GCSE and A Levels

[Kingstech]

Hi,

 

I am currently deciding what subjects to take at A level and how different the courses are from GCSE.

 

I am currently studying GCSE drama performace support in lighting, and I want to know the equivalent at A level and how different it is from GCSE?

 

I am pretty set about when I leave I want to go into theatre and events, what are the other alternatives with A levels that would help me on my career path.

 

I have heard theatre studies is good, are there any other courses that would benefit me?

 

I hope BR can give me some advice on my career path.

 

Cheers

 

Callum

[Ynot]

If you read some of the other, similar, threads here you'll see that one of the best bits of advice is to make sure you have some academic subjects in there with those A levels in theatre tech.

Because this is a variable business, not easy to break in to at the bottom levels (cos that is precisely where you'd HAVE to start) and you WILL need something to fall back on should things go base over apex for you.

[smalljoshua]

Look at Physics and Maths if you're that way inclined. They're great "bread and butter" subjects and will stand you in good stead for a wide range of technical jobs. I'm currently doing both of them and really enjoying them :wub:

 

Josh

[paulears]

Moderation:

Please don't post the same topic in multiple areas - I've merged the two and sorted it out.

You'll find this covered so many times all the answers are already there for you.

 

If you like actually doing lighting, then it's a VERY small part of GCSE and A Level. In fact, at A Level, it perhaps ought to be called Lighting for Actors - you're doing an option in effect - so the actual depth and level is pretty meager - the focus is on the performing side.

 

Personally, I think you need to make a decision. If A Levels are what you need or want to do, then do the option, and join the local amdram company or maybe try to get work in a local venue once you're 16 and legal. Don't think that the A level is going to give you proper training in lighting. It isn't. The teachers need no technical background to teach it and frankly people who do this option get taught very little about what the industry wants.

 

Remember that A Level isn't intended to give you vocational training. You'll be good at research, presentation, report writing and background. Theatre studies is about study, not practice. You don't even have to ever complete a full show - the idea is you use excerpts that show what you can do. The teachers usually manage to get Greek theatre in there, along with other important parts of the history - not too much scope for lighting here.

 

One word of warning. Some universities have a list of subjects they don't like. The 'studies' subjects are always on these lists - media, theatre and general don't hit the specifics they need for their programmes, so having these A Levels might not be that attractive to them.

 

If you want to study lighting at Level 3 - then consider BTEC. It's worth the same UCAS points as 3 A Levels and colleges usually have much better kit than schools and 6th form colleges, they have industry training staff, and the good ones put on big, real shows. Very different from A Levels, but if yoiu like doing, rather than studying - they will be far better. If you do the production pathway - you do NOT have to act at all (or sing or dance) - The lighting option in A Level still means you will be looking at acting.

 

You need to ask around, and go and talk to the colleges - then use this info to make your mind up. Your own school, if they have a 6th form may forget to explain about BTEC if they don't do it, because they want to keep you. Advice you get can be biased, or even wrong. Do some research, ask friends you trust and talk to people.

[Matthew Robinson]

One word of warning. Some universities have a list of subjects they don't like. The 'studies' subjects are always on these lists - media, theatre and general don't hit the specifics they need for their programmes, so having these A Levels might not be that attractive to them.

 

'If it ends in 'ology' and it didn't exist 10 years ago, it's not a useful subject to have at A-level' as we were told.

 

But, in all seriousness, physics, physics, physics and more physics. Also, enough maths to be able to understand the physics - there's no point in knowing that (for example) current is rate of flow of charge if you don't know what that means mathematically! Other than that, maybe electronics (it wasn't offered to me, but maybe it would help you understand what is happening at component level) and your theatre studies.

[DrummerJonny]

Many of the people I work with at a University venue are on Electronic Engineering courses, which to me seems like a very useful course for our industry. While I know how to plug a PA or lighting rig in and make it work, and make it sound / look good, they have a far better understanding of exactly what goes on in those wires, and can service equipment without thinking about it (almost ;)).

 

So, as people above are saying, Maths and Physics. However, I would recommend also taking a theatre studies course or something similar, even if you are unable to specialise in lighting. By doing this, you further your knowledge of performance and theatre as a whole, and also it gives you a bit of relief on your timetable after hours of complicated stuff :wub:

[Jenna281093]

Hey Callum,

 

I did drama performance support for my GCSE last year and chose the lighting section because I couldn't take on my favourite role (Deputy Stage Manager)

 

Now I'm studying a Extended Diploma lvl 3 in entertainment technology at college which is equivilant as 4 A-levels. Like I said earlier my favourite department in theatre is Stage Management but I always figure its good to know stuff about other departments in theatre/events.

 

I started off doing a performing arts btec at Huddersfield New College which didn't allow me to do any technical what so ever. obviously I wasn't happy with this (been a technician I can't act) so I knew that I'd fail the course no matter how hard I tried. So I looked around and found The Oldham College who do the course, Entertainment Tech which covers: lighting, sound, stage management, set design, business and video editing. So I was lucky enough to move colleges.

 

However if you are just interested in doing lighting my advice is to go for a BTEC and look for specialized courses around your area.

And don't be afraid to move colleges if you're not happy with your first choice. Its takes courage but its better to move course/college than do a pointless course for 2 years.

 

Hope this helps,

Jen x

[Simon Lewis]

If you intend studying this subject post A level, then look at what the entry requirements for your chosen courses are.

 

I see a lot of University applicants who would like to do a given course, but didn't choose the most suitable A levels. Check whether they need drama, theatre studies etc. If in doubt as to what add, the more 'academic' subjects (maths, physics etc., as others have suggested) are ones that most admission tutors would be happy to see.

 

Simon

[Kingstech]

my specialist area is lighting but I dont mind the other aspects of theatre and events

 

yeah I understand all of what you lot have said about finding out about everything...

 

just hope I can find something!

 

Cheers

 

Callum

[paulears]

However, I would recommend also taking a theatre studies course or something similar, even if you are unable to specialise in lighting. By doing this, you further your knowledge of performance and theatre as a whole, and also it gives you a bit of relief on your timetable after hours of complicated stuff

 

If you have a technology 'leaning' why would you wish to study acting? To some people, actually performing is like a visit to the dentist. Not all, but quite a few. The worst bit is shooting yourself in the foot by describing it as not being complicated stuff - everybody tries so hard NOT to call the ..... studies subjects soft subjects but you just did that very thing! Stick an easy subject on your list to have rest! Not what admission tutors would like to see!

[Kingstech]

I have been talking to my teacher who teaches me the performance support option and she said taking theatre studies would be good to understand how to analyse a script and get the most out of it, while also learning about all of the other aspects of the performance side as aparently it helps to know what the actors are doing when you are lighting them.

 

I wanted to know from the professional how to get in to the industry and be the best I can be.

 

Is it through A levels or by getting out and working?

 

Callum

[paulears]

Well I suppose that if analysing a script is what you want to do, then why not?

 

As I've already said - it depends if you like research and study, or actually doing?

 

For curiosity last year, I was looking at the people working on my panto - dancers, actors, musicians, stage management, sound and lx and the stage crew who had continued their education past 16. A couple of the singer/dancers had theatre studies and then a Ba (from RB, I think). The dancers all had BTEC in either Performance or Dance and the stage management people were a bit of a split. One ASM was BTEC, in Performance, with a few technical units, the technical ASM had the same. The other ASM had started a BTEC, but got a job and left. The lx and sound people had BTEC mostly, although one had A Level IT, maths and physics - and was very ... technical! Some left school at 16 and after a few random jobs got into theatre that way with no specific training at all.

 

If you want to do technical backstage work, I just don't feel Theatre Studies is much use at all. Maths and Physics make sense if you are into those - but it sounds to me as if your school want to keep you and are trying to find something to hook you in.

 

The best neutral advice I can suggest is simply to find out which exam board your school use for their theatre studies, and download it and read what you will be studying and what you have to do along side options. Then do the same for BTEC. My guess is that you will find one suits you better than the other.

 

 

 

ps Just in case you haven't sussed - I do have an interest in BTEC - so my advice should be considered biased towards what I think works best and is most useful. Show this to your teacher and see what she thinks?

[DrummerJonny]

However, I would recommend also taking a theatre studies course or something similar, even if you are unable to specialise in lighting. By doing this, you further your knowledge of performance and theatre as a whole, and also it gives you a bit of relief on your timetable after hours of complicated stuff

 

If you have a technology 'leaning' why would you wish to study acting? To some people, actually performing is like a visit to the dentist. Not all, but quite a few. The worst bit is shooting yourself in the foot by describing it as not being complicated stuff - everybody tries so hard NOT to call the ..... studies subjects soft subjects but you just did that very thing! Stick an easy subject on your list to have rest! Not what admission tutors would like to see!

 

Well, thats not really what I meant. I guess I was talking from my own experience, where I really enjoyed my Theatre Studies classes, and always looked forward to them. They were anything but easy though!

[tom_the_LD]

Just as some background info from me - I'm currently studying (well about to start studying) "Creative Lighting Control" at Rose Bruford. For my AS levels I chose: IT, Physics, Music Tech and Maths. None of those were drama realted or included any lighting in them at all! I failed maths at AS, quite badly, and ended up resitting it along side the other 3 which I carried on to take up to full A-Levels. I still failed it though, which I'm gutted about, but I found it extremely challenging and didn't enjoy it at all.

 

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that you don't HAVE to take subjects which involve lighting to carry it on further. The tech industry also works very much on experience and the people you know. So get involved doing school shows and local am-dram stuff, even if it's just spotting or rigging, as that will really benefit you.

[Kingstech]

so its what I know and what I can get in to rather than the qualifications I have?

 

my school do seem keen to keep me as I am their chief LX for the productions they put on.

 

so would you say getting involved in am-dram and maybe a job at a local theatre would help get in to the industry better than getting qualifications in the subject?