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Joel Phillips: Live Events Production student top 10 first-year highlights

BA (Hons) Live Events Production student, Joel Phillips looks back on his first year at ALT with his top ten best experiences. From lighting concept designs to more industry work experiences than we can shake a stick at – we’re talking Take That, Madonna, The Killers and more! 

First year at the Academy of Live Technology successfully completed! Over this year I’ve met and worked with amazing people, made great friends and had some incredible experiences, here’s just some of the working highlights.   

1. 

Lighting practical fun in our campus studios.

2. 

Had the opportunity to work on the Take That (This Life tour) on the opening night in Sheffield and later in the tour, Leeds.  

3. 

In the 3rd term at ALT, we worked on a lighting module which was based on concept design. We had the choice of who and what we would base our concept design on. I decided to base my design around Olivia Dean.    

4. 

One of my top experiences was working for one of my favourite bands. I worked on the rehearsal load in and out on campus at the Production Park studios, production days and the outdoor venue load in.     


5. 

The Killers rehearsals in Sheffield. This was my first time working on pyro for a show.

6. 

My first big arena show was for Madonna at the o2 Arena in London, this was my first big sight of large-scale tour packages.  

7. 

My first stadium show! An amazing experience at the London Stadium working for 4 days on the Burna Boy tour. A different show to any others I’ve ever worked on, with the most backline equipment I’ve ever seen for a single artist! An interesting stage setup and set design too. I also had the opportunity to be a Robospot operator for the show which was a really good experience seeing the show from a different angle and being part of it.     


8.

Andre Rieú was a fun gig to work on because of the difference from normal gigs as it is predominantly an orchestra. The curved video wall at the back added some cool effects.    

9.

Latitude Festival, which was my first full large-scale festival. I really enjoyed this festival. Being able to see the culture around it throughout the day and then turn the shows around in the night was a great experience. I bumped into a few industry friends too so that was cool!  

10.

James in Leeds. An interesting stage and lighting setup created a great effect.     


 

Do you want to study where some of the world's greatest experiences are made and staged? Visit an Open Day on Production Park to find out where your degree can take you, from virtual production, theatre, touring, sports, festivals and more. 

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