Learning by doing – event management for creatives
By : Michael Gibb
The best way to learn is to get your hands dirty, not literally, but by taking up the reins of responsibility and galloping straight into a major project.
Jeremy Yeung Wan-hei (left) and Edmund Lee Chun-heiThis is the central message that two of the key figures behind the success of Playful Media Showcase 2023, organised by the Special Interest Group (SIG) at the School of Creative Media (SCM).
Jeremy Yeung Wan-hei, a co-producer for the event, and Edmund Lee Chun-hei, who acted as a co-event manager, admit that neither of them has helped to put in a show of this scale before.
Jeremy says he helped organise some events at high school, whereas Edmund cheerfully points out that Playful Media Showcase 2023 was his first big event.
“We learned a huge amount about event planning and logistics, from time management and troubleshooting to communication and people skills,” says Jeremy, with both saying they are keen to play a role in next year’s SIG event.
“I really enjoyed the entire experience because we had a real insight into possible career paths after graduation,” Edmund says.
Showcasing possibility
Playful Media Showcase, an annual student event presented by the SIG, dates back to 2007 and now comprises four groups with special interests in different areas, namely: animation and visual effects, photography, games, and installations.
Flagture by Leung Nga-ching, Li Hei-joy, Li Wing-tung and Wong Tsz-yuet The show demonstrates the spirit of diversity, change, and infinite possibilities through a diverse portfolio of works covering games, animations, interactive installation, graphic design and other new media inventions as well as alumni talks aimed at inspiring current students.
“The main theme of the showcase was Arboretum Automata, which represents the University as a nurturing ground for students with diverse potential, especially in innovative art-tech,” says Jeremy.
The standard at SIG events is always high; for example, one of the works this year, “Flagture,” was the first runner-up project in the Disney Imagination Hong Kong Design Competition 2023.
Learning through practice
“But while the actual show is an excellent nurturing ground for students to showcase their innovative works to the public, it’s also an invaluable opportunity to demonstrate a level of organisational ability beyond creativity,” says Jeremy.
Edmund agrees: “Helping to stage this event was a great opportunity to learn in practice.”
Jeremy and Edmund found their way to SCM because of their shared passion for animation in films and digital games. However, while both are interested in pursuing careers as animators, they are also interested in the field of event and project management and planning.
“There is so much work that goes into putting on an event, from budgeting, scheduling, negotiating, coordinating logistics, as well as curating the actual artworks,” says Jeremy.
In fact, almost as much creative thinking goes into planning events as in artistic creation. And SIG is very much a student-led learning initiative.
“We are both really grateful for the help and advice we received from the Year 4 students who mentored us,” says Edmund, adding that he and Jeremy will be on hand to mentor the next crop of Year 1 SIG planners next year.
