Meet The Team
Next up is Tony, Head Of Production.
What’s your role at Ministry of Fun, and what does a typical day look like?
I am Head Of Production here at Ministry Of Fun, though there isn’t really a “typical” day to be honest. Every time we sit down it is likely to bring something new and exciting.
One day I could be working on ideas for an RFP or perhaps figuring out the logistics and materials for a bespoke-build, the next I could be working on contract negotiations. Alternatively it could involve writing and compiling risk assessment documents, or investigating at the SEO performance of our website.
Variety IS the spice of life!
What’s the most unexpected skill you’ve used on the job?
Thinking about it, probably the most unexpected thing I’ve used in my day-to-day job is ALGEBRA!!!
You’d be surprised at how often remembering that a2 + b2 = c2 or how to work out the volume of a sphere will come in really handy when you are pulling decks & concepts together.
Good job that I paid attention in class really…
How did you first get into the world of events/entertainment?
I left Liverpool when I was 18 years old and headed off as a professional vocalist, travelling the world and singing for my supper.
Event work was something that I kind of just did in between gigs to keep the bills paid, everything from wearing Lycra and being a part of The Ikea Mattress Display Team through to gold circle events at the Formula 1. It got to the point where I was being called up more and more for event work and it was sending me off to some glamourous (and not so glamourous!) places.
Happily though, it turned out to be something that I was actually rather good at. I’ve been doing this job, and variations of it, for over 20 years now!
What’s the most unusual request you’ve ever had from a client?
We are regularly asked for giant things, tiny things and everything in between. We genuinely do love a challenge here and we’ve always delighted in doing things for the first time.
It would shock you how many weird and wonderful concepts come through the door though. Even more so if you found out about the ones that WE come up with!
I won’t lie, some of them can really make you question your sanity and a lot of them will really stretch your skills…
For example, a little while back now I was asked to create a real-life rainbow. Easy enough you may say, but this one was to be stretching from one side of London to the other. Strangely enough it didn’t actually end up happening in the end.
Who or what inspires your creativity the most?
In general terms, I try to take a lot of my inspiration from the world around me.
Most of the time I do my best to at least attempt to keep up with world news and entertainment trends, the morning commute definitely helps. It gives me a rough idea of what is going on or is emerging as a trend, whether that is in tech or simply as a cultural movement.
Plus I’m also a giant nerd for movies so often that will often help spark a thought or two… I haven’t managed to figure out those Hoverboards and work them into a project yet though. I’ll keep working on it and come back to you!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve picked up in your career so far?
The best thing that I ever learnt in events is just to breathe!
At 4am with trucks being unloaded, crew scrabbling for “lost” bits of kit, wayward branding and the venue security hovering around, it can all get to be a little bit overwhelming. Especially when you are still channelling cables with only 5 minutes to ‘doors’ and a queue of people clamouring to get in.
Sometimes it’s better to stop, take a beat, breathe and reassess your priorities.
It can be far too easy to become blinded in the melee of “the moment” and forget that you have a supportive team behind you to help.
Any fun fact about yourself that might surprise people?
I was once a tap dancing penguin, performing behind Pingu!
Don’t ask.
Moving on.
What’s your hidden talent outside of work?
Now that’s a tough question!
If I had to pick something then I would probably have to say cooking, or baking.
Despite my gruff & often grumpy Northern exterior, I do love spending time alone in the kitchen with the windows open and the music playing. I genuinely recommend it to everyone, and if you aren’t sure then check out “Chef“, if that doesn’t get you cooking then nothing will.
Weirdly though I’m not that fussed about the actual food, it’s the preparation and the lead up that I enjoy.
If you could time-travel back to your first day in the industry, what advice would you give yourself?
Keep your kit bag filled with snacks!
Or even better, a portable espresso machine, I’ve just bought one and quite frankly it’s a total game changer.
I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve been onsite in the cold & rain before even MacDonalds have opened their doors.
If you weren’t working in events, what would you be doing instead?
Sleeping, maybe?
Although, in another life pre-event world, I did run bars and kitchens so that would probably be where I ended up.
Kind of like a Scouse version of “The Bear” with less smoking, but probably way more swearing & drama.
