What university and career for DC

[Theskyisblue91]

I was talking to DC yesterday and they said they don’t want to go to an office job where you sit in front of a computer all day. They said they like performing arts, Film Director, Fashion Design, makeup artist,

I don’t know anything about the creative, film, performing world. Apart for getting them into acting classes, I am not sure how else to support their interest.

They said they don’t like school and definitely don’t want to do sixth form in their current school. Currently doing GCSEs.

What sixth form colleges, universities, careers paths should we be looking at?

I want them to do something they enjoy but also make a descent living.

I don't know about the world of film or performing arts, sorry! But if your DC is interested in the art & design side of things, I put a lot of information in a thread which talks about the university side of things. There are a lot of nice people on that thread although it hasn't been active lately.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/higher_education/4795276-art-and-design-at-university-for-past-present-and-future-students-and-parents

UAL extended diploma in arts (there are different specialisms) might be good at college level. It will give them a grounding in creative studies and is A Level equivalent so still means they could go on to university if they wish. It definitely sounds like an FE college is what they are looking for post GCSE regardless. Are they doing any creative GCSEs?

Will have a look. Thanks a lot

Thanks, they are doing art. Will check UAL

@Theskyisblue91 have a look at Screenskills - Select Courses - ScreenSkills , they also have a section on various creative careers. Animation, children's TV, film, games, high-end TV, television, VFX (visual effects) and immersive media - ScreenSkills

Have you looked at the National Careers Service web site?

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-categories/creative-and-media

Thank you all. This is very helpful. I will look at all the links provided. I want to support DC as much as possible with their career /school choices.

They told me the other day how they get into acting shows? and that they didn’t have an agent. That career is so competitive, I don’t want to kill their dreams but want them to keep options open.

I think anyone thinking about future performance roles really needs to be gaining experience now, or definitely in sixth form at the latest: participating in school/college productions and possibly joining a local amateur dramatics group.

It's also worth thinking about qualification pathways and whether it's better to follow one with more hands-on involvement like the media & broadcast production T-Level https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/students/subjects/media-broadcast-production. It's important, though, not to cut off other possible pathways by doing a T-Level if some of your alternatives would require A-Levels.

Thank you. I don’t want to kill their dreams but I do worry about a career in performing arts; They have not done a lot and it is such a competitive world. I would like them to keep options open. I believe you have to audition for the performing arts sixth form schools.

The link didn’t work but I will have a look

Sorry. Not sure what happened with the link. Let's see if this works...
https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/students/subjects/media-broadcast-production

The only person I know whose made a decent career with good money on that world is my friends brother who does electrics and scaffolding on sets.

That is my concern. Very few people make it in that world. Mean to have a successful career and make decent money

That one works. Thank you

They need to get involved with local am dram companies, and enrol at a stagecoach / theatre saturday type activity.
You can also attend holiday courses run by professional theatre schools.
Lippa in Liverpool also do production courses if they fancy that kind of thing.

Look up the uni courses they might fancy and work backwards from there.
I would say get as much experience as possible though and make as many contacts as possible! Good luck to them! It's a really fun profession!

I used to and dh still does work in musical theatre and we make a decent living by the way.

My niece is an actor and has had some success, she went to drama school and was recently in a BBC drama, a smaller speaking role but an important break. She is now filming another series and has a much bigger role. Her BF and her met at University, they did drama and he has a speaking role in a major tv series.

In our family we have had a professional dancer, now her acting, a musician whose band was signed by a record label, never made it big but made a living for a couple of years and had a great time and three of us were models when we were younger, not famous but made some decent money young. She has the most potential out of all of us. I would say getting knocked back for stuff is crushing. I signed a contract when modelling around no weight gain allowed, I wasn’t allowed to cut my hair without permission. Modelling, acting, dancing the way you look is scrutinised. One of my children very much could have modelled but thankfully they are a massive nerd and was not pushed in to it like I was.

In the arts, behind the scenes, lighting, make up artist or costumes or something like that may be better for their mental health. My sister has a lifelong eating disorder because of all the scrutiny.

As a student job, I would get them on a proper face and body painting course. Get some proper gear and insurance. They can then do children's parties, offer their services at event days etc and the initial outlay isn't that much.

As they get older a course in proper stage make up and prosthetics etc.

Get involved in the local theatre and get friendly with the sound and stage crew and see if they will allow work experience.

There are many proper courses for such things and university courses for Hair, Make up and Prosthetics for stage and screen alongside other behind scene work.

They said they like performing arts, Film Director, Fashion Design, makeup artist,...

They are all very different jobs.

Also if they decide to drop out of any of them they are still employable. I've met several people in HR who have a theatrical directing background. One of my sisters did a degree in fashion, worked for some small designers and did some design work herself. Then in her 30s changed careers. She is now a therapist.

I don't know any film directors but do know jobbing actors and tv directors. Some of them went to university others didn't. As PPs said you need to be involved involved in theatre now.

I have a friend who makes very good money providing sanitation for on-location film sets and music festivals etc.