The creative industries are a significant part of the economic make-up of Gloucestershire. Many of these are micro-businesses, consisting of sole business people or small partnerships, who have been quietly and diligently working through the recent downturn.

The establishment, sustainability and growth of these micro-businesses are often pointed out as the first indicators of economic upturn. With the first green shoots of recovery now officially showing, the GMG talked to local Animator, Sculptor, and Businessman, Brian Anderson, about where support for his business comes from.

“As an artist and animator of considerable experience (Fireman Sam, Joshua Jones, Star Hill Ponies), I moved to Gloucestershire in 2008 and was keen to establish industry contacts in the area.”
Because the industry changes so rapidly, people think that being a creative is a young person’s game, but Brian stands as testament against that assumption.

“I have been in the creative sector for many years. I have seen many changes, especially in technology. It has become increasingly important to keep up with the way the sector is developing,” he says.

Brian has taken the opportunity over the last year to catch up on some of these changes.

“I think you are never too old to learn something; in fact I think that I gain more out of every course I take now, than when I was an 18 year-old. I suppose I appreciate the opportunity more, and The GMG proved to be of great help in this respect.”

“We have been acutely aware of the need for support and up-skilling in the county,” says Director Anna Krenkova, “so we developed the Evolve training project, with financial assistance from the European Social Fund, and via the local Learning Skills Council to bridge this gap, with free, high-quality bespoke training from industry professionals, delivered over evenings and weekends.”

Brian has made full use of this free facility – and it has bought unexpected opportunities.

“A course in 2D animation, using Macromedia Flash and Adobe After Effects, was fascinating, and led to me winning a competition where I brought to life a logo for the And/Or Book Awards, drawn by David Hockney. My short animation was screened at the British Film Institute, on the South Bank, at the beginning of the awards ceremony. There I met David Sproxton and Richard Goleszowski from Aardman Animation, who some time later generously showed me and my family round their studios. Then in the summer came the main prize – a day with David Hockney at his studio, and out and about at locations that he paints. An experience to treasure!
I have also benefited from participating in The Knowledge course. Increasing my awareness of the state of the media industries, and gaining extra qualifications on the subject, and health and safety, may well have played a part in my securing a part-time post as 3D technician at Cirencester College, which I have just started.”

“In the last year, Brian has engaged in a lot of free up-skilling training with the GMG. Because of his experience he as also been a valuable and productive member of all the courses passing on his expertise to others,” says Jessica Marklew, Project Manager for the GMG’s Evolve training project .

“We have a lot more free training planned for 2010 for creative’s who live or work in Gloucestershire. I hope Brian will continue to engage with us in 2010, and that we can support him, after all that is the purpose of the GMG,” she added.

In fact, Brian is already taking full advantage.

“I am greatly looking forward to the next course through the GMG, on Adobe Photoshop. I use it a lot but often get stuck and hope at last to be able to use it to its full potential."

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