Image: Confetti
The annual event means hearing from people who’re doing the jobs you’ve always dreamt about. It brings you back down to Earth, gives you a fresh pair of walking boots, and points you in the right direction. Sat with our mouths and eyes wide open, we absorbed the creativity, passion and motivation so we could cherry pick the best moments from our scribble-filled journals.
Lee Coleman, Sound Editor at Pinewood Studios and ex-Confetti student, was full of love for Industry Week, advising students to make sure they made the most of the opportunity, “Industry Week is a big thing. Wait behind. Speak to people. Make contacts.”
Also pronouncing Confetti as a creative industry golden ticket was Victoria Van Garrett, who works in quality assurance at games company Ubisoft. "Confetti taught me to be dedicated. If you wait to be motivated, you'll wait forever. Confetti teaches discipline." Garrett has moved from our beloved Nottingham to reside in Dusseldorf, Germany. Oo-er! Big timer.
Image: Confetti
One of the most entertaining talks was Cassetteboy’s - a slice of silliness in all the professional guidance that urged us to simply have fun. Entering with ridiculous costumes, the trio’s conversation surrounded their work as mashup artists, all the shitty copyright issues that come up, and their transition into the digital age.
We also got stuck into the Nusic Academy Megashop which, fittingly, was a session for getting musicians media exposure for their tunes. Loads of different organisations clubbed together to create an advice fair, including yours truly, and then we listened to a Q&A session from XFM DJ John Kennedy, Drowned in Sound reviewer Dom Gourlay, and NME Journalist Rhian Daly, all chaired by Mark Del. The three guests had some fairly consistent points - be relevant, have a friendly tone, and keep trying. Damn straight.
Image: Confetti
No doubt the speaker with the most buzzing audience was Industry Week headliner, Professor Green. Students were made up of aspiring rap/grime artists and giggly fan girls. Our LeftLion team included in the latter. Green talked a lot about his love for the owd ganja, but also imparted some generous helpings of life advice. Urging kids to see past hometowns and upbringings, Green said, “When you start at a disadvantage, it’s easy to get trapped.” He iterated that there’s always a way out. “If you wanna make it, get up, get outta bed, make it happen, and work Goddamn hard.”
The only thing left to do after Industry Week is to hang onto the tools and tips you’ve been equipped with for dear life. Be motivated, punctual, enthusiastic, stay focussed, listen, and go above and beyond your means.
Before you know it, you’ll be doing it for real yersen.
Confetti Industry Week 2015 took place from Monday 2 - Friday 6 March 2015.
Confetti website
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