Last Autumn, Watershed and National Theatre Wales supported 12 brilliant creative Digital Producers through Wales’ very first Digital Producers Lab, a development programme to foster digital talent and catalyse production of creative technology projects in Wales. We are delighted to announce that we have just released a short film following the Digital Producers Lab that ran at Watershed between Sept - Nov 2013.

Supported by Arts Council Wales, the exciting programme offered participants the unique opportunity to undertake personal and professional development through skills swapping, networking and knowledge exchange. It included a Meet Up and Ideas Day at National Theatre Wales in Cardiff, and a week working with peers at Watershed’s Pervasive Media Studio in Bristol.

With a full schedule of speakers and a creative task to be getting on with, the Lab participants had their work cut out. From funding to failing, the week was a chance to reflect on each other’s practice, hear from leading experts and get to grips with Arduino. Over the course of the week the network that the Digital Producers had developed became very apparent. We are thrilled that as a result of the Lab there are collaborations already underway.

During the programme, participants explored different aspects of creative technology production including: how to develop brilliant ideas, project management, making business sustainable, Intellectual Property, and pitching to clients and funders. They also had the chance to unpick a host of best practice case studies and dabble in a little creative tech development of their own.

Victoria Tillotson, Watershed's Producer says:

'The Digital Producers Lab creates a space for producers to step out of the day-to-day, to develop their skills, networks and practice. This was the third Producers Lab that Watershed has run, but the first designed specifically for practitioners based in Wales. We were delighted to be approached by Arts Council Wales to create the programme, and to work in collaboration with National Theatre Wales on it’s delivery. Past programmes have enabled peer networks, partnerships and new projects, and I have no doubt that great things will happen as a result of this Lab. I’m extremely pleased to share the short film we have created, and can’t wait to see what this brilliant group of practitioners do next.'

Digital Producers are a vital part of our cultural and economic landscape, bridging creative and technology sectors. They are highly skilled individuals who deliver brilliant, innovative projects, bringing new products, services and experiences to the public. In our current climate of social, cultural, economic and environmental change, Producers can rally the diverse talents of scientists, artists, technologists, designers, amateurs and academics, to share ideas, take risks and develop projects that make extraordinary contributions to the UK’s growing creative economy.

Through the Digital Producers Lab, Watershed, National Theatre Wales and Arts Council Wales aimed to up-skill this brilliant cohort, encouraging them to go on to support each other, create new business opportunities and enable audiences to enjoy extraordinary new cultural experiences.

In addition to watching this new film, you can see posts about the project on National Theatre Wales' website. You can also see our Storify (rounding up tweets etc from the programme) and programme updates for more insight.

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