KEY POINTS:
THE QUALIFICATION
The course: Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts (Acting for Screen and Theatre) Level 7
Where: Unitec, Mt Albert Campus
Phone: 09 815 2945, 0800 10 95 10
Email: courses@unitec.ac.nz
Web: unitec.ac.nz
Cost: $7581 (indicative fee)
Pay: No standard. Often cooperative approach; small rehearsal fee with profit share
at end of season after expenses are covered.
THE COURSE
If your dream is to have your name in lights, then a qualification in acting could help you on your way.
Unitec's degree in performing and screen arts is one of eight acting degree programmes in New Zealand.
A strength of Unitec's programme is that acting students work in close collaboration with directing, writing, screen arts and dance students. The three year course has a strong public performance base, including material from the classics, contemporary New Zealand theatre and students' work. This culminates in third year with public performances that include a contemporary play and self-written monologue.
While courses such as the history of theatre are theoretical, the major emphasis is on putting theory into practice.
As a degree course, applicants need NCEA University Entrance or the equivalent. Preference is given to applicants with a track history of performance.
International students need a minimum of eight specified NCEA Level 2 English credits in reading and writing, or a minimum of seven NCEA level three credits in English, history, classics or geography, or IELTS of 6 academic with no band score under 5, or the equivalent.
Auditions are part of the selection process. Around 160 to 200 people audition around the country before 40 or 50 are selected to attend a two day recall workshop. About 20 are selected into the course which starts in February.
THE GRADUATE
Kura Forrester
Self employed actor
Age: 21
Graduated end of 2005
Pay rates: freelance and variable. Average $400 a week for theatre work and $600 a week for TV.
I have just completed the Henepau show, which toured Sydney and Melbourne for three weeks after rehearsing in Wellington for a couple of weeks. I'm now doing a 'day' job, filing and administration for my mum's business.
This is how it is with acting. You come off an acting job, then take non-acting work while auditioning for more acting. I've been averaging three or four auditions a month for commercials, theatre or television. I'm also starting to write and am thinking about putting my own work on.
I've been lucky because I've been quite busy since I finished the degree. My first job was the Santa Claus Show at the Pumphouse, which was a month's work including rehearsals.
I then waitressed before landing a two month acting job in Kai Korero, an eight episode comedy series for Maori TV. It was one show a week and had a quick turn-around. We read through on Thursday and filmed on Sunday.
I think the course prepared me really well for the reality of acting. Now I'm out of Unitec I realize how much I learned. They pushed professionalism a lot and taught us how to look after ourselves.
My acting ability improved too. We were exposed to many acting techniques from a range of actors, and were encouraged to take what appealed and apply it to ourselves.
The collaboration with others is great and creates amazing contacts and networks. We did an interdisciplinary paper that involved putting on a show with two students from each major; directing, tech crew, writing, dancing. Through this you learn about the other aspects of putting on a performance and the perspective of others involved.
I'd read lots about Unitec and I liked the idea of getting a degree while doing something I love. I auditioned in Wellington with nine others, then attended a two day workshop at Unitec. Around 20 of us were chosen from that.
THE EMPLOYER
Frith Walker
Silo Theatre Company manager
One of Silo Theatre's directives is on going training of future practitioners, so we try to provide opportunities for those fresh out of acting school to flex their newly formed skills alongside experienced practitioners. Aside from the ability to act, actors need a sense of company, professionalism, commitment and a desire to keep learning.
Unitec's course gives actors a ready made tool box of universal skills with which to enter the industry. They also have the opportunity to gain exposure in a safe learning environment.
They are taught by experienced teachers and come with a good footing in all the basics (voice, stage craft, script work, movement etcetera) but some still have to realize that the real world is different on many levels.