Throughout the years, Creative Business students have numerous projects going on. One of the biggest component of the curriculum is the Production House course. In this project, we can choose our own department based on our preferences. The departments are Publishing, Radio, TV, AV, Interactive, Design Experiences, XR, and Marketing. Within the department, we focus on several projects from internal and external clients. Are you still following me? These projects differ from making radio to designing a yearbook. Really fun if you ask me! To help you choose a department, or simply because you are interested in what CB students do: I provide an overview of what 3rd year CB students are currently working on during Production House.
Kalina Yordanova – Marketing
“In the Marketing department, everyone works with external clients. It gives us many opportunities and prepares us for the real world. We develop the content for their social media platforms. Besides this, we write the marketing reports. Currently, I work on the content for a sustainable bikini brand called ‘Save the Wave’. I learn how to create behind-the-scenes of influencers, brands, and pages. For this project, we collaborate with the AV department. The Marketing department teaches me how to work and communicate with clients as well as developing social media content for a company. I gain creative knowledge and skills by working with various apps and programs. I would describe the Marketing department as interesting, fun, and useful to work in. I enjoy the good mood and the creative freedom we get. When you find teamwork important and want to take creative ideas to life, this is the place to be. A tip from me: always share your ideas, even if they sound silly to you. There’s always something cool that can come out of this!”
Boris Romanov – Design Experiences
“During this semester, the Design Experiences team organizes several events for BUas. Currently, I’m working on the BUas Film Festival for the third-year Creative Producing project. Luckily, this event will take place in real life instead of online, since Covid is over. In the DE department, I’m the supervisor of the volunteers, meaning I organize and communicate with them. My network is expanding, and I gain knowledge about budgeting. I develop my communication skills in person as well as online. Furthermore, I gain leadership skills and knowledge. It's nice how, even though not every student has heard of this PRH department, you still have heard or attended one of the organized events. What I like the most about this department is that I can create something out of nothing. Right now, it’s just sending out mails and filling in a bunch of Excel files. However, within a few weeks, the cinema will be filled with 150 people, which is exciting. You actually create something. My tip for you: do not become slack. Finish everything on time, as detailed as possible. Otherwise, you need to work back, which can be a waste of time. Most important: be confident in your decisions. You got this!”
Margaux Molkenboer – TV
“In the TV department, you create a tv show. However, I would say it’s more of a YouTube show. The project is created for HUB, our BUas online community platform. The episodes are broadcasted on YouTube. Currently, me and my team work on a show called ‘No Context, All Nostalgia, the Extravaganza’. It’s about nostalgia and in every episode, we take you back in time. So, in episode 1 we discuss 2014, in episode 2 we discuss 2015, and so on. We talk about trends and pop culture topics that were trending at that time. Also, we interview BUas students and ask them about those topics. In this department, you learn how to make a production by yourself. We have different roles. For example, a director, sound designer and camera person. Depending on your preferences, you can gain knowledge and skills in this role. You can stay in front of the camera as a host or stay behind the camera as a floor manager. There’s a suitable role for everyone! Our supervisor is really focused on us having fun, which results in a good production. You get a lot of creative freedom when it comes to creating a show. My tip would be: focus on having fun and having a great time. Success will follow (sounds cliché, but it’s true).”
Viktoriya Atanasova – XR department
“In the XR department, we focus on supporting any project taking place at Extended Reality stage. That includes facilitating the use of the screen, which is available for all the BUas academies. The XR department is really special, because it allows you to work with a LED wall. You learn how to transition from a standard film production to the XR stage. This is difficult, because everything changes. From how you set up your shot and your lighting to how your music sounds. This is something that will definitely be helpful in the future as more and more film productions will be using that approach. Currently, I work on a production called Vessel. The project is in collaboration between students of the Games course and the Creative Business course. Right now, the project is in post-production. It’s really exciting! My tip for you would be: think of a production role that you want to fulfil beforehand. Let your supervisors know that you want to specialize in this role. This way, you will definitely gain skills and knowledge within this role!”
Joep Rutjes - Radio
"In the Radio department, you learn about the different aspects of the radio industry. For example, you learn how to make sweepers and promos for a smooth transition between two songs. Also, you create commercials, you find new music, you work on the marketing plan, you manage the radio station, and you create the time schedules. The department exists out of several sections, which can be divided in production, music, managing, programming and radio, of course 😊. Currently, I work on my own show called The One Hit Wonder Show. Together with another student, we have two hours per week to broadcast our own shows. Every week, you can listen to a new episode on the HUB website. I really enjoy this department; the supervisors focus on you having fun resulting in creating a great production. You don’t need to be experienced; the supervisors want motivated students who are curious. My tip for CB students would be: choose a department you enjoy and that piques your interest. When you choose radio, try to bring some variation into the show. It’s more fun for yourself and your listeners.”
Tirza van der Laan – Publishing
“I’m currently in the Publishing department, which is all about writing articles for the HUB. We focus on BUas students from all academies. So, there are several topics to choose from. We find the interviewees by ourselves. Currently, I’m writing an article about international students and how they experience the Netherlands. Besides this, we design a new edition of the magazine BLEND. This is a magazine for and by BUas students. In this magazine, we introduce interesting topics and give helpful tips. Basically, it’s a guide on how to survive BUas. I really enjoy the publishing department, because we have a lot of creative freedom when it comes to writing and designing. Also, the supervisors are nice and helpful. The department can be stressful from time to time, but the vibe is always good. We learn how to write in proper British English, by checking your peers on spelling mistakes. Also, we develop our storytelling skills and learn how to translate an interview to an article. We gain knowledge in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop and develop the different aspects of graphic design. My tip for you: choose a department you enjoy! When you choose Publishing, make sure to start writing on time. Also, don’t forget how valuable it can be to become a good writer. This can be handy in every job!”
Eva Boerjan – Interactive
“The Interactive department exists out of several assignments. Every student has a different role. For example, I’m the content manager, which means I oversee all the responses. I check which responses are fun to put in the book. Some people fill in ‘I don’t know’, but that’s not interesting for the yearbook. Also, I make sure their names are connected to their answers. Other roles are head designer and contact person. Currently, I’m working on a digital yearbook for the fourth-year students who are currently graduating. The yearbook has an American style; you can find pictures of all students including their names. Also, you can find information based on the answers of the survey we shared about the students and BUas. For example, ‘most embarrassing moment’ or ‘most fun memory’. In this department, you learn about graphic design, distributing a survey, and communicating with our client. We design the yearbook for our client, which is quite a responsibility. The yearbook will be valuable to the students because it is something they will hold onto and appreciate. That makes it fun and special for me to work on this project. Even though we’re not in the yearbook, it will be satisfying to see the result. My tip would be to start on time. It might not seem like a lot of work, but it always takes longer than you expect. You can save yourself from stress. Also, make use of the creative freedom. You can go as crazy as you want!”
Thijs Aarts – AV
“The AV department is about audiovisual design in the broadest sense of the word. We work on several projects, and we all have our own task based on our preferences. For example, I’m the cameraman and producer, depending on the project. Also, we have directors, writers, sound designers and visual designers. Currently, I work on two projects. The first project is a promotional video for a beer company called Beerze. The company has a vintage and renewed beer brewery. This is one of my favorite projects, because we had a lot of creative freedom. The other project is a promotional video for Haagse Sporttuin Duindorp. This is a play garden for children with the focus on sports. The children can visit this place after school or during holidays. In the AV department, I learn how to plan properly and expand my skills and knowledge in filming. I enjoy working with external clients, because you get to experience the real industry. This department is also helpful when you want to start your own AV company. My tip for you: make a clear planning for yourself. Communicate clearly with the supervisors and your peers, it will save you from unnecessary stress. Good luck with AV!”
Now that you understand what Production House is and what CB year 3 students currently work on, you can start thinking of the department you wish to explore. Good luck! 🍀
