Struck A Chord

21/01/2021

The UK’s television industry has been a saving grace during 2020, giving us the chance to watch incredibly emotional productions such as BBC's Anthony and Sally Rooney’s Normal People on BBC Three and uplifting content from the likes of Channel 4’s Great British Bake Off and BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The UK’s world-leading film and television industry supports more than 180,000 jobs and contributes more than £12 billion to the economy annually. Within such a creative industry, there are many departments full of talented individuals working in exciting jobs. There are different types of production within TV including unscripted, live TV broadcasting and high-end TV, which is produced on a smaller scale than a film and is heavily in demand by audiences. 36 high-end drama series saw their producers spend a total of £478m in the UK in 2016, according to the BFI. This roster included the second series of The Crown and the seventh series of Game of Thrones. Production companies making films and TV dramas are always looking for marketers to push a new drama on social media, carpenters to build the sets, people who know how to set up and operate a camera - and much more.

Here are some examples provided by ScreenSkills of the departments that you could be a part of:

Development
Production
Craft
Technical
Post-production
Sales and Distribution

In October 2020, the government launched the £500 million Film and TV Production Restart Scheme to cover COVID-related insurance costs and to help the entire industry get back on its feet. Swipe to see ITV’s Chief Executive thoughts on the scheme. Due to many national lockdowns, the deadline has now been extended until February 2021 to provide a ‘much needed confidence boost to the industry.’ More information can be found on GOV.UK.

So that’s a small insight into the TV industry! We’ve been talking to production runners, location trainees, script supervisors and lots more interesting people so watch this space!

For more detailed information about the industry and its departments head to the ScreenSkills website.

20/01/2021

“I adore the work that I do, and I’m so lucky to have an incredible collection of clients with brilliant creative businesses. My long term goal, however, is to make the move into research and academia, with the intention of teaching digital marketing.”

Charlotte Dougall, freelance digital marketer, founder of Blether Digital and blogger at By Charlotte Ann thrives on helping small creative businesses grow through creative marketing. With the potential return of her podcast ‘Investigating Influence’ aimed at helping her clients and future marketers navigate Influencer Marketing, we for one cannot wait!

19/01/2021

All children are artists: Pablo Picasso speaking truths!

CHildren are tenacious and resilient and creativity comes second nature to them without any worry of judgement. (I can’t be the only one who’s had a HUGE sort out during lockdown and came across masterpieces I created as a kid? Move over Picasso!)

Then we start to grow up and the negative self-talk creeps in to tell us that we aren’t good enough, or strong enough, or creative enough.

We wouldn’t talk to a child in this way so why do we talk to ourselves like that?

When this happens, we must channel our inner child and believe that we are strong, smart and are being the best we can be!

18/01/2021

“There’s a saying that the difference between art and craft is risk. So I say to my course students, ‘don’t be afraid to get things wrong.’ I do have a few half finished carvings that are now in the foundations of Cotswold walls!”

Stone carver and Dry Stone Waller David King (David King Stone Carving) has honed his craft over the years in the beautiful Cotswolds. He proudly owns The Ticket Office Studio and Gallery where he runs courses to inspire others to try their hand at stone carving. Although the courses aren’t running at the moment, Dave expects to reopen when it is deemed safe to do so.

15/01/2021

The Film, TV, video, radio and photography creative industry is way too broad so let’s break it down! Today we’ll be looking at the highly-celebrated UK Film Industry.

The UK is a global destination of choice for international film production thanks to the skills of its crews and state-of-the-art studios and facilities. British skills, talent and technical expertise play an important role in showcasing the UK’s national identity – and creative abilities – across the globe.

Characters and stories created by UK authors consistently enthrall film audiences around the world, while British film actors and directors continue to make a huge impact on films worldwide.

Look at the photos to see the BFI industry statistics!

The UK’s Film Industry took a direct hit from the global pandemic we found ourselves in in 2020. With the announcement of the UK’s first lockdown, studios had to stop production leaving actors and crew out of work and film releases set back for months like James Bond: No Time To Die which was to be released this November and has now been delayed until 2021.

Before the second lockdown in the UK, Cineworld made the difficult decision to close all of its 127 cinemas once again putting 45,000 jobs at risk across the UK. Now let’s look at some of the positives that have came out of 2020 for the Film Industry!

Culture didn’t stop this year as theatres such as the National Theatre premiered West End shows on YouTube and Netflix and Amazon Prime streaming statistics have been through the roof! AND during November, HOME in Manchester streamed all their November shows online at a pay-what-you-decide basis.

So that’s just a peek into our incredible Film Industry, full of actors, editors, camera crews, directors, producers and many more that we can’t WAIT to talk with! What genre of film will be your go-to this lockdown?

If the current situation is having an impact on you in any way, The Film and TV Support Line is always available, 24/7, helping people in the industry manage issues big and small. The team can offer a listening ear and help you to think through your options. Call 0800 054 00 00 and access via live-chat.

14/01/2021

Alongside a full-time job in retail, documentary and location portrait photographer Gweniver Exton has made time to be creative during lockdown documenting Monmouth’s BLM demonstration back in June and a mini series of portraits of residents of Monmouth in their gardens.

“I fell in love with the idea of telling stories through photographs. The more I researched the more I realised how much documentary photography already resonated with me without even realising it.”



Photo credit: Gweniver Exton Photography

13/01/2021

I wrote this little piece back in June in the midst of lockdown and the important movement that is Black Lives Matter.

Even though we don’t see many important BLM posts flooding our grids these days, it’s still relevant and will always BE relevant.

Keep an eye out for our next creative to grace your feed whose photos of a BLM movement show the impact and importance of the BLM movement to a small Welsh market town.

12/01/2021

“I really want to focus on growing the foundations that I've already made. I love what Subversive Threads stands for, how it functions, how it helps, how people feel about it and I also love its effect on my life. It really is going to be my life's work and so for me the next few years are about solidifying it; coming up with more things I can do to improve its sustainability, reaching more people who'd love some slow fashion threadies, coming up with new designs, and of course learning all the time.”

Bee Lydford, creator of slow fashion brand Subversive Threads on her aspirations to improve sustainability, reach out to new audiences and continue designing.

11/01/2021

The fourth industry we are going to look at in a little more detail is the Design industry! Design in the UK is defined in the Creative Industries Economic Estimates as:

Product Design
Graphic Design
Fashion Design

However, we can’t brush over the fact that design is widely used to boost growth in businesses in economies BEYOND the creative industries. For example, design professions such as architecture and craft are not included in these statistics (but luckily they have a whole creative sector dedicated to each of them!).

Check out these Design Industry Insights:

The UK has the second-largest design sector in the world and the largest design industry in Europe.

In 2016, there were an estimated 160,000 individuals employed in design roles across the UK economy, according to the DCMS.

The UK currently leads the world in design education with the number of courses in the 1000s from higher education providers around the UK. Continued investment at all stages of design education is critical as well as awareness amongst new designers of the strategic contribution of design to business strategy.

While I have been researching this dynamic industry, I have come across figures, percentages and tables concerning the gender, age, job status of those within the creative industries. Albeit these are highly interesting, BUT they don’t tell us anything about the actual creativity within this creative industry! Isn’t that also crazy important?!

Now at Struck HQ, we are all for representing creatives in product, fashion and graphic design but with a lot of overlapping between all the creative industries, we’ll be hearing from those who design clothes, create exhibitions, make games, craft interiors & landscapes because they’re ALL creative, right?

Visit Design Council for more information about the Design Industry

04/11/2020

“Inspiration comes when it comes and the best songs always come easy. Taking the pressure off and just enjoying creating, that’s the best kind of inspiration for me.”

Singer-songwriter and music producer at Easy Boy Records Tom Browning on the importance of just enjoying the process.

23/10/2020

When looking for hope, who better to turn to than an Attenborough?

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has suggested that those who have been left unemployed as a result of the crisis should look for “new opportunities”. I’m not sure it’s that simple Rishi!

With COVID-19 restrictions such as social distancing and the introduction of more lockdowns looming in the UK, it is unlikely that live entertainment will return this year which puts jobs and livelihoods at risk once again.

Whilst people from all walks of life must adapt, grow and learn from the whirlwind of 2020 and the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic, it seems that the creative industries have been overlooked. Yes, the creative industries have received £1.5 billion through the cultural recovery programme but how do we know who has been directly helped by this figure?

So whilst we all process and deal with the current climate in the best way we can, expect to see stories, blog posts and interviews from all kinds of creative folk here at Struck A Chord. In the end, it’s all about YOU!

As Rosie Johnson Illustrates has so perfectly put it in her latest illustration:

“During lockdown I didn’t read a single book, or watch a film, or listen to music, or turn to a TV box set, or stream live comedy to bring comfort, escapism, meaning, learning or FUN to my days.

Oh wait, that’s ALL I did. The arts are not a luxury.”

14/10/2020

“When I am watching a documentary or see wildlife in real life, ideas flow so easily. I feel driven to share how important the natural world is.”

Illustrator and felter Megan Pugh at Megan Pugh Art (and self-proclaimed David Attenborough fan) uses her passion for wildlife and nature to draw fascinating pieces and make incredible felt creations from whales, to lions, and foxes to toadstools. After completing a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at Hereford College of Art, Megan has continued to stay creative taking on illustration commissions both large and small.

07/10/2020

Have you ever caught an episode of The Great British Sewing Bee or a favourite of mine, Artist of the Year and felt completely inspired to get into craft? The growing craft trend may invoke a hobby in some, but there are thousands of people employed within the UK’s smallest creative industry, Crafts!

Although with an estimated 10,000 people in the UK employed within it, and over 75% being self-employed, the British Craft industry generates around £3 billion for the UK economy each year: what an incredible figure! The vibrant, exciting industry is home to talented artisans and makers with next-level skills in a particular trade who use their creativity to not only earn a living, but share their talents with the world. These skills are heavily sought-after and are revolutionising industries from aerospace to architecture.

The DCMS outline the main areas of craft as Textiles, Ceramics, Wood, Metal, Glass, Graphic and Leather but there are so many more crafting methods and outlets to learn about and many wonderful makers too! Below are just a few jobs within the field of Craft as curated by the Crafts Council.

Product Designer
Stone Mason
Sculptor
Calligrapher
Embroiderer
Prop Maker
Carpenter
Arts Management

Much like every creative field, the Crafts industry and the talented people within it have been affected by the pandemic and lockdown, with income generated within small retail businesses, galleries or nationwide events such as craft markets and fairs which were all cancelled.

To support creative practitioners and cultural workers, £20 million of a £160 million emergency response package from Arts Council England was made available back in March 2020 which may have given this vital industry a lifeline. However, with the rise of e-commerce, investment purchase over throwaway objects, and an interest in sustainability and supporting small businesses, the crafts industry is growing faster and regaining its strength (Crafts Council, 2020).

Makers. Creators. How have you kept creative during this wild ride of 2020?

02/10/2020

As lockdown has hit the music industry hard, we spoke with Tour Manager and Sound engineer Danny Harvey to reminisce about his proudest achievements in his impressive career so far.

"The most recent tour I did, Beartooth‘s The Disease tour which was sold out across the UK and Europe, was a project I have been most proud of as the venues were a big deal. I was definitely nervous but I felt prepared."

30/09/2020

Procrastination has a bad reputation. It is the enemy of the exam, and the arch nemesis of that big project you’ve been working on. But what if procrastination actually helps our creativity?

If inspiration isn’t on our side but we keep our minds active in other ways, like writing a song, or cooking a meal from scratch, then creativity will surely come flooding back and be thankful you gave it a break!

Now I’m not telling you to find anything else to do apart from an important deadline, but don’t beat yourself up if creativity isn’t knocking at your door today. Undertaking small tasks will get you back on track and your intelligence will be having fun again in no time!

25/09/2020

The Violet Eclectic have just dropped their Autumn/Winter collection this week and we got the chance to chat with Hattie Fellowes about the launch!

"We will soon be launching our first sweatshirts ready for the cooler months as well as more accessories and homewares AND I have a few very exciting collaborations launching this autumn too. It's been a crazy few months getting everything designed and all the logistics worked out but I am so excited to launch everything."

23/09/2020

Second things second, we have Architecture. Architecture is the art and science of designing and constructing the built environment in ways that support all the different kinds of human activity and interaction. It often includes design or selection of furnishings and decorations, supervision of construction work, and the examination, restoration, or remodelling of existing buildings.

Individual tastes can determine strong opinions on the design of buildings & spaces with some preferring the Art-Deco approach and others fascinated with Modernism. Now I am not an expert in this field but I can definitely appreciate a beautiful building when I see one and know that others may disagree. Take the Museum of Liverpool as an example.

The dynamic low-rise structure was completed in 2011 by 3XN overseen by Kim Herforth Nielsen, Principal Architect and Creative Director. 3XN state that “the design is reminiscent of the trading ships which at one time dominated Liverpool’s harbour, while the façade’s relief pattern puts forward a new interpretation of the historical architectural detail in the ‘Three Graces’, a row of prominent historic buildings including the Liver Building and the Pier Head. The enormous gabled windows open up towards the City and the Harbour, and therefore symbolically draw history into the Museum, while at the same time allow the curious to look in.” Now isn’t that a nice sentiment?

Still, the building has been heavily criticised since its development and was nominated by Building Design magazine to receive The Carbuncle Cup for the ugliest building completed in the UK in 2011!

Envisaging, designing and building fully-functioning structures takes a HUGE level of creativity and although creative visions may not be appreciated by all, we must commend the people involved in the design and development processes on grand projects and within the field of Architecture!

So there we have a small insight into Architecture from the eyes of a spectator who merely likes gorgeous structures! We can’t wait to learn about the exciting people in this groundbreaking field. For more information on Architecture in the UK, visit RIBA, the Royal Institute of British Architects.

15/09/2020

“I think it’s important to have direction and be focused on where you want to be by the end of this situation, instead of sitting back and waiting for it to be over which is something we have been able to address and hopefully help us get the events back on their feet, once it is safe to do so.”

Great outlook regarding 2020’s antics from Jack Canning, Plymouth-based DJ and one of two faces behind music events brand Viva Disco.

01/09/2020

The evening of Tuesday 11th August saw a sea of Red across the UK as over 700 landmarks, venues and theatres lit up in red to highlight the urgent help the events industry needs in order to survive the COVID-19 pandemic and in support of PLASA’s campaign.

is now at Red Alert to raise awareness of the UK’s 1,000,000 highly skilled industry professionals, all of whom have had no work for the past five months with little likelihood of returning to normal until Spring 2021.

The campaign is calling for government support until the industry can operate in a way that is not limited by social distancing policies including:

1. Grants made available to businesses in the events supply chain
2. Furlough scheme extended until the industry is back to work
3. Extension of the self-employment scheme, tailored towards the industry

Who is affected?
The live entertainment and events industry is a core part of the creative industries and includes an extensive supply chain ranging from production, audio, lighting and video, to logistics, planning, transportation, and some of the world’s leading technology manufacturers. With millions employed in this sector, there is a lot of uncertainty around venues reopening, events such as festivals and gigs going ahead and job retention.

Without additional support for the supply chain, the UK is in danger of losing its global position as a world leader in world class events. Moreover, all of our incredible creatives and technicians could lose their livelihoods for good and we would be without a crucial industry that celebrates art, talent and creativity.

How can we help?
Check out the PLASA website in the comments and add your name to the campaign in support of an incredibly vital industry and the wonderfully talented people within it.

Are you employed within the events and live entertainment sector? How have you been affected by lockdown? We’re all ears!

Photos are from the evening of Tuesday 11th August of Coleford Clock Tower taken by Lighting Sound Solutions and TR2 Theatre Royal Plymouth taken by photographer Jay Stone shown here with permission.

28/08/2020

Want to know a little more about what we're about here at Struck A Chord? Well you are in LUCK!

25/08/2020

“One thing I never saw myself doing this year was sewing face coverings to help people protect themselves from COVID-19, but life is like that, you have no idea what is round the corner!”

From face coverings, cushions and accessories to writing and illustrating children’s books, Megan Stokes Illustration can do it all! We caught up on life during lockdown, exciting new projects, and the challenges the talented illustrator has faced in her career so far..

18/08/2020

Doubting our ability to be creative or comparing ourselves and our work with others can put the most exciting projects on the back burner never to be returned to. Just take Elizabeth Gilbert’s anecdote in Big Magic. An idea came to her, entrusted her with manifesting it into a reality, Elizabeth lost the motivation and doubted her capabilities and the idea left and found a new creator.

Self doubt is something we must acknowledge and then is the hurdle we must jump over and run as fast as we can away from because anything is possible.

Take this quote and use it as much as you like, in whatever way works for you, but remember that you are not alone in the pursuit to creativity.

How do you overcome self-doubt when it comes to being creative?

12/08/2020

“In my final year at BCU, I had to make a 10 minute short feature and decided to address Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. There is a lot of incorrect information when it comes to OCD so we needed to try and remove that stigma and make sure it was educational, so Black Bear was born.”

Really great chatting to Liam Morgan about his role as a Camera Trainee and his introduction into the Film and TV industry - full interview coming soon!

31/07/2020

Now we know what the creative industries are, it seemed only right to break each sector down and dig a little deeper. First up, Advertising and Marketing!

Whether you’re watching live TV, reading a magazine or scrolling through social media, ads are embedded in our day to day lives and can influence our spending habits, opinions and moods. Advertising is a powerful force of communication and a vital marketing tool used by businesses and companies to sell goods, services and ideas. According to The Creative Industries, UK advertising has a “reputation for creativity and effectiveness, attracting brands that want to appeal worldwide” and contributes to 13.1% of the UK’s creative industries.

Going hand in hand with Advertising is Marketing. The individuals working within this modern, fast-paced sector must have a great understanding of an ideal customer's interests in order to connect businesses with their audiences. In turn, this attracts customers to products and services to drive more business.

There was an estimated 195,000 people employed in the Advertising and Marketing sector in 2018, but what kind of jobs are available in this sector? The list is ENDLESS but here are a few examples of areas you could choose to work in:

Communications and Public Relations (PR)
Event management
Market research
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
Social media
Copywriting

So there’s a teeny round-up of Advertising and Marketing, but there is still so much more to learn about this diverse, exciting sector! Struck A Chord can’t wait to delve in a little more through our conversations with passionate people!

Is there an advert that has ‘struck a chord’ with you? Let us know in the comments!

28/07/2020

“These times of uncertainty have brought new insight and enthusiasm to my practice and creative skillset. We are in the middle of a global pandemic, a climate crisis and have not seen such an uprising against racial discrimination since the 60s so to be speculative and to take into account what is going on in the world whilst making couldn't be more important right now.”

We chatted with Manchester-based designer Emily Bagshaw about uncertainty, finding inspiration and future prospects. Interview coming soon!

25/07/2020

Creativity is a skill we all have within us. Two MILLION people in the UK work within a creative industry showcasing their talent, skills and passion. Now I haven’t been under a rock for the past 4 months and know that some of the amazing people within the creative industries have been knocked hard by the mischievous COVID-19. Events have been cancelled and rescheduled for later dates, marketing has not been going at full capacity and film shoots have been put on hold for the time being. But here’s a fact for you. Creativity has NOT been cancelled.

Although we have been in lockdown and our social lives were moved onto Zoom and FaceTime, creativity has still been here. Whether that was baking a cake so good that Paul Hollywood would offer you a handshake (if he could, social distancing Paul!) or writing the first chapter of the book idea you’ve had niggling in the back of your mind for years, creativity is needed now more than ever but you may need a little inspiration. Enter Struck A Chord.

We’ve been chatting to exciting people from all walks of life within the creative industries with stories, insights and experiences to share. ‘Creative Industries? What are they?’ I hear you ask. Let’s take a look at the creative industries according to the DCMS (Department of Culture, Media and Sport):

Advertising and Marketing
Architecture
Crafts
Design (product, fashion and graphic design)
Film, TV, video, radio and photography
IT, software and computer services
Publishing
Museums, galleries and libraries
Music - performing, and visual arts

Over the next few weeks, and hopefully for many years to come, we’ll be taking you inside the creative industries in the hope that you feel inspired and ready to take on creativity in whichever way works for you! Keep your eyes peeled for tales from film sets, classrooms and behind the scenes and interviews with passionate creatives here at Struck A Chord.

21/07/2020

“I had a lecturer at Uni who was in a band called Strange Love and he’s just an amazing guy, just so out there and otherworldly. He’d go into our songwriting techniques class and he’d be standing on a chair telling everybody to crowd round him and scream and shout. He was such a great and encouraging guy, if somebody did their song he’d be like ‘wow, that was amazing man!’ He’s such a good bloke and into the spiritual side of writing songs.”

Full interview with Bexley coming soon!

13/05/2020

13/05/2020