Rose Bruford VS Northbrook College for SM course

[Mummy Lucy]

Ok, I have several options open to me now and I can't decide which path to follow.

1) Do I go to Rose Bruford in September for 3 years pure Stage Management training?

2) Do I go to Northbrook in September for 2 years on a foundation degree, where I specialise after my first year and can stay a third year to convert to a full degree?

3) Do I take a year out now and try and find some theatre work before I go to Northbrook next year? (Can't defer my place at Rose Bruford!)

4) Or do I completely forget the whole uni thing and just try and find a job in a theatre that leads to something?

 

What I really want is just other people's advice and experience with the courses please, anything is useful. I want to be able to make the right decision, so just doing my research :D

 

Luce

XxX

[gareth]

No experience of courses (I got into the industry long before it was 'fashionable' to spend three years and thousands of pounds getting a certificate!), but my vote would be for the gap year option. You've got 12 months to see how it goes - if it all works out the way you want, stick with it and give the course the elbow ; but if, afte 12 months, you still feel that taking a FE course is the way forward you've still got that option open to you.

[Kate]

IMHO- You should also give serious consideration to RSAMD or QMUC, if its proper, by the book (no pun intended, honest!), rep model Stage Management you're after.

But generally, I think that formal training in traditional Stage Management is a worthwhile thing, as you can apply the skills you learn at college, to a greater or lesser extent as required, in a multitude of other SM-ing situations (eg, small scale tours, festival, dance, etc), whereas learning on the job may actually limit your opportunies to learn about the topic of Stage Management as a whole.

:D

 

ex-QMC, Edinburgh. Graduated with Diploma in Drama (Stage Management) 1996

[gillian]

I agree with kate im in my final year at rsamd its been the best 3years of my life not just for the degree but just to get used to the hours that are excepted of you in theatre also you will meet some amazing people at uni its a time in your life everyone that can should definitely do!

gillian

[jot100]

I have to say I agree with Gareth. I have a degree in theatre practice from CSSD but I also spent my first year at QMUC (its a university college now) in Edinburgh. I don't recommend the course at QMUC unless you really want to know what its like in Audience Services! Initally I agreed with the philosophy here that a good stage manager has knowledge of all departments but honestly audience services was a waste of time. Not to mention forcing male students to spend a term in wardrobe when they want to be doing sound just didnt work. Having my degree hasn't increased my employment opportunities, work placements have. I think its a good idea to spend some time working then if you feel its right for you and you would benefit from formal training then go for it.

[robloxley]

Surely in the whole 'going to Drama School/ University or not' debate, is there not some difference depending on what you want to do?

 

If you want to be a general, venue-based technician, then I can see that a general, venue-based apprenticeship route might be best. However if you want to be a lighting designer, then a few years formal tuition - learing the theory, electrical practice, driving the desk etc - with a variety of placements, and some actual practical experience would be a great start. If you want to be a stage manager out on the book on tour, then how is sweeping the stage and making tea and coiling cables for a few years going to be a fast-track to getting there? It's not the bit of paper at the end that's important per se, except in that it shows to potential employers hopefully a certain standard of ability and achievement and represents a certain amount of experience.

 

You also have to remember that at the moment, a University education in this country is a bargain - massively subsidised tuition, a zero real-cost loan etc. - with a chance to get away from home, make new friends etc. etc.

[kitlane]

If you want to be a stage manager out on the book on tour, then how is sweeping the stage and making tea and coiling cables for a few years going to be a fast-track to getting there? It's not the bit of paper at the end that's important per se, except in that it shows to potential employers hopefully a certain standard of ability and achievement and represents a certain amount of experience.

I agree. Do you have any meaningful work experience lined up for the next year? You might be extremely lucky and find something very relevant but I doubt it.

 

If someone applies to me for a job in SM with no experience and no qualifications they don't get very far.

 

If they have a reasonable amount of relevant experience and no qualifications then they will get a look in. (e.g. Operating LX and sound at a holiday camp does not impress me. DSM on a show, however modest, is much better)

 

If they have loads of experience (e.g. for a DSM, several years of being on the book for professional shows from day one of rehearsals) then they will probably get an interview even with no qualification.

 

If they have an SM qualification and no experience then they stand a chance of a getting an interview.

 

I'm not suggesting that courses are the be all and end all. Experience of doing the job is vital - that is why there is a career path from ASM to DSM to SM/CSM/whatever. However, if I know someone has studied on an SM course then I have an idea of what they (should) know. There's a chance I know a bit about the course they did and the college where they studied and I might even know one of their tutors.

 

Obviously, applying for a job in a rep is not the only way to start but just to give you an idea - for a single ASM job I might get 40 applications that have to be reduced to a shortlist of about 6 to be interviewed. That means that those with lots of relevant experience go near the top of the pile as do those with a relevant qualification.

 

Whilst I'm on the subject, would everyone please learn how to write a good CV. I can't believe how bad some of them are and they get rejected straight away. GOLDEN RULE:- Never, ever, send me your photograph. I'm not interested in what you look like and it makes me think you really want to be an actor.

[Alfie]

heya luce

have been reading your dilemma for a little while now, and feel like I'm in pretty much the same situation as you.

Iv'e been offered a place on the 2yr diploma technical theatre a Guildford school of acting, but have had serious thoughts about a year out doing some casual work before deciding about whether or not to do the course.

I have, however, sent my acceptance off this last week and feel like it's pretty much the right decision for me. Personally, I think the course will benefit me a lot, as it'll give me a chance to decide which area my heart really lies in. It'll also give me chance to meet loads of new people my own age, live away from home and grow up a bit, learn a lot about stuff which I think people simply just don't have time to teach you in a working environment, and make contacts through work placements etc.

I've been really lucky with my course and have been offered a DADA scholarship which means I might get a grant as well as my loan. this is easing the thought of the debt for me, but I don't know what is available to you.

If you do opt for the year out option, I can reccomend The Regent Centre in Christchurch for some really valuable experience. It's voluntary work but you can really get your foot in the door and theyre really happy to have you around. The CV I sent to Guildford was almost entirely comprised of Regent experience, and they didn't even ask me any questions at my interview before offering me a place!

hope you reach a decision and all the best with whatever you choose

Fiona

xx

[Mummy Lucy]

Thanks Fiona, I had completely forgotten about the Regent's Centre in Christchurch! I didn't realise they did voluntary work, I will definitely look into it!

I have to make my decision by the 28th of April and as you lot are useless :) at picking for me, I've had to make the decision for myself.

I'm going to take a year a out followed by Northbrook college in Sep 2005. Mainly because I keep being told that it is better to have a broad knowledge of everything, rather than specific training in one small area. At Northbrook I do a 2 year Foundation degree in Stage Management, which I can then convert into a BA (Hons) Theatre Arts degree. I'm hoping that when people see Theatre Arts they know I've had training in all areas.

Does anyone know of anywhere else in Dorset/Hampshire/Wiltshire that I could possibly get a work placement or even voluntary experience?

 

Thanks guys for being concerned for me,

 

Luce

XxX

[gareth]

I'm going to take a year a out followed by Northbrook college in Sep 2005. Mainly because I keep being told that it is better to have a broad knowledge of everything, rather than specific training in one small area.

FWIW, I think you've made the right choice - the year out will give you a bit of thinking time, and allow you not only to get a clearer picture of what you might like to specialise in as time goes by, but also to do some 'networking' which will doubtless prove invaluable later on.

 

And yes, in the first instance a broad knowledge of all things technical will stand you in much better stead than specialising straight away. There's always time to specialise later, and you'll have a much better understanding of the whole production process when you eventually choose to do so. For example, my specialism is production electrics and programming, but I can quite happily put together a PA system and run a sound desk, fly a show, put a set together (as long as it's not too complicated!), and, if pushed, run a basic book.

[Mummy Lucy]

Thanks Gareth again, you always seem to be telling me I've made the right decision! I like the reassurance of someone already in the industry telling I'm making good decisions.

 

Thank you for all your help Gareth, and for everyone else's for that matter,

 

Luce

XxX

[gareth]

Thanks Gareth again, you always seem to be telling me I've made the right decision! I like the reassurance of someone already in the industry telling I'm making good decisions.

Well, it's just my personal opinion that you've taken the right track. If you asked someone else, they might tell you different! But anyway, good luck with finding something to fill your gap year (and possibly beyond!).