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I'm new on here but I have used it a lot on my technical theatre course to help solve problems such as how to light a cyc etc. I have finished what would be the first year of the BTEC National Diploma but because of funding being swizzled around I find that nowhere else near me is running either that or the electrical installation course I was planning on doing. I have another year to wait before I can go to uni and I hope to go to RADA so I would really like to stay in the industry. Does anyone have any suggestions bearing in mind that I have a lot of experience working in places such as RADA itself, NT, Royal Albert Hall, Logan Hall UCL and IndigO2. Although I would prefer to continue education if anyone kows of any courses or jobs or anything similar in south east london/ south east england I would appreciate it. Any other help advice or suggestions also appreciated :P
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You mean they took you onto a two year course and they are stopping it half way through? If so have a good read of your learning agreement and then make a HUGE fuss. Colleges very rarely dump students half way through. It's common for them to run a course out, but stopping half way through isn't common at all. Ask to speak to the Principal and don't get fobbed off.
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You mean they took you onto a two year course and they are stopping it half way through? If so have a good read of your learning agreement and then make a HUGE fuss. Colleges very rarely dump students half way through. It's common for them to run a course out, but stopping half way through isn't common at all. Ask to speak to the Principal and don't get fobbed off.

 

no no it was a one year course because they didnt think they would be getting funding and then they didnt as they thought but they had been hoping too and so had a lot of people in the group.

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Youve finished your first year. The glory of BTEC means that you have still got a qualification that you can continue elsewhere at another colleage if you want to continue it towards diploma.

 

You could always just wait untill you get to uni and continue with A levels untill then. If your main goal is to go to uni, then focus on getting the UCAS points to get in. Yes relevent qualifications help but in my experience, experience helps more. (So long as you meet the UCAS points)

 

The only thing I can think of is Barking coleage offer level 4 and level 3 qualifications in Technical theatre if I remember correctly. Thats East London so could be of use to you.

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With some urgency get your self some 2010 summer work sorted out, If you have to then get voluntary work. You MUST keep getting experience. Assuming that you are about 18 try for work -even a week or so at one of the hundreds of festivals over the summer Sidmouth, Broadstairs Bromyard and hundreds of other towns have folk, pop, jazz festivals. Edinburgh has its festival and fringe, but that is harder work than some of the other places.

 

Look at the academic side of your future, see what is open to you and what other background qualifications you need. A BA/BSc stays with you all your life BUT you lose three years earning potential.

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I am not 18 so work is hard to get because everyone does that dodgy thing with insurance to stop me from working. With regard to BTEC carrying on whenever the problem is that if I accept the Award my work can't count towards the Diploma :** laughs out loud **: Howecer college has now said that by sending a letter I may be able to convince them to continue the second year :P ** laughs out loud ** petitions will win.
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So you got a National Award, not a Diploma. That makes sense for a one year course. There is a bit of a snag this year that makes it difficult to transfer to another college and then carry on. BTEC registrations normally last 5 years, so you can go back, but all new registrations from September are on a brand new version of the BTEC. If you find a college doing the new version, then they may be able do a kind of matching exercise on what you've done and see if it can be mapped to the new course. However, it's unlikely the exact combination of units would be the same, and it'll be a 2 year course anyway. Depending on your local authority and the college, you might also find it difficult to get repeat funding for something you've already effectively done - same title and level. I'm not totally sure, but if they did fund it, how would this impact on any possible uni funding later?

 

I think you shouldn't send a letter, but your parents certainly should - it will have more impact coming from them.

 

You also need to check the titles from September as the names change, the old Diploma becomes and 'Extended Diploma' - the new Diploma is an old certificate etc . Rather confusing - but in essence, the 18 Unit qualification is the one that has parity with the old 3 A Levels.

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Sidmouth folk festival has it's own sound team Google them and ring them, http://www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk/stewarding.html

Whitby Folk Festival has a list of volunteer opportunities and specifically accept volunteers under 18 they do some big concerts but whether you can get works opportunities or box office type work.... Find out yourself http://www.whitbyfolk.co.uk/stewards_app_form.html

 

Broadstairs demands that you be 18 to volunteer.

 

These are festivals largely staffed by volunteers so you get a free ticket for your labours, and don't displace a paid crew member. If it's not your sort of music then think about your place in the ents industry, you could have High Farce or Chekov in theatre (and panto!), for music in any venue you could have thrash metal or a 60's tribute. in fact you could have all of these and still have to do your task with skill and committment!

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  • 1 month later...
Sidmouth folk festival has it's own sound team Google them and ring them, http://www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk/stewarding.html

Whitby Folk Festival has a list of volunteer opportunities and specifically accept volunteers under 18 they do some big concerts but whether you can get works opportunities or box office type work.... Find out yourself http://www.whitbyfolk.co.uk/stewards_app_form.html

 

Broadstairs demands that you be 18 to volunteer.

 

These are festivals largely staffed by volunteers so you get a free ticket for your labours, and don't displace a paid crew member. If it's not your sort of music then think about your place in the ents industry, you could have High Farce or Chekov in theatre (and panto!), for music in any venue you could have thrash metal or a 60's tribute. in fact you could have all of these and still have to do your task with skill and committment!

 

 

Ha any music is my type I like it all and if I dont tough. Im a professional :** laughs out loud **: but really though thanks for all the info and help from you and everyone else it has helped and college are now running apprenticehsips for the 8 of us that are good enough on the course. Thanks again

 

Callum

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Your a Professional? I'm sorry, I have just read the other topic that got closed and your attitude is just unbelievable.

 

 

You are not a Professional.

 

 

Ynot gave you perfectly reasonable advice, and you replied with ''Thanks for nothing?''

 

That is just unbelievably rude, I know its a forum but it does not excuse that kind of blatant nose turn up at someone trying to help you secure the job?

 

I don't know why they wasted their time talking to you - I wouldn't offer to help you ever again.

 

The people who may well be employing you in years to come could be sitting reading that topic.

 

Your attitude stinks.

 

 

 

On Topic, volunteer. Don't sneer at jobs. Take them in your stride and put it down to experience. We all did them once, your time to do them is now.

 

 

 

Mods, Sorry.

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Hi

 

I have read most of your comments on the resent post and I get the impression that you are not ready for the big world of work. I think you need to go back to college for another year, even two there's no shame in it. Your 17 correct? Ambitious; yes, but that a good thing in small doses, but if you calm it down and put the enthusiasm into practice you will go along way. Don’t go shouting your mouth off about how you have x amount of experience because people who have done this for 20+ years don’t like it. Also be carful who you offend today because you my have to bow down to them tomorrow.

 

Another point, don’t grow up to fast take the time to be an child (young adult) you've got another 2 years of free, yes free education take that while you can because you will only have to pay for it later and qualifications (in the correct fields) are very important in now with current legislation. Don’t just go and do another two years technical theatre study a related field such as electrics, metal work, woodwork, engineering they are all transferable skill in this industry. You my find then you are ready for the industry and people are ready to accept you into it.

 

 

 

University for is not for everyone it wasn’t for me. I did two years at college and decided it was not for me and at the age of 18 4 months after leaving college I got my first job and have built myself up, one year later I am doing ok for myself doing something I am happy with and have the option of climbing the ladder over the next few years.

 

My advice is get the qualifications and life experience well it is free and then learn on the job. You will learn to keep your mouth shut and when to open this way but it will make you a good person when you look back in 3+ years time. Listen too the people that have learnt this way they know the best.

 

Good look with what ever you do

 

Regards

 

Bradley

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The one thing newcomers to the industry seem to forget is that many jobs get given to people who get recommended. Nobody even asks about qualifications at all. People you work with, who impress you get stuck in the brain. This week, I've had people who have applied for jobs and given me as a reference to deal with - simple, you hear the name, remember positive aspects and give them an excellent reference, other times you get people who have repeatedly sent in CVs with no response contact you, you phone the company up or email them and say "I hear Fred So-and-So applied for a lighting job - I just thought I'd say they are really useful/hardworking/reliable etc, and they get offered the job - simply because people they know would not recommend duffers! When jobs are on offer, deciding who gets it is almost guesswork - a Degree in Stage Management doesn't mean they're actually any good. Word of mouth is really important.

 

Sad to say, from time to time I get asked for references for people I wish I'd never met. These thick skinned individuals somehow forget they were a complete pain in the bum, and when I get a request for a reference it's difficult because many bigger companies give your reference to the applicant if they ask for it. My ex-lecturer head means I can write a good reference for people that the reader instantly decodes as meaning bargepole/avoid touch. Others I have had to simple respond with words to the effect that I cannot provide a reference. I hate this, but I always tell the truth.

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