Drama School

[archie]

Well done you! Hope you have a great time.

[flump]

karrie said:

Whoop. Scholarship/funded place at ArtsEd for the summer. ;D

Go Kaz! What are you going to be doing there??? x

[avenueqfans.com]

Acting. ;D

Although since coming to study (BA) Theatre at uni, my interests have swayed towards technical... seems to be little opportunity to study or train in that area though without giving up what I'm already doing.

Whilst we're on the subject.. Well done to Thom (although he's hardly on this board anymore as he's studying and practicing constantly!) for being accepted to study medicine! Ok, that's not drama school, but thought Id say it anyway.

[flump]

Yes, det. Well done Thom. Where is he off to?

I used to act and I find it a good grounding for some technical stuff because i understand what actors priorities are etc.... That means I can always be one steph ahead of the game!

[avenueqfans.com]

Erm, Sussex?

(sorry Thom)

[robjimbobjam]

Well done to Kaz and Thom!!! *sets of numerous party poppers* have a great time you two!!

[Cassie]

Sorry to ressurect an old topic but does anyone feel like being nice and offering me advice please please?

I've got an interview at Central School of Speech and Drama coming up (just over 3 weeks) for Stage Management. Has anyone had any experience of SM or TT interviews? What do I expect? What usually happens on the day? I know what to include in my portfolio (fortunately) but have to prepare the tasks.

Sorry, just panicking slightly as I had about 30 deadlines coming up and now I've just been told about this interview! arghhhhh!

[flump]

Ummm... I don't mind telling you what I had to do but I didn't apply to Central so I'm not much use there!!

What do you wanna know? x

[charliemonster]

You see I'm considered a bit of an outlaw at college for not wanting to go to drama school. It's really more of a case of wanting to go to either a drama school or a really good make up school but I really can't afford it. There's an amazing prosthetics course I want to do with the guys who do the make up on shows like Dr Who but it's freakishly expensive and I don't think they do scholarships... grrr!

[robjimbobjam]

Jenno, our admin, is currently doing that course...dunno where she is though! :S

[Cassie]

Thanks for the responses!

Okay.. Erm sorry Flump but I have quite a few questions if you don't mind... Here it goes...

• What type of questions do you get asked at the interview?
  
  
• How much are you expected to talk about your portfolio?
  
  
• Is it benefical to have a wide range of tech knowledge other than your specific subject or does it look like you're unsure of what to do?
  
  
• What d'you recommend wearing at the interview?
  
  
• Is it ok to take notes in with you on questiosns you'd like to ask them?
  
  

Erm... can't think of any more atm. If you don't mind me asking, other than RADA and LAMDA, where did you apply?

Thanks!

[robjimbobjam]

Can I ask, what type of things do you need in your portfolio? This'll hopefully be me next year!

[flump]

Ok...

Questions I got asked were diff for each school. RADA got me to fill in an a4 sheet of questions before I went into my interview and they included things like 'name as many plays as you can by the below playwrights' and they included people like Chekhov, Shakespeare, Pinter, George Bernard Shaw (they like him at RADA coz he bequeathed his My Fair Lady royalties to them!) etc. Also, I got a list of tech terms to define like 'beginners, mark out, french brace' and also questions to answer like 'whats the difference between a profile and fresnel?'.

LAMDA asked me to write a statement off the top of my head on why I wanted to go there!!! SOOO MEAN! In my interview they asked me about how I would source props, how I felt about heights and power tools, what a scale ruler was used for and then other types f regular interview questions.

I felt RADA had a more relaxed interview, more of a chat really, where LAMDA had more of a panel feel.

I had a mahooosive portfolio so literally we went through it from start to finish and just talked about things in it like probs with shows, paperwork, time management, how things were built. Always good to take in loads of photos with you - they like that! My interview was kinda centered around it, but I know people who didn't even take portfolios and they spoke more generally about their experience within the theatre. I would advise having one because it means your interview has less of a suprise element.

Depends what course your going for as to how specialised you need to be. The courses I applied for were general technical theatre and stage management courses so they want you to be interested in a range of skills. I definitely think it's better if you wanna be, for example, a stage manager to have experience in all departments you're working with because then you have more of an idea of how to split budgets, how much time things are going to take to make, etc. They will ask you yourstrong points and weaknesses. For example, I know very little about lighting but I'm keen to learn about them so they were fine.

For my interview I wore a black trouser suit with a red thin cardigan/jumper underneath so I was somewhere between very formal and casual. I would def dress smart and be presented well because it shows your dedication to the course and just how serious you are about what your'e applying for. If you dressy casual and messy it looks like you haven't made any effort.

I would take in brief notes of questions you wanna ask them. Show syour keeness. Just make sure they arenot things you could have found out by other means i.e. course costs etc.

I hope this helps!

I only applied for LAMDA and RADA. My reasons for this were (and they will def ask you this!!!)that I wanted to go to a school within the Conservatoire of Dance and Drama, I wanted to do a vocational course (so more practical than written based) for a more hands on approach and I wanted to do a two year course as apposed to a three so I could get up and running in the industry faster. Also, I spoke to reputation and strength of contacts which would help me get into my desired field quicker.

[flump]

Ooops! Missed a question...

My portfolio has in it all the am dram theatre I did at uni and its paperwork

I have pics from all the productions
Rehearsal schedules I had made
Cast/crew contact lists
DSM prompt copies
budget forms
risk assessments
costume designs
scale set plans
lighting plans
sound design work
poster designs
ticket sales information
fit-up/get out plans
props budget forms
loan/hire forms
programmes


umm.... I'm sure there is more but haven't got my portfolio to hand at present. Will find it and flick through for you when I have a sec... x

[Jenno]

I am still alive, honest!

I'll answer all your questions in time...