Anne, Xenia, Imogen and Molly tell us all about what it’s like to be a Young Producer.
What has been the highlight of being a Young Producer for you, and why?
Xenia: Going to the Youth Summit at Wrest Park.
Meeting the other Young Producers and placements was great – and hearing them talk about their passions in person was even better. Then, there were even more young people taking part in the summit, and I loved listening to everyone share their experiences exploring heritage in different and exciting ways. I was especially moved hearing Kemka and Mia talk about their photography as part of England’s New Lenses – being a third-culture kid myself, their art and the stories behind them really resonated with me and gave me a lot to think about.
In general, it’s always inspiring to see people my age doing cool things with what they love (which pretty much sums up what the Summit was all about).
Imogen: For me the highlight of being a Young Producer has been the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and to be a part of delivering heritage projects to a wide range of people across the country. Often as a young person interested in heritage it can feel like you are the odd one out, so to be able to meet with other people with similar interests has been amazing. I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to share my love of history and heritage with groups who may not have had the chance or interest to do so before.
Molly: Getting to meet so many amazing people! I’ve been lucky enough to create a dance film in collaboration with National Youth Ballet’s Beyond Ballet. Getting to create such a beautiful, award-winning (yes, I’m smug and mention that at every opportunity) film was obviously very rewarding, but my highlight was getting to work with the choreographers, composer and cinematographer. Also, in events such as ‘Gateways into Heritage’, I got to meet and talk to so many incredible people from EH and other organisations, as well as the CEO of EH (still slightly surreal).
But, most crucially, I got to connect with the other fantastic young producers, whether that was in the monthly Zoom meetings or at meet-ups such as the residential! (There’s nothing quite like watching Andrew Garfield’s Chicken Shop Date on my broken laptop in a hostel in Stratford-Upon-Avon to create a bonding experience.) Not getting to chat with all the other YPs on Zoom every month anymore is truly something I’m going to miss.
How has being a Young Producer helped you to progress with your future goals?
Xenia: Being a part of Shout Out Loud as well as a Young Producer played a big role in giving me the confidence to go back to university.
Hearing other people’s stories and realizing that there are so many different paths in life helped me to have a more optimistic outlook on my own future and in a way, it’s reassured me that the world is still my oyster. I think that these days, I’m more motivated and better equipped to tackle my own future, and to keep growing and learning.
Anne: I am currently the Young Persons’ Representative for the Acquisitions, Disposals and Loans Committee at English Heritage. It has been a privilege to take part in the decision making processes with the rest of the committee. The experience is hugely rewarding and I am so grateful to SOL for providing me with the opportunity to apply.
Molly: The amount of cool stuff I’ve been able to do is next-level. It does help that whenever an opportunity came up, I said yes (Trainline loves me). But, it was never with the intent of progressing my career goals; it was because I genuinely have loved being a Young Producer. Yet I can’t deny that being a Young Producer has helped me progress with my future goals, even if I don’t really know what they are yet (because that’s the great thing about being a YP- you don’t have to know!).
I think the most crucial thing that the programme has given me is confidence. Being in such a supportive environment, where every thought I have is encouraged and appreciated, has increased my self-confidence so much. Now obviously, I could talk about the individual skills I got from various projects- writing contracts for the dance film, speaking on a panel at Gateways into Heritage, gaining experience and advice at a social media retreat- but I do believe those experiences would be nothing without the confidence I’ve gained from SOL’s support. Even in the face of going to America for the first time to work at a summer camp, starting uni in a new city, and getting an anxiety diagnosis (yes, in that order), Shout Out Loud (from the team to the other YPs) has been, maybe unknowingly, a source of constant support and encouragement.
