TBC Blog

Film Festival

Southend Film Festival 2023

​From our prestigious ‘Black Tie’, red carpet Opening Gala – the lovely drama ‘A Bit of Light’, with the filmmakers in attendance to our Closing Gala – ‘Best Geezer’, the World Premiere of this hilarious take on British crime thrillers, we will be presenting our usual mix of documentaries, World Cinema, new features, and classic films.

Industry Voices

New Art Film’s Andy Delaney & Rich With in conversation

New Art Films is a video production company based in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. It was set up by Andy Delaney, director of award winning tv commercials, music videos (George Michael, Spice Girls, Lauryn Hill) and most recently a feature film (Love Is Blind).

Rich With is the producer, writer and font king. He’s super talented, properly organised and enjoys cleaning up after Huey, the family dog.

Industry

Estuary On Film 2023

Emerging film-makers premiere Screening event. Sunday 5th March, Park Inn by Radisson Hotel, Southend-on-Sea. Estuary on Film 2023 Backstage Centre Director, Brian Warrens, visited the

Industry

Buffering – Season 2 – Monday 30th January 10.05pm ITV2 – Filmed at the Backstage Centre.

Film in Purfleet-on-Thames at the Backstage Centre, and on locations, including High House Production Park, Buffering follows the lives of kids’ TV presenter Iain (Iain Stirling) and his housemates: Ashley (Rosa Robson – Black Mountain Poets, Inside No. 9, Heavy Entertainment), Rosie (Jessie Cave – Harry Potter, Trollied, Black Mirror), Greg (Paul G Raymond – Plebs, Avenue 5, Starstruck), and Thalia (Janine Harouni – Stand Up with Janine Harouni (Please Remain Seated), The Batman, Modern Horror Stories) as they attempt to navigate the choppy waters of their late twenties, with every wrong decision, failed relationship and wasted hungover day intensifying the feeling that time is running out for them to get their ‘adult’ lives in order.

Training

Temporal Horizon’s Theatre Company presents…..

We are extremely excited to welcome Temporal Horizon’s Theatre Company to The Backstage Centre this coming week. Dracula and Purfleet-on-Thames are eternally linked by a literary pen held by the incredible Bram Stoker. This free-to-attend event will run on Wednesday the 11th of January, from 14:00 pm to 17:30 pm

Community

Wilko Johnson. Rest In Peace.

From Wilko Johnson Official: “This is the announcement we never wanted to make, and we do so, on behalf of Wilko’s family and the band,

Training

TheatreCraft 2022

Brian Warrens, Director of the Backstage Centre, joined Emma Bowers and Laura Brown from the University Centre South Essex to meet young people, adults and industry colleagues at TheatreCraft 2022, Royal Opera House, London.

Training

WHAM!

Anette Ollereanshaw’s article for the ABTT: Association of British Theatre Technicians industry magazine #Sightline titled ‘Training & Education in the Performing Arts – WHAM’s Place in Equality, Diversity and

Industry

James Bond celebrates its 60th Anniversary, but we are celebrating Trainee Studio Assistant, Callum Bond as he completes a RE:Generation 2031 scheme and secures a post as a Studio Operations Technician at the Backstage Centre in Purfleet-on-Thames.

Q: What advice would you give a young person considering a career in the entertainment industry?

Callum: Three words, Never. Give Up. It’s a bit cliché but, it’s the number one piece of advice anyone at any level can take on. If you want it and the passion is there, nothing can stop you from getting into the industry. Below that, I’d say Networking, it’s an area I’ve been new to recently and is one of the most imperative tools for the creative industries.

Training

Stage Pyrotechnics Safety Awareness Training

The Backstage Centre are delighted to be hosting Just FX’s “Stage Pyrotechnics Safety Awareness Training” The typical schedule of the course includes: Workshop presentation environment

National Heritage Open Day

Join Us on Saturday 17th September for the Heritage Open Day Event at High House Production Park, Purfleet-on-Thames. The High House Group will be presenting

Film Festival

Thurrock Film Festival 2022

Thurrock Film Festival Founder and Creative Director Hi Ching and curator Anupma Shanker are delivering a super exciting array of in-person and online screenings, live

Level 3: First Aid At Work Course

The Backstage Centre are delighted to announce that we are working closely with Lazarus First Aid Training to offer practical and engaging training. This will

Community

Hot off the press..METAL Arts

Breaking News Agency for Creative Production METAL are working in partnership with the Agency for Creative Production (ACP), to run 10 x paid placements for

Film Festival

Southend Film Festival 2022

An evening with Phil Davis To mark the actor Phil Davis’s 50th year in film and television, The White Bus’ Southend Film Festival 2022 will

Community

Essex Book Festival Saturday 11th June 2022

High House Production Park, Purfleet-on-Thames, Essex Essex Book Festival will be taking place in 35 venues across Essex throughout June. Our venues include a Napoleonic

Training

We wish you well, Colin….

UCSE Higher Education Dean takes up a new challenge, and we will be sad to see him go. The Backstage Centre looks at Higher Education

Industry

Southend Film Festival 2022

There Is Always Hope’, starring Colm Meaney, kicks off another superb Southend Film Festival this year.  Successful author Jonathan Stack has been so obsessed with

Training

Stage Pyrotechnics Safety Awareness Training

The Backstage Centre are delighted to be hosting Just FX’s “Stage Pyrotechnics Safety Awareness Training” The typical schedule of the course includes: Workshop presentation environment

Industry Voices

A focus on festival skills shortages

A Call Out to you A focus on festival skills shortages Bring on the summer! (…it may not feel particularly summery right now), many of

We are hiring…

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the team of The Backstage Centre as Client Liaison & Sales Coordinator. We are looking for a strong

Community

ESSEX FILM COLLECTIVE

ESSEX FILM COLLECTIVE is a network of talented, reliable creatives who work across all areas of the film and television industry that are based in

Community

Horror-on-Sea Film Festival 2022

The Backstage Centre Ltd are delighted to be supporting the 2022 Horror-on-Sea Film Festival. Paul said: “Since we started Horror-on-Sea ten years ago, the festival

Industry

Metal are recruiting…

Director of the Academy for Live Events Production. Metal are recruiting a Director to lead the Academy for Live Events Production – a fantastic opportunity for a

Industry

New Director at Metal, Southend

Andrea Cunningham steps up as the new Director of Metal in Southend – the artsorganisation based at Chalkwell Hall in Chalkwell Park. Metal supports artists

Training

Calling Technical Training Providers!

The Backstage Centre is a world-class, purpose-built, production, rehearsal & training facility. Situated in Purfleet-on-Thames’s High House Production Park.  It is just 11 miles east

Industry Voices

The Arts and Culture Network…

The Backstage Centre introducing…. The Arts and Culture Network Founder of the Arts & Culture Network, a Brand Strategist at Chufd, a Marketing & Business

Training

TECHNICAL THEATRE WORKSHOPS

The National College Creative Industries Ltd, at home in The Backstage Centre Purfleet, offers specialist technical production and creative industry courses through its partner, South

Community

Southend Film Festival 2021

Southend Film Festival 2021 The Backstage Centre Ltd are delighted to be supporting the 2021 Southend-on-Sea Film Festival. This exciting annual event attracts visitors from

Community

ABOUT AMPLIFY

Hello, lovely to see you here, thank you for wanting to find out more about us. Amplify profiles children and young people’s voice in creative

Industry

ABTT Virtual Ideas Platform 2021

What does the Association of British Theatre Technicians and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama have in common with the United States Institute of

Rubbish Costume competition 2021

Rubbish Costume competition 2021 What is the Rubbish Costume competition? University Centre South Essex is relaunching its ‘Rubbish Costume Competition’ again in June 2021.  The success

Industry

ABTT ANNOUNCE VIRTUAL IDEAS PLATFORM:

Supporting innovation, creativity and partnershipin the UK Theatre Industry. The ABTT Virtual Ideas Platform is open to anyone and everyone with an idea. It has

Community

Tilbury Bridge Walkway of Memories

Tilbury Bridge Walkway of Memories /Opens from WINDRUSH DAY 22 June 2021 ‘As I stand at this bridge and gateway, I feel the spirits of

SoundBite

National Cupcake Day

We celebrated National Cupcake Day on the 13th of June in style with some beautiful cupcakes from our very own SoundBite catering. Now SoundBite are

Community

Estuary 2021

This weekend see the launch of the Estuary 2021 Festival.

Training

50% cut to Arts at Higher Education institutions

Education secretary Gavin Williamson has angered and outraged creative sector leaders, artists and educators, who are urging the UK government to reconsider plans to cut subsidy funding for Arts courses by 50% across higher education institutions in England.

Is this a time to make such savings? Why do the Arts matter so much?

SoundBite

Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental health is so important but did you know that the food you eat can have are strong impact on how you feel and relate

Training

Photo Shoot on the Park

The Backstage Centre SoundBite Cafe work with BA(Hons) Photography students on a live brief commission. London trained, Andrew Dee is a photographer working both on

Industry

Essex Theatres

In a series of articles about the venues we like to visit for our entertainment, we reveal some of the finest Theatres in Essex.

Community

High House Production Park

High House Production Park, located in Purfleet-On-Thames, is a cultural industries business zone featuring historic buildings, a public park and playground.  It is also where

SoundBite

Chocolatey Easter Bars

SoundBite are sharing their favourite Easter treat, ideal to enjoy this Bank Holiday Weekend! Ingredients For 16 pieces 115g Unsalted Butter 1 Egg 1 tsp

Industry

Pepper’s Ghost Illusion

In 1862, English scientist John Pepper, developed the now popular concept known as the ‘Pepper’s Ghost Illusion’. There was a fascination at the time in

Community

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Essex Cultural Diversity Project has teamed up with Brentwood Borough Council to create a new opportunity for artists.

The Big Interview

Ali Pretty, founder and artistic director of Kinetika

Ali Pretty is best known as the founding member and artistic director of the international outdoor arts company – Kinetika, which she founded in 1997 after a long-established career in carnival arts and a growing commitment to community engagement work. Ali tells us about her work with Kinetika at High House Production Park studios, her life’s work and how this all started.

Community

Logo Design Competition

Design challenge detail Do you have an artistic, graphic design flair? If so, we would love to receive logo design ideas for our new C.A.T.S

Community

Dracula – The Legend of Purfleet!

With the Centenary of publication of Bram Stokers “Dracula” in May 1897, Jonathan Catton who used to work for Thurrock Borough Council’s Thurrock Museum, based in Grays, investigates the connection.

Industry Voices

Fiat Lux

Founder and front man for 80’s new wave and synthpop band Fiat Lux, Steve Wright, spoke with The Backstage Centre about his music, and career.

Training

Students Go Live

We hear from our students and their course leader about what this year has looked like for them.

Local Beach Scene
Community

Are you local?

Upcoming opportunities for Community Artists and Community Arts Touchstone Scheme (C.A.T.S) Logo Design Challenge The Backstage Centre’s Community Arts Touchstone Scheme is looking for South

Industry Voices

Wanted – Industry Guests

Are you experienced? We want to hear your story about the world you work in, and how effectively you can build a successful career? The

Ali Pretty
Artist in Residence

Artists in Residence at HHPP

High House Production Park is not only home to the Backstage Centre, but also for a number of leading British artists and arts organisations providing

James Eade
Training

James Eade Training at The Backstage Centre

From January 2021, The Backstage Centre and James Eade Training are proud to offer the NCCI Ltd approved JET2377 ISITEE, the replacement C&G assured course

Little Mix
The Big Interview

Little Mix The Search – BBC One

The Backstage Centre in Purfleet-on-Thames provided a warm home in February this year to the new BBC One series, ‘Little Mix The Search.’ Leigh-Anne, Perrie, Jesy and Jade tell us about the auditions and their hopes for the series.