Behind the Scenes on ARRIVAL with Video Design for Live Performance student Viktors Mileika

Final-year Video Design for Live Performance student Viktors Mileika tells us all about working on ARRIVAL, an audio-visual journey featuring projections, music and dance performed across three nights in October, centering on local young people and communities from the Royal Docks and Newham.

As part of the Video Design for Live Performance programme at Guildhall, students work with professional designers, programmers and animators on a range of projects for Guildhall theatre, opera and concert productions, conceiving and realising gallery installations, as well as a range of commercial projects with Guildhall Live Events, such as ARRIVAL. Guildhall Live Events creates immersive and interactive digital experiences across live and VR/XR settings with external partners.

What was your involvement in working on ARRIVAL?

I was a video technician for the final piece of the journey for audiences, which included a film and animation of interviews of people from the local community designed by BAFTA award-winning artist and creative director Tal Rosner. I worked with second year Video Design for Live Performance students, Guildhall Live Events and QED Productions in preparing eight 30,000 lumen projectors at Excel, as well as assisting Guildhall alumnus Toby McManus, a Video Design Technician from QED.

How was working with Guildhall Live Events, QED Productions and the other partners on the project?

I enjoy working with Guildhall Live Events and QED as they are very professional and eager to answer any technical questions about alignment of the projectors, software, or general questions about our niche industry.  It is also very useful to see how they deal with the clients on real-world projects, and to experience the whole pre-production process.

What’s it like to see the designers work that you have helped bring to life on such a huge scale, in front of an audience?

I was very excited to see a listed building being brought to life with the projections. I was proud to take a part in such a large-scale project. It was an honour to meet Tal Rosner as well, he was very approachable and interested in our work. He also showed us his workflow on Adobe After Effects and showed us very specific techniques. 

What do you hope to do after Guildhall and how are the skills you’re learning on the Video Design for Live Performance programme equipping you for future?

Studying at Guildhall has made me realise that I want to pursue a career in the video technical world. I want to become a Video Systems Engineer and Disguise Programmer. I’ve realised I enjoy solving problems and making things work. In the future I want to work with designers for live events such as festivals and corporate events, setting up projectors and LED walls. I feel very confident already with the knowledge that I've gained so far that I will hopefully get a job straight after graduating from Guildhall School next year.

Applications for Production Arts programmes, including BA (Hons) Digital Design & Production programme (formally Video Design for Live Performance) are now open for 2022 entry. Find out more and apply.