Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)

Overview

• The only undergraduate degree for aspiring professional actors in Queensland
• Graduate as an employable stage and screen actor, prepared to perform in both studio and on-location shoots
• Opportunities to work with professional directors and production designers, and nationally known directors and cinematographers
• Your stage and screen work will be showcased in Sydney and Brisbane, and your showreel distributed nationally and internationally to directors and management agents 

Details

This conservatoire-style acting course will educate, train and nurture your creative potential from a novice to a professional. It offers a rich program of study that fosters the development of bold, truthful, and passionate actors. The staff are committed to offering you a learning environment that challenges and inspires you to be an innovative and imaginative actor. You will graduate with an understanding of the profession, ready to identify your niche within it.

Why choose this course?

The QUT acting course is the only undergraduate degree in acting in Queensland and is designed for those who want to become professional actors. It is highly regarded in the profession for the readiness of its graduates to work across the media, and for the rigour and dedication of the teaching staff. We offer you a strong focus on acting for the screen as well as traditional actor training for the stage.

You will experience three years of intensive training and performing, and graduate as an employable stage and screen actor. Your screen work will include both studio and on-location shoots. QUT’s Gardens Theatre includes Acting’s five main stage productions in their professional subscription season. This means you will be working at a young professional level during year two and as an industry-ready graduate during your final year.

Our strong links with industry mean that you will graduate with networking skills and contacts. Public performance seasons in your second and third years will provide opportunities to work with professional directors and production designers. Your film shoots will be under the guidance of a professional film crew.

At the end of your final year, your stage and screen work will be showcased to industry in Brisbane and Sydney. Your showreel will be distributed nationally and internationally to directors and management agents.

Career outcomes

Graduates work as actors for stage, film and television both nationally and internationally. They have won leading roles in national and state theatre companies, television series, mini-series and feature films. For example, Gyton Grantley from Underbelly won both an Australian Film Institute Award and a Logie for Best Actor in 2009. Others such as Oliver Torr and Matt Zeremes successfully write and self produce their own work in film and in theatre.

Units

Your course

Year 1

The first-year acting studio is the basis for your future career. You will also study voice, singing, improvisation, Alexander, combat, and movement. You will learn the foundations of organic (or method) acting which is based on a fierce commitment to emotional honesty.

Year 2

This is your development year. You will continue to refine your talent through acting studio and rehearsals, and continue your studies in voice, movement and combat. Your acting studio work is designed to address the whole artist: to bring your voice, mind, body and emotions together through a range of role and performance opportunities. You will undertake film shoots, contemporary and classical stage productions, stand-up comedy, clowning and Shakespeare. You will study complementary areas through your electives, e.g. theatre and film history.

Year 3

This is your professional year which comprises performance for both stage and screen in a variety of venues. Typically, this includes a theatre season of three plays and two film shoots. Your professional development and readiness for the industry are anchored to the real world by your connection with professional directors and management agents. You will identify relevant issues relating to your planned career and learn how to position yourself effectively for entry into an international industry. QUT Acting Showcase (also known as Industry Day) in Brisbane and in Sydney will show your stage and film work to employers, management agents, casting agents and directors.

Entry requirements

2012 registrations have closed.

Registration for 2012 intake was due on the 23 September 2011 and have now closed. If had not registered and you are considering applying to study in 2013 we recommend you read the following information as a guide only as it details requirements for entry in 2012 and these may change prior to the 2013 intake.

Thank you for your interest in Acting at the QUT Creative Industries Faculty. To be considered for a place you must both apply through QTAC and register directly with the Creative Industries Faculty through our Online Registration Form. Please read through the following information carefully to ensure you are prepared to apply at that time.

What is the closing date for additional entry registration with Acting at QUT Creative Industries?

• You must register directly with the Creative Industries Faculty by the 14 October 2011 through the Online Registration Form.
• You must also apply through QTAC, where the due date for on-time applications is the 30 September. See the QTAC website for more information

What are the additional entry requirements?

You must submit the following and attend an audition where you will present two monologues of two-and-a-half minutes each.

Academic record

Please bring your Academic Record to your audition.

Photograph

• A clear current head-and-shoulders photograph (no larger than 6cm x 6cm - passport photo size) is required.
• Note: the photograph is compulsory. Applications which do not include photographs cannot be processed.

Resume or Curriculum Vitae

You need to provide a resume or curriculum vitae, consisting of no more than two typewritten A4 pages. This should list any performance experience, workshop attendance or other acting work you may have done in addition to work experience/employment.
It is important that Mature Age entry applicants include details of all work/academic records since leaving school.

Do not send original documents, photocopies only please.

Criteria for Acceptance.

In auditioning and interviewing potential students, QUT looks especially for the following qualities:

• A serious commitment to an acting career in stage, film and television.
• A potential for vital, individualistic, trainable growth.
• Energy, openness of mind, enthusiasm, and a readiness to take risks.
• A body, voice and imaginative/emotional powers promising significant dramatic development.
• A potential for identification with the thought process of their text.
• A sense of humour, a sense of language, a sense of rhythm, and a capacity for sustained concentration.
• A readiness for hard, rigorous work

Know the lines well enough so that nervousness will not paralyse you. Understand that fear and nervousness are part of the acting process. It is the adrenaline that allows you to show your best work.

We encourage you to make bold choices in your interpretation and in your performance.

Do not use audition pieces you have devised or written yourself as those auditioning you want to see how you apply your imagination to another writer's words.

Do not use audition pieces extracted from poems or novels as they are mostly inherently undramatic.

Do bring adequate supplies of food and drink on the day.

We encourage you to read Dean Carey's book, The Actor's Audition Manual, Currency Press. His advice on preparing and performing pieces is invaluable.

Do I have to audition in costume/make-up? No, you don't. Nor do you need to bring props. Instead, we suggest that you:

• Wear footwear and clothing that allow you to move and work easily
• Avoid wearing jewellery that could fall off, get tangled, or become lost or damaged
• Remove any tongue or facial piercing.

Are there any specific audition pieces for me to prepare?

Download the Acting Audition Pieces

These pieces are not compulsory. If you decide to present pieces not on the list, please choose monologues not more than three minutes in length and ensure the two pieces you choose contrast.

Am I required to present Shakespeare as my second audition piece?

Certainly you can use Shakespeare as one of your pieces if you wish. However, it is not mandatory; just make sure your two audition pieces contrast.

How do I apply?

To apply for this course, you must:

• Complete the Online Registration Form and print the confirmation pages;
• Post or deliver the confirmation pages with a passport-style photograph attached; a copy of the QUTpay confirmation page from your online credit card payment for the $33 service charge (PLEASE NOTE: Q-Step and ATSI applicants are exempt from the service fee);
• Attend an audition or submit a video/DVD of your work; and
• Apply for this course through QTAC. Please see the QTAC website for more information.

When and where are the Brisbane auditions?

All applicants are required to attend a first audition at the QUT Kelvin Grove campus. If you are successful, you will receive a call-back for a first recall. Successful applicants from the first recall will then be required to attend the final recall. You will be notified of recall arrangements at your first audition.

Below is a list of dates for the process, plus requirements for each audition:

• First Audition - during week commencing Monday November 21 to 25 November 2011
  Prepare two audition pieces of your own selection.
• First Recall (if selected) - Tuesday November 29 or Wednesday November 30 2011
  Perform same audition pieces.
• Final Recall (if selected) - Friday December 2 2011

Remember that in addition to registering for an audition, you must also apply to QTAC.

Will QUT be holding auditions outside Brisbane?
Auditions will also be held at the following locations:

• Sydney Friday 11 and Saturday 12 November 2011

>I am unable to attend any of the audition locations. Is it possible for me to submit a video/ DVD of my work?

Yes, you can for the initial audition. If successful, you will be expected to attend the recall dates in November/December. Please ensure your video/DVD reaches us by Friday 14 October 2011. Information on where to send your video/DVD is part of the online registration procedure.

When making your video / DVD, you should use the following format:

• Include a brief description of who you are, where you are from and your expectations and goals for a career in acting.
• It would also be useful to explain why you're choosing QUT for your course of study.
• Then perform two contrasting monologues that are something you see yourself being cast in for theatre or film and television. Make sure one monologue is shot in medium close up and one is full body.

How do I know if I am required to attend a recall?

The process will be explained to you at the time of your first audition.

Please Note: Registering with QUT for an audition is separate and in addition to listing the course as a preference with QTAC. To successfully apply for entry into this course, you are required to do both. The audition process is managed by QUT Creative Industries; however, all offers for the course will be made through QTAC in the 15 December 2011 offer round.

Course fees

Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. All fees are based on current fixed fee prices. We review fees annually.

HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay your course fees

You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.

Find out if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan

Scholarships and financial support

You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.

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You may also be eligible for Centrelink payments