Do I go to University or go straight into the industry?

[Bobbsy]

and to add another question do you think it's worth doing a specialised degree like sound or doing a technical theatre degree I realise that the sound degree is more specific so therefore I'm limiting myself but will it allow me to progress to doing some bigger gigs faster? (I realise it won't be anywhere near instant but within say 10years will a specific degree help me ot get further quicker allowing me to miss (some) of the 'tea making levels'?

 

thnks

 

If sound is your specific interest, then I'd probably be more supportive of a university course (if it's the right one) than a generalised "technical theatre" degree. Sound is an area where the background knowledge of the physics involved, some of the maths and certainly acoustics can be really useful in the future. This is especially true if you want to get involved in sound design, system design and so on rather than stop at the board op level.

 

If you do decide to go this route, it's probably worth coming back and asking about the courses on your short list since there is a wide variety in the quality and content of some of the courses.

 

You still may do some tea making but somebody with the right mix of theoretical and practical knowledge will have a much better chance of advancement.

 

Bob

[TomHoward]

and to add another question do you think it's worth doing a specialised degree like sound or doing a technical theatre degree?

In my opinion you should be jack of all trades and master of one. I did a sound engineering degree and now I'm in a general theatre technician position - I've managed to pick up other areas (lighting, DMX, very small amount of design) to a workable level within a year or so, but I don't think you could pick up the same in-depth knowledge of one subject without really studying it.