Interviews At CSSD

[robhall3192]

Hi Guys,

 

I've applied for BA in Theatre Practice - Technical and Production Management Strand.

I have sucsessfully got an interview in a couple of weeks, and have the preperation work ready to be finished.

 

Basically, I am after any hints, tips and adivce on how to handle the interview and what to expect , but also what should be within my portfolio, as im only the 2nd person in my 6th form to go into the profession.

 

Thanks.

[lite_lad]

Hi Rob,

I had my interview last year and am now a Central student :)

I found the interview was a lot more relaxed than other places. as for advice just chat to people and tell the truth really I don't think think there's really any tips/hints... in my portfolio I had mostly pictures and a few programs of work that I've done before, both things that I'd been helping with and shows that I'd been the only technician(I wouldn't go as far as calling it design :() just make sure your prepared to talk about your work and your future.

 

good luck :unsure:

 

Sam

[Big Jay]

Sams is good advice,

 

I am a second year student on Sams course,

 

Th ony thing I can say is there not looking for someone who knows everything, they are looking for potential, at the end of the day you are going there to train, at the interview you will do alot of group activities, they may seem pointless (as I thought) but they are looking on how you work within a team, when they ask you about what you want to be in 5 years times dont be scared to give a definate answer, even 3rd years are still a little unsure about what exactly they want to do, I said I wanted to be a touring LX on Musical Theatre tour but now I am trying to get into Automation, which is what I like about CSSD, they let explore alot more than what is on the sylebus

[antdoran]

Hi Rob,

 

Looks like we will be seeing each other soon, I also have a CSSD interview in a few weeks except I am applying for the Lighting Design course. Have you been asked to take along 3 images etc?

 

I'm putting my portfolio together as we speak (or type!) and if I am honest not too sure what to put in it. I guess they are not looking for polished professionals! Or at least I hope they are not!

 

If I don't hear back from you, good luck!

 

Ant

[02marcg]

hi,

 

I am also a student at central, on the same course as sam. I totally agree with sam and jays advice, just go and be yourself, dont be shy, they are looking for someone who can contribute to groups but that doesnt mean you have to be heard all the time. There were some know it alls at my interview, needless to say they didnt get a place.

 

As for your portfolio, you can never take too much, take any work you have done that is relevant as an example of what you can do, and it also shows youve spent time to prepare for your interview. My friend apllied for the costume course and she just took little bits of work, she didnt get a place, however the people who were taking suitcases full of stuff they had done did. That doesnt mean its all about quantity, only take your quality stuff.

 

good luck, and hope to see you soon.

 

marc

[Guest]

Hi Rob,

 

Looks like we will be seeing each other soon, I also have a CSSD interview in a few weeks except I am applying for the Lighting Design course. Have you been asked to take along 3 images etc?

 

I'm putting my portfolio together as we speak (or type!) and if I am honest not too sure what to put in it. I guess they are not looking for polished professionals! Or at least I hope they are not!

 

If I don't hear back from you, good luck!

 

Ant

 

I'm also applying for the Lighting Design course, and yep I have the 3 images task! A bit nervous about the interview, but I expect everyone to be very welcoming and I'm sure the atmosphere will be more relaxed than I initially anticipated it.

 

See you soon, perhaps,

Alex.

[Livenoise]

Hi Rob,

 

Firstly, congrats on getting an interview! I'm currently a second year on the Technical and Production Management course and I would say my biggest piece of advice for your interview is be genuine.

If you under-estimate your current skills and knowledge, you're shooting yourself in the foot by not trying to sell yourself. However, if you go in with the thought that "They will only take me if I know everything about everything and nothing less. So I'm gonna bluff and blag my way through and be the Dog's Balls"... don't. They will see right through you straight away. The tutors at Central have been in the industry a lot longer than we have and so naturally know more. That's why they're the tutors! So (If that makes any form of sense?) Central looks for people they can help develop into the 'Next Generation' of entertainment, NOT for people who are pretending they are already top dog.

 

So a few guidelines:

 

1) Be polite, smile, shake hands firmly and don't rush into talking about everyone and everything you know.

 

2) Think about what sort of questions you might be asked.

 

3) Think about questions YOU want to ask. However your interviewee won't necessarily want to be answering all the same questions all day. Be creative, but logical.

 

4) Be genuine.

 

5) Have an idea of what you want to gain from being at Central for 3/4 years. But be realistic, Central isn't going to make you into the Next Big Name in theatre just like that. Also, what you can bring to Central as a person.

 

6) Don't be worried if you don't get the strand tutor interviewing you. (I didn't!)

 

7) Think about what your favourite bit of your portfolio is, and be happy to answer questions.

 

8) Don't rely too heavily on your portfolio to sell who you are. It is there to give the tutors an idea of what sort of level you are working at and what you've previously been interested in.

 

9) Arrive in plenty of time. There is a cafe where you can take some time to relax and get talking to people before you go in.

 

10) Answer questions fully, with detail and possibly examples. Yes and no answers get you know where! And be prepared to take part in all of the exercises.

 

 

So, portfolio.

 

I personally kept my portfolio to a single A4 folder and a small A3 plastic case which only had a few sheet in it.

I included far too much crap looking back at it now! The A3 folder had my GCSE Technology project (built a chair) which showed basic drawing, design and manufacturing skills. The A4 folder had productions I had been in as an Actor, details on my current venue, details of my hire company I had at the time, Tech rota showing hours I was working and the range of shows I was working on, cue sheets I had drawn up from previous shows, photos of me at work (e.g. plugging up mics and up a Tallescope) and an "Other Related Stuff" section that included pictures of my band, classical guitar concerts and other stuff like that!

 

But that was only my portfolio. Like I said, looking back at it now, there are a lot of sheets of the same stuff. Pages and pages of tech rotas, photos of my company equipment etc.

Try to think about what your trying to show with a piece of evidence. One or two pages showing a piece is plenty. Then think of what else your good at/proud of/excited about being involved in/ etc. etc. etc.

 

 

Anyway, rambled on enough.

 

I will just say that, this is only me and my opinion. Don't just do exactly what I've put because it's what got me into Central, do what you think will get YOU into Central. Central's already got one of me, and that's quite enough! :huh:

 

Hope this helps! And most of all, enjoy it!

 

Aidan.

[planetvicky]

Hey I'm off to see CCSD too for interview. I'm seriously excited. How girly is that! I also have an interview at LAMDA, can anyone advise which is likely to be the better institution to study at? Thanks

[Livenoise]

There is no 'Better' institute as you ask. It all depends what course your being interviewed for, what you want to get out of the course and the options the institute can bring you during and after your course.

So a few more details are required before we can offer our opinion. Which is always going to be pretty one sided, assuming responses are coming from people who have studied at one of the uni's, not both.

 

 

E2A: Its CSSD not CCSD ;)

[planetvicky]

There is no 'Better' institute as you ask. It all depends what course your being interviewed for, what you want to get out of the course and the options the institute can bring you during and after your course.

So a few more details are required before we can offer our opinion. Which is always going to be pretty one sided, assuming responses are coming from people who have studied at one of the uni's, not both.

 

 

E2A: Its CSSD not CCSD ;)

 

Aaaah, yeah telling you what I was planning to study would have been a good idea! ** laughs out loud ** I plan to study Technical Theatre, but not sure which stream to take - lighting or sound or stage management. I am hugely interested in visuals, but have spent most of my life around music studios so sound engineering is something I know I can understand and know I have a good ear. My long term aim is to travel with a touring production (hopefully concerts) I guess I'm just worried I won't be technically minded enough for the lighting stream.

 

 

 

(oops with the CSSD..typo)

[Big Jay]

Im a bit confused, you say you plan to study Stage Management yet you say Lighting or Sound, CSSD is very specialised in there courses and Stage Management is one degree, you do take part in Lighting and Sound for small projects but like it said, only a little.

 

Central does not do much "live" events work, although alot of people have gone on to do this, we are very collabriative theatre based but as I said, people have gone on do to Live Music based events.

 

Take your time to ask questions to the tutors, just looking is going to help, you need to know how the course will work for you, what the tutors expect of you ect.

 

Hope you enjoy your day here.

 

J