Following on from our recent blog about the type of businesses and freelancers we work with, we thought it was time to introduce you to another one of our incredibly talented clients, Charlie.
Throughout his career, Charlie Smith has worked across a variety of productions in the entertainment industry, specialising in sound design, operation and radio microphones for theatre, opera, musicals and live events.
Charlie approached The Arts VA needing assistance with the administrative side of his business, Charlie Smith Sound. Here, Charlie explains the tasks he needed help with and how having the support of a VA has made the business run much more efficiently.
Please can you start by telling us a bit about yourself and your work:
I’ve worked professionally mostly in musical theatre in the West End, on tour and internationally for the last ten years. I am passionate about sound in theatres and work primarily as an Associate Sound Designer on mid to large scale productions, such as Mary Poppins and Six the Musical. I also work as a sound designer on smaller scale projects.
How did you come to work with The Arts VA?
I was recommended to contact Charlie at The Arts VA by sound designer, Paul Gatehouse. It was the perfect fit for what I needed. I checked out the website and thought it was a great idea. After speaking with Charlie on the phone, it was everything I was looking for.
What kind of tasks were you struggling with?
I needed help with admin management between several projects, negotiations between many companies. I also required advice about production fees and career choice, help with scheduling and responding to pressing emails.
Have these tasks changed over time at all?
They are so much easier now, I don’t need to stress and worry about doing everything. The Arts VA is able to prioritise things and deal with most of the time consuming parts, enabling me to focus on my work.
Do you have set hours each month or ad-hoc? Why does this work for you?
I have a set number of hours each month that fits well with my workloads and provides me with consistency. Any unused hours get carried through to the next month. I love the flexibility that The Arts VA offers.
What difference has working with a VA made?
A massive difference, I can’t imagine work-life without them now. It has made everything a lot easier and more efficient.
What do you like about having a VA?
It has improved my workflow, enabling me to function more like a company; making me feel more organised and on top of things, especially during busy production periods when other things need my attention. Advice from someone that is separate from productions or organisations is also really helpful.
Would you recommend The Arts VA?
100%
The Arts News
The first winners of the Neurodiverse Review Awards, created by and for disabled artists at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, have been announced, including Rinkoo Barpaga and Pippa Cleary.
The Tony Award-winning revival of Oklahoma! is coming to the West End. The show is set to run at the Wyndham's Theatre from February 2023 - casting is still to be revealed.
Get in touch!
Do you have any questions about the tasks we can help you with or how you can work with The Arts VA? You can contact Charlie here. If you want to read more about the type of clients we support, check out these blogs: