...before leaving school to (I think) have a better
chance of getting into theatre:
Now I know seeing as I currently don't have a paid job in a
big theatre you may not want to listen to anything I have to say on this
matter. However, at this moment in time
I think I am finding out a lot of the information I wish I had found out before
leaving (finishing) school and before having to make big decisions. So you may
want to listen to what I have to say, you may not; but I believe knowing some
of this stuff may help someone along their journey within a shorter amount of
time than it is taking for me.
I feel like because of my career choice I didn't get sufficient
advice from school on what to do; because I didn't want to go into business or
become a doctor, etc. Schools main 'advice' (or at least mine) was go to
university. It was the only option they pushed. "Everyone must have
finished their personal statements by..." we only had one optional 30
minute talk about apprenticeships and college, and that was in lesson time as
well (so depending on how much revision you wanted to get done or if you had an
important lesson you had to attend, you may not have even had the opportunity
to go and listen to it).
Some of this may only apply to costume but a lot is likely
to also apply to many of the other departments within a theatre or perhaps even
just the general creative industry...? I don't know, just take from it what you
can.
Portfolio:
Likely hood is you will need to take a portfolio of your
work to an interview; whether this is at an interview for a college course, university course, or a job. This gives you
the opportunity to show your future tutors/employers what you are capable of.
- Try and use a variety of pieces. Drawing (sketches and detailed), designing, life drawing, photography, painting, masks, clothing/costumes you've made, millenary, sculpture.
- Using different medias: try different renderings for designs e.g. pencil, watercolour (pencil/paint), acrylic, collage(paper/fabric), markers, mixed media.
- Perhaps include different styles: different eras, so include some historical/period designs as well as more modern designs.
- Include a range of sizes (this is very important, and apparently one of the reasons I didn't get onto one course.
- Include samples: this shows you are actually capable of carrying out the techniques; they don't have to be big samples just enough to show perhaps a couple of repetitions of the technique.
- Perhaps include works from different years, showing your progression and improvement.
- Maybe include a mini project not given to you by schools etc; to show you're being intuitive and to show your passion for the subject. So include some researching methods, initial designs, final designs, samples, toilling and the final piece. Or just go up to the sample stage, depending on what kind of course/job you're applying for.
- Some places also like you to bring along pieces you've actually made yourself, in order to look at them close up, and see your ability better. However some ask to see photographs of garments instead, so make sure you pay attention to what is said.
Now I was never told what to include in my portfolio by any
teacher; however some universities or most will tell you very simply (but not
specifically) what they want to see in your portfolio, normally called 'Portfolio Guidelines'. These will most
likely be sent to you when they invite you to interview; however a lot will
have this on the courses page, meaning you can prepare in advance. They won't
tell you how to lay it out, that is completely up to you; which might give you
an opportunity to think creatively about how best to lay it out to represent
you. Arranging the work so they complement each other and almost flow. However
they are very likely to say how many pages to include in your portfolio, which
varies from place to place. I think the ones I mainly saw varied from 8-10
pages to 15-20.
Some places will give you a mini project to complete for the
interview, so they can get a feel for how you will do on the course. This is
why you should have your portfolio ready before you get invited to interviews;
so you then have time to rearrange it to their specific requirements (what best
fits their portfolio guidelines and course) and can then focus on doing their
mini project in time.
Ask for portfolio examples. If the university itself can't give
you an example, ask around. See if you know anybody who knows someone on the
course; for example ask your Art/Textiles/Drama teachers, they will most likely
know of old students who have gone onto particular courses at certain
universities/colleges. You then may be able to send them a message through
facebook, email etc, and ask if they have any advice on what to include, any
examples; you may find out more about how it actually is on the course this
way, but remember to be polite about it, and make sure you thank them. They
don't have to help you, just remember that.
Perhaps what you could suggest to your teachers, i.e. art/textiles
teachers, is to have one lesson a week/ every two weeks, to spend putting
together work for a portfolio. Or at least use some of your study/free periods
to do it; the teachers may have some pointers for you if they're around.
A couple of my teachers were nice enough to offer to look
through my portfolio to see if I needed to add/change anything, but they said
it was really good. It got me through one interview but not another. Some just really
want you to do an art foundation degree
whether they say you need it in the entry requirements or not...
Portfolio Interview:
Of course once you've finished your portfolio and you're in
an interview; you need to be prepared to explain every inch of it. So make sure
you know what you're going to say before you get to that point.
Also get to
know your portfolio well, including the lay out. Some will allow you to show
them through your portfolio, others perhaps not...
Now I don't know if this is true, but I've heard that at one
university they make you stand far enough away from your portfolio, so you
can't see it. Truly testing whether you know your work or not, in order to
explain it. However I must admit, I haven't been to one like this, but it's
worth knowing your portfolio well enough just in case.
Be prepared that some of your interviews may be individual;
some may be group interviews. An individual interview may be where you lay out
your work on the table and are then timed to go through and explain your work.
One of the interviews I went to, a timer was set, and you would be given 5
minutes to explain. A group interview will most likely be where you will lay
out your portfolio and work on a table along with everyone else's, and then be asked to leave (probably be given
a tour of the place). This will be when the tutors look through your work. You
will then come back and might be asked to pick out a page from your portfolio
to talk about with the group, and will most likely be asked to answer a
question that the whole group has or will also have to answer.
To me that sounds bad, and slightly terrifying but I've done
a group interview (the one I've just explained) and that was actually the
interview that went well for me. You see, everyone else in that group interview
is in exactly the same situation and probably just as nervous and scared of
people judging them. But just try to make light of the situation; try and talk
to them as you are shown around the place, walking from one place to the next
(obviously not when there is someone talking to you as a group, and definitely
not in the interview!!!)
Now not to scare you, but they don't always warn you that
it's going to be a group interview; for example, I didn't know it was going to
be a group interview until we had had our introduction and welcome talk 10
minutes before. However as long as you are prepared, and know your work well,
including your best piece and how to talk about it (e.g. why you think it's
your best piece), you should be fine :)
Feedback:
Whenever you do have an interview for a course, job, apprenticeship,
etc, and you don't get the job; always ask for feedback. Getting this feedback
then allows you to take note (literally or mentally) on what to change/improve
for your next interview, giving you a better chance next time.
Some will offer to give feedback without you even mentioning,
however others won't. You have the right to ask for feedback, so make sure you
ask for it if they don't offer. Sometimes that feedback can really help for the
future, and sometimes make you feel slightly better about how the interview
actually went.
University:
Try to go to as many open days as you can, to get a feel for
the university, as well as get the chance to talk to your possible future
tutors and mentors. Going to an open day will also give you a chance to have a
look at the curriculum and what past students have done on the course, and most
likely have the chance to talk to current students taking the course to get
honest feedback, about how much work you should expect etc.
Apprenticeships:
I myself am currently applying to apprenticeships because I
PERSONALLY (just my opinion) feel that it is a better way for me to get into
the industry as: you are learning in a work environment; learning what they
want and need you to know; get to work in a theatre and get a feel for what it
could be like to have a job there; have the chance to network; get a reference
from a respectable theatre/employer; still get the experience of going to
college once a week; and earn money whilst learning. However a lot of places
will only offer apprenticeships to 18-24 year olds, who haven't completed any
other higher education than A-levels. Apprenticeships are also very competitive,
(usually one or two apprentices to a work place), so don't be too disheartened
if you don't get one straight away. Just keep trying if you really want one.
I would type in theatres in your area or the area you're
looking, and search their individual websites for whether they run
apprenticeships or not. Otherwise you can use the apprenticeship website:
https://apprenticeshipvacancymatchingservice.lsc.gov.uk/navms/forms/Vacancy/SearchVacancy.aspx
With this website you can sign up to get email alerts if one
comes along that fits your search requirements (you can usually do this on
theatre websites as well). However I have found that they don't list all
costume apprenticeships that I have found on individual websites; but it's
probably still worth signing up for the alerts any way.
College:
In year 10 at school we had a thing called 'Star 14', where
on a Wednesday some students would spend the day at college doing another
course. However at this point I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do so
didn't want the added stress of doing an additional course I wasn't completely
sure about, but this would have been extremely useful if I had.
I'm not sure if all colleges do this 'star 14' option but
might be worth looking into.
I think the qualifications you could get from the courses were
BTECs.
You also have the option of going to college after school,
whether this is instead of sixth form to get A levels in several subjects or to
get qualifications in a specialised subject.
For example a lot of Art/fashion related BA/ BA (Hons) degree
courses ask for an Art Foundation diploma as one of the entry requirements, but
others don't (make sure you check).
At some colleges you can also take higher education/degree
courses. I'm not sure what the pros and
cons of doing this are but perhaps
worth looking at colleges as well as universities for higher education.
Experience:
Experience is incredibly important. Everywhere and anywhere
you go.
Get any experience you can as early as you can. I've
been volunteering to do costume at my
local amateur dramatics group for almost a year now, and it has been such good
experience. You may not be necessarily taught what to do, but you can learn so
much from it yourself. Whether you help within a department or in my case
become an entire department. I would seriously recommend joining a local group
if you can, to help with or do the costumes for them.
It may seem like a lot of work to do for free. Likelihood is
they will pay you back for anything you do need to buy, so you won't be out of
money. However, you should be able to consider it worth your time if you think
about it, as great experience you can write about in applications for courses
and jobs, and can put on your CV. It
will also allow you to practice your skills, and perhaps give you the
opportunity to give a hand doing something you wouldn't normally do; such as
helping the group with other things if needed such as props, sets, and filling
in for absent actors in rehearsals (if not busy with other priorities). You can
also use the items you make for the shows in your portfolio, showing you can do
costume within a performance environment, and to deadlines (very important, a
point that comes up in a lot of job descriptions).
I would recommend either searching for a local group and
emailing or phoning them up, to talk about whether you could come and help out,
or perhaps ask to come along to one of the sessions to chat about
possibilities. I wrote a letter to the group asking whether I could help out
with the costumes for their Christmas Panto, giving other contact details on
the letter, we then exchanged emails to arrange for me to come along and have a
talk and meet the other members. I then decided to stay on and am now in charge
of costumes for the group's productions at the moment.
Work experience: At a lot of schools in my area, during year
10 or 11 we have to take a week of work experience as it gives students the
opportunity to have some kind of experience to put on their CV for when they
leave school, or want to apply for a job.
Search throughout theatres in your local area or any if
you're willing to travel and see if they carry out work placements. Some will,
some won't, but don't miss your chance.
I have found out that some theatres will only allow work placements to
be eligible for year 10/11 students or those on the second/third year of a
relevant degree course.
However if you apply for a job or apprenticeship and don't
get it, they sometimes offer to give you work experience, for however long.
Leap at that opportunity and take it. If they forget about it, follow it up. If
they get back and then forget again, keep following up. Repeat until it is
organised. I missed out on some great work experience because I followed up a
few times and then felt like I was bugging them too much (knowing that they
were busy at the time and so didn't send any more reminders (I had sent a few beforehand
which they replied to) and lost the opportunity.
Employment in the mean time (not in a theatre):
When you've finished school and going on to higher education
or part time courses, you are most likely going to have to get a job.
Now I know academics are important and you may want to focus
on your studies whilst you can and especially when it comes up to deadlines and
exams (like me), but getting some kind of work experience before leaving school
is vital.
It now comes to the point of one week of work experience
isn't enough for a lot of jobs (some maybe but most no), including retail jobs;
they want at least a year's work experience. So if you can get a Saturday/part
time or a summer job for a year it is likely to help you out when you leave
school and need a job as opposed to just wanting one for extra money.
Courses:
Part time/evening courses: If you feel like you have time to
after school, or perhaps in your holidays see if there are any part time or
evening courses that you could attend to boost your confidence and knowledge,
on subjects that could potentially help you later on.
This may be courses held in universities, colleges or even
haberdasheries. A lot of haberdasheries around me do part time/evening courses
on dress making, pattern making and other sewing related things. Perhaps see if yours holds some next time you go in to
buy some fabric.
Many universities and colleges hold summer schools were you
can go on intense or short courses during the summer. Courses held at well
known places will be booked up fast, so if this sounds like something you'd
want to do, get searching. I believe RADA and Central St Martin's do summer
schools, but I'd just search around.
Even if they're courses where you don't get a qualification
on completion, you will still get a lot from them. I've taken some part time
courses at a local haberdashery and learnt a lot from them, but didn't get a
qualification. It doesn't mean I didn't learn new skills which help me now
though, does it?
If you can, doing these courses will most likely boost your
confidence; talking to people with similar interests; self confidence in what
you're doing; and will give you something to put on your CV and add into your
portfolio.
Networking:
From doing these courses you can also start networking with
possible future colleagues and employers; so act nicely, politely and try to
make a good impression but most importantly just be yourself. You may never
know how helpful some of these people can be; for example I did a short evening
course for a few weeks and seemed to have made a good impression on the
teacher, and she has since offered me help and advice through emails.
I also know someone who was offered a summer job from one of
his university tutors, because of being impressed with him and his work during
the term; however that wasn't a theatre related job but was still in the
creative industry.
Competitions:
Always be on the lookout for creative competitions you can
enter. Some schools will know of competitions you can enter, however I would
get looking around yourself as well.
Some of the websites I list in the 'websites' section almost
always have a competition running, however they may not always be relevant to
you.
I recently came across a competition that just popped up on
my facebook news feed as one of the sponsored adverts and just clicked on it;
got designing and then entered it. It was a costume design competition to celebrate
the release of Disney's new Cinderella film, where they were giving the winner
the chance to have their design made and the runners up to win the film on DVD.
Doing these competitions gives you the opportunity to practice
working to a brief and a deadline; if you then get a place, it's also something
to put on your CV and in your portfolio.
If you wanted, I could put up competition links if I happen
to come across any?
Career fairs for beyond the stage:
I recently came across Theatre Craft: http://www.theatrecraft.org/
which is a FREE careers fair for careers beyond the stage (basically anything
in a theatre other than performance) which takes place at the Royal Opera House
in London every year in autumn for 16-25 year olds.
My school arranged to go to a UCAS convention which is just
a convention about Universities and colleges. They are less likely to have all the
information you need to make well informed decisions about all the ways you can
get into the industry. This career fair is specific to theatre, which is likely
to be so much better than any other careers fair for you to go to if you know
this is the industry you want to get into. At Theatre Craft they have: Ask the
experts, Workshops, the Marketplace, Q&As and the Networking Hub.
I'm going to see if I can go this year to find out some more
information for myself, as it sounds like it's definitely worth it.
I believe booking is now open for Theatre Craft 2015 and is
to be held on November 20th.
Websites/organisations:
It is extremely likely in this day and age that you have
some form of social media; use it to get information on your future career
path. There are so many pages that you can follow to find out interesting and
relevant information on creative jobs, courses, etc. Here are a few I've come
across recently:
Hiive: https://app.hiive.co.uk/
This is a
networking platform but solely for people in the creative industry. The great
thing about this site is that they not only allow you to network with people,
but they also have sections on Companies, Courses, Jobs, Q&As, Knowledge and current
competitions running. You can also join groups and communities (called Swarms) based
on more specific interests. Now and then Hiive also runs networking meet ups.
Ideastap:
http://www.ideastap.com/
Creativeskillset: http://creativeskillset.org/
Creative Choices: http://ccskills.org.uk/careers
I follow Creative Choices on facebook and find it
interesting as it brings up interviews with creative professionals, current vacancies,
general advice and useful links. For example on their facebook page they have
recently put up two articles that have caught my eye: '5 Self-promotion tactics for quiet people' and '10 top tips for landing a creative job'.
(If you want to look at these two articles here are the
links so you don't have to go searching: http://ccskills.org.uk/careers/develop-your-career/article/5-self-promotion-tactics-for-quiet-people1?utm_source=newsletter%20251&utm_medium=email&utm_content=5%20self-promotion%20tactics%20for%20quiet%20people&utm_campaign=newsletter
http://ccskills.org.uk/careers/advice/article/10-top-tips-for-landing-a-creative-job?utm_source=newsletter%20251&utm_medium=email&utm_content=10%20top%20tips%20for%20landing%20a%20creative%20job&utm_campaign=newsletter)
Passion and Interest:
Start going to the theatre more often. I know this sounds
obvious but it can also seem really hard sometimes because going to the theatre
can be so expensive; but it doesn't have to be large professional theatre
companies. Go to your local drama group's production for probably a third or
even less of the price. There is likely to be one in your town or the next. Or go
to an amateur theatre company's show. You'll still get that show experience and
develop your interest.
Go to exhibits in theatres, museums (the V&A in London
is free and has a fashion and costume section) and even historical places; for
example many National Trust properties have small costume displays/ exhibits
and sometimes put on events in costume, for example a 1940s wedding at Upton House.
Places like the RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company) will have
special discounts and offers for under 25s, 16-25 year olds or NUS card
holders; for example the RSC have the RSC Key which is free to sign up to and
then allows you to purchase theatre tickets for just £5 instead, and also
exclusive offers such as Q&As with directors of the current plays being
shown and more.
It's worth a look if you have something similar in your
local area or even if you just come to visit close to the RSC, and fancy seeing
something there for a fiver: http://www.rsc.org.uk/support-us/key/
Some smaller companies also offer discount ticket prices for
under 25s and NUS card holders, so look into it!
Some areas have event meet-ups, where you can go to the
theatre for a meet-up or something...not entirely sure but perhaps worth
looking into if your friends or family don't particularly like going to the
theatre.
Start reading what I call 'technical books', so books on the
area you're interested in, and start expanding your knowledge on the subject.
For example I'm interested in Costume as you can tell from the blog, but I am
especially interested in period costume and historical designs, so I have some
books on this topic, such as 'SEVENTEENTH
AND EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY FASHION IN DETAIL by Avril Hart and Susan North' which
goes through techniques used at the time, reasons why and details you should
look out for.
Well, this is all I can think of for now; if I think of any
other things to add I will do an updated version.
Please let me know of any other information you think should
be added to this list in the comments below :)
Good luck! Hope this helps someone.
~K
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