Need some help where to start ..

whatsamsn

Hi everyone.
I'm nearly turning 24 and finally looking into learning how to act / attend a drama class. Been a pipe dream since 19 and hey why not do it I looked at the sticky threads but didnt quite find what I was looking for.

I'm looking for advice from any board members in whats the best first step to take, what drama school to learn with (i was told although the gaiety being good is very expensive) etc etc.

Movieextras.ie i was told is a good way to get a foot in the door. see people at their craft etc. but apart from that i dont know what my next good step shoul be

thanks.

inisboffin

I will preface my reply by saying I believe there are exceptions to *every* rule, and that things may have changed a lot since I started in the biz.

Personally I would not go down the extras road if you are serious about becoming an actor. Being an extra can be a bit of craic and a novelty (and a way to get a few bob!), but it can also be extremely boring, and frustrating for a 'potential' actor. I know actors who do extra work in dry times, and it seems to make a lot of them bitter tbh. As for learning craft, keep in mind you may be learning other people's bad habits too!

Before committing to a big leap, how about a summer course at the Gaiety School or something similar? Is there a specific area that appeals to you? Film acting? Shakespeare? Improv? There are a lot of one-off courses that specialise in these areas.

I think a couple of the VECs still run performance courses, you may want to look that up. Way cheaper too. When I was starting to study, the VEC courses had a lot of the same tutors as in Trinity and Gaiety School!

There are loads of community and amateur groups that do good productions too, if you don't want to tackle it professionally right away. People do cross over from one to another, but I would go for training first if I were you, and you want to do it for a living.

whatsamsn

Thank you for the good advice

I did a summer gaiety course in 2006. It was alright. Seemed more like a "fun" course rather than an introduction to acting. That was 2 years ago and i feel like its time to get my act together if i am going to give a shot.


Sorry if i sound stupid but VEC thats Vocational Education Committee, right? how would i go about finding a course with them?

oh and i guess i like to side of tv / film acting.

dzerzhinsky

Hi whatsmsn,

There was an arts council report that said that if you want a career as an actor that you were more likely to get work and still be in the business years later if you did a three year full time course. Some courses even at degree level say they do acting but they cover so many other things that they can not really be called actor training courses. The first question I would ask is, is there an audition process ? the harder it is to get in, the better it is likely to be. A friend of mine auditioned for a one year course and nearly everyone at the auditon got in - but then they were all paying hefty fees -beware people trying to take your cash. Secondly, how many non acting skills are covered in the course. If they offer directing or production as well then they are not really concentrating on acting skills. The old now defunct trinity course was pure acting. You could look at the new degree in acting at Dundalk IT.

Good luck with your search

D

jellymonster

i'm in exactly the same boat as yourself at the moment, have been thinking about it for years and i'm 24 this year so it's time to move! am looking around for courses and the like at the moment so if i find anything good i'll definitely let you know. The one thing i would say to you is get involved in local productions because it's a great way to keep in with the acting!

inisboffin

Hi, yes, just Google 'Dublin VEC' and it will link you to the list of colleges - there are at least 2 or 3 doing theatre related courses.

I take the point of an earlier poster about finding one *specifically* geared toward acting, it will indeed focus your training. Then again, I believe there is a lot to be said for the perfomance courses that diversify a bit. A lot of actors I know come out with a better knowledge of working theatre. Many find aspects such as lighting work and costume knowledge invaluable later on if, for example, they decide to direct a piece or start their own theatre co.

We have tended in the past to be a bit lazy in Ireland about training (ie once we finished college, we were 'done'). Thankfully that is changing, and working actors are starting to see the value of constantly learning, improving their craft.
Once we get over the ego part of that, it only makes our game all the better!
If money and travel is not an issue, look at the reputable schools in London, or look into grants. Keep asking people, Google the instructors in the courses. Stretch yourself, find out what types of training develop what muscle. If you only want to do film, then you should focus on this, but give yourself options. There are many different disciplines within this craft, and the more tools, the better imo
Best of luck with it!

Iompair

A full time course would be the way to go.

I'd be wary of courses that wouldn't at least give you a grounding in the more technical aspects of theatre/film, you're unlikely to make a living on acting alone for the first few years and having other skills in the area will at least keep you working in the industry and not waiting tables or working behind a bar to make ends meet.

Also don't limit yourself to just Ireland, or even just the big name schools, generally you only get out what you put in to acting courses. If you go to a school expecting to come out a top class actor with no effort then you're just kidding yourself. It takes a lot of effort and dedication to learn the skills involved, even for natural/experienced actors to refine and analyse the skills they already have can be more difficult then somebody with no skills coming onto a course.

The best thing to do though, is just pick a course that sounds good and throw yourself straight into it, forget about being cool/funny/serious/"the best" and just enjoy it. Actor training can be so mentally draining but the rewards are definitely worth it.

Best of luck

Doozie

As a member of the Boards Drama Group I couldn't let this thread go without mentioning us. OP you seem to have acted in courses but not in a professional sence. If you are out of it a while and want to get the energy and enthusiasm to continue I think,...yes I am biased...that you should give us a shot. There is a difference to doing a course and then its over in 6 weeks than to joining a drama group and being on/behind stage and involved in every part of it. We have peeps who grew up on stage (years ago), people who never acted, who have done and are doing the gaiety course, and who just come for the social aspect or who are interested in the behind the scenes and writing part. This may or may not suit you but just so you know you are very welcome to come and see us for yourself...we are meeting tonights upstairs in Anseo at 7pm and are expecting a few new members too. Check out the threads under Hosted then Boards Drama Group if you like.
Best of luck either way