bacciochi Posted November 17, 2012 Share Posted November 17, 2012 A week or so ago, I posted a topic about which way to go in the technical theatre industry. Now, I am decided on what college I am aiming for, but I am unsure which course to choose. The two I have to choose between are music technology and production arts. I really enjoy running the sound desk at school, but I don't know whether I would like to try lighting. The only thing that puts me off production arts, is that it includes set design and prop creation. I am not very apt with art, and I don't know whether you have to excel in art to be good at set design. I am swayed towards production arts as it covers more topics, but I don't know whether music technology would push the sound engineering side? Please could someone give me some guidance as to which course to choose? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted November 17, 2012 Share Posted November 17, 2012 Forgive me, but you have picked where you want to go rather then what for? Seems backwards. Production Arts and Music Technology are very different. In fact, there used to be some crossover in the old versions, but the current ones are very separate. My advice is fairly straightforward. Are you a musician, or a technician? Do you want to be 'featured' as in the name behind the music, or somebody who wants to make other people's vision happen? Remember that the Music Tec courses should really be called technology for musicians - if you cannot play anything (Technics 1200's don't count) then don't do the music - there is still an awful lot of music in it, and I'd probably even go so far as to say you need to have a handle on playing the keyboard. You don't need to be a pianist, but being able to play melodies and knock out rhythms is pretty essential. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Pearce Posted November 17, 2012 Share Posted November 17, 2012 I believe Alex is referring to several courses run at my place of employment - BOA academy. I don't know our music tech syllabus, though I suspect Paul may know at least some of it, and I see the guy who runs it every weekday morning... Our prod arts course does involve some scenic and props construction, but you don't need A grade in GCSE art to pass those units, just as you don't need an A in GCSE physics to pass the lighting and sound units.We run a mix of technical and design units, aimed at giving you at least a basic grounding in all the backstage arts, with you excelling in your 'home' units. I will say that the prospectus you picked up on open evening won't have the very latest information so get in touch and we can guide you more closely on to the best course for you and your future career aims. (Edit to expand)Another point is that the courses at BOA are equivalent to 3 A levels. To only do sound would mean covering an enormous amount of material that would actually be pushing degree level. Covering multiple areas is what makes it worth the qualification it is. While I'm on that point do consider whether you want to go to uni and if so what universities you want to go to. Check what their entry requirements are, and whether it would be wise to take an additional a level alongside our BTEC. The obvious one for someone doing sound would be physics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 The important thing to ask them is what units their course is made up from. The one thing when comparing BTECs is that as the course is made up from a selection of units, most colleges offering identical qualifications have vastly different content - often due to their staff wishing to teach their own specialisms. Some units are core components - often the 'glue' units that stick things together. I'd have to say that if you found a college that only did lots of sound units, it would not be pushing degree level. It's level 3 no matter what. Breadth and Depth are the two factors. If you looked at lighting, there are quite a few units you could take, but it would be a bit narrow, and most people prefer a bit of variety! The thing to watch is that the better places (Like BOA) tend to do the course by the students working on real productions, but some don't. They never, ever do a full length play, musical or anything with a proper script, and just do excerpts like GCSE/A level and most of their 'practical' work is on simulations, not real shows with an audience. If you don't have the pressure of real shows, I'd suggest finding somewhere that does. It won't hurt your grades, but it won't stretch you and it's NOT a good grounding for real work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 Where does college fit in your career plan? How does each unit add value to you and your skills? Where do you intend to go after college. Remember that college is a short period in your life that should set you up to be more employable than the next person, or more fit for Uni if that's where yo intend to go. In my opinion it's your experience that gets you the work with pay packets, it's not the knowing it's the doing the job. Music technology should be an obvious decision -if you play a professional instrument well in some different styles, and maybe get a tune out of other instruments then Music tech will be OK otherwise look elsewhere. Basically everyone in pro music can play keys to some extent and has another instrument as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 My own experience is that some colleges swing music tec away from musical playing skills to what in essence is DJ technology and computers, and while I have a very strong opinion on this, it is possible to get a good grade in music tec and be a musical numptie! The range of units means that colleges can put any swing they like on it to suit the students - hence why it's critical to find out what they mean by music technology - 99% on technology and 1& on music? Far less people nowadays can read traditional music, guitar tab (spawn of the devil) meaning a painting by numbers approach teaches people to put their fingers on the right places, but works against other instruments, as their music makes no sense. Some colleges do it one way, others taking a more traditional approach. This is why it's vital to investigate what is on offer. If somebody is pretty good on a sax, then it won't be too much fun working with people who can only play guitar in E and A, and keyboard people who only play in C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 If ever you will need to work in opera or ballet then reading a full score is an essential attribute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.