Top stars share their secrets with city’s students
TOP-CLASS ADVICE FROM BOTH VICKY AND GUY
A HOST of stars from the worlds of music, live events, Youtube and TV descended on Nottingham to share their experience with students hoping to forge their own careers in the industries.
Nottingham actress Vicky Mcclure, recently seen in hit ITV drama Trigger Point, and Guy Chambers, the songwriter behind some of Robbie Williams’ biggest hits, were among those who spoke to students at Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies in its annual “Industry Week”, now in its 18th year – while Radio 1 DJ Trevor Nelson took part in London.
For Line Of Duty and This Is England star Mcclure, it was a chance to explain why she endorses what Confetti is offering students.
“You don’t really know where to turn in this industry. It’s not like going to university and getting a degree to become a doctor or a teacher where there’s a really clear path,” she said. “Creative industries don’t work on formulas. They work on the nuances that run throughout and everybody does things differently.
“You speak to any sound technician or director, actor, musician, gamer, they’ve all got their own theories. They’ve all got their own ways.
“So having Confetti, and being lucky enough to have gone through their courses, puts its students in a brilliant position to have an open enough mind to get them prepared for that.”
Vicky, 40, married Jonny Owen last year and held the reception at Metronome, Confetti’s live events venue.
She also had a message for young people from underprivileged or working-class backgrounds.
“The ethos that runs throughout Confetti is to support people from all backgrounds, and especially those who are passionate about careers in the creative industries.
“For me, it always starts at the top. Look at Craig Chettle who created Confetti – he understands that world. He’s a working-class lad from Nottingham who started with nothing and created his own destiny and created his own opportunities and really saw outside of the box and luckily found the right people in the right places.”
Guy Chambers, 61, advised students to “have as many strings to their bow as possible”.
“They need to have very personal skills, like charm and hustle. I mentor various young musicians and the number one thing, more important than anything else, is hustle,” said Chambers, who wrote Angels, Let Me Entertain You and Millennium for Robbie Williams and has also collaborated with Tina Turner, James Blunt and Rufus Wainwright.
He added: “Take someone like Robbie Williams. He worked very hard in Take That and he had to dance, sing and do interviews. He also used his charm. A huge amount of charm. And that’s also part of the hustle.
“If you’re not very likeable, people are not going to give you any time, no matter how talented you are.”
Other guests included Early Doors writer-creator Phil Mealy, music producer Fumez, who has worked with Drake and Skepta, and music PR Amber Mckenzie who has created campaigns for Janet Jackson and Shania Twain.
For almost 20 years, Industry Week has been the cornerstone annual event at Confetti. Previous guests include film directors Shane Meadows and Nick Broomfield and musician and TV presenter Jools Holland.
Chief executive and founder Craig Chettle said it was one of the most exciting and valuable experiences a student could have at Confetti.
“Every year at Industry Week, I see our students learning, having fun, and, most importantly, making lifechanging connections which can accelerate their career ambitions once they graduate.
“This year’s events were particularly special.
“From Vicky Mcclure’s inspiring talk at Confetti X, to Guy Chambers’ songwriting masterclass at Metronome, and Trevor Nelson’s starstudded panel discussion at our new London campus each event was packed with unforgettable moments.
“That’s just the tip of the iceberg. The valuable insights and opportunities our students gain into real careers truly showcase why Confetti is the place to study if a job in the creative industries is what you want.”