Advice Please

[Katy Lou]

Hi, I am a 17 year old girl who fell in love with lighting two years too late, half way through my GCSE's I realised that I had took the wrong courses when my school technician needed a hand on a show and I stepped in. So I decided that this was what I wanted to do with my life, but with pushy parents who decided that brain surgeon wasn't good enough for me, I took their option and did biology, chemistry, business and theatre studies. Now half way through my A levels I feel lost, and I have lost the confidence I once had, so I am too scared to go to anyone, I just cant think why any company would want a 17 year old girl, with good but little experience. I know I can be good, I have the ambition, the drive and the willing to learn, but I dont know where to go now. Please help!

[steve h]

I wouldnt really worry about things. My GCSEs had nothing to do with theatre, nor did my A levels. I only really started doing theatre when I was 16/17ish. I started with a few school shows, then a couple of bits of am dram, and slowly built my way up. It does mean that sometimes I come across a 16 year old who knows more than me - but you get use to it.

 

I've got to where I am, (which I admit isnt far in the whole scheme of things, but I can see some future!). The main things ive found is its all about contacts, and often not saying no to jobs, even if there no money in it cause you dont no where it'll go!

 

Steve

[berry120]

so I am too scared to go to anyone

Without meaning to sound harsh at all, this is what you've gotta get over! In my mind if you've got the drive, the will to learn and you enjoy it then at a personal level you've got everything going in your favour. As Steve said, the best thing you need now is contacts, and to get contacts you need to get yourself out there! Put together a CV, run it past some people on the blue room if you like, it's been done before and I'm sure the suggestions help! Then send it off to some places locally. You haven't got anything to lose that way.

 

Are you planning on going to university? I'm not saying alter your whole scheme of ideas because of it, but regardless of your course there's usually plenty of scope for getting involved with tech at all levels. Where I am at the moment people of all backgrounds are encouraged to join in to learn, and for a lot of the bigger stuff contacts often come in the process.

 

Hope that might have helped a bit. Good luck and definitely don't give up just because you don't think anyone will want you!

[oli]

Like Steve my GCSE's have nothing to do with Theatre and I never completed my A levels. I also started at school and worked on my local pantomimes etc.

My parents sound very much like yours and have only really accepted what I choose to do for a job when they saw my work and realised that it isn't a doss.

 

Just be willing to take free work. Be positive to everyone you meet as you never know who you are talking to.

 

The Edinburgh Fringe festival is a good place to make contacts and get valuable experience but you wont earn to much money for the work. Saying that I did my first fringe when I was 16 and have met lots of people who I have worked with since.

 

I'm now at Uni studying Theatre Production (even though I realise a degree does nothing) but I got here purely on the work I had done and a great reference.

 

If you want to go to university and study what your parents would class as an "academic subject" but still want to stay in touch with the theatre world look at something to do with electronics and join the university Theatre Society.

 

Hope this helps

 

Oli

[zonino]

I would recommend finishing your A-levels at the least, not least because they are subjects that will develop your abilities within your chosen field:

 

Business: business decisions are playing a larger part of what productions can achieve more and more, knowing how "my lot's" minds 'work' will definately not disadvantage you

 

Biology & Chemistry: both scientific areas that require logic and analytical thinking, areas that you (should) use every day if you're working within the technical fields

 

Theatre Studies: Well... you want to go into theatre so that would seem logical ;-)

 

I really wouldn't drop out from your A-levels, if you do change your mind/something happens that means you wouldn't be able to work in the field etc, its nice to be have a back-up. having A-levels under you belt opens up a much wider field of opportunities than just GCSEs.

 

Also you may find you have trouble getting work until you're 18 because of insurance etc.

 

Good luck!!

[Simon Lewis]

Katy Lou,

 

Do carry on with your A levels - they will be useful, whatever area you study or work in... However, I do understand your predicament. Rather than discuss it here, I've sent a PM...

 

Regards,

 

Simon Lewis

[AndyJones]

A location in your profile would be useful, we may be able to suggest theaters or companies who could help!

 

HTH

 

AndyJones

[mark_s]

From her current place of study, mostly likely in/near Darlington.

[Ike]

I left college half way through my A levels. Basically I was bored and my attendance got that bad I realised I'd actually have to do some work in order to get half decent grades. There are defiantly times I wish I had my A levels and there are times when it would open up more opportunities but I don't regret leaving for a second.

 

If you're determined as cheesy as it sounds you really can do anything. I started off in theatre but now work more with larger venues and my clients include SMG, AEG, ABB and Manchester City Council. What I'm really trying to say is that if you can complete your A levels then great and they almost certainly will be of benefit at some point but it really isn't worth beating yourself up over.

[markdornan]

I did Maths and Physics at A level, and Archaeology at uni - I did some amateur musical theatre while at school, but didn't get into technical theatre until I left university. It wasn't too late for me to radically shift direction (again), and you're only 17! Don't panic, finish your a-levels, and get in touch with local companies (amateur, professional, theatrical and production) and see who'll give you a chance - you'll probably be pleasantly surprised. If you're tackling four A levels, with two hard sciences, you can't be stupid, so there's no reason why people wouldn't want to get you trained while you have enthusiasm and few bad habits. Good luck!

[indyld]

I agree with the sentiment expressed - don't worry about it and it isn't too late. I lost interest in my A levels for the opposite reason - I was doing so much theatre casual work and other shows. I almost left half way through my second year but stuck with it because of uncertainty about getting funding to take up my place at drama school (no such uncertainty theses days). Now, nobody asks me what A levels I did.

 

On Stage Lighting recently asked a series of stage lighting education questions of four big lighting employers in the UK - Theatre Chief LX, Production Lighting Manager, big name Lighting Designer and a major hire company MD.

 

None of them said anything about employing someone on the basis of their A level subjects, or even much about formal qualifications. What they did have to say makes interesting reading. The series starts with the Chief LX and finishes with some conclusions about what really matters to get your first stage lighting job.

 

Have a read and take some comfort from them.

 

Best Wishes

 

Rob

 

//Edit for typos

[Katy Lou]

hey, I just wanted to say thanks to everyone. Will most definately take on what you have all said, Thank you very much.

katy lou

[djw1981]

It is worth also bearing in mind that most people can now expect to work for 3,4, or more different companies and even that many 'careers' during a working life. This is a changing industry and having other skills (demonstrable) may stand you in good stead - both for times when freelance work is slack, and also in case of a need to alter your career due to relationships, family, job market or physical health.

 

Thus having A-levels does demonstrate a) your sticking power and b) your ability to think. The Business Studies part may give you a good understanding of some of the administrative elements of a business. This is a useful skill whether to administer your own business affairs, or as part of a role for a theatre, hire company etc, and if you keep this knowledge current, it can help you as you get older and maybe want a more 9-5 job or are promoted to a production or company manager level and have to run budgets, marketing, business plans etc.

 

They also mean that you can, if need be, look for jobs in other sectors of the job market - flexibility & transferable skills may soon be the guiding feature in how people's working lives develop.

 

Of course, should you wish to study lighting design at Uni (as part of one of the many event technology etc degrees), the A-levels will be important to get onto these courses. Even if you don't match the exact A-level entry criteria, it may e worth talking to the admissions tutors (such as Simon above) who may be able to advise you further.

 

Good luck, and you may use or ignore as much/little of the above as you want. It;s all opinion!

[lightsource]

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