Join us for our Annual Games Showcase on the 25th April from 5pm until 7:30pm.
This is an amazing opportunity to witness the extraordinary work that goes on in ELAM’s Games Design department, hear and see from our trainees and prestigious ELUMNI all whilst getting an exclusive look at the amazing Games produced within the college.
Get your tickets here.
We hope to see you there!
Source:: http://tiny.cc/ELAMGamesShowcase2024
Join us for the XYZ 2024 Exhibition at arebyte on 7 March 2024 from 6.30 to 9:00PM.
XYZ, an initiative by arebyte, provides a platform for young creatives to engage with the artistic dimensions of gaming.
Arebyte conducts a module within our Game Design course, where our trainees collaboratively create their own game inspired by arebyte's current artistic focus, The Body, The Mind, The Soul, an exploration into the human experience in the context of technological evolution.
Our trainees were guided through a programme on game development led by artist David Blandy, in addition to sessions conducted by arebyte's team covering artistic direction, curation, and exhibition design, providing a comprehensive view of the creative process for displaying game works in an art gallery. The module also included a segment focused on game marketing and publishing, featuring presenter and broadcaster Shay Thompson, and Chucklefish Product Lead Alexis Trust.
The two games developed by our trainees invite the audience to a futuristic odyssey into the impact of advanced technology, revealing a world driven by the relentless march of progress. In CyberZero, the game contemplates how navigating a mixed reality landscape, where the boundaries between the virtual and physical blur, might affect our sense of self. Future Future, unfolding a millennium later, reflects on the concept of digital immortality and the implications of extending one's existence beyond the biological lifespan, signalling the potential societal collapse that could result from such endeavours.
Both games offer cautionary glimpses into a potentially futile future amid rapid technological development. Together, they compel players to ponder the intricate interplay between technological advancement, the fragility of the human experience, and the potential existential crises that may arise from the ceaseless pursuit of innovation.
You can book tickets here.
PPL has announced that it will provide funding to East London Arts & Music (ELAM) for the next three years to help drive more diversity and equity in the creative and cultural industries. ELAM is a full-time industry academy providing 16 to 19-year-olds from under-represented communities with a specialist education in Music, Film and Television Production and Games Design.
Graduates from ELAM include FLO, the trio won the BBC’s Sound of 2023 and the Brits Rising Star Award in the same year; Naomi Kimpenu, winner of the Ivor Novello Rising Star Award in 2022; Sekou, recently longlisted for the BBC’s Sound of 2024; and Ines Dunn and Tendai, both shortlisted for the Ivor Novello Rising Star Award in 2023.
The funding from PPL will be directed towards key programmes designed to ensure young people from under-represented communities have equal access to ELAM’s specialist education, such as the Industry Engagement Programme, pastoral and mental health support, student recruitment and outreach, peripatetic music tuition and travel bursaries. With PPL’s support, ELAM will accelerate progress towards a more diverse and equitable creative industry.
Matt Sheldon, ELAM Principal, said: “It’s a privilege to partner with PPL to ensure our young people receive the specialist education and support they need in order to thrive and leave ELAM with the greatest chance of future success. We are delighted to have PPL’s support over the next three years which will help us to transform the lives and futures of some of London’s most promising but disadvantaged young people.”
Peter Leathem OBE, CEO of PPL, added: “At PPL we’re passionate about supporting the next generation of music performers and ensuring we have an industry that is truly representative. We hope this funding will give young people the space to hone and develop their talents and create essential industry connections so they can build successful and sustainable careers.”
The recorded music industry’s leading charity, The BRIT Trust, today announces grant funding for ELAM - a full-time Industry Academy in East London for 16-19 years olds interested in pursuing a career in Music, Film and Television Production and Games Design.
The BRIT Trust’s mission is to draw on the transformative power of music and the arts to do good and to enable positive life pathways for young people of all backgrounds – recognising that this can best be achieved by embracing accessibility, diversity and inclusion as key values. The BRIT Trust has to date made more than 280 grant commitments totalling over £28 million to a wide range of causes and charities across the UK that inspire people to realise their full potential and life chances, whatever their abilities, ethnicity, gender and sexuality. Beneficiaries include The BRIT School, Nordoff and Robbins, Key 4 Life, Music Support, Sing Inside, Not Saints, Independent Venue Community, Heart'n'Soul and London Youth Choir.
ELAM is a world-class 16-19 Academy which opened in September 2014 in one of the most under-represented areas of the UK, providing industry standard courses for trainees in Music, Games Design and Film & Television. Its mission is to identify, hone, support and connect a pipeline of representative talent from education to employment within the creative industries. Funded by the Department for Education, ELAM’s first full Ofsted inspection in May 2017 resulted in a grading of Outstanding in every category.
Chair of The BRIT Trust, Tony Wadsworth CBE said: “The BRIT Trust has had a close relationship with ELAM for a number of years and I am delighted to expand on this with grant funding. ELAM aligns perfectly with the Trust’s mission for using music and the creative arts as a transformative tool, so on behalf of the Trustee’s, we take great pride in supporting ELAM to continue their vital work.”
Principal of ELAM, Matt Sheldon said: ‘’Together, we are creating a dynamic, vibrant ecosystem which is enabling talented young people, regardless of their socio-economic background, gender, race or sexuality, to thrive and fulfil their potential. Trainees leave ELAM ‘industry-ready’, with the skills, knowledge and professional behaviours required to ensure a successful career in the creative industries and beyond. There is no other academy quite like it and we cannot thank The BRIT Trust enough for their commitment to ELAM. It is changing lives.’’
As we all should know by now, cracking the music industry is no easy feat. At ELAM we provide industry grade equipment, facilities and education, and we put a huge amount of focus and time into ensuring the ‘ultimate outcome'. The ‘ultimate outcome’ is where our trainees step into industry happy and well-equipped to start their journey of success. Over the years, several of our alumni have gone on to do absolutely great things in music but here are just 10 artists in particular we feel deserve to be ‘bigged’ up!
(Featured image: Ashley Singh)
Ashley Singh
Ashley Singh has just been signed to Warner and his recent single ‘10 Summers’ has been an outright success, achieving the second highest pre-saves in Warner Records UK history. When asked how he would describe his sound best he said “I would say sad songs that are brutally honest”. Ashley is currently touring Germany supporting Emily Roberts and has just released the open verse Edition (which went OFF on TikTok) of 10 Summers featuring Alfie Jukes.
FLO (Renee & Stella)
Renée, Stella, and Jorja make up FLO, an R&B girl band that just dropped their debut single ‘Cardboard Box’. The track has had huge success so far, amassing over a million views on YouTube and streams on Spotify. Their story began when Stella and Renée met in secondary school and bonded over their shared love of music. “Cardboard Box” was produced by the amazing MNEK (Little Mix, Dua Lipa, Mabel) and was released with Island Records. They recently dropped the live acoustic version to the debut track which sounds amazing and we can’t wait to see what else they have in store!
Pheobe ΔXΔ
Last month PHOEBE AXA released her latest single “Panic”, a pop song that will have you captured from the from the first listen. She released her debut EP in 2020 (Wisdom Teeth, Pt. 1) which she noted was an exploration of her identity and commented, “Panic is a comment on mental health and inner demons.” She has been shouted out on BBC Radio 1 as part of Josh’s (from You Me At Six) ‘Future Artists Mixtape’. PHOEBE AXA has performed multiple sold-out shows, the latest being at Colours in Hoxton, where she absolutely smashed it.
Isong
The R n Drill pioneer took the scene by storm with his Valentine’s Day hit track “Have You Ever Heard A Love Song On Drill?” which achieved millions of views and streams. Isong has proved that he is currently one of the most ambitious and original artists in the game. He recently dropped a remix to his R n Drill hit with the legendary Craig David which samples the guitar riff from Craig’s 2000 worldwide hit song “Fill Me In” and is produced by the multi-platinum selling producer, TSB.
Ama Lou
Ama Lou is arguably the most versatile artist to come out of the UK in recent years, and this is proven by her latest single “Same Old Ways”, a ‘boppy’ track which infuses the sounds and culture of London city with her smooth melodies. Her acclaimed EP’s Ama Who?, and AT LEAST WE HAVE THIS amassed major success and fans have given her recent single raving reviews. “Same Old Ways” was produced by the Grammy award-winning producer and writer Maestro the Baker, whose catalogue includes the likes of Rihanna, J Hus and Miraa May.
Chrissi
We’re so proud of Chrissi, a former music trainee who jumped onto the scene last year, enchanting us all with a debut performance at All Points East, and then going onto support BERWYN on tour. She wowed us with her fresh and potent take on R&B and lyrics that’ll have you right in your FEELINGS. She dropped her debut EP ‘Back In The Day’ late last year which catapulted her into the spotlight and has been described as “a mini-masterpiece of alt-RnB”. She is currently putting together her second EP and we honestly cannot wait to hear it.
Jvck James
Jvck James is currently one of the biggest names in the UK RnB scene; his performance for Berlin based platform ‘COLORS’ was a hit in Europe as well as in the UK. He sold out his debut headline show in 2018 and has been brought out as a special guest by the likes of Chronixx, Ella Mai and Mahalia. His debut EP ‘Detour’ amassed critical acclaim both in the UK and Europe, where he has performed numerous sold out shows. He released his 2021 EP ‘JOYRIDE’ with Sony which went on to be a huge success in the UK RnB scene. Last month he dropped his latest 4 track EP ‘On The Rocks’ which fans could not be happier about.
GIRLI
GIRLI’s unique and outspoken approach to pop has awarded her with a large and loyal fanbase. Her debut album ‘Odd One Out’ did brilliantly across Europe and the US. Her most recent project ‘Damsel in Distress’, is a 5-track body of work which highlights her colourful artistry. Her new releases have gained her over 4 million combined audio and video streams, and her fan base continues to grow. In November and December she will be touring the UK and Ireland so you better get your tickets!
tendai
This talented producer, writer, and artist has established himself as an incredibly original and unique new voice in the music industry. He was the first emerging artist under 0207 Def Jam and since then has done nothing but amaze us with his voice, pen and production. His debut single “Not Around” and second single “Infinite Straight” demonstrated his versatility and artistic prowess which is why he has since been named as The Guardian’s ‘One to watch’. His recent garage inspired single ‘Lately’ is full of smooth melodies and poetic lyricism accompanied by a cinematic world-building visual. He said “I wanted Lately, to feel like a soundtrack to London, walking on the underground, walking through the city,”
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