No business like show business

As promised, here is a little update to show you all what’s been keeping me busy the past couple of weeks. I came back from my work placement at the Tron theatre, and got straight into getting organised for our graduation show. Third year students in my course hold this event every year at the same time, its not a ‘show’ as such, but is essentially a degree show like any other art based uni would have for students on the brink of graduating to exhibit their work and invite professionals, friends and family along.

The format is different every year, and this year we took over the main theatre and the smaller studio theatre. The pics above and below is in the Chandler studio theatre, where we built, painted and set up booths for each person to have their own little exhibition space! As an applied artist, designer or prop maker its pretty easy to show off your work and portfolio, but for the tech people in my year I think its normally a bit harder. So thats where the big theatre – the new athaneum – came into play. The guys took it over, rigged up all this awesome set up, with a lights show and a video from their pyrotechnics show (LOTS of explosions) and then a short film was played with sped up footage of stage set ups etc in action. Might sound a bit hard to piece together in your brain, but with the mix of lights, sound and footage, and the amazing set up on stage, with the HUGE dragon from panto and my attic cloth (12m x 6m) and some other huge bits of set, paintings, and cloths from past shows… I felt like I was at a take that concert haha. It was pretty epic 🙂

So on opening night we had the show and a nice drinks reception and canapes courtesy of my pals at Where The Monkey Sleeps. Then yesterday and today both of the spaces have been open for people to come in and have a wander around. Professionals from different theatres and production companies have came along to see what kind of people are going to be emerging into the industry this year – and I guess some people hope to get a job from this event as it is very focused on networking etc. But to be honest I felt like it’s just been a really good stepping stone into getting us more used to self promotion. Cv’s, business cards, portfolios, websites… stuff I’ve been working on for a long time, and now I feel confident about ‘selling myself’ as an applied artist. This event was a good chance for us to put our skills to the test! Plus, we organise, built and man the whole thing ourself with no tutor support (on the actual theatre productions, its the same idea but with more input from our lecturers etc)

Here’s me yesterday during the day on my booth! 🙂 I’ve got a few paintings displayed and some costume makes I’ve done. Copies of my cv and business cards have been lifted from my table so thats a good sign too eh? It’s just been a nice big final event to share with the peeps I’ve studied and worked with for the past three years, and who I’ll be graduating with in about 5 weeks time ♥

After the opening night, we all went for a celebration drink to blow off some steam. A huge glass of wine was definately in order! Thats me with Steven (film student who I’ve done some work with) Ashleigh (one of my best friends at uni, one half of our A-Team!) Myself, and Holly (set and costume designer, she’s in my year too)

The graduation show comes to an end tonight, and for the next couple of weeks I’ll be doing some final coursework and hand in’s before we leave at the end of June. Judging by how quick the past year has went, I don’t think the next few weeks are exactly gonna drag in. I’m ready for whatever life throws at me! 🙂 Oooh, also… thanks to the mister of the lovely Jen at A Little Bird Says, I am now officially a .com! Thanks Rob 🙂

www.aydenmillar.com

Please check it out and let me know what you all think 🙂 Rob did a really good job of my site – would definately recommend him if you were looking for a web design or even fancy new blog layout! Now that things are a bit calmer and I’m feeling more organised I have a few nice wee blog posts planned for you all soon 🙂 and wow, 260 followers? Where did you all come from!? 🙂 big smiles! haha. So I think a little ‘thank you’ will be in order soon in the form of a traditional give away. Something I’ve never done before, and I’ve never expected to have this many followers so thank you all ♥

I’m away to meet my lovely friend Nic for a sushi lunch and a blether, have a great day whatever you lovelies are upto!