Name/job title

Sarah Bayliss/technical assistant

What's it like to work in the creative industries in Newcastle?

Creative industries in Newcastle are really exciting to work in. There's a large population of proactive artists and organizations and the city produces a lot of innovative work that is widely accessible. As a result, there is a close-knit creative community here. With regular events and openings it's really easy to meet like-minded people and get involved.

What's your favourite thing about working in Newcastle?

I like that there's lots going on all the time and that it spreads out across Northumberland, with windswept countryside and miles of beaches on your doorstep. 

What's your favourite hidden gem in Newcastle?

Beneath the city pool is a maze of stone rooms, steams rooms and saunas that are the Victorian Turkish Baths. On a wintry day - which there can be a lot of - there's nothing better than a couple of hours with the girls relaxing on the leather sofas and sweating it out.

How did you get involved with the Tyneside cinema?

I heard of the opportunity through the AV Festival, based in the Cinema, which I had been volunteering with. The AV Festival is a huge, wonderful arts and visual festival that takes place every two years across the North East. They recommended me for an interview with the Tyneside Cinema as Technical Assistant and I've been working there for just over a year and a half now.

Give us an overview of your average day.

It's a hard question to answer as every day is different. On a normal day, my jobs cover projecting the films for that day, organizing film transport and film preparation. Outside of the projection booth, there would probably be a hire or event going on in the building that might require technical set up, some building maintenance work to oversee, and I might have meetings to attend about up and coming events. I also lend IT support to the offices... the list goes on. There's always something to do and I really enjoy the variation and busyness.

What's the most common misconception about your job?

That you have to be a man to do it.

What's the toughest thing about your job?

It's the kind of job where you're often needed in more than one place at a time by more than one person, which gets a little tricky sometimes, but you soon get used to it.

When did you decide what you wanted to do with your life and how did you start out achieving it?

I guess the real beginning was six years ago when I decided to accept a place on the BA Fine Art program at Newcastle University. It's been a whirlwind since then and I suspect it will carry on so.