we didn't do a company roundup? We don't think so 🤔
(It also gives us an excuse to shout about our wins from last year 🤭)
For all those who joined our Creative Careers revolution during 2022, whether that be from January or from December, we're super appreciative of your continued support and positive feedback! The ERIC team hope you'll join us this year for bigger and better creative revolution in 2023!🚀
So... what did we get up to in 2022? Lets recap💥
- We launched the ERIC app!
- Had TENS OF THOUSANDS of young people from across the UK learning about creative careers through our app and microsite for schools
- Grew our company app roster to 170, including Warner Music, Financial Times, Hearst. BBC Sport, DICE, V&A to name but a few
- Grew the ERIC team to 7 people (and we're currently looking for a lead developer to be our 8th!)
- Launched our TikTok and got nearly 400k likes in the space of 2 months
- The ERIC app was featured in the top 10 career apps on the app store
- Released a groundbreaking report with the BFI about careers education in the Screen Industries
- Our Founders/the ERIC brand won 6 awards, including The Telegraph x Natwest Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs To Watch
- Added dozens of incredible success stories to our existing roster including; ERIC users getting shortlisted for industry roles!
- Launched the ERIC x Lambeth ELEVATE Taster days to allow trainees to gain work experience
- Supported over 1500k careers teams and school staff to provide creative careers to their students
We're SO thankful for all of our wins this year, and we have big plans for 2023!!
👀 Watch this space
If you want to hear from us in 2023, you can do some of the following:
📲 Download the ERIC app
📧 Sign up to our Newsletters; Just Dropped (Young People), Gen-Z Insights (Companies) and What's HOT In Careers Education (Schools)
💬 Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn & Facebook
ERIC Creative Careers Predictions for 2023👩💻
Happy *almost* New Year! Only two days to go until we hit 2023 - are you ready?👀
Today, we're covering the last of our ERIC 2023 predictions. The category that we land on today is, creative careers!
So, lets get into it...🚀
1) There will be LOADS (and we mean loads) of jobs in Film & TV - If these are the industries for you, you're in luck, as we're going to see lots of jobs opening up. With new studios being built, initiatives being created and funding becoming available, the Film & TV industries will be a great place to be in 2023.
2) It's going to be the year of freelancing & self employment - Will 2023 be the year that we finally normalise the 4 day work week? This could be a potential with 100 companies having already signed up with no loss in pay. Find more on that here. The general public are becoming more and more accustomed to creating your own flexibility, so self-employment and freelancing could tempt more people in 2023. Overall, the creative industries will be leading the charge in flexible working and a shorter working week.
3) 2023 will be a HUGE year for creativity outside of London - We've already started to see this happen, so we know that 2023 will be a big year for levelling up outside of the capital. Areas like Wales, Bristol and the Midlands will be likely to see a huge boom thanks to new initiatives and funding. If you're interested in seeing where the Arts Council England funding landed, you can check it out here.
4) Craft based careers will be on the rise - Fancy being a craft influencer? 2023 will be the year for it. With side hustles becoming a popular form of income, as well as actually enjoying the creative time, craft based careers will be all the rage.
5) Is the Music Industry FINALLY revising its ethics? - The Music industry are on track to reclaim their standing in terms of individualist culture. We're seeing democratisation of the distribution of finance, and a push for sustainability. There are many question marks over the music industry, which some have said is overdue for it's '#MeToo' moment. 2023 could be the year that we look at a revision of ticketing as a whole, with Ticketmaster completing possibly the biggest ticket blunder ever seen.
6) Learning & Development jobs will be all the rage - We could see a large spike in roles available in learning and development, significantly in the Culture & Heritage and Fine Arts sectors.
7) Creative roles in digital will be buzzing about - If you're a digi whiz, then keep an eye out for an influx of jobs at the intersection of creativity & digital.
So, that's it from us on 2023 predictions!
Wishing you a very happy New Year🎊
ERIC Creative Education Predictions for 2023🎓
Welcome back to ERIC's predictions for 2023 series! Today we're talking about creative education predictions.
Over at ERIC, we're all about educating people about the creative industries and what they have to offer.
So lets talk about some things we could see in 2023...👀
1) Schools will gain more useful resources/hubs to teach about the creative industries - We want schools to feel better equipped and more informed when teaching their students about the creative industries. So, we're hoping to see more resource hubs become available that schools can use to properly inform their students about the creative industries.
2) The creative industries will get more involved with schools at ground level - The creative industries will start working with careers advisors/careers team within schools. A key thing they will try to communicate will be the importance of transferrable skills, as this will impact how the next workforce are built.
3) Parents may FINALLY start clocking onto Creative Industries jobs in a positive way - Good news for the younger generations - your parents might begin to clock onto the fact that the Creative Industries are future-proof, and that there are actually lots of jobs available. If you're interested in a creative career, why not start teaching them about what's available?
4) Important conversations will be had in primary schools about creative careers education - The lack of of creative careers education and creative subject offerings in primary schools has been an ongoing topic of discussion, which might come to a head in 2023. We could see primary schools in particular beginning fresh conversations about implementing proper creative careers education.
5) Creative careers education will extend into the workplace - 2023 might see companies bringing creative careers education into their processes, which could majorly benefit their staff and overall working practices.
6) On-demand video resources will continue their uprising - Love Tiktok and Youtube? This is good news then! Young people will continue to use the platforms to get careers guidance outside of school, which means that there may be more content being created to deal with the demand.
All eyes on 2023 for improving creative careers education for all!
Check back in tomorrow for our final predictions for next year...👀
ERIC Creative Industries Predictions for 2023🚀
So, we're in that no mans land between Christmas and New Year, where no one is too sure what day it is or how many mince pies they've finished off...🥱
What better time to start thinking towards 2023 and what it could bring for the creative industries?
We thought we'd cover three different prediction categories this year, which will be:
- Creative Industries predictions
- Creative Education predictions
- Creative Careers predictions
So today, we're starting off strong with ERIC Creative Industries predictions! Hold onto your hats, because we're blasting off into 2023...🚀
1) Could the Creative Industries drag us out of a recession? A big statement, but 2 arguments to support -
The Creative Industries are making money incredibly quickly. They are rebranding themselves, and positioning themselves in the limelight as the global competitor to beat. With already thriving industries like Film, TV & Music, the UK is trying to attract more international funding to push the boundaries and create more great content.
Individual creativity could solve recession-based unemployment: A real key player in the recession game is the fact that now, anyone can get into the industries from the comfort of their own homes. With remote and hybrid working now a natural part of the working world, anyone can pick up their laptop and register as self employed. You don't need capital, bricks or mortar, just a computer, some common sense and some sort of vague skill. So the question is; is this the answer to solving the recession? Monetising individual creativity?
2) The UK Government could start paying attention to the Creative industries - The government will be announcing a new strategy for the industries, which could majorly benefit the creative economy. Look out for micro and macro changes to the way the creative industries operates, with an increase in funding and the way the creative industries is perceived by the general public, as a knock on effect of creativity being directly linked to a growing economy.
3) The Creative Industries will start to reframe itself - To be a little bit more specific, the Creative Industries will put effort into changing public perception and creating a new narrative for itself in order to ensure it is valued more by the general public. Expect a lot of data-led messaging and financial impact statistics. Essentially they will want to start communicating 'creative industries = financial opportunity + economic growth'.
4) There will be more emphasis on lesser known creative Industries - Some of the industries are currently less in demand with young people compared to others, however, we can see the Creative Industries changing this with more opportunities and funding being poured into industries like VFX, Animation and Gaming. For example, it has been stated that Esports (part of the games industry) viewership continues to rival that of traditional sporting events, and that it may even outpace sports audiences within the next decade.
5) It's going to be a HUGE year for Film & TV - There are around 40 new studios due to open up across the UK, some of them are already open or working towards opening during 2023/2024. These new studios will be aided by tax breaks that are due, which means that more international filming will be done in the UK and will especially effect VFX & Animation with live action becoming less commonplace.
Check out the list of studios that are planned for the next few years here - https://thestudiomap.com/new-film-tv-studios-under-construction-in-the-uk/
6) Will Advertising & Fashion get a boot up the backside - Sustainability in the Fashion industry has ALWAYS been in question, but now Advertising is getting some stick for their unsustainable practices like using props for one time and one time only, and then binning them (with some being non-recyclable!).
7) The worlds of creativity and tech are going to become even more blurred - It's no surprise to anyone that tech will continue to work with the creative industries. If you haven't heard of the term 'Createch', you may do next year, as its set to become a new buzz word.
Want to read more about Createch - https://www.thecreativeindustries.co.uk/createch
8) Portfolio careers and Stepping Stone careers are IN - More terms that could become buzz words in 2023!
Portfolio careers involve monetising your skills in many ways and having multiple income sources, rather than a single job at one company.
Whereas stepping stone careers are roles you apply for/accept knowing that it is not your forever job, but can provide you with the necessary skills and experience to later bag your dream job. You can find more information on this term here
The industries are continuing to be more transparent about exactly how you can get into roles and how everyone's path is different! Keep an eye out for these terms.
So, you heard it here first - lets see what happens and we'll update you on the results this time next year👀