Visions of 2020: The future of Technical Theatre and Production Arts and Design Training
online event
4th February 2021 7:00pm, 5th February 2021 9:00am – 6:00pm
Tickets for the Scottish Drama Training Network’s symposium Visions of 2020: The future of Technical Theatre and Production Arts and Design Training in Scotland are on sale now.
The SDTN Technical Theatre Symposium 2021 will look at our collective visions of 2020 and bring together experts, practitioners and educators from across Scotland in the areas of production arts to explore the impact of lockdown and blended learning. During this online event, you will hear from a range of speakers on what innovative practices are being used now to enable a brighter future for all learners from school aged children to professionals.
This symposium is an opportunity for those in the sector, and for those in training, to engage with a wide range of industry, to share best practice and hear what’s working well and what we need to learn to support the future needs of the sector – and all from the comfort of your own home.
SDTN is asking attendees to make an affordable contribution to access this event and its associated online content. We suggest a contribution range from £5 to £50. The pandemic continues to challenge our industry and we are trying to assist by continuing to offer opportunities virtually and paying industry rates to our contributors.
If you are a freelancer who has been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, please contact hello@sdtn.org to discuss complimentary attendance.
We need your voice at the symposium.
SDTN are delighted to be working with Snootie Studios who will be delivering the event on Slack Channel and Zoom.
Snootie Studios is a creative studio specialising in Graphic Design, Illustration and online Events Production.
Technical Theatre Symposium 2021: what to expect
Your delegate pass unlocks access to a range of online content plus a full day of interactive sessions, workshops and networking opportunities, taking place online.
The schedule of events includes:
Private digital screening of The Assumption : An original play written by Douglas Maxwell, co-produced by Solar Bear and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and performed by BA Performance in BSL and English students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Education and Industry Stalls: A chance to ‘break out’ and chat with education and industry at our virtual stalls. Connect with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Creative Edinburgh, Equity and more. We even provide you with your own tea and biscuits through the post in advance!
CPD sessions: These will be limited in number and on a first-booked, first-served basis. CPD sessions will be run with industry partners including Flints, Association of British Theatre Technicians and more to be announced.
Spotlight Sessions: Quick-fire 10-minute sessions with a huge range of education and industry sharing their innovations. Hear from Ayrshire College, Tramway & STAGEPORT, Creative & Cultural Skills, CallQ, Federation of Scottish Theatre, Solar Bear and more.
Industry discussion: Gemma Swallow (National Theatre of Scotland) and Craig Fleming (Centrline) update us on their innovative collaborative work on environmental sustainability in this online Q and A.
Statement from Gemma Swallow: We have run out of time to sit and ponder how we deal with the climate crisis. It’s here and now. Sustainability and the environment have to sit at the heart of our sector, our organisations and our workforce. To do this we need to come together as a community to support each other through the challenges, and possibilities, and ensure a better and more sustainable future for our industry.
Outcome of the session will inform SDTN programming of a CPD session on Sustainability in Practice Spring 2021.
Creative Conversations: Chat with experts on everything from video design to set model making. Jamie Wardrop, Hazel Blue and Kate Bonney return from our 2020 CPD sessions to hold more Creative Conversations with you.
And lots more!
Full Day Schedules
4th February 2021
19:00 Private digital screening of The Assumption
5th February 2021
09:00 – 09.30 Registration
09:00 – 18.00 Education and Industry Stalls
These will be delivered via our Slack channel. You will have the chance to chat one on one, ask questions, and join others to replicate that marketplace feel but without the February drafts whistling through the venue front doors! Companies and organisations participating are:
Flints
Ayrshire College
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Creative Edinburgh
CallQ
Federation of Scottish Theatre
Association of Sound Designers
Edinburgh College
Association of British Theatre Technicians
09:30 – 09.40 Opening Symposium Welcome
09:40 – 11:20 CPD Sessions
Flints: Working with Worbla
Association of Sound Designers: Adventures in Creative Audio Story Telling
Association of British Theatre Technicians: Bronze Award Rope, Knots and Splicing with Alastair Noonan
11:40 – 13:10 CPD Sessions repeat
13:10 – 13:50 Lunch Break
Education and Industry Stalls on Slack open again
14:10 – 16:00 Spotlight Sessions
RCS & SDTN – Helen McVey and Karen Townsend
Solar Bear – Jonathan Lloyd
Ayrshire College – Patrick Devlin
Federation of Scottish Theatre – Alice McGrath
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland – Steve Macluskie
White Light – Jonathan Haynes and Stuart Porter
Tramway & STAGEPORT – Stephen Roe and Janie Hopkins
Call Q – Gail Pallin, Iain McConnell & Germán Martins
Creative Edinburgh – Anna Gormezano Marks
Creative & Cultural Skills – Katheryn Willens
Edinburgh College – Chris Aberdeen and Tim Childs
Equity – Adam Adnyana
16:10 – 16:40 Industry Discussion
SDTN are delighted to welcome Gemma Swallow (National Theatre of Scotland) and Craig Fleming (Centrline) update us on their ideas around working collaboratively for a more sustainable future in this online Q and A
16:40 – 17:25 Creative Conversations
Video design with Jamie Wardrop
Set Model Making/Costume with Hazel Blue
Lighting Design with Kate Bonney
16:40 – 17:25 Summer & Autumn CPD Sessions – Available to watch again
Sound Composition – Gary Cameron
Teaching Production Sound – Clare Hibberd
Special Effects Make-Up – Michelle Chambers
Costume Roles – Karen Short and Laura Hunt
Technical Stage Management – Steve Macluskie
Health and Safety – Andrew Evans
17:25 – 17:30 Round Up of the Day
17:30 – 18:00 Networking Reception
Please join us for this informal and confidential reception (along with mood music) giving you all an opportunity to talk honestly about what we have learnt over the last 11 months and what will help us all get out the other side.
No recording or note taking allowed by order of SDTN.
We wish we could provide a spot of the stronger stuff to all those who partake but even with the miracle of Zoom that’s not possible, and yes, we checked.
Booking Information
To book your place click here.
Workshop Information
Flints: Working with Worbla
Join Michelle Greer from Flints THE theatrical supply company in this practical CPD session using the incredible Worbla; an eco-friendly, safe-to-use thermoplastic ideal for prop making for stage and screen.
You will receive a practical pack before the 5th of February for you to try at home while Michelle demonstrates. Worbla can be used stand alone, around a structure, in a mould, and built into layers. Not only that, but can be sanded and painted into the bargain. Interested? Yes? Then please book your place by 10AM Mon 1st Feb 2021 to ensure you receive your pack in time.
Association of Sound Designers: Adventures in Creative Audio Story Telling
Join Dominic Bilkey – ASD Chair, Head of Sound & Video at the National Theatre and Zoe Milton – ASD Administrator & freelance Sound Engineer as they introduce you to the world of audio story telling through sound design for performance. This interactive session will equip delegates with a renewed understanding of sound for performance. Delegates will work in teams to create a unique ending to the story. Dominic and Zoe talk about equipment they use when creating content for shows, regardless of the budget and let delegates in on a few secrets along the way! Through pre-recorded soundscapes and delegate recordings we will work together to create a brand-new piece of Sound Storytelling. Please make sure you have a set of headphones to use for this session.
Association of British Theatre Technicians: Bronze Award Rope, Knots and Splicing with Alastair Noonan
Alastair will talk about his path into the industry and give delegates an overview of the Ropes, Knots and Splicing session which forms part of the ABTT Bronze Award. The course gives the candidates practical knowledge about types of ropes they will encounter in theatres, selection and safe use. The session will include useful examples of course content, attempt to teach how to tie a knot or two remotely and finish with an opportunity to ask questions.