We've just relocated to tumblr so this is now our archive site.
Do have a read to find out what went on in 2009, but for current news please visit http://festivalvolunteers.tumblr.com/
Thanks!
Thursday, 24 June 2010
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
2010
We can't believe how quickly things come around again. It still seems like we've only just ended one festival season and now we're planning for another. We're really excited about our Festival Volunteering 2010 projects: we'll be going to Latitude and Leeds festivals again, taking around 200 students, staff and alumni in roles including stage management, filming, running campsite DJ parties, performing, playwork and providing information to festival goers.
If you're a Leeds Met student, staff or alumni and are interested in getting involved, email festivalvolunteering@leedsmet.ac.uk and we'll send you all the information and details of how to apply once we're ready.
If you're a Leeds Met student, staff or alumni and are interested in getting involved, email festivalvolunteering@leedsmet.ac.uk and we'll send you all the information and details of how to apply once we're ready.
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
New recruits
It's Freshers' week at Leeds Met and we've been chatting to tons of new students about Festival Republic and our other partners, and the sorts of opportunities available. We've encouraged them to have a look at this blog to find out more about what went on this summer.
So if you're one of those people reading this now, you might like to register your interest in volunteering at a festival, going to see the ballet or a theatre production, getting involved with Light Night Leeds and many other great experiences.
Just fill in your details on the contact page on the Arts & Society website and choose 'Partnership working' as the nature of your enquiry. We'll add you to our database and email you with more information and opportunities.
So if you're one of those people reading this now, you might like to register your interest in volunteering at a festival, going to see the ballet or a theatre production, getting involved with Light Night Leeds and many other great experiences.
Just fill in your details on the contact page on the Arts & Society website and choose 'Partnership working' as the nature of your enquiry. We'll add you to our database and email you with more information and opportunities.
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
Time to reflect...and then start again
So, now we're back. Like everyone else, I'm so glad to be in my own bed, and I spent so much time in the bath this morning my fingertips went wrinkly. The festival season is over and it's now time for us to think about the successes of 2009 and begin to plan 2010.
This summer we have been to both Latitude and Leeds festivals and we have provided volunteering and internship opportunities for over 200 students and staff. About ten percent of our volunteers gained undergraduate or postgraduate credit for their hard work, many more have "hard to find" experience on their CVs but some just came because they wanted to be a part of it. Our students have done exceptionally well; exceeding expectations in all of our projects.
But, I would also like to name a few staff who have made the Festival Republic partnership what it is. Firstly, Caroline Bonser, whose integrity, hard work and attention to detail have been invaluable, secondly, Patsy Robertshaw whose stamina is legendary and without whose support (at Leeds Fest) I would have probably curled up into a ball and cried. And finally Laura Taylor who is probably the most lovely and cheery person I know and is a true professional. These three key figures drive this project forward and yet every single person is needed and makes a difference. Some of our students have also been in responsible, stressful positions and working long hours, there are too many to name but special thanks to Michael Seymour, Isla Brown, Alex Herod, Gaz Davies and the HATs managers.
Looking forward to next year we hope that the same projects in Latitude and Leeds will happen again. But I am hoping to add an extra festival to our portfolio - I'm not allowed to tell you which one - but watch this space...
Rebekka Kill
Senior Lecturer in Creativity, Enterprise and Engagement, Teaching Fellow and Enterprise Pioneer
This summer we have been to both Latitude and Leeds festivals and we have provided volunteering and internship opportunities for over 200 students and staff. About ten percent of our volunteers gained undergraduate or postgraduate credit for their hard work, many more have "hard to find" experience on their CVs but some just came because they wanted to be a part of it. Our students have done exceptionally well; exceeding expectations in all of our projects.
But, I would also like to name a few staff who have made the Festival Republic partnership what it is. Firstly, Caroline Bonser, whose integrity, hard work and attention to detail have been invaluable, secondly, Patsy Robertshaw whose stamina is legendary and without whose support (at Leeds Fest) I would have probably curled up into a ball and cried. And finally Laura Taylor who is probably the most lovely and cheery person I know and is a true professional. These three key figures drive this project forward and yet every single person is needed and makes a difference. Some of our students have also been in responsible, stressful positions and working long hours, there are too many to name but special thanks to Michael Seymour, Isla Brown, Alex Herod, Gaz Davies and the HATs managers.
Looking forward to next year we hope that the same projects in Latitude and Leeds will happen again. But I am hoping to add an extra festival to our portfolio - I'm not allowed to tell you which one - but watch this space...
Rebekka Kill
Senior Lecturer in Creativity, Enterprise and Engagement, Teaching Fellow and Enterprise Pioneer
Monday, 31 August 2009
In the medical tent
Leeds Met nursing students busy at work. They helped to staff the festival medical tent as part of their placement hours.
Lucy
Lucy volunteered with Leeds Met on the Lake Stage at Latitude and was then offered paid work as artist liaison on the Festival Republic stage at Leeds.
Tom on the NME/R1 stage
Tom was part of last year's Leeds Met film crew. He made a useful contact while at Leeds Festival, and as a result was filming on the NME/Radio 1 stage this year.
Sunday, 30 August 2009
High Standards
It’s a busy backstage at the BBC Introducing Stage today. As well as Raw Talent and the Leeds Met crew, we’ve got Claire from BBC Introducing who has come up from Reading. The BBC have invited guests to get together in the backstage area and we’ve been talking to Sally Joynson from Screen Yorkshire and Head of BBC Yorkshire, Helen Thomas. They came into the production office to take a look at the film we made of The Frontiers (which you can see on this blog). Both Claire and Helen were really interested and impressed with the footage we’ve got and fingers crossed it will be going up on their websites in Yorkshire and Radio 1 soon.
Creating the short films on site has been really exciting and successful and we’re getting them up in about three to four hours. It’s nice to be able to see the results and share them so instantly because people can then understand what we’re doing and it’s nice to see the improvements as the days go on. Today the crew have been editing footage from The Teeth yesterday and have filmed Milk White White Teeth and the film should be up tomorrow. The crew have been really focussed and the production standards have been really high.
Laura Taylor
Film Crew Manager
Creating the short films on site has been really exciting and successful and we’re getting them up in about three to four hours. It’s nice to be able to see the results and share them so instantly because people can then understand what we’re doing and it’s nice to see the improvements as the days go on. Today the crew have been editing footage from The Teeth yesterday and have filmed Milk White White Teeth and the film should be up tomorrow. The crew have been really focussed and the production standards have been really high.
Laura Taylor
Film Crew Manager
Festeria
I’m having an amazing time being behind the scenes at such a massive event which is running incredibly smoothly, especially when I can see first hand just how massive an operation it is. Last night as I was walking between my temporary ‘home’ in the production area directly behind the main stage, it was funny to see staff battling to reinforce the fencing separating us and the heaving crowds rocking out to The Prodigy, who even from my limited view were brilliant.
People keep asking me what bands I’ve actually seen, but I’ve only really stopped to watch The Gossip who were ace, and seen snippets of others and heard a lot more as I wander round and round and round. I’m spending most of my time talking to our volunteers and staff working and performing here and battling technology to try and update the Leeds Met website from the Press tent where there are constant interviews going on with people that I don’t quite recognise. In fact the only ‘celeb’ I’ve had contact with is Ian Brown, thanks Rebekka for making me go up for a photo of him!
It feels like I’ve been here for years and walked a million miles, although I’m only on my third day here. And I’ve got it relatively easy, the volunteers are working long and intense shifts running stages, DJing through the night, pandering to bands bizarre whims and giving out information to the masses. Then there’s Rebekka, Caroline, Laura and Patsy who seem to constantly be doing circuits of this massive venue sorting stuff out by phone and walkie-talkie to ensure the volunteers are getting the best possible experience. Everyone I talk to is sleep deprived and aching all over but are incredibly friendly, upbeat and having a brilliant time.
There also seem to be Leeds Met connections dotted all over the place on top of our 130+ volunteers, there are guests coming in on day tickets to see what we’re all up to, past and present students and staff on stage or milling around the guest area and arena and Leeds Met hoodies galore. It’s great to bump in to people all over the place and see just how far and wide the University’s tentacles extend.
Having heard, read and written about the partnership since its formation it’s eye-opening to be here and experience it myself and actually see it for myself. The students are making a great impression and being trusted with really important roles giving them valuable experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives and, in many cases, will open doors for them.
People keep asking me what bands I’ve actually seen, but I’ve only really stopped to watch The Gossip who were ace, and seen snippets of others and heard a lot more as I wander round and round and round. I’m spending most of my time talking to our volunteers and staff working and performing here and battling technology to try and update the Leeds Met website from the Press tent where there are constant interviews going on with people that I don’t quite recognise. In fact the only ‘celeb’ I’ve had contact with is Ian Brown, thanks Rebekka for making me go up for a photo of him!
It feels like I’ve been here for years and walked a million miles, although I’m only on my third day here. And I’ve got it relatively easy, the volunteers are working long and intense shifts running stages, DJing through the night, pandering to bands bizarre whims and giving out information to the masses. Then there’s Rebekka, Caroline, Laura and Patsy who seem to constantly be doing circuits of this massive venue sorting stuff out by phone and walkie-talkie to ensure the volunteers are getting the best possible experience. Everyone I talk to is sleep deprived and aching all over but are incredibly friendly, upbeat and having a brilliant time.
There also seem to be Leeds Met connections dotted all over the place on top of our 130+ volunteers, there are guests coming in on day tickets to see what we’re all up to, past and present students and staff on stage or milling around the guest area and arena and Leeds Met hoodies galore. It’s great to bump in to people all over the place and see just how far and wide the University’s tentacles extend.
Having heard, read and written about the partnership since its formation it’s eye-opening to be here and experience it myself and actually see it for myself. The students are making a great impression and being trusted with really important roles giving them valuable experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives and, in many cases, will open doors for them.
Saturday, 29 August 2009
The Frontiers
The Teeth, originally uploaded by Leeds Met Festival Volunteers.
Saturday at the BBC Introducing Stage - another mini film from the Leeds Met film crew
Cool CATs and Fantastic HATs
Arriving at Leeds Festival on Thursday morning, car fully loaded, I will admit to both excitement and trepidation. Camping is something I have not done since Girl Guides but I thought that this was the weekend to give it a go. This was going to be the best bit of my holiday!
With 80,000 people expected, the journey there was surprisingly quick and the CATs (Campsite Arena Team) were extremely cool and welcoming; (did one of the helpers really look like that Rob guy from Twilight or was it just my daughter's friends' imagination?) Their help in carrying all my stuff and then setting up my tent was just amazing. This was very different to the camping I remember!
Equally impressive is the planning and organisation that goes into this festival weekend and being there really brought the sheer scale and complexity to life. No wonder why so many of our students wanted to help out as volunteers. Meeting some of the 130 students in action on a tour of the site provided by Gavin was brilliant. The HATs (Helpful Arena Team) were terrific, students from business, cultural studies, events management and music technology were working on the BBC Introducing Stage with one of our graduates as Stage Manager, as Artist Liaison and on production. All were enthusiastic and valued the opportunity to develop their skills and experience as well as the chance to see the music festival first hand. I missed out the campsite DJ team whose shift ran from 11pm till 5am but I know, from the distant music and cheering I could hear as I sat in my tent later that evening, that they were doing a terrific job.
The partnership with Festival Republic has gone from strength to strength with outputs including internships and employment for our students and crime reduction on site. A great team - talented students, dedicated staff (well done Rebekka, Gavin and Caroline), a fantastic Festival team and terrific partnership.
Now 4am on day 1 and off to fix my tent pegs to stop my tent rising up and blowing away - (the cool CATs did say that they weren't experts at setting up tents!).
Barbara Colledge
Dean of Innovation North
Leeds Met
With 80,000 people expected, the journey there was surprisingly quick and the CATs (Campsite Arena Team) were extremely cool and welcoming; (did one of the helpers really look like that Rob guy from Twilight or was it just my daughter's friends' imagination?) Their help in carrying all my stuff and then setting up my tent was just amazing. This was very different to the camping I remember!
Equally impressive is the planning and organisation that goes into this festival weekend and being there really brought the sheer scale and complexity to life. No wonder why so many of our students wanted to help out as volunteers. Meeting some of the 130 students in action on a tour of the site provided by Gavin was brilliant. The HATs (Helpful Arena Team) were terrific, students from business, cultural studies, events management and music technology were working on the BBC Introducing Stage with one of our graduates as Stage Manager, as Artist Liaison and on production. All were enthusiastic and valued the opportunity to develop their skills and experience as well as the chance to see the music festival first hand. I missed out the campsite DJ team whose shift ran from 11pm till 5am but I know, from the distant music and cheering I could hear as I sat in my tent later that evening, that they were doing a terrific job.
The partnership with Festival Republic has gone from strength to strength with outputs including internships and employment for our students and crime reduction on site. A great team - talented students, dedicated staff (well done Rebekka, Gavin and Caroline), a fantastic Festival team and terrific partnership.
Now 4am on day 1 and off to fix my tent pegs to stop my tent rising up and blowing away - (the cool CATs did say that they weren't experts at setting up tents!).
Barbara Colledge
Dean of Innovation North
Leeds Met
Friday, 28 August 2009
Wonderswan
Wonderswan, originally uploaded by Leeds Met Festival Volunteers.
A short film by Leeds Met film crew at Leeds Festival 2009.
Pulled Apart By Horses
On the Festival Republic stage at Leeds Festival 2009. Guitarist James Brown is a Leeds Met alumnus.
A successful start
So we're here at Leeds Festival, and have just managed to get an internet connection. So much has happened already that our barbeque on Wednesday night seems like a very long time ago. We spent most of Thursday preparing, which involved lots of walking around the site, checking equipment, practising performances, preparing backstage areas, and being quizzed on lots of festival info.
Our HATs (Helpful Arena Teams) are busy helping festival-goers as I write, and our performance artists and campsite DJs have had their first successful night, which included singing to the punters when the PA system failed. The BBC Introducing stage team started off supporting the Dance to the Radio night and are now fully in control on the first full day of bands.
Our HATs (Helpful Arena Teams) are busy helping festival-goers as I write, and our performance artists and campsite DJs have had their first successful night, which included singing to the punters when the PA system failed. The BBC Introducing stage team started off supporting the Dance to the Radio night and are now fully in control on the first full day of bands.
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Volunteering can often lead to something more
Well, gearing up ready for Leeds Festival tomorrow. I have been very lucky to be able to gain a position as Artist Liaison on the Festival Republic stage after volunteering at Latitude on the Lake Stage as Artist Liaison. The position that I was given at Latitude has made a great difference to me not only by being able to gain a paid role at Leeds Festival, but also allowing me to add more skills on my CV and allowing me to gain more events experience towards my Event Management degree at Uni.
I believe that volunteering is a great way to get involved with the great opportunities that Leeds Met has to offer as well as having a fun time and meeting new people. My advice to anyone who is debating whether or not to do a volunteering placement is to go for it. You gain some valuable skills, a great way to meet people, have a fun time and it may lead to something more, in my case it did. So thank you to Rebekka, Caroline, Gavin, Isla and the rest of the team for allowing me to gain a position at Latitude, for without their help I wouldn't be where I am now.
Lucy McCann
2nd year Events Management student
I believe that volunteering is a great way to get involved with the great opportunities that Leeds Met has to offer as well as having a fun time and meeting new people. My advice to anyone who is debating whether or not to do a volunteering placement is to go for it. You gain some valuable skills, a great way to meet people, have a fun time and it may lead to something more, in my case it did. So thank you to Rebekka, Caroline, Gavin, Isla and the rest of the team for allowing me to gain a position at Latitude, for without their help I wouldn't be where I am now.
Lucy McCann
2nd year Events Management student
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