On my trip to Birmingham to research Perceptions of Coaching in the UK Creative Industries I spoke to Antonio Gould and Sara Harris.
Antonio is an independent consultant and producer working across media. After ten years as a new media producer his work now centres around the creative industries, the future of digital content and the application of creativity and technology to education. He was also a co-founder with Stef Lewandowski of the interactive design agency 3form. His current projects include producing a six month series of podcasted radio shows for Channel 4 IdeasFactory, exploring the potential of new media for creative people, and leading the development of a tool called the Lightbox which will be used in the facilitation of film workshops. His blog is at http://antoniogould.com/
Sara is Director of Media Content Lab, Media Skills, Notion Studio and Screen Media Lab, Deputy Course Director: MA Media Production and Senior Lecturer in Digital Media at UCE. As head of Externally Funded Projects within the Department of Media & Communication at UCE, she leads a team of 20 staff engaging with businesses from the creative industries in a number of ways. Its latest venture is Notion Studio, which offers expertise in animation and digital video with aim of working with new talent to develop projects which use animation techniques as alternative media, looking at different production processes and exploring its uses in teaching and learning. Sara is a Knowledge Transfer Fellow and has recently developed a Master’s course in Media Enterprise.
Their combined range of practical and academic experience made for a lively discussion about managing people in creative businesses. Look out for more interview podcasts over the next few weeks.