Drama School training

User Deleted
This profile has been archived

Hi, I am wondering what levels of training everyone has had and whether people like myself stand a chance in the industry without having trained at the Credited drama schools, what are your opinions? thanks.


  • 17 years ago
  • 4,088
  • 39
User Deleted
This profile has been archived

Hiya Catherine thanks alot for your message. I agree alot with all that you have said. When I was working in a recent show I was performing alongside actors who had trained at all different drama schools and they each had things to say/complain about each others training. I have to say that I am very lucky to have gone into professioanl work straight from where I studied (a school that is fairly unheard of) and I didn't feel that I was in any way less professional in my approach to the rehersals and attitude and in my acting, to any of the others. I feel that if you train to respect your directors, put in all the hours and work yourself as hard as possible you have what it takes and this isn't necessarily something that you only get through training at a top drama school.


  • 17 years ago
  • 1
User Deleted
This profile has been archived

Hi cait
I have some drama training, most of which was part time, but some training is better than no training at all there are lots of places in London to this , and most places that do part time course are fair priced as well .
The other point is, you gain a lot of experience from working with older and more experienced actors anyway, the secret is to listern and learn from them. watching also helps.

good luck

Ian.


  • 17 years ago
  • 2
User Deleted
This profile has been archived

Thanks for your replies everyone. I agree with all of you. I think I may try and get into drama school when I turn about 25, I think a little extra training wouldn't hurt. I learnt a great deal from the experienced Actors in my recent show including Peter Ellis (Brownlow from The Bill) he told me a lot about life as an actor, the good points and bad points too, its a good way of waking up and realising how hard the life can be.


  • 17 years ago
  • 3
User Deleted
This profile has been archived

Good idea i hope it works out for you and agin


good luck. and take care.


  • 17 years ago
  • 4

Yes Cait, as everyone seems to say it really depends. You seem to be getting work somewhat easily without accredited training so there ya go! I trained in canada at the National Theatre School, which there is very recognised, but here no one has really heard of it(: However I find that, for me, coming from a different continent and having no contacts in the UK whatsoever, having a three-year conservatory style training has really helped me being taken a bit more seriously. I trained because I felt I wanted the experience of it: more grounded techniques, the time to explore, the work with different directors who also take the time to teach, the invaluable experience of being part of an ensemble for an extended length of time, etc. For me the "life experience" of training was as important as "what would come out of it". In fact I would recommend it to everyone(:hehe. Although it did feel like going through hell sometimes. I also did it when I was older( 24 when I got in) after having worked professionnally a tiny bit. I think I got different things out of it than if I had been straight out of high school. Anyways good luck with whatever you decide!(:


  • 17 years ago
  • 5

Hope I'm not to late for this but basicaly Spotlight is planning to close it's books to all people that have not been beeen to an acredited acting school. This is due to the fact that almost anyone can get an equity card these days.
I went back to training at the age of 28 and in my opinion nothing sets you up for the industry better than a post grad or BA in acting from an acredited acting school.
Also alot of them are degrees these days which means you can get student loans and fees paid if your a more mature student. It also opens you up to skills like singing, dancing and different acting techniques that you won't get in the industry.
At the end of the day the industry is run by the people who want it done quickly, efficiently and to the highest standard possible and if you can't cut it, then there is someone else that can...
So I would consider training if you really want to make it.


  • 17 years ago
  • 6
User Deleted
This profile has been archived

Hi Guys,

Was going to wait until I had some time to post a message to kind of introduce myself but am too interested in this to wait! Basically, I am a member of Equity and gotinto it by undertaking professional work. I did do an industry related degree, but not an accredited course (it was at a Uni - they didn't do many degree courses at Drama schools when I trained), I have recently (successfully) applied to Spotlight and therefore was astounded by this rumour. I do hope it is not true. I am about to leave a job I am very successful in to restart my acting career. This is not because I think it will be easy etc but because I know it is the only true path for me, and from June will be all systems go in the realms of hope, faith and (hopefully not much!) unemployment. If Spotlight were to have stopped me from entering, does that mean I am no longer a dedicated actress? Appalling thought. By the way, in response to the initial question I think that it really does depend on you and your circumstances. If you can afford it, and want the training, go for Drama School. Or try it on your own with the option of Drama School. Just my humble opinion.... x


  • 17 years ago
  • 7
User Deleted
This profile has been archived

I have recently sent my application for 'The Spotlight' and the money has gone out of my account so I presume that the membership has gone ahead. I hope that these rumours are not true as I cannot afford Drama school training at present. I understand that people need to separate true profesionals from non-pro actors but surely it means something to train somewhere that is not acredited? I have been training as an actor for 5 years. I suppose I should stop worrying but it is always nice to know that you are worthy of the term 'profesional actor' and I had hoped that Spotlight would help me lay claim to that.


  • 17 years ago
  • 8
Angela May
Actor

...does that apply to new members of Spotlight and existing members of Spotlight? I'm with Spotlight but haven't had formal training...will they give me the boot...eck!!!!


  • 17 years ago
  • 9
User Deleted
This profile has been archived

I have nothing but repsect for those who have trained at these schools, and I understand the struggle that they went through to get to where they are. I suppose deep down I am angry at myself as when I was 19 I auditioned at lots of places and got accepted at Salford Uni and Manchester Met. I didn't feel ready to move away and begin the training at the time and I suppose I wasn't so aware of the importance of the school I could have gone to. I know that it is never too late to go back but part of me feels like I need to be earning money rather than studying now- so I guess I am my own worst enemy. Time will decide what I do-if I am unsucessful in finding more work (it's an agent I want more than anything) then I will have to sacrifice and earn the right to train at drama school. A good friend that I made during my last show-Maggie- sold her house to pay to go to East 15 school, I admire that more than you would believe.
I agree with what you said about depending on the sort of work that you want- I want something gritty, a chance to challenge myself and know what I am capable of. :-)


  • 17 years ago
  • 10
User Deleted
This profile has been archived

This discussion is getting more and more interesting..

My parents were very keen on me doing something academic with my life to the point that they refused to pay for RADA fees after I had secretly run off to the audition and got accepted. So for 4 years after my 'unaccredited' drama training I worked in marketing. I hated every minute of my life.

I went back into acting and worked constantly for 2 years and now I am in London many directors I meet are very impressed by my knowledge of life and maturity that 'office' years gave me. Typically I am now in a position financially to go to RADA or any other London accredited school for that matter, but when I am already securing work alongside actors from these schools already, what am I to gain??


  • 17 years ago
  • 11

Ok I am hearing alot about the cost of Acting school at the moment. Basicaly alot of schools are now BA in acting, this means that the government pays your fees and you can get a student loan. The same as if you went to university. Also for other schools that are not BA's you can get a dance and drama award. Going to a good school does not only train you but alows you to make good industry contacts that will help you find work. And at the end of the day this is a "who you know industry"
Also if you want to act where else other than a Rep company are you going to get the chance to act everyday for 3 years and get a degree at the end of it?
There are alot of people who I admire that have not trained Sir Ian McKellen for one. But saying that he went Oxbridge as did Helena Bonham Carter etc, ect. At the moment alot of the schools are doing there graduation shows (mine is starting tonight) so why not go and see some of them. Talk to the students and the tutors and get their advise. At the end of the day it is a hard industry, but also a helpful one. For me I wanted to explore and know more about my art. We get to bogged down about agents, work, making it.... At the end of the day are we not artists????


  • 17 years ago
  • 12

I couldnt agree with you more. I think no matter what path you choose, ultimately what matters is your work. For me training was life experience, big time. But I also got that in the years I did not train. Life is the best teacher(yeah baby!!!)Dont let anyone tell you how the odds are against you. The odds change, and ultimately what is important is how unique you are.


  • 17 years ago
  • 13
Mark Joseph
Actor

In terms of Spotlight, do you know it for a fact, or have you just heard it on the grapevine?

I just did a showcase, and someone at Spotlight spoke to me about the creation of an actor's version of the Spotlight calender in order to stop independent showcases being trampled on by drama school ones.

This would kind of suggest the oppoiste, don'ya think?


Mark.


  • 17 years ago
  • 14

The spotlight thing is definately being discussed and at the end of the day if you've put yourself through the tourture of 3 years training you should get somthing for it.


  • 17 years ago
  • 15
Private User
This profile is private

I am little confused by the last post. Are you suggesting that people that have done 3 years on an accredited course deserve to be in Spotlight, and those who haven't don't?

Please tell me I have read that wrongly!
------------------------------------------------

Pretty much all of us in the 'business' struggle on a day to day basis to make ends meet and to keep our chin up. We have to constantly promote ourselves and prove our worth, even when it feels like all the odds are stacked against us. We ALL deserve to be in Spotlight (and it shouldn't be so bl**dy expensive either!) and we should all support each other.

I believe that our careers will mostly come down to 'luck' (or opportunities, being in the right place at the right time, knowing the right people, whatever you want to call it). Talent, training and a good attitude will get you to the right place, but once there you are joining a huge amount of people who are after only a few jobs. I have had years when I have had to turn down more jobs than I was able to take, and years when I had pretty much nothing at all.

I have worked in quite well respected shows alongside people with a small amount of talent, and in smaller less respected things alongside people with huge amounts of talent. One thing I have learnt along the way is that there seems to be no rhyme or reason to it and certainly, absolutely no justice in this profession!

There are advantages and disadvantages to training on an accredited course. Part of me wishes that I had pursued training, and another part is glad I didn't. If you are able to train 'on the job' then good for you, what a wonderful way to learn!

Don't feel pressured to train on a 3 year course if you don't feel it is right for you. Be true to yourself and don't let anyone else's opinion change yours...


  • 17 years ago
  • 16
User Deleted
This profile has been archived

I feel that with all the part time training that i do and have done also all the workshops that i attended and still do , some of which you would not get in (drama schools i know this because i do on occations teach in dram schools), That in some ways make us,so called trained . the difference is that for those who have not train in such places but do make the effort to learn as much as they can, with what they can afford seems to me that they are continueing (i hope i spelt that right) to hone there skills , which to me makes them just as castable as any actor that has trained.
Also i would say that if i was a member of spotlite which i am not, and paying there fees as much as they are i would exspect work all the time, the same if you were paying for an agent.
At the age of 41 years and with all my life experience i will not be told that i will never get on in this industry if i am not a member, to me that sound illegal. still i could be wrong and look forward to somone correcting me.


Ian


  • 17 years ago
  • 17
Mark Joseph
Actor

Completing a 3 year course shouldn't entitle you to anything, as it doesn't necessarily mean you're a great actor.

Spotlight is one thing, as it is only saving you money, which is a nice perk of drama school, but Equity, now that's a different matter.


Mark.


  • 17 years ago
  • 18

I see two sides to this argument..

First, I trained overseas as I'm from another country, and so I had training from a different background , but it was a drama school. The two types of arguments fall into arrogance and defensiveness.

I can understand why those who have trained in a drtama school may feel that everyone should, but in all honesty, I cant see the point in being arrogant and prideful, saying you did it, so others should as well. Many people cant afford it, or even have the resources. I am sceptyical about tyhe Spotlight rumours, as many professional actors who are working and are with agents will NOT be tossed off the books just cos they havent had a NCDT training. Come on guys!!! It will push down the agents income etc...

I do agree however that some form of TRAINING is necessary! I even know of people on teh West End who were trianed by oine person and have done lead roles, just cos they were right!!! How does that blow people's assumptions? Dreama school is a great opportunity and should be grabbed if one gets the opportunity, but at the same time, I cannot even see the point of assuming that just cos you went to one means you are GOOD. Training is so crucial cos you need to know basic things, but ;lets get off our high horse and assume we are all good and ahve cut the cheeses just cos we've been to drama school..your training has only BEGUN!!!! YOu have to keep it up over anf over agian. There are drama schoold where people will go through and never hear the words 'iambic pentamater' mentioned. And these drama schools may not even be serving their studenst correctly!!!!

I think its safe to say that it has its merits in many ways, but at the same time, it isnt the ultimate. IOf you have been to a drama shcool..this is wonderful and I think its great! If you havent, you may have your training thorugh many otyher ways, and tghis is great as well...

as for those who say they had to pay theor way and work nights etc..this is honourable and I respect this..but lets NOT get an assumption that others havent made some sort of sacrifice to get where they are? That is simply a bigoted attitude to have and there is enough backbiting andsuperiority in this business, and we have to help and support one another.

Many people in drama schools may do very well, and may hit it 'BIG', but there are many who havent done the drama school route, have gotten great roles and have suceeeded. There is no science to this career, and we would be better off trying to build one another up and being a community, believing the best in each other and trying to be generous instead of tearing one another down.


  • 17 years ago
  • 19
Private User
This profile is private

Training achieves results for people who need it. Some people have talent but need to find the confidence and thus are well served by doing a course of study. I dont believe it should become some kind of standard for credibility in this industry. I know a guy who studied at a high profile accredited drama school and passed. Not only has he never worked as an actor since then he has been practically laughed out of several auditions by the casting directors. What does that say about the inportance of drama training?

In my experience, learning by doing is far more important. And spotlight should acknowledge that.


  • 17 years ago
  • 20
This topic has been locked.
Please note: Messages written in the forum do not represent the views of The Mandy Network, nor have they been vetted by The Mandy Network staff. If you read something which you believe to be offensive or defamatory, please contact us and we will take the appropriate action.