Youth get exposure to careers in creative, cultural industries

Youth from various secondary schools across Barbados got some insight into what it takes to launch a career in the creative and cultural industries, as they attended a Cultural Industries Forum at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre yesterday.

In keeping with its theme for Education Month, “Building Excellence in Education through STEAM”, the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training hosted the cultural industries forum for the students, under the theme “Youth Create”.

The eager youth heard from various cultural industries experts, including Rommel Hall of Hall-E-Wood Productions; Two Mile Hill’s songstress Mahalia; soca artiste Joaquin; film producer, Adaeze; and others who shared about their journey in developing successful careers in the creative and cultural industries sector.

Rommel Hall of Hall-E-Wood Productions, who is well known for his local television sitcom “Keeping Up With the Joneses” and who is currently working on various documentaries to tell a number of unique Barbadian stories, encouraged youth interested in starting careers in the film industry, to explore all aspects of it, since the jobs on offer are wide and varied and not just contained to writing or acting.

Giving the students four key points to hold on to in getting started, he encouraged them to one, know their voice and exactly what area they want to focus on; two, make friends that can help them make something happen; three, be prepared to fail, but not stop there even when it hurts and four, continue to practice and hone their skills and “just do it”. Hall meanwhile encouraged interested students to seek to join the Barbados Film and Video Association (BFVA).

Film producer Adaeze, who held an impromptu music session with the students, encouraged those youth in love with music to get creative and to start to hone their skills in producing original songs. She acknowledged that while some may see the music industry as somewhat “evil”, this is not the case, as persons can control what they produce and keep it positive.

Two Mile Hill’s songstress Mahalia, in addressing the students, stressed that while it is not easy to make it as a musician in Barbados without a regular nine to five job, those who truly are committed to doing what they love, will have to persist at their craft and recognise that if they stick at it, success will eventually come and set goals will be reached.

She therefore encouraged the students to be bold and courageous and to follow their passion, as they determine which career path is right for them. (RSM)