UK - In another creative bid to engage young people with the production industries, Production Futures recently staged a brand activation at Bludfest, which took place at Milton Keynes Bowl on 11 August. The lineup, curated by singer-songwriter, Yungblud, attracted a diverse range of fans, including many young people for whom the Production Futures pop-up provided insights into possible careers in the production sector.
The Production Futures stand was located in the fan-zone entrance, and as well as providing information about the organisation’s upcoming On Tour shows, ran a series of popular competitions designed to attract the interest of young people with limited knowledge of the wide range of opportunities in the sector.
Representatives from some of Production Futures’ brand partners not only helped construct the stand but also made themselves available to speak to the young visitors and provide hands-on experience of consoles and other technologies. Solotech, Lights Control Rigging, UK Events Group, KB Event, FRUKT, Special Projects Music Co., AEG Presents, CJM Structures, and Vision Factory, each of whom were key production providers to Bludfest, all contributed to the Production Futures initiative.
Yungblud extended his invitation to Production Futures after becoming aware of its work through monitor engineer Freyja Lawson, who is a keen supporter of the organisation’s aims and has participated in its events, even chairing one of its online panel discussions on diversity in touring. As well as meeting her onstage commitments to Yungblud’s set at the festival, Freyja also made herself available to offer insights and advice to young visitors at the Production Futures stand.
Hannah Eakins of Production Futures who co-ordinated the pop-up, comments, “We’re constantly seeking out new and innovative ways to connect young people with the production sector, and when Yungblud and the Bludfest team invited us along it was a very easy offer to accept.
“The event was a brilliant setting in which to highlight just how many suppliers are involved in the delivery of shows like this - we know that many hundreds of young festival-goers we spoke to went away with a whole new appreciation of the very real opportunities they could explore in our industry. The level of interest shown by those in attendance, many of whom attended with their parents, was quite overwhelming.
“Being able to speak to representatives of some of those responsible for the actual production on the day was so obviously inspiring for the young people who visited the stand.
“We’re so very grateful to Yungblud for getting behind our mission and of course to all the event suppliers who contributed to such an exciting experience for everyone involved. It’s fair to say that the day exceeded our wildest expectations.”
“Production Futures are doing amazing work - being a part of this industry is the best thing ever, so I’d encourage young people to look them up and give it a go,” says Yungblud.
