lukepeck Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 I have experience of working as a assistant technician in various venues, covering for the Chief House LX etc But..... In your opinion, what qualification or qualifications would stand someone in good stead for working as a freelance technician in theatre, bands, events etc? Is a degree the most highly valued or are there other courses/training that are key to the industry? Looking to take my work/qualifications/knowledge to the next level Any Help? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 The best qualification for getting and holding really good work is a really beautiful command of the English Language. Listen to a typical newsreader and note that they have no specific tech skill but get paid a fortune to speak well. I also refer to this as "the number of H's in Darling" . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukepeck Posted September 23, 2008 Author Share Posted September 23, 2008 The best qualification for getting and holding really good work is a really beautiful command of the English Language. Listen to a typical newsreader and note that they have no specific tech skill but get paid a fortune to speak well. I also refer to this as "the number of H's in Darling" . Incredibly Helpful. I Really appreciate it! Or do I? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Lewis Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Is a degree the most highly valued or are there other courses/training that are key to the industry? Well, we're told that in addition to the specific knowledge and skills needed to do the job, employers are looking for soft skills... Interpersonal skills, Team working, Negotiation skills, Communication skills, Time management skills. Some people develop these through their vocational work and training, others make use of the opportunities presented by a degree programme to learn such skills. Neither approach guarantees success of course. Universities should be good at education - not just the accumulation of knowledge but also developing your ability to think, to learn, to evaluate, to critique and synthesise. With a suitable blend of vocational input, graduates should have the right skills for the job. However, as discussions on Blue Room attest, that might not always be the way things turn out - although I can point to a high number of success stories. Then again, training on its own does not confer experience, competence, knowledge or mastery of a subject. I would suggest you evaluate what areas of knowledge, practical skills and soft (or transferable) skills you think you need. Don't just plan for the next year or two - look at the future - do you want to work your way up the theatre hierarchy? Do you have interests in other fields? Should you broaden your area of study to some extent, so that your qualifications can open doors beyond a specific theatre role? Personally, whereas I recognise the place and value that vocational training has in the industry, at times I have reservations about its delivery, and the impact of "training to the exclusion of education". There's nothing to stop you gaining freelance work in your stated areas - hard work, determination, networking and (probably) soft skills will get you there. A suitable University course may well help you get to where you want to be. It may also do far more than this - and open up job opportunities that you couldn't contemplate at present. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.