Build the confidence to work effectively with production companies and managers
Event production is one of the most critical and least clearly explained parts of delivering live events. This short course simplifies the technical side, giving you the understanding and confidence to collaborate effectively with production managers, technicians and suppliers.
- Format
- Eight online modules
- Pace
- Self-paced, with lifetime access*
- Price
- £299, or three instalments
Enrolment will open on 1 December 2026. No payment taken.
Why this course exists
Production is where events succeed or fail.
Many Event Management degrees and entry-level roles focus on planning, marketing and logistics, but event production is often under-covered.
Understanding Event Production was created to bridge that gap by providing a clear, practical introduction to live event production, grounded in real industry experience rather than theory alone.
Whether you’re studying events, starting out in the industry, or already working in events, this course helps you better understand:
- How event production actually works
- Why technical decisions are made
- How to communicate confidently with production teams
Who this course is for
This course is designed for
- Students studying Event Management or Live Events
- Graduates preparing to enter the industry
- Early-career event professionals
- People already working in events who want a stronger understanding of live event production
This course is not
- A technical operator training programme
- A replacement for hands-on crew experience
Instead, it gives you the knowledge, language and confidence needed to work effectively alongside production teams.
What you’ll learn
Eight modules, in a recommended order. Open any one to see what it covers.
01 Defining the Event Production Process
Understand what event production is, where it fits within live events, and how Event Managers, Production Managers and Producers work together to deliver successful events.
02 Event Production Across Different Event Types
Explore how production requirements change across corporate events, festivals, exhibitions, broadcast and live performance, and why context matters when planning technical delivery.
03 Selecting Event Production Equipment
Learn how production equipment is selected and why these decisions matter, including audio, lighting, video and staging, without being expected to specify or operate equipment.
04 Event Production Regulations, Health & Safety, and Legal Requirements
Gain a practical understanding of industry regulations, health and safety responsibilities, and how risk is managed within live event production.
05 Event Audio Fundamentals
Develop a clear understanding of sound in live events, including microphones, acoustics and venue considerations, so you can communicate effectively with audio professionals.
06 Event Lighting Fundamentals
Understand how lighting supports visibility, branding, atmosphere and emotional engagement, and how lighting decisions impact the overall event experience.
07 Event Video Fundamentals
Gain an understanding of how video is used in live events, including screens, projection, LED walls and live streaming, and the technical considerations involved in planning and delivery.
08 Managing Technical Challenges in Live Event Production
Explore common production challenges, including site surveys, planning workflows, scheduling, budgeting, and how production teams solve problems under pressure.
Three perspectives. One complete introduction to event production.
Successful live events depend on event managers, producers and production teams working together. That is why this course is not taught from a single perspective.
You will learn from three professionals whose combined experience spans higher education, event management, production, festivals, corporate events, broadcast and technical delivery. Together, they connect academic understanding with the realities of delivering live events, helping you understand not only what happens, but why decisions are made.
Paul Walters
Programme Lead BSc, University of Salford
Academic and industry perspective
Paul combines more than 25 years of live-events experience with an extensive career in higher education.
Read moreRead less
His background includes event management, festivals, exhibitions, touring productions, risk management, health and safety, licensing and industry consultancy. Throughout the course, Paul provides the academic structure, professional context and regulatory understanding behind effective event production.
He helps learners connect industry practice with the principles, responsibilities and standards that support safe and successful event delivery.
Helina Thompson-Hartley
Senior Director of Events
Event Manager and Producer perspective
After completing an Event Management degree, Helina went on to work as an Event Manager, Producer, Senior Producer and Head of Events across agency and corporate environments.
Read moreRead less
Her experience includes work with the BBC, large-scale festivals, conferences, fashion shows, roadshows, brand activations and product launches.
Helina brings the client-facing and event-management perspective to the course, explaining what Event Managers need from production teams, how stakeholders influence delivery and why production knowledge is essential when managing venues, budgets, suppliers and client expectations.
Vikesh Sitpura
Production Manager
Technical delivery perspective
Vikesh is actively working within live-event production, delivering corporate, broadcast and hybrid events across a range of venues and technical environments.
Read moreRead less
He brings current, practical experience across event audio, lighting, video, production planning, technical site surveys and on-site problem-solving.
Through studio demonstrations and real project examples, Vikesh explains how technical systems work, why particular solutions are chosen and what Event Managers need to understand when briefing and collaborating with production teams.
Enrolment will open on 1 December 2026. No payment taken.
How the course is delivered
Delivered through a series of recorded lectures supported by written summaries and resources.
- Lectures 1–4 — Paul Walters and Helina Thompson-Hartley Insight from event management and agency perspectives.
- Lectures 5–8 — Paul Walters and Vikesh Sitpura, at DRPG Studios Event production, technical delivery and real-world problem solving.
The course combines
- Practical explanations
- Real case studies
- Industry-relevant examples
- Clear, accessible teaching
Why learn with IIOLE?
The International Institute of Live Events exists to support people entering and developing within the live events industry.
This course forms part of our wider commitment to making event education more accessible, realistic and useful.
We focus on
- Practical, industry-relevant education
- Clear explanations without unnecessary complexity
- Supporting the next generation of event professionals
What learners say
The course taught me way more than my events management undergrad degree.
Jane Bizub
There were some terms and subjects not often taught at university, so it was really useful. It was easy to follow, which made a big difference.
Isa Avontuur
They really went into the production side of things rather than just a general event management webinar. The case studies were great.
Anna Bogos
Ready to build your confidence in event production?
If you want to better understand how live events are produced and feel more confident working with production teams, this course is the ideal starting point.
Enrolment opens on 1 December 2026. Register your interest and we will email you the moment it does, before the course is announced anywhere else.
Be the first to know
Leave your details and we will let you know the moment Understanding Event Production opens for enrolment on 1 December 2026. No payment is taken and you are under no obligation.
Enrolment will open on 1 December 2026. No payment taken.
Learn at your own pace, with lifetime access*
There is no fixed completion deadline. Work through the eight modules at a pace that fits around your studies, work and other commitments, then return to the course whenever you need to refresh your knowledge. Lifetime access is included as standard.
*During your second year of access, IIOLE will contact you to confirm that you still require the course. Simply respond to keep your access active. If we do not receive a response, your access may be removed in accordance with the course terms and conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Who is this course for?
Understanding Event Production is designed for Event Management and Live Events students, recent graduates, early-career professionals and people already working in events who want to strengthen their understanding of technical production.
It is particularly useful for anyone who understands event planning but lacks confidence when discussing audio, lighting, video, production equipment, regulations or technical delivery.
Do I need previous event-production experience?
No. The course has been created as an accessible introduction to event production. Technical topics are explained clearly and placed within the context of real events, so you do not need previous experience with production equipment or technical systems.
Is this course useful alongside an Event Management degree?
Yes. The course was created to address production knowledge that is often only briefly covered within broader Event Management programmes. It complements your existing education by giving you a more practical understanding of how production teams, suppliers and event professionals work together to deliver live events.
Will this course train me to operate technical equipment?
No. This is not a technical operator qualification and it will not train you to work as a Sound Engineer, Lighting Technician or Video Engineer.
The purpose of the course is to help you understand what technical equipment does, why particular solutions are chosen and how to communicate more effectively with the professionals responsible for operating it.
What does the course include?
The course includes eight online modules covering the event production process, production across different event types, selecting production equipment, legal requirements, regulations and safety, event audio fundamentals, event lighting fundamentals, event video fundamentals, and technical planning and problem-solving.
The recorded lectures are supported by written summaries, key takeaways, terminology and additional resources.
Who teaches the course?
The course brings together academic and active industry perspectives. Paul Walters combines more than 25 years of live-events experience with an extensive background in higher education and teaching. Helina Thompson-Hartley contributes experience as an Event Manager, Producer, Senior Producer and Head of Events across agency, corporate and large-scale event environments. Vikesh Sitpura brings current production-management experience across corporate, broadcast and hybrid events.
Together, they help learners understand event production from the perspectives of education, event management and practical technical delivery.
How is the course delivered?
The course is delivered entirely online through eight recorded modules. You can access the lectures and supporting materials through the IIOLE course platform and work through them at your own pace.
When can I enrol?
Enrolment opens on 1 December 2026. Register your interest and we will email you as soon as it does. From then on, enrolment will normally be open throughout the year, allowing you to begin when it suits you.
What payment options are available?
You can either pay the full course price of £299 in one payment, or split the £299 course fee across three instalments. The exact instalment amounts and payment dates will be displayed before you complete your purchase. Both options provide access to the same course and supporting materials.
How does lifetime access work?
You can work through the course at your own pace and return to the content whenever you need to revisit a topic.
During your second year of access, IIOLE will contact you to confirm that you still require the course. Replying to that message will keep your access active. If no response is received, access may be removed in line with the course terms and conditions.
Is there a deadline for completing the course?
No. The course is self-paced, so there is no fixed weekly timetable or completion deadline. The eight-module structure gives you a recommended order to follow, but you can fit your learning around your studies, work and other commitments.
What happens after I enrol?
After completing your payment, you will receive confirmation and instructions for accessing the course. You will then be able to sign in to the IIOLE learning platform and begin the first module. It is worth checking your junk or spam folder if the confirmation email does not appear in your inbox.
Will this course make me a Production Manager?
The course gives you a strong entry-level foundation, but completing an online course alone does not replace practical experience. It is designed to help you better understand production processes, communicate with technical professionals and approach real event environments with greater confidence.
*Lifetime access is subject to confirmation during your second year. IIOLE will contact you to check you still require the course; simply respond to keep your access active.