ABTT Members' Newsletter,
October 2020
Dear <<First Name>>,
We hope you are keeping well.
Since our last newsletter, our Industry has once more #StoodAsOne as the #WeMakeEvents campaign highlighted how the live events industry urgently needs to get back to work.
The industry joined together as a worldwide force on the 30th September for a Global Day of Action marking the start of a new phase of the campaign which will continue to alert governments to the disastrous situation the sector faces. Thank you to everyone who got involved!
The government have also introduced the new Winter Economy Plan and have amended guidelines regarding the reopening of venues to curb the spread of COVID-19.
In addition we have information about a new hardship fund launched by BackUp – The Technical Entertainment Charity, for those who have been unable to find financial support from government schemes or elsewhere. Find out more here.
The ABTT continue to provide links to the current guidance throughout the UK with regards to reopening venues. There continue to be significant differences between England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. More details can be found on the ABTT Website here.
With widespread assistance from throughout the sector, the ABTT is continuing produce COVID Secure Guidance Notes as a free resource. More information on the Guidance Notes currently available can be found below.
We also continue to curate and run online seminars and networking events, including the next event from the UK Theatre and Live Events Apprenticeship Network and our upcoming seminar "The UVC Light at the end of the Tunnel". More information below.
To help the broader Entertainment and Events sector in its discussions with government please help supply accurate information about the size and current state of our industry by completing the #WeMakeEvents Covid 19 Entertainment Freelancer Survey, see below for link.
Do remember that the ABTT is currently continuing as normal and stands ready to offer any support it can, so please do keep in contact via email: office@abtt.org.uk
Kind regards,
The ABTT Team
|
|
The focus of this unique initiative, which builds from the #InclusiveRecovery campaign, is to ensure deaf, neurodiverse and disabled people are not discriminated against as creative work begins again and as venues re-open. The Seven Principles offer practical guidance to arts and cultural organisations to support disabled artists, audiences, visitors, participants and employees.
|
|
|
ABTT Bronze Award now integrated as part of GSA Theatre Production Degree!
We are very pleased to formally announce that the ABTT Bronze Award has been successfully incorporated into The Guildford School of Acting's BA Theatre Production degree.
This means that students will not only leave with a Bachelor of Arts degree, but the ABTT Bronze Award (accredited SCQF Level 7).
|
|
|
Mig Burgess, ABTT trustee Council member, lighting teacher and now recently appointed Theatre Production programme leader at GSA has spent her career forging strong industry links, working on a variety of projects and events that link her students with manufacturers, hire companies and industry bodies.
“I am so proud and excited to formally announce the integration of the ABTT Bronze Award into the core teaching of our production course here at GSA. I am so excited for the students to not only engage and formally study the 5 core modules of the Bronze Award alongside their degree, but also to be more closely linked with the ABTT and the impressive talented pool of professional members it has.”
The content of the ABTT Bronze Award can be found here.
|
|
ABTT posting Industry job adverts online!
We have been collating any relevant job adverts and posting them on to our Industry Jobs page here. So if you are currently looking for a new role, please do keep an eye out for upcoming positions here.
If you know of any roles being offered please contact us so we can keep this list up to date: office@abtt.org.uk
|
|
|
|
Organisations with Affiliate ABTT membership and members of the ABTT Industry Supporters’ Group may advertise job vacancies for free.
|
|
|
ABTT Guidance Notes available online!
The ABTT will shortly be releasing Guidance Note 104 to sit alongside Guidance Notes 101, 102, 103, 105 & 106 covering COVID Secure reopening of places of entertainment. These living documents - requiring constant updates - are viewable via the ABTT Website for free, ensuring you are looking at the most up to date version of the guidance at any time.
|
|
|
|
These publications include guidance on risk assessments and steps for returning to work following lockdowns and form part of the Code of Practice for the Theatre Industry produced by the Association of British Theatre Technicians with the support of the Theatre Safety Committee and should be read in conjunction with one another.
|
|
|
Well done ABTT Course Candidates!
A huge congratulations to everyone who has completed their ABTT Bronze Award or ABTT Silver Electrics Award over the last three weeks!
We hope you enjoyed the course, it has been great to be back training once more! Do keep and eye out, your ABTT Certificate will be out in the post for you very soon!
|
|
|
|
Our next course is running between November 16th - 20th 2020. Details can be found below.
|
|
|
Bronze Award comes to Stevenage!
The next ABTT Bronze Award is running at the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage next month between 16th - 20th November.
ABTT Members: £705 + VAT
Non ABTT Members: £ £815 + VAT
This Award is accredited to SCQF Level 7 and is a five day practical course which will also covers relevant theory.
|
|
|
The Bronze Award course includes,
- Manual Handling and Introduction to Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
- Electrical Fundamentals
- Knots & Splicing
- Fundamentals of Flying
- Safe use of temporary access equipment
- Awards Test
There are limited spaces available on this course so please do get int ouch if you wish to attend.
|
|
|
ABTT Training is open for in venue bookings!
Many of our courses are available to be run on-demand via peripatetic delivery. Courses may be delivered anywhere within the UK, or abroad and the ABTT would welcome interested theatres or organisations who wish to act as a host venues to get in contact.
|
|
|
If you are interested in finding out more, please contact us on training@abtt.org.uk with the following information:
- The course you wish to run
- Venue location
- Number of candidates
- Availability in your calendar
|
|
|
This online training course is largely based on AutoCAD’s 2D functionality with a short bonus 3D tutorial at the conclusion of the course. It is used within the Theatre industry to develop technical drawings for a range of different uses. If you are on the technical drawing side of set or theatre design, this course is for you.
The course is specifically tailored to the needs of users in a theatrical environment
|
|
|
|
It consists of six parts and is structured so you can create simple drawings after Part 1. The course will provide you with a foundation of skills, allowing you to use the program straight away and build your knowledge. Each part should take approximately 10 hours to complete, this will vary from person to person as it’s structured to allow you to work at your own pace
|
|
|
UK Apprenticeship Network's next event!
Following another successful event, the UK Theatre and Live Events Apprenticeship Network has now scheduled its third event.
Running between 3pm - 5pm on 3rd November this Event will be looking in to different skill-sets and specialisms and finding your direction in the Industry.
|
|
|
|
You will have the opportunity to hear from and speak with people from different roles within the Industry as well as meeting other Apprentices – connecting you with others who have been through the same experience.
You will be able to speak with experts from different fields, and find out more about the different avenues you can pursue during your career in the Live Entertainment Industry.
If you have not joined it already, please become a member of the UK Theatre and Live Apprenticeship Network for FREE here.
You can also find out more information – including relevant resources for Apprentices here.
|
|
Save the Date: Varilite/Strand Seminar -
'The UVC Light at the end of the Tunnel'
Running on 9th November between 2pm - 3.30pm, this seminar will be looking at at the nature and specification of the Ultraviolet spectrum and how it may be harnessed for disinfection applications.
The Speaker will be Nathanael Dannenberg, of Signify (formerly Philips Lighting) and supported by Vari*Lite Strand, a Signify division.
|
|
|
Fancy a cuppa and a catch up?
An open invitation to FMTW's virtual Green Room for those who have missed checking in with their work family! Bring a cuppa and grab a comfortable seat as we find a way to be together.
Turn up if you can and for as long as you can, catch up with those in the industry you know, and make some new friends along the way.
|
|
|
For those who would rather catch up with folks you know, we encourage you to set up your own Freelance Tea Break: it could be over the phone, on Zoom or shouting over your garden fence. We would love for you to share your experiences using #FreelanceTeaBreak.
Our Tea Breaks are running every Thursday in October between 11am - 11.30am. Find out more here.
|
|
Anti-racism conference for the UK’s theatre sector announced
‘Speak – Listen – Reset – Heal’ - an anti-racism conference presented by Inc Arts UK in partnership with SOLT & UK Theatre will be a fully accessible online series, taking place on Tuesday 3rd, 10th and 24th November.
Registration is now open.
|
|
|
|
Acknowledging systemic and structural racism in the performing arts, the conference aims to effect real changes through authentic, constructive and direct dialogue between senior leaders and the diverse workforce, artists and organisations that interact with them. The organisers want the theatre and dance sectors to reach their fullest potential by enabling honesty and courage – rebuilding now for an equal, inclusive and achievable future.
For more information and how to book, please see here.
|
|
Call To Action: #WeMakeEvents poster
The #WeMakeEvents campaign, which is raising the alarm for the live events and entertainment sector, have released a tool kit that includes logos, video assets, images and guidelines to help maximise consistancy through the campaign. This includes a Support Campaign Poster for those effected by the current state of industry to hang in their windows at work or home.
|
|
|
Shop the official #WeMakeEvents merchandise today!
If you've been to a music gig, theatre show, or had an amazing live performance event experience, here's your chance to say thank you.
#WeMakeEvents is raising money for the people who make events happen.
|
|
|
The sound, lighting and video designers and engineers, the set designers, the riggers, the caterers and all the other hard-working people who make the wonderful world of festivals, concerts, theatre and other amazing events happen.
So if you love events and want your friends who work on them to be able to invite you along again, please visit www.wemakeevents.com/merchandise and buy something for yourself, your friends or your children. We can't tell you how much we'd appreciate it!
|
|
Unleash your creativity in aid of Backup!
The Backup Pumpkin Challenge is a competition to help raise awareness of the Charity in a fun and creative way.
We want you to get involved - as an individual, company or team. All you need is a pumpkin, your design and any props or tech you want to incorporate to bring your design to life.
|
|
|
|
The Backup Pumpkin Challenge consists of 5 Categories
- Best overall design (judged by panel)
- Best use of tech (judged by panel)
- Best Design by Future Creative* (judged by panel)
- Most overall likes (on Instagram)
- Cutest Fur Baby Pumpkin Pic ** (most overall likes on Instagram)
Deadline for entries is 31st October. Find out more about the competition and how to enter here.
|
|
|
Space in kind for creatives this autumn – FREE theatre space at the Gulbenkian
Calling creatives with inspiring, engaging and innovative ideas with a commitment to inclusion, diversity and collaborating with communities. This autumn, the University of Kent is offering the Gulbenkian Theatre as a space in kind and technical support to create their visions and values.
|
|
|
Questions for smaller Theatres
The Theatres Trust have asked for those in smaller venues to get in contact with information regarding their ventilation systems. There are four key questions:
- Does your theatre have a mechanical ventilation system installed? (ie as opposed to comfort cooling or heating that conditions and recirculates air)
|
|
|
- Which spaces within your venue have a ventilation system (eg main auditorium, studio space, bar, dressing rooms etc).
- Does the ventilation system allow for increased levels of fresh air intake?
- Is there a building management system (BMS) controlling the ventilation equipment?
If you are happy to answer, there are a couple more BMS related questions below:
- If yes, does the BMS use CO2 levels from sensors in the venue?
- If yes, what values does the BMS use?
- Is there a maximum value which the system tries to keep below?
Please send your answers or any queries through to: claire.appleby@theatrestrust.org.uk
|
|
#SeatOutToHelpOut scheme
A petition has been launched calling on Government to launch a “Seat Out, To Help Out” scheme similar to the initiative that has helped the hospitality sector. It asks government to consider subsidising theatre tickets when social-distancing restrictions are relaxed in order to kickstart the theatre sector and boost recovery. Sign today!
|
|
|
Substantial work is underway at DCMS level on getting to Stage 5 of the roadmap – the aim of this work is for a positive recommendation into the central government mechanism to educate the decision making processes re social distancing for November.
Over the next month these groups will be seeking an agreement to be able to re-open venues in full.
|
|
|
|
As part of this work, SOLT & UK Theatre are launching a very simple data collection tool that we would like all venues (seated indoors, not outdoors) to complete so we can get a picture of what activity is happening, at what capacity and audience demand, and whether there have been any Covid issues. This data collection is being done across all music venues as well as theatre and performing arts.
This is vital as part of the data picture into the recommendation on Stage 5. It is a very quick and simple “survey” to fill in, and should be done weekly – in practice, there is little activity at the moment but we will get a growing picture of what is happening.
The link for venues to fill in details is: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/9F5SDTD
|
|
|
The ABTT is fortunate to have received a grant from the Culture Recovery Fund.
The impact on the theatre and live performance industry of the effects of the current pandemic are so devastating that the financial support will only allow us to manage the most immediate impacts and restructure the organisation in order to ensure that we are able in some form to support practitioners when required.
|
|
|
|
We remain gravely concerned for our industry and the personal hardship that so many involved with it are experiencing. We cannot see how without further significant support it will be able to survive.
|
|
|
As a registered charity, we are dependent on our membership subscriptions and donations as we do not receive any government subsidy, or regular financial help from local authorities or the Arts Council. If you are able, please pay any outstanding membership subscriptions. If it is possible and you would like to make a donation to support the ABTT in surviving in these incredibly challenging times, we would be extraordinarily grateful.
|
|
|
|
Add Gift Aid to your Membership!
Have you added Gift Aid to your membership? Donating through Gift Aid means that, as a charity, the ABTT can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give.
It will not cost you any extra and all you need to do is give written consent!
|
|
|
|
If it is possible and you would like to make a donation to support the ABTT in surviving in these incredibly challenging times, we would be extraordinarily grateful.
Any donations will help us in continuing to set and uphold standards in technical excellence, safety and compliance for live performance, to assist technicians and support relevant industry projects.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
