Thursday, 27 May 2010

Case Study - Hannah Jane Fox


Hannah Jane Fox was the first person to play Scaramouche in We Will Rock You. She graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in North London.
The course I would be interested in from this school is the three-year BA Hons in Musical Theatre. In the first year, the curriculum is based strictly on performing, but in the second year, the course adds in skills on how to create and write a musical.

Monday, 24 May 2010

Case Study - Kerry Ellis

Kerry Ellis has played many roles in the West End, including a character that I aspire to play: Elphaba from the musical Wicked! She has also played Nancy in Oliver! and Meatloaf in We Will Rock You. I also aspire to play another character in We Will Rock You - Scaramouche.

She graduated from the Laine Theatre Arts school in Surrey. It offers only two courses:
  1. National Diploma in Proffessional Dance
  2. National Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre

Obviously I'd be interested in the Musical Theatre course and not Proffessional Dance - I'm not graceful enough for that. The course takes three years to complete, and you can enter the school at school-leaving age.

Monday, 25 January 2010

L.I.P.A.

The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts offers a course in Music and Performing Arts. It is aimed at singers who would like to add something else to their performance (ie. dancing, songwriting, or musical theatre). Musical Theatre is the area I would like to be in. Graduates from the course have gone on to work with such people as Tenacious D, Death Cab for Cutie, Take That, Guns 'N Roses and Britney Spears. They also hold in-house shows and auditions for record and publishing companies. Many people have also gone on to star in musicals and other types of shows.

More info can be found here:

http://www.lipa.ac.uk/content/Courses/UndergraduateCourses2/BAHonsPerformingArtsMusic.aspx

Skillset Qualifications

This is a quote from the section on screenwriting from http://www.skillset.org/.

"While no formal training is required to be a Screenwriter, Producers expect screenplays to be submitted in standard Mastershot format, and are unlikely to read submissions unless they are presented in this way. Prospective Screenwriters can attend one of a number of industry respected Screenwriting courses. More experienced Screenwriters may also wish to consider taking an MA in Screenwriting. Screenwriters must write a number of original short and feature screenplays 'on spec' (self-financed) in order to attract the attention of Producers and Agents. In addition to First Draft screenplays (a screenplay is always a First Draft screenplay until it is sold), Screenwriters should also prepare pitches, synopses and outlines, which may be required by Producers before they are prepared to read the screenplay itself."

There is also a section on composing music for film:

"Composers usually have some form of musical training, but talent and the drive to write music for films are more important than qualifications. There are some HE courses in Composing for Film and Television, which offer access to studios and orchestras, and the possibility of producing show-reels. However, industry experience and knowledge are equally valued.

"Composers for film productions need to be musically versatile, and able to compose in different styles. They must be able to improvise, and to create themes quickly under the pressure of deadlines. They need to be able to work collaboratively, and to be flexible and willing to compromise. The ability to listen to Directors, and to translate their vision into musical terms, is crucial. Many Composers use samples, and produce electronic scores using technology such as ProTools. Computer skills and the ability to work with new technology are increasingly required. Composers must have a feel for drama and narrative, and the ability to write music to pictures. An understanding of the technical side of filmmaking, and an appreciation of how this affects the sound, are also important. Imagination and a passion for film and music are essential."

Thursday, 14 January 2010

University Courses

When I go to university, I imagine this is a place I would consider going: The University of Salford, which offers a course in scriptwriting for TV and Radio. I found out about it here: http://www.salford.ac.uk/course-finder/course/1401. Also, after a bit of searching around, I found that they also offer a music composition course: http://www.salford.ac.uk/course-finder/course/1347.

I haven't been able to find any courses out of school time for pre-college, but they would probably be hard to find anyway.