BAFTA winners, podcasters, YouTube giants, tech experts, and global music legends – the world’s biggest names in entertainment descend on UK university for one-of-a-kind week-long industry insider masterclass
From the co-writer of Robbie Williams’ global hit ‘Angels’ to the manager of some of the world’s biggest YouTube stars, Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies is once again gearing up to open its doors for its annual industry take-over.
By Sarah McLeod | Published on 14 February 2024
Categories: Press office;
For almost two decades Confetti has secured some of the world’s biggest names and experts from the creative and entertainment industries to deliver masterclasses, talks, performances, workshops and game jams exclusively for its students during a week-long industry expo.
From critically acclaimed actors Stephen Graham OBE and Vicky McClure MBE; to award-winning directors and screenwriters Shane Meadows, Nick Broomfield and Russell T Davies; and world-famous production studios and tech leaders, like Aardman Animations, Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) and Ross Video. Not to mention pop stars like Becky Hill and music royalty, William Orbit, Don Letts, Linda Perry, Sylvia Massy, Steve Albini, and Tony Visconti.
Taking place in March, this year’s Confetti Industry Week stellar line-up already includes influencer dynamic duo James and Fuhad, renowned for their top 5 Spotify podcast ‘ShxtsnGigs’, and Guy Chambers, the multi-Ivor Novello award-winning co-writer of modern touchstones of popular music, including Robbie Williams’ iconic hits ‘Angels’, ‘Let Me Entertain You’ and ‘Feel’.
Co-founder of entertainment company Arcade Media and Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2023, Jordan Schwarzenberger is set to share insights into how he manages clients such as YouTube group The Sidemen (20m subscribers) and how he helps launch brands such as YouTuber KSI’s companies Sides and XIX Vodka.
The packed week will also include award-winning Music Video Director Joe Connor (The Rolling Stones, Coldplay and Sam Smith); the BAFTA award-winning writer and associate producer Phil Mealey (The Royle Family, Early Doors and Sunshine); tech-expert, CEO and Co-Founder of AI music curator, Musiio, Hazel Savage; and one of the most famous musicians in the history of electronica, Wolfgang Flur (ex-Kraftwerk).
As part of the award-winning Nottingham Trent University – recently rated Gold in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) assessment – Confetti has been delivering specialist creative higher education for over 30 years. Based at its world-leading facilities in Nottingham and London, Confetti is home to some 3,000 students from both the UK and abroad. Offering vocationally-focused degrees and diplomas in music, events, esports, media, and games, Confetti’s objective is to land its graduates the best jobs in the entertainment industries.
As part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the UK creative industries are estimated to generate around £170bn in gross value added (GVA) – equivalent to 8% of the British economy – and Confetti is a crucial talent pipeline from specialist Higher Education into high-skilled jobs in the UK creative economy. Its alumni go on to work for big brands in the music, TV, film and gaming industries, including Warner Brothers, BBC, Sumo Digital, PlayStation and Bauer Media, and working behind the scenes of hit TV shows like Ted Lasso and successful video game franchises like Grand Theft Auto. This year’s Industry Week will also see the welcome return of BAFTA-winning actress, Vicky McClure MBE, and a host of Confetti alumni now working successfully in industry, who will share their experiences of life after Confetti with the current student body.
Chief Executive and Founder, Craig Chettle MBE, explains how Industry Week is one of the most exciting and valuable experiences a student can have at Confetti:
“For almost 20 years, Industry Week has been the cornerstone annual event at Confetti. Our philosophy is ‘Do It For Real’, and this week-long series of interactive workshops and masterclasses provide students with an unrivalled chance to learn from those working at the top of their game.
“Over the years, students have heard from some of the biggest names in the industry through masterclasses, interactive workshops, live demos, songwriting camps, and sampled the latest technology available.
“Every year at Industry Week, I see our students learning, having fun, and, most importantly, making life-changing connections which can accelerate their career ambitions once they graduate.
“We’re all really excited for this year’s Industry Week to get underway, and in Confetti’s 30th year, it is bigger and better than ever!”
Scheduled guest, Guy Chambers, one of the most successful and prolific songwriters and producers in the UK, added:
“Industry Week is an unprecedented showcase of brilliance, promising a transformative and unparalleled learning experience.
“It’s a testament to the extraordinary collaboration shaping the future of the creative industries and entertainment. I’m so excited to be coming to Nottingham for the event.”
Head to Confetti’s YouTube channel to find out more about Industry Week and stay tuned for the full line-up, coming soon to iw.confetti.ac.uk.
Notes for Editors
Press enquiries please contact Sarah McLeod, Corporate Communications Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8735, or via email.
Media enquiries
If you would like to attend Industry Week or arrange an interview with a Confetti representative or one of the guests involved, please contact press@confettimediagroup.com
Photography
Download photos for use alongside the release
About Confetti ICT
Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies is a dynamic and progressive learning institute offering specialist vocational education and training – from college-level courses to postgraduate degrees. Home to nearly 3,000 students across its Nottingham and London campuses, Confetti’s ambitious growth plans have been supported with investment from its parent company, the award-winning Nottingham Trent University.
Confetti’s Nottingham city centre campus is built to the highest industry standards and its professional facilities have been designed to equip graduates with the specialist skills necessary to work in the creative industries. Features include a green screen VFX studio and motion capture studio, specialist gaming, VFX and animation studios, and classrooms, broadcast spec TV production gallery, film studio and screening rooms and Metronome – contemporary music, cross-arts and events centre, designed by industry specialists White Mark and featuring 6 recording studios, 14 rehearsal rooms, and a 400-capacity live performance and production venue. Its newest facility, Confetti X, is a space for students to access the very best facilities and technology for esports production and other emerging technologies.
In September 2023, Confetti and NTU launched their new purpose-designed industry centre in the heart of London. Confetti London delivers pioneering creative education aligned to the entertainment industries. Replicating the Nottingham model, the facilities include four industry-spec music recording studios, specialist studios for virtual
production and content creation, and a 600-capacity multipurpose venue that will host live music, entertainment and esports, with hands-on opportunities to support their students’ learning experience.
Confetti is a trailblazer. In its 30-year history, Confetti alumni have gone on to work for big brands in the music, TV, film and gaming industries – including Warner Brothers, BBC and Bauer Media, and working behind the scenes of hit TV shows like Ted Lasso and successful video game franchises like Grand Theft Auto. Students also work alongside other Confetti Media Group businesses as interns and on placements. They produce programmes for Notts TV and offer local creative businesses an exciting talent pipeline.