I am hoping to do a post grad next year in London at a reputable school, This is partly to learn new skills but also to promote myself and hopefully get a good agent. My original degree wasn't at a very 'prestigious' university so I would like the chance to have a proper 'drama school' experience and hopefully make some good connections. Obviously I am not expecting a miracle but I would be very interested in hearing from others on how doing a post grad has helped/hindered them in any way...
Cheers in advance,
H
do you realy need a post grad course?
look at it from this point of view,
to get work in this business for myself and for many others out there it might be better just to find more and more acting work , TIE or film work (depending what you into)
more work in the field and less in the class room , i mean there are always short course you could still goto and workshops on varying subjects
but thats my view does anyone else have any other?
Well, i went to Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts which has a decent rep, especially if you are into Musical Theatre, I loved it. I learnt a lot and it boosted my confidence, plus my year group were a great bunch to be with. It was worth it in my view.
There were a couple of downsides which were:
1) It was hideously expensive
2) I was knackered by the end as they are pretty intensive courses. I slept for a month afterwards.
Besides which nothing really beats experience of the real acting world. I went from Uni and hadn't started a Pro career before that so for me in was an important step, but some people who had already done some acting felt that they knew a lot of what we were taught already, so for them it wasn't such a massive thing.
I would recommend it though, it's likely to be one of the best years of your life.
I do also know that ALRA, LAMDA and Central School of Speech and Drama do post-grad courses which are pretty good as well, i just don't know enough about them to comment further.
Cheers for that Gareth,
I auditioned for a few schools last year and got the impression that alot of the people going onto the post grad courses weren't actors primarily at that stage, so I suppose covering old ground is something I may have to be prepared to do.
I want to do the Classical Acting MA at Central so if anyone has any feedback on that particular school or course I'd be really grateful! Also if and how you felt it changed the course of your career...
Many thanks,
Helen
Mark I do agree with that point of view and I suppose I have been working quite alot in the years since I garduated.
It's just that to an extent I feel that there isn't the progression that I'd ideally like in the work I'm doing. Of course that's changing with every job I do, as you inevitably make more contacts and gain new experience.
I suppose it's to do with having a completely useless agent so all the casting is down to me. I'm more than happy with that but it means that the jobs I hear about are limited.
I'm trying to remain optimistic but realistic about what doing this post grad will do for me-that's if I even get on!
Alra is a good course and there have been alot of good changes there since I graduated in 2004 also dont do the LAMDA 1year course if you are looking for a showcase as they dont have one only there 2 and 3 year courses do. Also at ALRA you have the chance to get a DADA which the gov pays all but £1,000 of the course which is not bad. Saved me a bundle :-)
I also went to ALRA, though I had looked at the Central course, and, whilst it is a prestigious school and the course is, I believe, much less expensive than most - being a degree course - went for the breadth of training offered in Wandsworth.
It is the only drama course, I understand, that specialises in acting for broadcast media as well as theatre. The school changed hands a couple of years ago, and is going from strength to strength. We had some fantastic visiting directors (especially in TV).
I left in September, and I believe the course has a new format now.I strongly urge you to apply (as early as possible) for a DADA. I left it too late alas, and took the bird in the hand but paid dear!
You have to be realistic about the profession (sorry to sound lecturish!) in that, whilst it is wonderful to specialise, you need a broad underpinning to ensure that you can pursue the diversity of types of work that exist and earn a living. You can do classical acting at summer schools and the Actors Center afterwards. (The course tens to include Shakespeare and Chekov even so).
That's my pennies worth!
By the way over half of the group of 22 got agents. That was, by all accounts, a good number.
I advise you to get in touch with the body that dispenses DADAs asap. The School has a limited amount to offer. If you speak to administrators there they will be able to give you some idea of the criteria. Once you have a vague idea of your elegibility you will be better placed to forge ahead.
I went to The Academy Drama School post grad course and I would really reccommend it, its not accredited which I think puts some people off but the training is first class, very classical and diciplined. Its has the advantage of being less expensive then alra central etc. Its really a great place and I learnt so much there, but for me money was the deciding factor when applying! x
but yes you do have to be offerd a place frist before you can be considerd for a DADA. I had my audition around feb time and was one of the last to get one. Though they dont tell you untill the end of all the audtions so I had to hold onto to offers from ALRA and mountview. But the DADA was the one that swung it
Can I ask:
If you graduated, as in the whole cape and gown ceremony etc, does that mean that you cannot do a post grad? I have a BA Acting at a NCDT college, but I am considering doing a Post grad in Acting...
Is it possible, does anyone know
Thanks
Yes you can have a degree, I do. They want you to either have a degree or relevant experience in performance. Lots of people on the courses will have a degree, though not necessarily in acting.
Hi this is a great topic for me just now because its exactly what I'm applying to do. Central has caught my eye because of a good reports, course variety and the fact its nearly £5000 less than some other schools.
My friend did a postgrad at the RSAMD a number of years ago and he said that really, what a drama school offers you is the best training possible with experienced and influential people who have contacts. If you do well and talk to as many people in the environment you will achieve a lot more. It opens doors which may be more difficult without these contacts.
I have always wanted to go to drama school but until now I've been 'too young' to do the courses I''ve wanted. The fast paced, intense, hardworking environment of people all working to the same objective excites me. Isn't that what work should be like too?
On the funding front, there are a LOT of scholarships and funding options available. Get a hold of the Directory of grant-Making Trusts (from libraries or the careers/ student service office) With a little careful searching you will proabably find something you are eligable for. And don't forget to approach companies/individuals in your line of work who may be able to assist you.
Only central so far although I really like the sound of E15's MA in Acting (And its really close to my new home!). I'm taking it all pretty slowly and carefully. I want to make sure i'm doing what I really want to. Or I could continue working and spend 5-10 grand on courses at city lit and the actors' centre!
I know we're biased as we went there, but I agree with Caroline that the Academy is a great choice. It's cheaper than a lot of the others available and the teaching staff are first rate. The techniques covered are very extensive, but also quite in depth so nothing is just glossed over even with one year to cram it all into. I got so, so much out of it and I'm very glad to have gone there because no matter how good you think you are before training, how experienced you are, it is nothing to how you will feel afer you graduate. I know there is a stigma attached to drama schools that are not accredited, but if you have to pick one of them out, make it The Academy.
A lot of people have been recommending ALRA too I see, and I know they are very well thought of right now. Feels like a weird hippie commune when you are there though! To be honest, the fees priced me out of it after I was offered a place, but not a DADA. However, if you can afford it, go for it!
Good luck with whomever you choose and I hope this has been of some help. I swear, I'm not on commission!
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