Degree Lighting & Sound Courses

[ChazzQuire]

Hello,

 

I am currently trying to find a degree course for lighting & sound design/engineering- I want it to combine both elements rather than specialize in one. So far I have found Sound, Lighting and live entertainment tech at derby, anyone else got any suggestions please?

 

Cheers,

[J Pearce]

Glamorgan do a Live Event course which cover lighting, sound, and other disciplines. I don't know much about this, I am going for a look around in September.

 

I have been for a visit day at derby and IMO I think it is a good course with good resources. If you want more info on SLLET PM Simon Lewis or Ken Coker, they are tutors on the course.

[Chris_R]

As mentioned in the other topic here, I am going up to Derby in September.

I looked around Glamorgan Uni, but wasn't too impressed. I can't quite put my finger on what it was, but it just didn't feel like the sort of place id want to spend 3 years learning! Also I didn't find the organization and attitude of the staff that great. But obviously your opinion may be different.

 

One thing to bare in mind is that the Derby course has been running for a number of years now, whereas the Glamorgan Course is starting in September. This was also another deciding factor for me.

 

As far as degree courses that combine Sound and Lighting go I think these are the only two IIRC.

 

Hope this helps,

Chris

[J Pearce]

There are a couple of drama colleges that do technical theatre courses, which are art based from what I understand

 

SLLET is science based from what I understand, have yet to find out about Glamorgan.

[Paul J Need]

Following on from recent posts........ do you ACTUALLY need a degree?

[gareth]

Following on from recent posts........ do you ACTUALLY need a degree?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wouldn't have said so. I can't remember the last time I saw a job ad for a post in the theatre business that stipulated that applicants must have a degree-level qualification - they all seem to place far more emphasis on experience.

[Ken Coker]

In a minute the toys will come out of the pram!!!

 

Of course you don't need a ####ing degree to hang ####ing lamps up or point them in the right direction or decide what ####ing colour they should be - Mick Hughes, Andy Phillips, Richard Pilbrow, Brian Croft, Peter Price (amongst thousands), have all made crucial contributions to the entertainment industry and have had fantastic careers in it without degrees in Theatre Arts, Lighting Design or even, unbelievably, Sound, Light and Live Event Technology!!

 

However, one of the crucial points about degrees - and this is why education is different to training - is that they should provide an opportunity for people to think about things and maybe approach issues in a different way. (I'm not saying, by the way, that all degrees do this.) Someone will, I'm sure, post a list of all the great innovative thinkers, designers, manufacturers who never went to university or gained a degree - that's fantastic and their achievement should be applauded. Part of the job of universities is to provide people that can ask the right or interesting questions, not necessarily provide the answers - a point that is sadly lost on governments and, sadly, some of my students. Does one want a thinking population or not?

 

Right, I'm not reading the BR again until next week because its raising my blood pressure - oh yes, and given that it's Friday, as a lazy, workshy, pseudo academic I'm off to play golf for the rest of the day. On the subject of being lazy and workshy - Paul, if you did employ that wastrel of an undergraduate of mine on the Windsor gig please poke him with a stick and tell him to get on with something useful rather than hanging out trying to pick up girls from the cast. Thanks. (Obviously, do keep me in mind for any future freelance work!!)

 

Right, where's my putter......................

 

Ken

[Paul J Need]

In a minute the toys will come out of the pram!!!

 

On the subject of being lazy and workshy - Paul, if you did employ that wastrel of an undergraduate of mine on the Windsor gig please poke him with a stick and tell him to get on with something useful rather than hanging out trying to pick up girls from the cast.

Ken

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Hope the toys didn't get too scuffed this time Ken ;)

 

You know me Ken - always playing devils advocate.

 

Aforementioned undergraduate doing a sterling job in Windsor. Meant I can have my first evenings off in 3 months :blink: (workshy indeed) :)

 

Part of the job of universities is to provide people that can ask the right or interesting questions, not necessarily provide the answers

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Hit the nail on the head Ken - problem is, show me the place where this is happening? RSAMD, Central........ Certainly not RADA at the moment I feel?

It's about experimentation also, being allowed a certain freedom to make your own mistakes, learn from them and from others mistakes also. It also means teh staff teaching do not generally have the skills to put these interesting questions in the heads of the students? Instead, I see the state of the technical training colleges merely providing the schools with cheap labour to run their venues supporting an ever decreasing number of productions.

 

I hate to say this but....... in my days as a student at RADA, I lit 14 productions in 4 terms. Baring in mind during the first term I was stage crew, flyman etc. So 14 shows in 3 terms......... I also had some wonderful teaching staff to guide me. These days a student would be lucky to light 3 shows in two years!! :(

[techiehelp]

sorry to bring up an old thread, just thought I'd say soemthing about doing or not doing a degree.

 

I find experience plays a bigger part than a degree, it's nice to have a degree but you don't need one. I was talking to someone last night who does sound for a west end show and he only has experience. He's been working for years now and travel around the world.

[Simon Lewis]

Hi, Techiehelp,

 

Most of the arguments have been well rehearsed in this topic, but just for completeness, experience isn't necessarily something that a degree teaches you.

So, no - you don't have to have a degree.

 

However, many would argue that higher education can develop a number of academic and cognitive skills, which coupled with practical hands-on experience produces a well balanced individual who hopefully can contribute more fully to his/her profession and develop a successful career strategy.

 

Given that a greater proportion of those in the job market have or will have a degree, it is axiomatic that degrees are the new benchmark qualification.

 

Simon

[gus_b]

Passion is extremely important in this industry.

 

In my opinion, experience and knowledge are both extremely important; one does not supersede the other. Learning from your mistakes, working under pressure, troubleshooting, trying new things are all ingredients that are added to the valuable cauldron called experience that will give you the edge above others. However, you need knowledge of the kit and technologies, etc.

 

A good university course will expose you to various facets of sound, lighting, rigging and electronics. It will encourage you to read further, experiment and learn. You might not be exposed to all the facets of lighting, sound, rigging and electronics immediately if you jump head first into the industry. You also make good contacts during your time at university. You might also not have the resources of libraries, etc that encourage you to learn about live event technologies.

 

Yes, it is true that most of the best live sound engineers and lighting designers don’t have a degree, but in an age where technology is changing so rapidly, it is vital to have a wide working (and in depth) knowledge of all technologies in the live entertainment industry.

 

The world is your oyster – learn from everyone, experiment for yourself and have an open mind to new products.