We’re lifting the curtain on the brilliant, bold and occasionally bonkers crew that keeps Ministry Of Fun ticking.
First up: Tamsin Wheeler our Head of Entertainment & Events and more importantly, Minister of Christmas.
Let’s see what she has to say…
What’s your role at MOF, and what does a typical day look like?
As Head of Entertainment and Events, it’s my job to oversee the majority of performer-based events that we execute.
A typical day will involve several pre 10am coffees and cigarettes (yes I’m afraid I’m one of the small but very determined minority groups who still believe that a coffee and a cigarette is the breakfast of Kings!).
I’ll start my day looking ahead at the next few days of events and work out what needs to be organised and arranged; this could mean anything from meeting and booking performers, writing briefs and risk assessments or ordering a multitude of colourful costumes and props! I’ll spend the next part of the day replying to new enquiries.
In the events industry things can change at the drop of a hat (it’s part of the thrill!), so I often have to regroup with the team and re-prioritise to enable us to manage client expectations whilst also ensuring we service our clients to the high standard they have come to know! It’s a full on job, and there are very rarely any quiet moments!
I am always behind on my admin 😊
What’s the most unexpected skill you’ve used on the job?
The ability to work so efficiently with such a messy desk! That is a skill!
What project/stunt have you loved working on most, and why?
There are so many!! To pick something relatively recent, we worked with Imagination on their immersive Steve Madden Experience. It was everything I love in an event. Script writing/ Casting/ Amazing Actors / Amazing costumes and an absolute dream of a client!
How did you first get into the world of events/entertainment?
I met our Director Matt many moons ago, when he and his wife were directing a show I was in at my local theatre, we kept in touch, and after I graduated from university and had had enough of working in the customer service department for a fast growing but very disorganised Ecommerce site – I asked Matt if there was any work going… I came in to help out in the office for a few days and refused to leave…
What’s something people don’t realise goes on behind the scenes in live events?
Live events, no matter how well organised, will naturally have an element of stress and pressure. If you’re at all conscientious you will feel a little bit of pressure, as you want it to be a success. A lot of long days and potentially sleepless nights can go into the planning of big events, and unless you’ve been on the front line in the lead up to the event, it’s difficult to comprehend quite how much work goes into making it a success!
Team work and communication is the key. We will always be there with smiles on our faces, ready to problem solve, ready to step in and implement last minute changes and requests, and we LOVE it when this is recognised by a simple thank you or even a cup of coffee shoved under our noses when we least expect it!
Events are a massive adrenaline rush, and there’s no better work satisfaction than when a client or audience is happy and they come back for more!
What’s your go-to song to get hyped before a big event?
There isn’t just one go-to song.
I actively encourage singing while working (within reason so as not to annoy your fellow colleagues who might not know the lyrics or tune as well as me). Lots of us in the office, regardless of whether we come from a performing background and even regardless of whether we can sing (!), just love to blast out a tune to release some stress or tension!
What three words would your colleagues use to describe you?
I asked them, so these aren’t made up…
- Diligent
- Passionate
- Funny (it’s true I am hilarious, and modest too)
Thanks guys!
Any fun fact about yourself that might surprise people?
A fun fact that might surprise people… mmm… that’s subjective but I can do all these things:
- Ride a horse
- Read music
- Sing
- Eat a whole ‘sharing’ bag of Haribo in about 12 seconds without vomiting
And all at the same time! Impressive hey!
