HNC Tech Theatre

[aaron_payne]

Hi all,

 

I'm just coming to the end of an NC Tech Theatre course and have applied for the HNC.

I was wondering, if it comes to the situation that I'm not excepted into it, does it really matter? Ive already got five years experience in the "am-dram" business. Will I be able to get by in a more professional world without it ?

 

whats your opinion ?

 

thanks,

aaron

[AndyJones]

My opinion is it's not what you know, it's who you know. I haven't done any uni or college courses directly relating to technical theatre work, But am currently a house rigger at an 1100 seater concert hall, and have both lit and system tech'ed a decent number of "big" shows. The more real world experience you can get the better you will do in the long run.

 

Good luck!

 

Andy Jones

[paulears]

Just a word of warning first - don't forget there is a new HN about to start in September - it's brand new and the technical units have been brought up to date. This means some existing content has gone and been replaced with new content in some areas - so if there was any specific thing you wanted to do, check it's still there!

 

Nothing very much changed, but for HE, the reading list is thinned out as many of the established texts are no longer available - so many of these limited sales, long lifespan books are out of print, never to be seen again!

 

The thing to watch is if you want to perhaps convert to a degree, by doing more when the HN is over - although everything has points values, some unis offer a bit more or a bit less credit.

 

There was a feeling that the HNDs and HNCs were going to vanish, with all the foundation degrees about now, but BTEC were requested to resubmit them for approval onto the new framework - and responded positively, took a lot of effort in a little time, but it worked fine in the end, and as a result, is the most up to date of the BTEC qualifications, being completed last.

 

In terms of getting jobs nowadays, I'd also have to agree that being in the right place at the right time is still the way it seems to work, BUT - employers do remember and understand HNDs and Cs - and as every Tom Dick and Harry seem to have a degree in something - even the people who really shouldn't have got one - then a Higher Qualification of a different type that more or less proves you can do things can be an advantage. Me personally - I'd know what an HND/C can do. I know too many Degree people who are useless and this worries me!

[Ali2580]

Hi Aaron,

 

I am pretty much in your position. I am on an NC Tech Theatre course just now. I'm unsure if I want to go on to do the HNC for several reasons or if I want to move onto something else.

 

I've been told on many different occacions, no matter what course you do at whatever college it will never be as educational as out working in the real world. I have learnt lots more working in both a professional theatre venue and with companies than I have learnt at college so far. Experience is the main thing (or so I have been told!)

 

You could spend 3 years getting up to an HND in the same drama studio in a college focussing lights off a step ladder but when you end up in a 1000 seater venue and you have to focus from a genie.. The basics are the same but your in a different environment.

 

IMHO college can teach you so much and most of the basics but it will never give you the experience you need. As paulears and Andy have said (for me anyway) it was all about getting your name known around the area and then the right opportunities might come along.

 

Hope this helps and good luck.

 

Ali

[paulears]

Education has very little to do with industry practice really - it's about process, understanding and analysis. A person with a degree in sound design may not have seen a speakon connector, and somebody with one in lighting design may never have operated a Strand desk. What should happen is that they have the ability to cope with this and learn quickly - but even that's a struggle for some.

 

If you can get a job doing it, then grab it and learn how it's done in practice. If somebody gives you throw distances and beam angles and minimum light levels - a person with a Higher qualification may be able to work these out and know the maths, but how important is it?