As proud members of Bristol Creative Industries, Bristol24/7 would like to extend an invite to fellow BCI members to their upcoming Bristol Legends event at Ashton Gate on 6th March. This is a new initiative to celebrate the city and raise vital funds for independent journalism, social impact projects as well as for AntiBanquet and the work they do to tackle food insecurity in the city.
Bristol Legends will be an incredible celebration of Bristol’s culture, creativity, innovation, positivity and its many incredible communities. It will feature a three-course dinner from Josh Eggleton, the AntiBanquet team and other top Bristol chefs; a very special award show hosted by Jayde Adams; some amazing Bristol performers; and quite a few surprises along the way. The room will be full of 750 people from Bristol businesses and beyond, including some of the city’s leaders in culture, innovation, sustainability, community and beyond.
Bristol24/7 are now looking to engage individuals and businesses who are in a position to take tickets or a table at the event or to donate tickets or table to those who can’t afford to attend. We’re delighted to be able to offer a discount on full tables for BCI members. Please get in touch will [email protected] if you’d be interested in joining us. In the true spirit of collaboration, members may like to come together and purchase a combined BCI table or two…
The awards show will be followed by a party in a transformed concourse which will include some truly legendary Bristol bands and djs, a full spectacular show from the Invisible Circus set to a live musical score, holograms of local heroes of the past and a very special guest. Separate tickets for the Bristol Legends Party can be purchased here.
A legendary evening awaits…
Jurassic Park is often cited for its technical innovation or iconic moments, but its real influence runs deeper. Long before immersive experiences became the buzz word we know today, the film demonstrated how to build a world audiences could fully step into, understand, and believe in. For creatives, designers, and producers, Jurassic Park functions as a near perfect case study in experience architecture.
Establishing the rules of the world
One of the film’s greatest strengths is how clearly it establishes its internal logic. Before the dinosaurs appear, the audience is oriented.
We are shown how the park operates, how guests move through it, what is automated, what is controlled, and where the boundaries lie.
This mirrors best practice in immersive experiences. Audiences need orientation before participation. Clear rules do not limit immersion, they enable it. When people understand how a world works, they relax into it. When those rules later fail, the impact is emotional rather than confusing.
Jurassic Park earns its chaos because it first earns its structure.
Onboarding, consent, and audience trust
The arrival sequence, the branding, the orientation film, the guided tour vehicles. This is onboarding in its purest form. The park reassures its guests that they are safe, looked after, and part of a carefully designed experience.
Experience design relies on the same mechanism. Audiences need to know what kind of experience they are entering, how they are expected to behave, and what level of risk or participation is involved. Without this, surprise becomes anxiety rather than engagement.
Jurassic Park understands that trust must be built before it can be broken.
Perspective over proximity
A common misconception in immersive work is that closeness equals immersion. Jurassic Park proves the opposite. The audience is rarely placed in direct danger. Instead, tension is created through perspective. Watching from inside the car, behind glass, under the fence.
The film controls audience position with precision. This is exactly how immersive experiences maintain emotional intensity without overwhelming participants. Immersion is about relationship to events, not physical distance from them.
Systems, control, and meaningful failure
The science in Jurassic Park is famously flawed, yet the film remains emotionally convincing. That is because its characters behave like people and its consequences feel earned.
Immersive experiences do not need realism. They need emotional logic. Audiences will accept extraordinary premises if the world responds to them honestly and consistently.
Responsibility in world building
At its heart, Jurassic Park is a cautionary tale about creation without accountability. The ability to build something spectacular does not absolve the creator of responsibility for its impact.
This is a vital lesson for immersive practitioners. Immersion amplifies emotion, vulnerability, and trust. With that comes a duty of care. Designing worlds is not just a creative act, it is an ethical one.
Universal
Why this matters for immersive Experience Design
Jurassic Park matters because it is not just a blueprint for brilliant world building, it is also a quietly terrifying dystopia for the future of live experiences and attractions if we get complacent.
Strip away the dinosaurs and you are left with something uncomfortably familiar. A premium attraction driven by scale, automation, branding, efficiency, and spectacle. Guests are processed, reassured, and managed. Human complexity is treated as an inconvenience. Risk is assumed to be solvable by systems. Sound familiar? If not, spend five minutes in a badly designed immersive experience where no one quite knows what is allowed, where the exit is, or who is actually in charge.
Jurassic Park shows us what happens when experience design prioritises control over care, throughput over trust, and innovation over responsibility. It is the logical end point of the thinking that bigger, faster, smarter, more immersive is always better. The joke, of course, is that this is exactly how people get eaten by raptors.
For immersive creators, this is the real takeaway. World building is not neutral. Immersion magnifies everything, emotion, fear, delight, confusion, vulnerability. The more convincing the world, the greater the responsibility of the people who build it. Consent, clarity, pacing, agency, and safe failure are not nice extras. They are the difference between magic and meltdown.
This is where thoughtful immersive design matters. Not just how impressive something looks, but how it behaves under pressure. What happens when things go wrong. How audiences are supported, not managed. How trust is earned, not assumed.
At Bristol based Immersive Ideas Experience Agency, this is exactly where we focus our work. We design experiences that respect audiences, honour story, and understand the emotional mechanics of participation. We build worlds that feel alive because they are coherent, human, and accountable. Not theme parks with better tech, but experiences with purpose, care, and consequence baked in from the start.
Jurassic Park endures because it understood something the industry still occasionally forgets. Just because you can build it, does not mean you should build it that way.
And if the future of live experiences ever starts to feel a bit too much like a glossy orientation film promising everything is completely safe, while the fences quietly hum in the background, that is probably the moment to pause, step back, and rethink the design.
Improve your communication skills in the workplace and beyond. If you’re ready to take your first steps in developing your speaking and presentation skills, this is the perfect place to start.
COURSE DETAILS
A 3 hour, live course delivered over 3 consecutive evenings across one week, with BRAVA CEO, Melissa Thom. This course will help you understand the theory and lay down the fundamentals skills and practical techniques you need in order to communicate more effectively, with increased confidence.
COURSE OVERVIEW
Develop a solid foundation in voice, speech and communications skills
Key theoretical principles and practical exercises
Experience BRAVA’s unique, personalised coaching style and understand exactly what’s involved in taking your training further
Completion of this course serves as your direct entry into Intermediate and Advanced Coaching
WHO IS IT FOR?
This small group class is for anyone who’d like to learn practical tips to help unlock the power of their voice, successfully influence an audience and communicate with confidence.
WHY BRAVA?
At BRAVA, all of our training is live and tailored to you. There are no pre-recorded modules and we work with people of all ages and experience levels from 20 yrs+, from a wide range of backgrounds.
Many people are surprised by how much there is to learn and how much they can grow, even in just three sessions.
At Bristol Creative Industries, we’re committed to informing young people about the diverse range of job roles within the creative sector.
Over the coming months, we’ll be catching up with some of the inspiring people within the BCI network to learn about their career journeys and hear their top tips for anyone starting out in the industry.
To kick things off, we spoke to Tom Harber, CEO at Aer Studios, a creative technology studio based in Box, Wiltshire.
Why do you love working in the creative industries?
The variety. Through my work in creative agencies and studios, I’ve worked across just about every major industry sector. No one week feels like the last and I am constantly learning and growing, with new problems to solve.
You’re a CEO now but tell us about your career so far.
I started out at Red Bull in the events marketing team. I then moved to a Bristol-based design agency called Epoch, working with some of the world’s biggest brands, including Coca-Cola and Unilever. After a short stint running my own creative studio, I then led a team creating adverts for financial services and consumer brands at a well-known creative agency called Bray Leino.
After that, I travelled to Sydney Australia to become Managing Director/Partner of an agency there. That company was acquired by a larger business, so I helped integrate the two companies before moving back to the UK during the pandemic! I had an interim role as a Global Chief Marketing Officer in London, but then moved back to the South West to become CEO of Aer Studios. I now co-own the business too.
In simple terms, what does Aer Studios do?
Aer Studios is a creative technology studio. We blend user-centred design and creative problem solving with cutting edge technology. This means that we help our clients to apply technology in ways that a range of people can use. Overall, we want to create meaningful digital experiences that have a positive impact on both people and the whole planet.
What sort of skills do you need to work at Aer Studios?
Our team is a mixture of user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) designers, as well as researchers and software engineers. You need to have some experience of working with technology as well as being able to consider how people will actually use it.
How do you recruit people to work at Aer Studios?
We advertise for roles on our website and other job boards including Bristol Creative Industries and TechSPARK. When searching for a more specialised role, our head of People & Culture, Emily, will source candidates directly, primarily through LinkedIn. We use industry specific recruiters from time to time (eg. AdLib, SR2) but the majority of our roles will be sources directly or will come from inbound enquiries.
If you could give a student any advice today, what would it be?
Stay uncomfortable. If you feel comfortable in your work, the likelihood is you won’t be stretching yourself to your full potential. Constantly seek out ways to challenge yourself and do the thing that feels beyond your capability. Because, more often than not, you will surprise yourself. It keeps things more interesting and it’s where the best creative work is done.
Where can people find out more about you and your work?
You can find Aer Studios’ Bristol Creative Industries profile here.
You can learn more about me on LinkedIn here and more about Aer Studios here.
Here are 10 things you might not (but definitely should) know about Square Works…
1. Square Works is housed in a Grade II Listed Georgian townhouse
Square Works is tucked inside a beautifully preserved Georgian building on Berkeley Square – one of Clifton’s most iconic addresses. From the outside, it’s all Bristolian charm; inside, it’s a thoughtfully designed, modern workspace filled with art, natural light, and sleek interiors that blend heritage with contemporary flair.
2. It’s the only co-working space in Bristol with a private members’ club
Square Works is part of The Square Club, a private members’ club for creatives and professionals. This unique connection gives you access to exclusive events, industry talks, and a stylish bar and restaurant. Even better? You can order restaurant-quality food and have it delivered right to your desk.
3. You can work from a ‘Secret Garden’
Hidden behind The Square Club is a tranquil terrace that’s the perfect spot for a quiet call, an al fresco meeting, or just soaking up the sun with your laptop and a coffee in hand.
4. The events calendar is packed – and many are free for members
From creative breakfasts to pitch nights and Friday Pilates, Square Works hosts regular events to help members connect, grow, and get inspired. It’s networking without the awkwardness – and you never know who you’ll meet over coffee.
5. Members get 24/7 access — yes, even on Sundays
If you have an office or a Dedicated Desk at Square Works, you’re not limited to the standard 9 – 5. Whether you prefer early mornings or late nights, you gain access 24/7 so you can work when it suits you – even on weekends and Bank Holidays.
6. There’s a curated art collection
Art is part of the Square Works experience. You’ll find pieces from local and UK-based artists throughout the space – creating an inspiring, gallery-like atmosphere. Plus, head next door to The Square Club for the latest seasonal installations.
7. Memberships are built for flexibility
Whether you’re a freelancer, founder, or part of a growing team, Square Works has an option for you – from hot desking to private offices. You can scale up, scale down, or shift between spaces as your needs change, without being locked into a long-term lease.
8. Unlimited refreshments and weekly ‘Square Works Nibbles’
Members enjoy unlimited, high-quality coffee, tea, hot chocolate and more. But the real treat? Every Wednesday, the in-house chef surprises members with freshly made sweet or savoury bites. It’s the perfect midweek pick-me-up.
9. Dog-friendly work space
Square Works welcomes well-behaved dogs – because work is better with a furry friend nearby. It adds to the relaxed, homely atmosphere and means you don’t have to leave your pup behind when you’re working long hours.
10. It’s a true community – not just a desk
What sets Square Works apart is the atmosphere. Whether you’re chatting in the kitchen, attending an event, or collaborating on a project, you’re not just renting a desk – you’re joining a supportive, inspiring community of creatives, professionals, and entrepreneurs.
To book a tour of Bristol’s Best Workspace, get in touch with us today via:
Or, if you’re in the area, feel free to pop in and chat with our friendly team!
BRAVA (Bristol Academy of Voice Acting) is delighted to announce that it has received two Society of Voice Arts and Sciences (SOVAS) Award nominations.
Best Podcast Host
The nominations are for Outstanding Podcast – Best Producer/Host – for BRAVA Founder and CEO, Melissa Thom, for the High Notes podcast on the art and business of voice.
From Monoglian throat singing to vocal health, accents, gaming and more, High Notes uncovers the craft behind the business. Series 3 has just dropped and explores ‘Words at Work’, talking to some of the best minds about voice, speech and communication for business.
Best Audio Drama
BRAVA has also been nominated for Outstanding Audio Drama for Angels in Bristol, an original Film Noir script based in 1954 Bristol, written and directed by Elaine A. Clark, and produced by Melissa Thom.
Elaine wrote the script exclusively for BRAVA’s in-person Characters Masterclass, held in Bristol every summer. This annual event provides participants with the opportunity to be cast in and record a range of productions, from audiobooks, to audio dramas, video games and more.
Melissa Thom, Founder & CEO of BRAVA said:
“I could not be prouder of everyone at BRAVA involved in these nominations. It’s a real testimony to the talent of our voice clients. Here’s to storytelling, community, and the power of voice; to putting Bristol and the South West firmly on the global voice map; and, most importantly, to creating art for pleasure!”.
BRAVA’s High Notes podcast is hosted and produced by Melissa Thom, audio and video engineer Euan McAleece, and audio and video editor, David Macgregor.
The Angels in Bristol cast: Carla O’Shaughnessy, Tiffany Xin, Marilla Lamour, Tina Duffin, Gwen Henderson, Tyler Woodburn, Guy Pass, Daniel Watson, Amy Smith, Rebecca Kozlen, Tabitha Owens and Melissa Thom. The Producer was Melissa Thom and Assistant Producer, Tabitha Owens.
To work with BRAVA on voice, speech and communication in the workplace and beyond, drop us a line at [email protected] or visit our website at www.brava.uk.com
Winter is rolling in, which for most means a time of hunkering down and getting cosy, for some signifies the start of an incredibly hard and worrying time for the rough sleepers in Bristol.
This winter, we’re on a mission at Great State to warm up Bristol in time for the festive period, one jacket at a time. And you know what? You can help.
Partnering with BOSH
We’ve teamed up with BOSH (Bristol Outreach Services for the Homeless), a community service that are a central hub for rough sleepers and those vulnerably housed. And they’re in urgent need of more winter coats and jackets. Jackets are always in demand.
In fact, BOSH hands them out every night, along with other essentials like hats, gloves, shoes and trousers. Every donation makes a real, tangible difference – wrapping someone in warmth during the coldest months of the year.
The jacket drive
So, here’s the plan. We’re hosting a jacket donation drive in collaboration with Runway East Bristol Bridge, which is where you’ll find our office and the home to over 20 other local businesses.
Most of us have a jacket or two gathering dust at the back of the wardrobe. Maybe it’s last year’s style. Or maybe you simply don’t wear it enough. Why not let that jacket live its best life? Keeping someone warm instead of taking up space.
Together with Runway East, we’ll collect, quality check, and deliver every single jacket to BOSH and see firsthand how your generosity keeps Bristol’s streets a little warmer.
How you can help
Drop off your jacket at Runway East Bristol Bridge (BS1 6AA) from the 24th November onwards. We need the jackets to be in good condition (essentially something you’d be happy to wear yourself).
Have any questions or want to coordinate a drop off? Reach out to Joe on [email protected]
Who we are (and why we care)
We’re Great State – an independent customer experience agency delivering digital experiences for the next generation. For more than 25 years, we’ve called Bristol home. It’s the city that’s shapes us, inspired us, and kept us fuelled on caffeine and creativity in equal measure.
You’ve probably seen our work without even realising it. Take our work with Bristol Airport for example, where we took passengers on a sustainability journey by turning big green goals into stories people actually read. We’ve worked with Bristol Uni and UWE on their digital transformation programmes, and we have partnered with organisations like Babassa to make sure disadvantaged young people are given pathways into a career in tech. Giving back to this wonderful city feels right. Bristol’s given us so much over the years and we want to return the favour.
This winter let’s prove that Bristol’s warmth isn’t just a feeling – it’s something we can share. Because one jacket might not change the world, but it can change someone’s night.
🚫 “It’s great to be here.”
🚫 “Hello, I am [insert name, job title]. Today I’m going to talk about…”
🚫 “Thank you for having me”
Avoid these predictable presentation intros. These just set up your talk as nothing new.
If you want your talk to be memorable you need to hook your audience from the very beginning and give them a compelling reason to pay attention.
The graphic below from Sequoia Capital illustrates a typical attention span over 60mins and the potential to lose 90% of your audience within the first five mins…but how to remedy?
Here are three ways (and a bonus fourth😁) to help to set up your talk as unmissable:
🎬 Set the scene like a movie.
“Our industry is facing seismic challenges. That’s what I would have said – until six months ago we discovered something that changed everything. Here’s what happened..”
📊 Drop an eyebrow-raising stat.
“If women started and scaled new businesses at the same rate as men, we could create £250 billion in additional value to the UK’s economy, according to a recent review. Here’s what needs to happen…”
🔍 Use a prop or an attention-grabbing slide.
One influential presenter wordlessly put up an image of an elephant to kick off a talk where they went on to talk about tackling ‘the elephant in the room’ of their industry, while another promised a visual to capture the current state of the economy…and put up a completely black slide.
Remember: with audio only, retention of content three days later is around 10%, but with an image that increases to an incredible 65%
⭐ Or you can call us. We can to help you to be memorable in all your business interactions.
The end of the year is the perfect time to celebrate your team, reflect on the wins, and enjoy a well-earned break together. But if the idea of another luke-warm roast dinner and secret Santa doesn’t fill you with joy, it might be time to rethink your office Christmas party.
From foodie challenges to creative workshops and wellbeing escapes, Yuup’s experiences make it easy to find something your whole team will actually love. Here’s our guide to the best Christmas party ideas for every type of team.
The foodie team
Learn how to ferment sauerkraut or hot sauce: Old Market, Bristol
Take your team on a truly hands-on culinary adventure with this sauerkraut-making class in East Bristol. Guided by an expert host, you’ll learn the science (and art) behind fermentation – from prepping fresh, local ingredients to flavouring and packing your jars to take home.
Why it works: This workshop is perfect for teams who love trying something new and learning a skill with a tasty payoff. It’s interactive, healthy, and surprisingly social – a great icebreaker for foodie-minded teams.
Festive twist: Add a seasonal element by using festive flavours like red cabbage, apple, or spiced juniper. It’s the perfect complement to Christmas leftovers or as a handmade gift for colleagues or family members.
Explore Bristol’s foodie-hub at Wapping Wharf with your colleagues on a guided tasting journey. You’ll visit six independent eateries and street-food vendors, discover the stories behind local businesses, and enjoy a progressive meal over 90–120 minutes.
Why it works: Shared tastings, local culture and a great conversation starter.
Christmas twist: Your host will be working with all their favourite eateries to choose seasonal specials for this tour.
Christmas wreath making: multiple locations in Bristol & Bath
A festive session where your team crafts handmade wreaths from fresh foliage and natural decorations.
Why it works: Relaxed and social, this activity lets everyone get creative without pressure. Plus, everyone leaves with a beautiful handmade wreath to hang at home.
Festive twist: Lots of our hosts have added mince pies or mulled wine to make it a full-on Christmas celebration, or invite you to BYOB to enjoy while you craft.
Christmas decoration making: multiples venues in Bristol
Step away from the office and into the studio with a pottery workshop designed just for teams. You’ll shape, decorate and glaze your own ceramic Christmas decorations or baubles.
Why it works: Clay is surprisingly relaxing, and pottery sessions create a calm, collaborative environment. It’s hands-on, a little messy, and full of creativity.
Festive twist: Turn it into a party with your own festive music, drinks and snacks in the studio!
Step outside the usual craft box with a graffiti workshop hosted at a vibrant creative venue in Bristol. Your team will explore street-art techniques, design a tag or name board, and spray-paint a canvas to take home.
Why it works: Bold, energetic and so very ‘Bristol’ – great for sparking creative thinking, team confidence and collaboration.
Idea: Why not design a collaborative piece that becomes a team keepsake for the office.
Team sip & paint session: multiple venues in Bristol
Join a guided social painting event with the PopUp Painting team, where your group will follow step-by-step instructions to paint a vibrant artwork while enjoying a relaxed setting.
Why it works: Combines creativity and casual socialising – let’s be honest, it’s mostly about the cocktails!
Festive twist: Most of the sessions in the run up to Christmas have themds (e.g. “snowy landscapes”, or “festive lights”), and can be paired with seasonal drinks or snacks for an extra touch of celebration.
Make this years Christmas party one you’ll actually remember.
Your team deserves more than another pub tab – they deserve something joyful, creative, and local. Whether that’s crafting a wreath, baking cakes, or relaxing in the wild, Yuup’s team experiences make it simple to celebrate the festive season.
Season 3 of High Notes, the podcast about the business and art of voice, will drop from Monday 27th October for eight weeks. It will see host Melissa Thom talking to leading figures across business, culture, and communication.
Guests include world-leading speechwriter Simon Lancaster, voice coach Dr. Rockford Sansom, writer and historian Jane Duffus, BAFTA’s Colin Burgess, PR legend Lynne Franks, and broadcaster Janey Lee Grace.
Together, they explore how voice shapes influence, leadership, and true connection at work: how to stay composed under pressure, engage an audience and speak with authority.
The full line up of episodes and release dates are as follows:
27/10/2025 – Simon Lancaster: speechwriter to business and political leaders, on the Language of Leadership and the hidden patterns that make communication persuasive.
03/11/2025 – Jane Duffus: writer and historian, on Women, Wit & the Power of Speech and how women’s voices have shaped and continue to shape public life.
10/11/2025 – Colin Burgess: BAFTA’s Executive Director of Operations, on the Resilient Voice, building legacy, and nurturing new creative voices in film, games and television.
17/11/2025 – Tricia Duffy: leadership coach, on Creative Confidence and finding your voice in times of change and uncertainty.
24/11/2025 – Dr. Rockford Sansom: voice coach to executives worldwide, on Influence & Impact, and how leaders can speak with presence in the boardroom.
01/12/2025 – Janey Lee Grace: BBC broadcasting legend and coach, on Executive Presence, clarity, sobriety and having the courage to speak up.
08/12/2025 – Lynne Franks: author, entrepreneur, communications strategist and fashion pioneer on Leading with Wisdom, and using voice as a force for visibility, purpose, and change.
15/12/2025 – Margaret Heffernan: business thinker, writer and voted one of the “Top 100 Media Executives” by The Hollywood Reporter on Voice, Creativity and Embracing Uncertainty, and why leadership today demands adaptability.
High Notes’ host, Melissa Thom is a speech and communication coach and acclaimed voice actor with decades of experience voicing projects including Grand Theft Auto V for Rockstar Games, Elder Scrolls for Zenimax, LL COOL J, Google, Amazon, Nike and many more.
Melissa is also the Founder and CEO of BRAVA, and has trained thousands of people in communication and voice from the UK and beyond – from rappers and reverends to ad creatives and countesses.
Melissa Thom said: “This season of High Notes is focused on how professionals can use their voice for impactful communication in the workplace and beyond. Our guests bring a wealth of experience from different sectors and creative disciplines – we hope our listeners will both be entertained and come away with actionable tips to supercharge communication confidence.”
High Notes season 3 can be found at brava.uk.com/podcast and all major podcast platforms, from October 27th, 2025.
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