Creative young people aged 13 -19 will soon be able to unleash their imagination in a series of free workshops run by BBC Blast in Newport.  BBC Blast is a unique scheme that encourages and supports teenagers who want to start a career in the creative industries, such as music, dance, fashion, film, art or design.

Each year the BBC takes Blast on a national tour, giving teenagers the opportunity to get some hands-on experience and training in a wide variety of free multi-media workshops.  This is the first visit to the island for Blast, who will build an impressive mobile creative village, complete with digital workshop spaces, at Quay Arts on Sea Street in Newport, from Wednesday 11th to Friday 13th November.

Teenagers can use state-of-the-art equipment to produce their own work with advice and support from industry professionals, including BBC production staff. There will be a wide range of multi media and creative arts workshops on offer, highlights include:

• Dragon’s Den – Have you got a great business idea that you could to pitch to our panel of business experts? Find out if you’ve got what it takes to be the island’s next creative entrepreneur!
• Blast Portrait Competition – design an album cover with help from Kwame Lestrade – professional Photoshop expert, portrait and fashion photographer.
• Multi-media – sound effects and soundtracks for film and TV; VJing and filmmaking; radio production.
• Art and Design – digital art; photography; animation; Carnival Craft and Junk Sculpture; fashion and jewellery making.
• Performance – music production; singing; song writing; hip hop and DJ workshops; Street and West End dance; drama and Circus Skills.

A selection of films, music, poetry, dance and radio pieces created here will be shown to the public at the Blast Talent Showcase on Friday 13th November at 4.30pm, where you can get to see the future stars of the area showing off their new skills!

Sian Lord, Editor for BBC Blast said

“The idea of being creative can be pretty daunting, if you don’t consider yourself to be particularly artistic. But in fact there’s some creativity in all of us and sometimes all you need is a bit of inspiration. BBC Blast is all about inspiring young people to explore their own creativity, through technology and interactivity”

“The BBC Blast Tour is a real unique opportunity for young people from the local area to get some real hands on experience and get training from the industry experts, and  it’s absolutely free!”

The BBC is committed to education and BBC Blast is just one of the many unique and varied offerings from BBC Learning. For more information on all other learning programmes offered for Adults, Teachers, Parents and Students, visit www.bbc.co.uk/learning.

BBC Blast will be working in partnership with Quay Arts and Isle of Wight Council for this event.

Wednesday 11th November
 
9am – 12pm Animation
Create animated characters to tell your own Blast story. Using 2D and 3D effects, this session will give you the chance to try a variety of animation techniques.

9.30am – 10.30am Radio links – BBC Solent
Join BBC Solent to find out how to write and record your own radio links.
 
 
9.30am – 12.30pm Street Dance
Learn the latest street dance moves in this fast paced, energetic workshop.
 
 
10am – 3.30pm Blast Out Loud Radio Play
What will happen next? Your chance to write, perform and record the latest episode in this tour wide radio play.
 
 
11am – 12pm Radio links – BBC Solent
Join BBC Solent to find out how to write and record your own radio links.
 
 
1.30pm – 4.30pm Portrait Competition
Like music? Like art? Create your own piece of album artwork under guidance from a professional portrait photographer. You’ll get the chance to enter your work into the BBC Blast portrait competition.
 
 
1.30pm – 3.30pm Songwriting
Have you got a passion for music and the talent to write the next chart topper? Come along to this workshop and learn how to turn your lyrical ideas into a finished song.
 
1.45pm – 3.45pm T-shirt design
Got a flare for fashion? Come along to this workshop and transform a plain white t-shirt into fashion’s next must have garment.

2pm – 3pm Radio links – BBC Solent
Join BBC Solent to find out how to write and record your own radio links.
 
 
4pm – 5pm Radio links – BBC Solent
Join BBC Solent to find out how to write and record your own radio links.
 
 
4pm – 5.30pm Intro to Hip Hop
Do you think you’ve got what it takes to be the next big thing in Hip Hop? This introductory workshop will teach you the basics, and unlock your musical talent.
 
 
4pm – 5.15pm DJ Taster Session
Learn how to spin, scratch and mix in this DJ taster workshop.
 
 
4.15pm – 5.30pm Digital Art – creating art online
Get up to speed with the future of art and create your own artwork online to share with the world.
 
 

Thursday 12th November

9am – 12pm Recycled Fashion
Want to turn your old fashion mishaps into new fashion must haves? Come along to this workshop and learn how revamp your wardrobe with lots of accessories on hand to transform your clothing.

9.30am – 3.30pm Radio Journalism
Would you like to work in radio? Come along and learn all about radio journalism in this workshop led by industry professionals from Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra.
 
 
9.30am – 4pm Film in 2 Days
Do you think you’ve got what it takes to be the next Steven Spielberg? Come along to this two day workshop and you will plan, film and edit your own short film.
 
 
9.30am – 12.30pm Page to Performance
Would you like to see your theatrical ideas taken from the page to the stage? Come along to this workshop to learn how to perform your ideas and make them a reality.
 
 
9.45am – 12.30pm Brand Design
You wear them, admire them, use them… why not design them? This workshop will introduce the concepts behind brand design, focusing on the skate and surf industries.

10am – 12.30pm Photostory
In this fun and creative workshop, turn your photography and story ideas into your own comic strip.
 
 
10am – 11am Animation Taster
Animate your ideas in this short taster workshop.
 
 
1.30pm – 4.30pm Filmic Stills
Work with professional photographer, Kwame Lestrade, to create your own unique film.
 
 
1.30pm – 3.30pm Dance for Camera
Create your own choreography specially for the camera. This session will encourage you to see dance differently through the camera lens.
 
 
1.45pm – 3.30pm Dragon’s Den – creative business ideas
Have you got the next great business idea that you would like to pitch to our panel of business experts? Come to Blast’s very own Dragon’s Den, and find out if you’ve got what it takes to be the Isle of Wight’s next successful entrepreneur!
 
 
2.30pm – 3.30pm Create your own ringtone
Use music, speech and sounds to create your own unique ringtone.
 
 
4pm – 5pm Comic Life Photography Taster
Turn your photos into a comic strip in this short photography taster session.
 
 
4pm – 5.15pm Dance for Musical Theatre
Have you ever wanted to perform on the West End stage? This dance based workshop will introduce you to the world of musical theatre.
 
 
4pm – 5.30pm Vocal Masterclass
Led by industry professionals, this masterclass will give you the chance to develop your singing abilities, and will unlock your potential through vocal coaching.
 
 
4.15pm – 5.30pm Jewellery and Accessories
Got a passion for fashion? No outfit is complete without accessories! This workshop will give you the chance to create your own unique accessories to suit your personal style.
 
 
4.30pm – 5.30pm Sound Effects
Ever wondered how they make sound effects for film and television? This workshop will give you the chance to create your own sound effects taking inspiration from the world around you.
 
 
5pm – 6pm VJ Taster Session
Come along and learn the basic techniques of Vjing. Mix images like a DJ mixes music in this taster workshop.
 
 

Friday 13th November

9.30am – 4pm Discovery Drop-in
Drop in to the Discovery Truck and make your own radio link for Blast Out Loud, or a ringtone for your mobile.

9.30am – 4pm Film in 2 days
Do you think you’ve got what it takes to be the next Steven Spielberg? Come along to this two day workshop and you will plan, film and edit your own short film.
 
 
9.30am – 12.15pm Carnival Craft
Come along to this workshop and get involved in the creative and vibrant world of carnival crafts.
 
 
9.30am – 12.30pm Junk Sculpture
In this session led by professional sculptor, Chris Jenkins, recycle the most unlikely materials to create art out of junk!

9.30am – 12.30pm Chromakey for Beginners
Use special effects and blue screen techniques to produce a short film to be shown in the Blast showcase. Learn how movie special effects are made and have a go yourself!
 
 
9.45am – 12.30pm Music Production
Working with industry professionals, this session will show you how you could take that raw sound and turn it into a commercial music product.
 
 
9.45am – 12pm Action Photography
Interested in photography? This hands on workshop will give you the chance to develop your photography skills, and help you to take the perfect action shot.

9.45am – 12pm Dance Performance Skills
Come along to this energetic workshop led by industry professionals and find out how to improve your dance performance.
 
 
1.30pm – 3.30pm  Create a Soundtrack
Ever wondered how they make soundtracks for television and film? Come along and have a go at making your own soundtrack in this hands on workshop.

1.30pm – 3.15pm Choreography
Are you passionate about dance? Come along to this workshop, to learn some basic choreography techniques and find out how to transform your ideas into a polished performance.
 
 
1.30pm – 3.30pm  Circus Skills
Whether it’s spinning plates, juggling or clowning around, this session offers you the chance to try a variety of circus skills.
 
 
1.45pm – 3.15pm Meet the Professionals
Interested in media and the arts as a potential career? This question and answer session will give you the chance to meet industry professionals from the creative sector and find out how they made it.
 
 
1.45pm – 3.15pm Making it happen
Interested in event management and curating art exhibitions? Come along to this workshop and explore what goes into making an exhibition happen – and get hints and tips on how you can plan your own.
 
 
2pm – 3pm Photobooth
Create and morph your photographs with some impressive effects in this taster session.
 
 
4.30pm – 5.30pm Blast Showcase
Come along and see the best of Blast in the Isle of Wight in this showcase of dance, music and film.
 

For more details and to sign up for workshops see www.bbc.co.uk/blast/events or email blast-IOW@bbc.co.uk  Also visit BBC Blast on Facebook or on Twitter