RSAMD

[armaros]

Hi is anyone at RSAMD? me and a friend from college is going up tomorrow on there open day to have a look around ect... from what I have seen on there web-site it looks very good, I'm just looking for peoples opinions... I have still got the best part of this yr and next year at college, I just want to see whats out there for me, to go into Pro' Theatre

Thanks Martin

[bruce]

Can't comment on the RSAMD courses - I've been in there a few times in the past, but only to do some work on their data network. Coffee was good, if I remember correctly...

 

But Glasgow is a good city to be a student. RSAMD is right in the city centre. Art school and 2 Universities within 10 mins walk, another University a couple of miles away.

 

Bruce.

[armaros]

Can't comment on the RSAMD courses - I've been in there a few times in the past, but only to do some work on their data network. Coffee was good, if I remember correctly...

 

But Glasgow is a good city to be a student. RSAMD is right in the city centre. Art school and 2 Universities within 10 mins walk, another University a couple of miles away.

 

Bruce.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

went up yesterday and its "WOW" and its great cos you only have to be 17 to be on the course I want, so I think im goin 2 have a go at it, dont think ill get it but got 2 have a go

Martin

[chris]

the facilities at RSAMD are really brilliant. 2 theatres full workshops concert hall and 2 recital spaces. Also you get to work on a range of genres ie opera,drama,performance art and now musicals I believe.

I am biased cos I went there and had a great time.

and I can concur that glasgow is a great place to be a student

[armaros]

the facilities at RSAMD are really brilliant. 2 theatres full workshops concert hall and 2 recital spaces. Also you get to work on a range of genres ie opera,drama,performance art and now musicals I believe.

I am biased cos I went there and had a great time.

and I can concur that glasgow is a great place to be a student

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I went up on thursday to have a look around on there open day and it is S**T hot!!

My only concern is living in Glasgow, I'm from Rotherham and I'm only 17. so me moving up there would be a big thing. as it would be anyone my age...

Martin

[bigus]

As a current 1st Year at RSAMD, I would have to say that being 17 shouldnt be a problem in Glasgow. I know a couple of people in my year about that age and they fit in just fine. The college has this year started using some great halls of residence for 1st years which are great place to get to know people.

 

Hope you decide to apply and good luck with your interview! What sort of experience do you have?

 

Mike

[armaros]

As a current 1st Year at RSAMD, I would have to say that being 17 shouldnt be a problem in Glasgow. I know a couple of people in my year about that age and they fit in just fine. The college has this year started using some great halls of residence for 1st years which are great place to get to know people.

 

Hope you decide to apply and good luck with your interview! What sort of experience do you have?

 

Mike

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

erm...at the moment I'm in my first yr at Ritherham college doing a Btec ND in Perf. Arts. tech theatre, its and ok course but a bit point-less. but I have worked as Lx n audio for a few different show, I was the DTM for a youth theatre company but which meant I ran everything tech wise but I was still a learning the basics of the craft.

at college its mostly in house shows, but as I'm a 1st yr we gat all the crap of the 2nd yrs who are classed as "gods" within the college...but its all good fun

[Jamtastic3]

Just out of interest can anyone who is there or has been there give a brief about the BA Technical and Production course at RSAMD? Things like the variety of work in the course and the quantity of work, good/bad points etc. I'm thinking about going on the course after I've taken a year out from college. I'm also going to the next open day hopefully.

[chris]

As a current 1st Year at RSAMD, I would have to say that being 17 shouldnt be a problem in Glasgow. I know a couple of people in my year about that age and they fit in just fine. The college has this year started using some great halls of residence for 1st years which are great place to get to know people.

 

Hope you decide to apply and good luck with your interview! What sort of experience do you have?

 

Mike

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

erm...at the moment I'm in my first yr at Ritherham college doing a Btec ND in Perf. Arts. tech theatre, its and ok course but a bit point-less. but I have worked as Lx n audio for a few different show, I was the DTM for a youth theatre company but which meant I ran everything tech wise but I was still a learning the basics of the craft.

at college its mostly in house shows, but as I'm a 1st yr we gat all the crap of the 2nd yrs who are classed as "gods" within the college...but its all good fun

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

As the old head of drama once said 'We only take students who have fumbled in the bushes'

 

I think he meant having had a bit of life experience or have a fairly sensible head screwed on. Also rampant shagging in a rhododendron wouldnt go a miss.

Go for it I say. I was mearly a little bunny rabbit when I went and I've made some great mates and have a decent job. Hot actress birds always help.

[bigus]

Just out of interest can anyone who is there or has been there give a brief about the BA Technical and Production course at RSAMD? Things like the variety of work in the course and the quantity of work, good/bad points etc. I'm thinking about going on the course after I've taken a year out from college. I'm also going to the next open day hopefully.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

The course covers most things and you will be told all this at open day and again interview if you apply but in general it's a three year course. 1st year - the first term is a teaching term where you spend some time in each department learning the basics for example prop making, electrics, wardrobe and stage management. You are assessed on most of these units at the end of term. After that for the next three terms you spend about six weeks in each technical department working on the shows that are in production in that department.

 

After Christmas in second year you choose up to 7 areas to recive specialist teaching in for a futher term. You have to choose at least 5. After that you specialise and choose which departments you want to work in and run those shows in senior positions e.g. stage manager.

 

As far as type of shows go we do everything, panto, opera, musicals, (but not very often) drama, and contempoary work. There is also chance to tour usually with one or two of the operas (we have one in Edinburgh this week) as well as working at the Edinburgh festival.

 

Hope this gives everyone a better idea, get back to me if anyone wants to know more

 

Mike

[armaros]

As a current 1st Year at RSAMD, I would have to say that being 17 shouldnt be a problem in Glasgow. I know a couple of people in my year about that age and they fit in just fine. The college has this year started using some great halls of residence for 1st years which are great place to get to know people.

 

Hope you decide to apply and good luck with your interview! What sort of experience do you have?

 

Mike

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

erm...at the moment I'm in my first yr at Ritherham college doing a Btec ND in Perf. Arts. tech theatre, its and ok course but a bit point-less. but I have worked as Lx n audio for a few different show, I was the DTM for a youth theatre company but which meant I ran everything tech wise but I was still a learning the basics of the craft.

at college its mostly in house shows, but as I'm a 1st yr we gat all the crap of the 2nd yrs who are classed as "gods" within the college...but its all good fun

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

As the old head of drama once said 'We only take students who have fumbled in the bushes'

 

I think he meant having had a bit of life experience or have a fairly sensible head screwed on. Also rampant shagging in a rhododendron wouldnt go a miss.

Go for it I say. I was mearly a little bunny rabbit when I went and I've made some great mates and have a decent job. Hot actress birds always help.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Thanks dude, its good to know that its not just family who are saying go for it

and I thank you for that :)

[STU007280]

I was there not that long ago getting a tour about the place.

As am only 16 just now, im going to be applying at 17 too.

I have had exzactly the same thoughts,

like getting a job, club (have to be 18) and living in a completly different place..

I live in edinburgh so not that big a change..

but the stuff I hear in the news about students and that, kinda makes it seem like a bigger change!

 

But after the tour, I defo want to go, and most of the people that do my course go there, so will no a few people.

also I work with a few people that go there and they seem to make it sound great!

[Jram]

For what it's worth, I'll repost this:

 

I graduated in 2006. Glad I did it, inasmuch as I had fun, but it [the TPA degree] has some serious shortfalls - you will be taught by some staff who have never worked professionally in the industry, ever, for one. The course leader also forwards emails looking for crews who will work for 'experience' not money, which is not why any of us chose to obtain degrees, so it is a pity that the Academy perpetuates this practise. Fair enough when you're an inexperienced student maybe, but sending such emails to five years of alumni is just insulting. I worked there briefly upon graduating, and was told explicitly that my degree wasn't worth the paper it was printed on. I did raise this issue with them, several times, but they let it lie. The hypocrisy and politics of the place beggar belief.

 

On the distinctly-minimal plus-side, the carpentry lecturer and tutors they currently employ are second-to-none - experienced, knowledgable and friendly, helpful guys - so if set-building interests you I'd highly recommend it. In terms of location it is in the heart of Glasgow, I love this city and whatever music/ scenes you are into you will find places to go. But recommending an institution based purely on its geographical location is not much of a recommendation...

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I did the course, but I'm also very glad I did it when I did, owing to the people I studied with and the (in my opinion detrimental) changes to the course since.

[Micken]

Just out of interest can anyone who is there or has been there give a brief about the BA Technical and Production course at RSAMD? Things like the variety of work in the course and the quantity of work, good/bad points etc. I'm thinking about going on the course after I've taken a year out from college. I'm also going to the next open day hopefully.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

The course covers most things and you will be told all this at open day and again interview if you apply but in general it's a three year course. 1st year - the first term is a teaching term where you spend some time in each department learning the basics for example prop making, electrics, wardrobe and stage management. You are assessed on most of these units at the end of term. After that for the next three terms you spend about six weeks in each technical department working on the shows that are in production in that department.

 

After Christmas in second year you choose up to 7 areas to recive specialist teaching in for a futher term. You have to choose at least 5. After that you specialise and choose which departments you want to work in and run those shows in senior positions e.g. stage manager.

 

As far as type of shows go we do everything, panto, opera, musicals, (but not very often) drama, and contempoary work. There is also chance to tour usually with one or two of the operas (we have one in Edinburgh this week) as well as working at the Edinburgh festival.

 

Hope this gives everyone a better idea, get back to me if anyone wants to know more

 

Mike

 

Just want to let folk know that this has changed and is no longer how the academy is run.

 

The technical department has 3 different courses, I can't remember off hand what they are but there is like a Design course, a Stage managment course and a Construction course. You'll need to ask questions to see what course is better suited for you as you no longer do all subjects.

 

The academy is a great facility, but I never really enjoyed my time there. I was meant to be graduating this summer but I left this time last year and never looked back. From what I understand alot of the staff have left, Russle and Brandon have left workshop but have been replaced with Simon and Chris who are equally brilliant and a great bunch of guys to get on with.

Talking to the guys from my year I understand the likes of Jim has left who was the lighting and audio tuitor and has never really been replaced and none of the students I spoke to were impressed with the temp tutors that have replaced him.

 

The academy is growing and growing, which could swing both ways. The techs are being moved from the building into their own building in Glasgow, which is a shame as it takes you away from the students of othr courses to mingle with, but great for a realistic point of view of having to transport set, and do a proper get in/ get out.

 

I'd reccomend it to anyone who wishes to further their learning, for me it never really worked, I felt what I learned in college was of a better more realistic standard and prepaired me better for working in the industry, apart from the technical stage role which I will admit I learned alot from.

 

Since I've left I've not had a problem getting work without a degree, and I'll soon be off to sea to do the same job.

Everyone has different experiances though, so as I said, if you want to futher your learning then its the course for you, just be aware that its a new course though (I was in the last lot to do the old course, which may have been a factor on why I disliked it, tutors I felt were too concentrated about the new course starting behind us and it felt more like we were cheap labour with the odd class than in a learning enviroment)

[RoyF18]

I went to RSAMD and did the Technical (BA) course. I loved it, had a great/hilarious time (as anyone who there at the same time as me can probably remember). I made a lot of good contacts and got a lot of essential experience/knowledge from some staff members who were absolutely fantastic and very experienced (some of whom have now left unfortunately). I was already working when I first went to RSAMD and I went with the rather arrogant intention of just getting a degree and carrying on freelancing. I was so wrong about that - I learned a lot and I made contacts, and although it is a theatre-based place, I still pick up work through contacts made through the course.

 

That said, I did the course in it's old form (I finished in 2006) - I can't comment on the course now, although I have to admit I have heard a few horror stories. If these are true it's a great shame to hear about a very good course being destroyed.

The building is very well equipped, especialy when compared to any of the other options in Scotland/north of England (from that point of view they're not even competitors the difference is so great). However, equipment on it's own is not going to make a place amazing even if it does tick boxes (i.e. just because so-and-so's gig at the O2 had 500 moving lights, it doesn't automatically mean it looked amazing), you really have to make as much out of being there as possible. Use the time you have in the building to get experience with whatever bits of kit you think will be the things that'll be most useful to you in your career. It's not often in the professional world that you'll get a chance to fill a big venue with Vari*Lites, plug in a GrandMA/530i/Congo and just have a 'play' (to use an LX example). You can use those opportunities to make sure that you can approach people and say that you are genuinely confident and capable with a certain desk (or whatever - continuing the LX example), useful skills that are valuable for work down the line.

 

Of course you can just more or less sit back and let the course carry you (as quite a few did), and you will come out with a degree at the other end, but really I think that's a pathetic way to go about things. If you're not that passionate/bothered about your career and therefore your future, go away and do something else; there are better ways to make money and you'll p!ss off the people who are serious about what they do. If you're going to RSAMD, don't be one of the idiots - you'll still get a degree, but it cheapens that degree for those of us who already have them when people see a moron with the same bit of paper.

 

Other than that, as mentioned before sometimes staff with no industry experience could be a bit of problem, it doesn't stop them teaching a subject and teaching it well (usually), but with such a practical/vocational/experience-led industry there were a few things that slipped through the net and I think that was something I kinda noticed.

I'm sure the good/bad points are shared with many other institutes all over the place, I can only comment on RSAMD. I'm being careful what I write because I know the staff at the Academy read this forum but I don't think I've written anything that could be contested or that is unfair.

 

Apologies for a rather long-winded reply.

Oh yeah, Glasgow is a great place to live, especially as a student