Kieran H Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 I'm currently studying for my A/S' with exams coming up soon, I'll hopefully be leaving school in just over a year. I have had small experience in lighting electrician work with my local pavilion and setting up light and audio for many school gigs and other small events within school. But have found a passion in lighting more than any other tech route. I have been looking at university courses but the majority are for stage management or lighting design(I am no where near arty enough to design lighting, more of the setting up and board operating I want to get into.) Other than uni what are my main options? Any advice would be much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 All theatre involves a LOT of art, you will need to design with photons, then work out how to achieve your design. Real work in a theatre would be great on a CV, people like to employ people who can do rather than "know about". A very useful side course would be 17th edition approved electrician and add the test and inspection modules if you can. That way you know what you are doing with electrics which helps a lot and if theatre lets you down for money several people go on the tools and wire a factory for good money if they have the tickets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam L F Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Hi Kieran, I see you're also a Cardiff dweller! Have you looked at the course at Glamorgan (Lighting Design & Technology). I'm currently a third year on the course, after you have a quick look at the web page, I'd be more than happy to take any questions you may have! http://courses.glam.ac.uk/courses/622-bsc-hons-lighting-design-and-technology Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Lewis Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Kieren, Other than Uni, your main choices are to either get on an apprentice scheme or get a job in a theatre or hire firm. Both approaches can be good, and give you excellent hands on skills. Many on Blue Room would say this is the best way to learn. A few believe it is the only way! You can also volunteer for local events, bands or am-dram to get experience and make contacts. However, I think there is value in further or higher education... There are a number of courses which are not stage management and or lighting design, and it's worth looking carefully in the UCAS search engine. Adam has mentioned Glamorgan; might I also add Sound, Light and Live Event Technology at Derby (I'm the programme leader). You'd be most welcome to come to our open day on March 16th to meet the team and look at what we do. We also have a BA Technical Theatre degree starting this September. Simon Lewis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerry davies Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Right now on Jobswales there are 32 jobs for "electrician" and zero for "theatre", "theatre technician" and "events" or "events technician". Just saying! Do the research and make your decision an informed one. This is not the best time to take decisions which you have to live with for life and I do not envy young people today. 10% of your peers in Wales are officially unemployed and a hell of a lot more are in part-time work, on Workfare and doing jobs that they are highly overqualified for. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjoneslx Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Hi, I would send another vote for the Derby Uni, Sound Light and Live Event Technology course. Albeit a bit biased as an ex student on that course, its well worth a look into based on what you have mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rax Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 I'm currently studying for my A/S' with exams coming up soon, I'll hopefully be leaving school in just over a year .... Other than uni what are my main options? Any advice would be much appreciated. Hi Kieran, is it OK to ask which subjects you are doing at AS and A2, and what you enjoy most in your studies? The reason I ask is because people who have an aptitude for theatre technology can often find a similarly rewarding career elsewhere in the entertainment industry and you should at least look at those possibilities and not confine yourself to theatre lighting at the moment. For example, would you approach a 'Rock and Roll' or TV lighting company? Are your academic studies pointing towards engineering courses? I was really lucky to go to a sixth form which offered a two year technical theatre course. The day I left the local rep offered me a post as their stage electrician but I passed it up to go into broadcast engineering. If I'd gone with theatre, I'd probably have a flat and a scooter. Working in television I have a small 3 bed and a Peugoet, but my favourite Gaffer Spark from a 'Rock and Roll'/TV lx co has a '7 series' and a mansion with a helipad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kieran H Posted March 24, 2013 Author Share Posted March 24, 2013 I'm currently studying for my A/S' with exams coming up soon, I'll hopefully be leaving school in just over a year .... Other than uni what are my main options? Any advice would be much appreciated. Hi Kieran, is it OK to ask which subjects you are doing at AS and A2, and what you enjoy most in your studies? The reason I ask is because people who have an aptitude for theatre technology can often find a similarly rewarding career elsewhere in the entertainment industry and you should at least look at those possibilities and not confine yourself to theatre lighting at the moment. For example, would you approach a 'Rock and Roll' or TV lighting company? Are your academic studies pointing towards engineering courses? I was really lucky to go to a sixth form which offered a two year technical theatre course. The day I left the local rep offered me a post as their stage electrician but I passed it up to go into broadcast engineering. If I'd gone with theatre, I'd probably have a flat and a scooter. Working in television I have a small 3 bed and a Peugoet, but my favourite Gaffer Spark from a 'Rock and Roll'/TV lx co has a '7 series' and a mansion with a helipad. Hi Rax, im currently studying drama, english lit, r.s and welsh bac, but looking to drop r.s for A2. A 'Rock and Roll' would be my prefered option but im unaware of how to get into that end of the industry. And no none of my studies are pointing towards engineering courses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rax Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 Hi Rax, im currently studying drama, english lit, r.s and welsh bac, but looking to drop r.s for A2. A 'Rock and Roll' would be my prefered option but im unaware of how to get into that end of the industry. And no none of my studies are pointing towards engineering courses.At first glance, I think your A level choices have set you up well for a future in Stage Management! If you still don't want to go on and do Uni, Jivemaster's recommendation to study BS7671 (17th edition) then inspection/test would be a good one. If you enjoy that, then following up with BS7909 would add the relevant specialism for our industry. From a wider perspective, have you ever thought of Gallowglass or similar roadie style work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevelinus Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 having been down the university route and just at the point of finishing my degree I can honestly say that going to uni did bugger all for me. getting into the industry is all about getting yourself out there and getting in with a company in the industry even if its making the tea. incidentally if you were making the tea its a great way of seeing what everybody does and while dropping off your cuppas asking questions about what people are doing. im quite lucky as I have also been working at negearth for the last year of which I started at the bottom washing flightcases but now work in the moving lights and desks department. but as far as degrees and the industry go, mine was useless to me. im even writing my dissertation on routes into the production industry and if having a degree is a perceivable benefit for which the results are saying that they mean nothing and you cant beat experience no matter how little and its all things that you learn on he job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Lewis Posted April 10, 2013 Share Posted April 10, 2013 ...but as far as degrees and the industry go, mine was useless to me Sorry to hear that... Your course looks to be quite good on event management? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerry davies Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 This is a timely warning for all those seeking to enter Higher Education. Choose your course carefully. As Simon knows, I am not a believer in degrees for entry level people and much prefer vocational training such as becoming qualified through work as an electrician or something. However if a student chooses to undertake a degree in management it is no use complaining if they start anywhere but in management. Lighting designer degrees are probably superb for lighting designers but I would rather have a basic lighting tech with a bunch of C&G's, a forklift ticket, a MEWP ticket and 5 years experience.... at almost anything! I would far rather have someone who had done the theoretical "10,000 hours" hands-on training which A levels and university cannot provide. If Steve progresses through the industry then his degree will be useful, if he stays at the hands-on end of the business then it will have been of little practical use. That does not mean that his personal development is nil. There is more to a degree than job qualification. Be very sure before signing up for that kind of spend that whatever degree course you choose will give you what you want from life, not just work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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