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In this episode of Sound Design Live, I speak with Paul McConkey, the sound module coordinator at the University of Surrey, about the most important skill you need to get stage theatre jobs in the West End of London. We talk about his career path, from earning a record contract to building a recording studio, touring with rock bands, and finally teaching the professional production skills course at the University of Surrey. We also discuss training for the stamina to succeed and how work placements serve the performing arts.

There’s a lot to deal with in the entertainment business, and most of it requires people skills.

Details from the podcast:

1. All music in this episode by iso999
2. Guildford School of Acting
3. Depping = Acting as a deputy.
4. Quotes
   1. You work for free for us for a while, but eventually you get a reputation and that reputation is gold dust. (11:17)
   2. Getting a job is a lot of fitting in, half the time, because it’s a family. (11:51)
   3. There is a wealth of work within audio. There is a possibility to diversify.
   4. If you are good with your people skills, you can train yourself up to be good at [a particular] area. (14:24)