wallin6228 Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 I have been looking at degrees around the uk but need some advise. I would like to do a lighting based degree but would be open to general technical theatre degrees. I have been to look at glamorgan and was worried by the lack of performance spaces and ideally would prefere a more practical course. And im going to go look at guildhall on the 6th of november and central school of speech and drama after that. The problem im having is no one in my family or at school has any interest in this area I have worked with stagecoach and I am a casual at the local theatre and help out with am-dram groups etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indyld Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 I think the first question is: What kind of advice would you like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallin6228 Posted October 21, 2012 Author Share Posted October 21, 2012 What courses are recognized in the industry as good. And if anyone had any experiences of good courses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Pearce Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 Are you focussed on theatre or are more an events person? Do you want to study the arty design side or the practical doing side? Do you want to study the physics, maths and electronics behind what we do?There are lots of courses out there with different aims and different focuses, go and visit them and see what engages you and makes you excited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indyld Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 What courses are recognized in the industry as good. And if anyone had any experiences of good courses. If you think that such a course (either FE or HE) would benefit you as a person, find a course that you think you'll enjoy the content and the atmosphere/opportunities/ethos etc. You've already identified something you are concerned about on one course, so you are obviously looking at things with a critical eye. Bear in mind that what some students consider "good" often depends on what they wanted from a course which varies from person to person. Listen to their opinions but ultimately make up your own mind. There are many courses and options and each course and institution has its own personality. Myself and others here that teach on the courses will all have knowledge of "the market" but it would probably be inappropriate to make statements about other courses. I have sat in interviews and asked a candidate if they don't think they'd be better off on such-n-such course instead, they are all different. Regarding industry "recognised courses", there are accreditation systems but their criteria don't always fit with a particular course so it's not an automatic rubber stamp of approval from industry. Remember that there is also a big chunk of a whole generation of industry employers that still don't really see the point of HE technical theatre degree courses anyway, so I would advise going back to course content/opportunities in the first instance. Having said that, it's never harmed to go to a drama school that people have heard of like RADA, LAMDA, BOVTS etc. in some parts of the industry that think they know what they are getting. You have said you are interested in a lighting based course first and foremost. Plenty of specialist courses and pathways around: RADA, Central, Rose Bruford to name a few. Do you think you are the kind of person that would benefit from doing a BA (Hons) or are you more of a Foundation degree type person who wants to do a couple of years training and then get out there and get on with it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Coker Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 What A-levels are you currently doing? KC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallin6228 Posted October 21, 2012 Author Share Posted October 21, 2012 I am studying maths, music and music tech. I am more a theatre person and would like to do the more practical side. I researched the debate of higher education v.s working your way up and I would be happy to do both but I thing the higher education route is the best path for me. I would be able to get onto a BA (Hons) course so I think there the courses im going for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Lewis Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 The University of Derby will be running a BA (hons) Technical Theatre programme from next September (subject to validation). I suspect it may not be on UCAS just yet but will be very soon! The course will be based at Derby Theatre - the University's working 470 seat Learning Theatre, and will benefit from collaboration with existing programmes including Theatre Arts and Sound, Light & Live Event Technology. Kit Lane (who frequents these pages) is Programme Leader, and will be able to provide more information. Our next Open Day is on Saturday 24th November - you are most welcome to come and see what we have to offer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 Where do you live? As you already have contacts in local theatre and amdram would you want to retain those contacts, or go away to uni and make new contacts. Remember "what you can do" will get you your next job, not what you have studied. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 Music? This suggests you are a musician, so with your Music Tec too, it seems a little strange to be shifting into lighting as a 'new' thing. The music ted will be useful on the technology courses - as will maths. You're not into performing then, I assume? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallin6228 Posted October 21, 2012 Author Share Posted October 21, 2012 I chose those alevels with out any real thinking http://www.blue-room.org.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/mur.gif So I know their not really related thats why I've attempted to gain as much experience out side of school. Yes I did start out as a sound engineer but for the last 2 years I've been doing lighting and hopefully building up a good portfolio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam L F Posted October 21, 2012 Share Posted October 21, 2012 Hi wallin :) I'm a third year student currently on the Lighting Design & Technology BSc (Hons) course at Glamorgan University, feel free to drop me a PM and I'll try and answer some questions for you if you have any, or come down to an open day and we will discuss then. I will point out that the course is in no way like those at Bruford and Central, having looked at them myself, and knowing people studying there. Perhaps looking at the Live Event Technology course at Glamorgan could be a good idea too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fingers Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 ok my 2p! So I was in the same position as you about this time last year! I ended up posing myself a question "What do I want to do?" Now I'm a sound engineer, so for me it was a choice of theatre, concert, full engineering (technical aspects) or even further toward studio work (Obviously we don't cover this on the BR, but it was a question I faced) and many options in between. So I began looking at courses:DerbyGuildhallCentral School of speech and dramaLiverpool institute of performing arts ...were my application choices, all of which you should at least look at! I liked them all and each one offers something different. (I won't tell you what they offer, you must go and discover this for yourself!) but the key thing is that each and every course offers something different and does it very well. In the end, the unconditional offer that GSMD gave me won me over (sorry Simon and kit!) but they literally gave me an offer I can refuse! I will be shepherding at the open day next week and I will have a pice of congo blue on my lanyard. (student here, I have many lanyards http://www.blue-room.org.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif ) and feel free to PM me further! Happy hunting Elliott (Edit: various typos) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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