Research on University - Course Option 2

I'm currently on the BTEC Extended Diploma Level 3 Performing Arts (Acting), I have 6 GCSES, 4 at B and 2 and C. I am with a local theatre group named Petersfield Youth Theatre (PYT). I have confidence to put myself forward for different opportunities, I am eager to learn and work on different productions/projects. I also have experience on TV and Stage. I feel that I need to work on Naturalism as well as the financial side of Musical Theatre. I need to join an agency too, in order to get me more publicity as my aspiration is to be an Actor on stage, this involves being in an agency so it’s crucial I join one. The skills I need to become a good actor can be learnt through University and College.

I want to go to Arts Educational school in London and study BA(Hons) Musical Theatre, the course is three years long and I will be studying many different modules. In the first year we will study all three of dance, singing and acting. I will also be studying contextual studies which will provide a background into Musical Theatre this is essential in order to enable me to become an informed and knowledgeable performer. The Modules will introduce me to the work of major composers, librettists, dramatists, choreographers and directors in the field. In the final year there is a professional performance, as well as having regular classes I will participate in three staged musicals before an audience with full sets, costumes, lighting, sounds and musical accompaniment. In addition to this I will take part in a Graduation Showcase at a West End theatre before an invited audience of agents, directors, producers and choreographers. This will help me to achieve notoriety and also get me nearer to my aspirations of being an actor on stage. The Fee for the course is £13,500 per year. I don't have the money to pay for that unless I take a year out and earn some money, but I would prefer to take out a DaDA or student loan which are both applicable to me. The location of Arts Educational isn't great as it's in London and I will either have to commute everyday or get a flat in London with friends. The entry requirement grades are difficult to locate but I assume I will need three distinctions at Level 3. For the audition process there will be two stages, the first stage is a short jazz workshop followed by a short singing audition. I need to prepare two musical theatre songs in full. One should be a ballad written no later than 1965, and the other should provide a contrast and be something that I enjoy to sing. For stage 1 I will need to prepare a section from each of the two songs, each lasting no longer than one minute. The audition panel will choose to hear one or both of these sections. Sheet music in the right key must be brought for both songs. I also need to try and avoid character songs as they want to hear my voice. If I'm good enough I will be invited to stage two where I may be required to dance again. I will also be asked to sing again. I also need to prepare and learn one new monologue from a list of 8. The monologue will need to be performed in my own accent and I will need a good understanding of the character within the context of the play. I will also be asked to learn a short duologue which I will be asked to perform with another actor. I will be given different scenarios to see how I respond to directions and how I work with others. In addition I will have an interview with senior tutors. The cost of the audition is £45. I can apply by downloading the form of the website and by posting it to the address stated.

I believe this course is for me as it supports my career choice, the location isn't great but I can commute. The financial side isn't too bad with a loan or a DaDA, and ArtsEd have great stats, for example their alumni, featuring greats like Martin Clunes, Catherine Zeta Jones, Julie Andrews, Sarah Brightman, Charlie brooks and many more. This course will help me to further my career after uni as it has given me experience on stage and also has given me the chance to perform in front of top agents.

Portfolio Week 2 - Posture

In week 2 of voice, I have learned how posture is key to voice, throughout life our bodies go through different tensions and strains that can alter your posture, for example having a tense shoulder because of a bag.

As the 2nd lesson began, we did a spider diagram to identify the things that alter our voice, some of the things that came up where mental state, and how focused your were on your body, another one was the different pressures on your body.

After we did this we did the Alexander Technique. The Alexander Technique is an excercise used to prevent any uncessary levels of muscular and mental tension during everyday life. This Technique can relax the actor so they don't look tense on stage. It also effects the voice, after I did the alexander technique for a second time I felt relaxed and as if my voice was clearer and softer. Post Alexander Technique made my body feel relieved, as it felt tense pre Alexander Technique.

For the Tecnique I layed on the floor straight and un tensed with my knees up and hands to my side, I also closed my eyes as I felt it would help better on focusing on my posture and Technique. We were then given instructions by Sarah, such as being told to relax different parts of our bodies like our feet, hands, shoulders and more. In this I felt my knees swaying to the side, however this is good as it shows I'm relaxed.

I also did the Alexander Technique at home to my best ability, I felt very relaxed after and quite tired. In this excercise I focused hard on each body part to find out what was tense.  Before finishing I tensed my body for 4 beats then let it go, this helped me to relieve any tense body parts, and after I had done this my body felt very free and un locked. After completing Alex technique I felt I wasn't purely focused throughout the whole of the process. This was because I kept worrying that I had forgot specific body parts. For the next time I do Alex Tech I will record myself reading from the chapter in one of Barbra Houseman's books, this will help me to solely focus on my relaxation and tension in my body. 

I think this lesson was very valuable, as it showed me how my posture can affect my acting and voice  and how this Technique can loosen me up before a performance. I found this Technique difficult to copy at home though as I feel their are many parts to it, yet it still helped me to relax the body.

Portfolio Week 1 - Respiration and Get to know your voice

In my first week of voice, we learned about respiration system. We were shown a powerpoint and took notes on how respiration worked in the body.

I learned that Respiration happens first through the mouth and nose. After this has happened it passes through the larynx, this is where the speech sounds are produced, it also passes through the trachea which is a tube that enter the chest cavity. When in the chest the trachea splits into two smaller tubes known as the bronchi. Each bronchus then splits again to form the bronchial tubes. The tubes go to the lungs where they then divide into many smaller tubes which then connect to tiny sacks know as alveoli.

I also learned about the lungs, the lungs take in oxygen, which all cell throughout the body need to live and carry out functions. The lungs get rid of carbon dioxide, which is a waste product of the body's cells. the lungs are a pair of cone shaped organs made up of spongy, pinkish-grey tissue. They take up a lot of the space in the chest.

In my first lesson I learned about The Diaphragm and how its located beneath the lungs. The diaphragm is in a raised position. When the diaphragm is lowered, because its connected to the lungs it pulls the lungs downward.

We also did a practical exercise where I stood relaxed and put my index finger in the middle of my solar plexus. I then pretend to suck through a straw, this controls the amount of breath you are taking through your lungs. I did the exercise slowly because if I did it quickly I would be doing it wrong. By pursing my lips I will be able to control the breath I take in and only a certain amount. After this I exhale quickly 3 times, the first two exhales will be sort and the last one will release the remaining breath.

It is important to carry out these exercises regularly as it will help before performances as it warms up my voice. It is important to know about the Diaphragm as I will be able to realise how much air I have left to talk as I can feel my Diaphragm lowering.   

From this lesson the practical helped the most because I felt I could understand that better then the written work.

Research on University - Course Option 1

I'm currently on the BTEC Extended Diploma Level 3 Performing Arts (Acting), I have 6 GCSES, 4 at B and 2 and C. In the college modules so far I have studied Stanislavski which is also linked to the Course BA (Hons) Acting at GSA. I am with a local theatre group named Petersfield Youth Theatre (PYT). I have confidence to put myself forward for different opportunities, I am eager to learn and work on different productions/projects. I also have experience on TV and Stage. I feel that I need to work on Naturalism as well as the financial side of Acting. I need to join an agency too, in order to get me more publicity as my aspiration is to be an Actor, this involves being in an agency so it’s crucial I join one. The skills I need to become a good actor can be learnt through University and College.

I want to go to GSA and Study BA (Hons) Acting; in the first year the modules include Storytelling, Naturalism and American Realism. In the second year the modules include Shakespeare, Comedy and professional development. In the third year, I will be rehearsing for public performances and a West End showcase. These modules support my career choice of being an actor. These modules will help me experience and learn the history of Acting and also different styles of Acting. The location is good as it’s near to where I live. At the moment the BA (Hons) Acting is £9,000 per year. I don’t have the funds to pay that and so I would hope to take out a student loan, I believe I am also eligible for a Dance and Drama Award (DaDA).

In order to apply I would need 3 Distinctions at Level 3. I am hoping to get 3 Distinction Stars. There is an audition fee of £35. For the audition I must prepare one classical and one contemporary monologue of not more than two minutes each. The classical speech should be pre-1800 and the contemporary speech should be post -1950. Speeches should be in my own accent and ideally close to my own playing age. The application should be made via UCAS.

I believe this course is for me as it supports my skills and career choices. The location is great and the finances can be sorted out with either a loan or DaDA.  GSA has a good record of students with Actors from the Alumni such as Bill Nighy, Michael Ball, Gaby Roslin and Brenda Blethyn. The head of the course, Dr Trevor Rawlins has been an actor and director for more than 20 years, he has a PhD in actor training at the University of Reading.

After this I hope to have a part time job to earn extra money and look for Auditions with the agency that I'm with at the time.

Personal Voice Assessment

I have assessed my own voice, by recording myself and answering questions.

I would say I have a Baritone voice which is often described as quite deep, the pace of my voice I would say isn't fast or slow as I try to control my pace, I don't think I pause very often, which may hinder pausing at the right moment. I feel I find relatively easy to project and I articulate most words. My pitch is low.

I emphasise certain words sometimes, if I think its valuable information to emphasise, I don't speak on one tone, as I feel as that some words may need to be said in a higher tone if its for example a question. I have difficulties pronouncing words if I've never heard them before. I don't like my voice as it differs in pitch if I ask a question.

I also think my voice could be clearer but I think this is because most of the time I speak in a low pitch. I would say my voice is quite loud as voluminous. My voice is strong, at times it can be shaky, but not distorted. My voice can sometimes be quite crisp. My voice isn't nasal or crackly.


Overall, I think I have a loud strong voice, but for the reasons I've expressed I don't like it.