The 46th edition of the BRIT Awards, which saw the ceremony’s first foray outside of London, can count performances from Harry Styles, ROSALÍA, and a touching tribute to Ozzy Osbourne among its highlights.
Behind the scenes, The BRIT Awards longstanding vendor, Britannia Row Productions, deployed audio equipment and professionals as well as offering a unique work experience opportunity for 18-year-old students, Bo Sorensen and Tyanne Lloyd, from The BRIT School.
”We were impressed with how prepared they were for their interviews and the experience they already had working with live audio. They clearly had a passion for the industry, and it was a pleasure to be able to offer them a place,” Account Executive at Britannia Row, Tom Brown said. “They integrated with the crew perfectly and quickly became part of the show team before we even left the warehouse. I hope the experience gave them further insight on what it’s like working on shows of this nature – we would gladly welcome them back.”
Sorensen and Lloyd, who both study Production Arts at The BRIT School, say that working at The BRIT Awards was a dream come true: “I have always been interested in sound and I had three things I was telling my friends and family when I was in secondary school, and they were get into The BRIT School, work the BRIT Awards and get a distinction. With two down, I’m hoping to get all three!” Production Arts at The BRIT School covers several disciplines, from set building to costume design, but for Lloyd, working on a musical and meeting FOH Engineer, Sam Vincent is where she fell in love with sound. “The more I got behind a sound desk, the more I realised this is what I want to do,” she said. “Having this opportunity has been great, the Britannia Row team are not only lovely, but are also very dedicated to their job, which is definitely inspiring.”
Sorenson added: “It is interesting to see how the equipment we have used at school is deployed on a show of this scale, we have gone from asking if we can hear a microphone, to part of a team that is broadcasting to millions,” he said. “The pressure is definitely there to get it right, but I enjoy it.”
Lloyd agreed: “We’re feeling the pressure because we care about it, and because we’re surrounded by people who know everything and strive for perfection, it makes me want to be the exact same way.”
Looking to the future, Sorenson sees himself continuing in the sector, with the goal of hitting the road. “I have always been a very practical person, so the idea of travelling the world on a tour bus sounds exciting.”
Sorensen looks forward to going freelance and applying for a Britannia Row apprenticeship after graduating: “We were talking to Marcel van Limbeek, Head of Education at Brit Row, who told us that by the second year of the course, you’ll be out on gigs and getting hands-on experience, but even working in the warehouse would be a goal for me.” Lloyd has recently accepted a place on a sound design course and is excited to explore how sound can complement a story: “There’s a beauty in taking something from nothing and creating something for people to hear. I think I’ll gradually get into live music as I get older because there are so many different technical aspects to it that I am just discovering.”
Audio Crew Chief, Liam Tucker, was impressed with the two new recruits: “Bo and Tyanne soon learnt what they needed to do to help us achieve being load-in and show-ready. I saw their knowledge grow, and their desire to do a good job didn’t dwindle. They showed commitment during load-out, too, proving they want to be successful. They both have a bright future ahead.”
Guy Lovegrove, Production Manager at The BRIT School, stated: “Opportunities like this are key to the future careers of our students. Working with professionals like Britannia Row provides a fantastic experience where Production Arts students can get a real feel for the industry and build connections with the professionals who work in it. The BRIT School is free, providing a unique platform for young people who want to work in the entertainment industry and the creative arts, and we are always looking for industry links that give our students real, hands-on experience.”
Words: Alicia Pollitt
Photos: TPi
