A levels

[Blame Jono]

Does anyone have any thoughts on how relevant A level Design and Technology is to tech theatre at uni, and also how much A levels are taken in to consideration when appplying for places like Guildhall etc, or is it done more on experience?

[Rob]

From my own experience, I never found that anyone cared at all about what A levels I had or hadn't done. What they did care about was the grades I got, so I'd advise doing stuff your going to enjoy and do well at.

 

When I went through the system a couple of years ago, Guildhall required two passes at A level, Bruford and Central did it on points and RADA's offers were unconditional.

[peter]

Contravertial, but I feel that my A-levels and GCSEs have given me a lot of the knowledge which I use today:

 

GCSE DT Graphics gave me model box skills and reading from a scale

A-level Physics gave me power equations, 3phase, optical understanding, etc

A-level Maths gave me calculations

AS-level IT gave me computer skills

 

Even A-level Geography gave me plan/map reading skills

 

How much they're taken into consideration directly varies from place to place, but if you have the skills then once you get in there you'll find that you'll understand and learn a lot quicker.

[Stu]

Well only having one a-level has never done me any harm (Mountview even accepted me on it - obviously not there tho) so the moral of this story is you can still find a way into a job / uni course etc if you've not got the results.

 

Obviously this job is mostly pratical so if you can demonstrate a pratical ability, willingness to learn, good experience and references etc, your still have alot to go on.

 

Stu

[Rob]

Contravertial, but I feel that my A-levels and GCSEs have given me a lot of the knowledge which I use today:

 

Absolutely - I wish I'd paid more attention in my AS level Electronics!

 

and also how much A levels are taken in to consideration when appplying for places like Guildhall etc, or is it done more on experience?

 

It always seemed to me that the institutions largely saw exam grades as a formality - Guildhall's requirements for 2 E's at A level would certainly suggest this. Yes, they do show an ability to study and learn, but I think that places offering the sort of specialist courses that we are talking about are more interested in aptitude, attitude and interest. Experience also goes to prove your interest and the fact that you have got off your backside and done something about it.

[sunflower]

Never have I been asked to show any of my educational qualifications only who and what shows I have worked on. Seems that hands on experience is worth more than BA's etc etc. Several of my colleagues have worked in the West End also without any formal qualifications. I feel some positions in theatre require them, some you can simply get away without them.

[Guest lightnix]

Seems that hands on experience is worth more than BA's etc etc...

Very true, but in today's world training is becoming ever more valuable, not least so that you can demonstrate your competence.

 

Also, the kit we use today is many times more sophisticated and complex that it was. Thirty years ago, virtually anybody with half a brain could be shown how to operate a large theatre desk in less than an half an hour. Try doing that with a WholeHog 3.

[Lena]

I have to agree with what Peter said.

 

In repsonse to the first post; in terms of the A level you are asking about it depends on how it is structured. Why don't you decide what skills you want to learn and see if that gives you what you need.

I also think that subjects like science and maths are useful, I wish I'd paid attention to both subjects at school. I wasn't any good at them and now simple things like working out delay times I just can't do. I have a calculating thing on the office pc to do it for me.

 

In my opinion any A levels are useful to you if you want to learn about the subject, cos there is no such thing as useless knowledge, although I think some people will disagree!

[Peter Russell]

Also (And boy would my old teachers be glad to hear me repeating this, they said to me enough times when I said stuff UCAS I'm going to drama school)

 

It is always useful to have a backup plan,if a few years down the line you decide that you never want to see another Theatre/Stadium/Room above a pub (Also known as 'the fringe' :D ) then you may suddenly find that you need A-levels in order to get one of these strange 'normal careers' (Which apparently involve having a social life and seeing daylight???) that all the members of the audience have.

 

But then again you wouldn't want to do that would you <_< :P

HTH Peter

[Blame Jono]

Why don't you decide what skills you want to learn and see if that gives you what you need.

A-level Physics gave me power equations, 3phase, optical understanding, etc

so I'd advise doing stuff your going to enjoy and do well at.

 

Thanks all, sound advice (excuse the pun).

Ill bare this in mind.

 

Is theatre experience (ie not in school or work experience with school), fairly essential for tech theatre at uni.

[Rob]

Its not essential, but it goes a long way in proving your interest and the fact that you really wan't to do it. Any experience, including what you might do at school and on work experience will be just as valid as any other theatre work

[sam.henderson]

A Levels matter but one of the most important things is to build up your Tech Theatre CV. Get involved with as many shows as you possibly can. Ring/ Email Theatres.

 

Also even if you say just want to do Lighting try and get experience in sound, Flying, Stage Management etc as well.

To be a really good technician you need to know a bit about everything.

To be an excellent technician you need to know A LOT about everything.

 

 

Good Luck with your choices,

 

Sam

[Stu]

To be an excellent technician you need to know A LOT about everything.

Not always, obviously a bloody good lampie is a excellent technician, in his own right.

 

I sometimes feel that multi-skilling can water all your skills down too much (of course this doesn't apply to everyone)

 

Stu

[jagardner1984]

Yep, you need to know about everything - but not school stuff.

 

The whole thing about theatre is whether you are motivated to learn by the subject, whether you are energised by it and are excited about it.

 

As a current 1st Year student at RSAMD, I don't think my educational qualifications that got me in, but the fact I demonstrated how keen I was to do it.

[merlin24]

To be an excellent technician you need to know A LOT about everything.

Not always, I agree in principal that when starting out you should have a good alround knowledge, however in some venues having a crew that is completely multiskilled is a pain as you ask to speak to the house lampie and 24 people mob you as no one wants to do the flying for that show!! or you happen to be doing an intensive rig with the house guy and all of a sudden he has to disappear for 2 hours to work with the sound guy.

 

Like I said I agree in principal but in practise I have had a few bad experiences.

 

Just my 2p worth