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Duration at BRGS Sixth Form: 2002-2004 |
Previous
school: BRGS |
| Subjects studied: |
Date of submitting these answers: |
| » Theatre
Studies |
March 2008 |
| » Media
Studies |
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| » English |
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| » Sociology | |
| University you are at, why you chose this university, and give one interesting fact about your university: | |
| Guildhall
School of Music and Drama. Guildhall
has been the leading school for actors for
a quarter of a century and it's reputation
is second to none. Guildhall trained such diverse actors as Ewan McGregor, Joseph Fiennes, Rhys Ifans, Shirley Henderson, Daniel Craig and Simon Russell Beale. |
|
| Best things about your university city: | |
| Guildhall is located in The City of London, at the mid-point between the West End theatre community and the uber-trendy East End. Everthing you could wish for from London is in touching distance of Guildhall, whether it's clubbing, culture or people watching. | |
| Worst things about your university city: | |
| It's London which means money is key. The average cost of a pint is £3.00 but choice of venues to get that pint more than makes up for it. | |
Social scene/nightlife in your university city?: |
|
| The
East End of London, close to where the school
is located, is the place to be.
Shoreditch and Hoxton is famous for it's remarkable
bars and clubs and the clientele found
there. London does not sleep,
there is always a bar or club open including
Public Life - a former public toilet - which
opens at 6 am on a Sunday morning to keep the party going. |
|
| Popular activities at your university/ in your university city?: | |
| Being an arts school, music and theatre surrounds us at all times. The three theatres and two concert halls are always full. Outside of the school there are football, jazz and even drinking societies. | |
| Favourite places to shop | |
| The East
End is the place to be - Spitalfields
market, Shoreditch High
Street and London Fields are
great for alternative clothes, food and music. Angel is
full of High Street names and Upper
Street is the restaurant captitial
of London. Just stay away from the West
End at weekends. |
|
| How much on average per week do a) Halls of Residence, b) Renting a house, cost in your university town/city? | |
| Guildhall has
it's own newly refurbished Halls, just two
hundred yards from the school. It's expensive
at £100 per week but
incredibly conventient. Renting private properties
ranges so much, depending on your area. A 4-bed
house in Hoxton could cost as much
as £100 per week, or
further afield in Kilburn you
might pay £60 per week. |
|
| What is the accommodation like in your university town/city? | |
| Gumtree.com is the best resource for houses. There are a million and one choices - flats, houses, room shares. Really look at the area you want to live in and then find a house. | |
| How much on average do you spend on food shopping per week? | |
| There
are several supermarkets within ten minutes
from my house, plus street markets each weekend.
I could spent thirty pounds a
fortnight and survive comfortably. |
|
| What is the course you are studying? - Was it your original choice when applying for university? | |
| BA(Hons)
in Acting. It is such a specific
course that you need only consider this if
you want to be a professional actor. The
process to gain a place at Drama School is
rigorous, featuring at least two auditions.
These consist of learning several speeches,
singing and movement based work. |
|
| How many years does your course last? | |
| 3 years | |
| What you enjoy most about your course/ what impresses you about it?: | |
| Being
at the number one drama school we
are provided with opportunities that other
acting students may not get. We regularly have
classes on The Old Vic theatre
stage and have talks by successful alumni,
most recently Ewan McGregor. |
|
| What you enjoy least about your course, and what could be improved : | |
| Being able to do what I love, surrounded by the very best teaching staff available I really could not find fault with the course. It is difficult and we work long hours, sometimes twelve hour days, including Saturdays. But I would not rather be doing anything else. | |
| How
do you rate the teaching standards on your
course, and do your tutors/lecturers/the university give you the right support for your studies?: |
|
| Our
teaching staff is made up by trained
actors, directors and singers so they
know what it is we are going through. They
all continue their chosen careers along side
their work at Guildhall. With just
23 students per year we are in very
close communication with the staff
at all times. |
|
| What A Level Grades/UCAS points did you have to achieve to be accepted onto your course? | |
| A Levels help but audtions are of primary importance. 23 students are chosen from 2000 applicants each year, so the competition is high. | |
| Why did you choose the particular course you are studying? | |
| I believe training is essential for actors, particularly those wanting to pursue a career on stage and Guildhall has built up a reputation as the place to be over the last 25 years. | |
| Best thing about being at university: | Worst thing about being at university: |
| Doing what
I love, all day every day, alongside like-minded people. |
The knowledge that, one day, I will have to leave. |
| What do you plan to do after you graduate? | |
| Guildhall has
a high instant work rate - most students leave
attached to agents and several leave to pursue
professional jobs before the end of the third
year. To gain as much experience in
the theatre as I can as quickly as I can is
my ambition. |
|
| If you were to recommend going to university, what would you say? | |
| Do it, but commit fully to the training. But never forget that you are supposed to be having fun! | |
| Do you get homesick? If so, how do you deal with it? | |
| I was thrown head long into the training and met so many great friends that I had little time to be homesick. But if I ever feel low I know that there are so many people in my position I could talk to. | |
| Do you think you made the right choice? Or looking back, would you have gone to a different university/started a different course? | |
| Nothing
else could replace the training I receive at Guildhall.
It builds the knowledge I
believe is essential for young
actors. |
|
| What have you achieved whilst being at university? | |
| I went to Guildhall believing that I had ability but know that what I have learnt has strengthened and enlargened me as an actor. | |
| Any other comments | |
| Whatever
course you choose and whichever university
you go to, make sure you treasure every
moment. I love my course and it has flown by, so dont
waste time. |
|