bacciochi Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 Hi all, I have been directed to this forum by a man who works at the LG Arena on security (who knows the technical team there). I am currently in my last year at school, and I really want to go into the technical theatre industry, and have done since I can remember! My dilemma is, is that I just don't know which part to focus on. There is such a wide scope and I am interested in the industry on the whole. I have done about 6 productions at school, with fairly standard equipment, and just finished a BTEC in Music, where I focused on the technical side of things. I really enjoyed it, but it was mainly focused on recording, and live sound. I enjoy running the sound desk, and I wouldn't mind going down that path, but it is just the science and engineering behind it all. I've seen my teacher open up the sound desk and I found it hard enough learning how to operate the outside of it, never mind fixing the insides! I've also heard theres a lot of physics behind it (sound waves etc.) which I don't really excel in. On the other hand, I would like to learn more about the lighting side of things. I've always been amazed by the lighting at concerts, and came back from a WWE live event last night (only went to see the lighting and pyro to be honest!) and it was great! I know my age doesn't let me anywhere near the stuff at the moment, but pyrotechnics have always looked interesting as well, so any helpful guidance towards this industry would be appreciated. I know that is a smaller industry than sound and lighting though. I am thinking of applying for a music technology course at an academy which has just recently opened near me (http://www.boa-academy.co.uk). They do offer production arts, which I think includes lighting, but I think that also includes making scenery etc. So I know this topic isn't a question as such, but any sort of guidance you could help me with towards the technical theatre industry would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Some Bloke Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 Sounds like you need to find a place that does a general course in Technical Theatre. Can I suggest lookig for a local college offering a technical route through a BTEC qualification? I've taught on a couple of these courses and they are ideal for people who want a general grounding in everything. They usually move people around different jobs for each show that comes up so you all get a chance to do everything. Once you've had a go at everything then you could then either go into the industry as a junior technician or on to uni to specialise in something you've really come to love. P.S. There are 2 types of sound engineer: the geeks who can open a desk up and instantly know how to fix it and the ones who can hear a performance and instantly know how to make it sound great, but wouldn't know where to start with a dirty fader. A lot of people have a go at both, but you can get away with being really good at one or the other. Thus, if you're no good at physics, don't worry as long as your ears are spot on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bacciochi Posted November 7, 2012 Author Share Posted November 7, 2012 This sounds like a really good idea. I think I'll have a look for one of those! Failing that, is experience the way forward? Sounds like you need to find a place that does a general course in Technical Theatre. Can I suggest lookig for a local college offering a technical route through a BTEC qualification? I've taught on a couple of these courses and they are ideal for people who want a general grounding in everything. They usually move people around different jobs for each show that comes up so you all get a chance to do everything. Once you've had a go at everything then you could then either go into the industry as a junior technician or on to uni to specialise in something you've really come to love. P.S. There are 2 types of sound engineer: the geeks who can open a desk up and instantly know how to fix it and the ones who can hear a performance and instantly know how to make it sound great, but wouldn't know where to start with a dirty fader. A lot of people have a go at both, but you can get away with being really good at one or the other. Thus, if you're no good at physics, don't worry as long as your ears are spot on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Pearce Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 If you are interested in Production Arts at BOA get in touch with us via the details on the website.The course covers most backstage areas, so yes you would have to make some set, but as Eric says a grounding in all backstage areas is good to have before you specialise in a certain department. We have students who have changed their mind whilst studying areas they hadn't given much thought to before.We do plenty of lighting too! Did you attend one of the open evenings in October? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete McCrea Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 Experience. There's a wealth on companies in and around Birmingham that would probably let you come in and gain work experience. I can think of about 7 or 8 off the top of my head, really quickly, so it's a case of goggling some phrases like 'Sound Hire Birmingham' etc, and getting in touch with them. Be prepared to travel a little bit if you can (like SSE in Redditch) and you may well find that you can start to get out and about on some interesting things quite quickly. If you do get offered the chance to do stuff - watch and learn. Ask if you're unsure, as people prefer a quick question, rather than having to re-do a job because you didn't ask. And be prepared for long days and hard work. I've just sat down to my roast dinner 14 hours after leaving the house this morning.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bacciochi Posted November 8, 2012 Author Share Posted November 8, 2012 I think I am going to apply for Production Arts at BOA. Is the course a BTEC in Technical Theatre? Because the website says there are two courses within the option: Design and Technical. I am just in the middle of filling my application form in so I'd like to know for sure what I'm going in for, because I've heard that design is just to do with makeup etc. So I'd rather do the technical side of things. And yes I did attend an open evening, and was astounded about how good the place is! I heard of stories from the principal about students travelling with PRG and doing work experience! I'll be disappointed if I don't gain a place there, as I have not found any other place that offers technical theatre. If you are interested in Production Arts at BOA get in touch with us via the details on the website.The course covers most backstage areas, so yes you would have to make some set, but as Eric says a grounding in all backstage areas is good to have before you specialise in a certain department. We have students who have changed their mind whilst studying areas they hadn't given much thought to before.We do plenty of lighting too! Did you attend one of the open evenings in October? I am going to have a good look and send a few emails to different companies. Hopefully not being too much of a nuisance! I am really passionate about it, and want to learn all I can. I have also heard about the long days, and unsociable hours. But I want to try and experience some work before I decide which area I want to go into. Thanks for your help! This forum really is helping me out! I thought it was going to be full of people that didn't want to deal with beginners! Thank you! Experience. There's a wealth on companies in and around Birmingham that would probably let you come in and gain work experience. I can think of about 7 or 8 off the top of my head, really quickly, so it's a case of goggling some phrases like 'Sound Hire Birmingham' etc, and getting in touch with them. Be prepared to travel a little bit if you can (like SSE in Redditch) and you may well find that you can start to get out and about on some interesting things quite quickly. If you do get offered the chance to do stuff - watch and learn. Ask if you're unsure, as people prefer a quick question, rather than having to re-do a job because you didn't ask. And be prepared for long days and hard work. I've just sat down to my roast dinner 14 hours after leaving the house this morning.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Pearce Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Alex, get in touch via the website and my boss or I can get some more info to you.If you came into our workshop on the open evening you'd have spotted me as the tutor covered in sawdust at the back guiding a few students through some scenic construction techniques. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Three thoughts!Experience will get you the next job knowledge alone may not.Maybe find an amdram to join and get some experienceNEVER overblow your experience -you will get caught out in seconds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.