Bachelor of Fine Arts (Technical Production)

Overview

• Prepares you to work as a production manager, lighting and sound designer, or theatre technician for ballet, dance, opera, concerts, conferences and large public events.
• Study lighting, sound, stage and production management.
• Opportunities to work on theatre productions, fashion parades, music and dance performances and film shoots as part of your course.
• Gain experience through internships and industry placements at music festivals, state and local theatre, opera and dance companies, entertainment venues and touring shows.

Details

House lights to half, LX 2 and fly cue 1 – GO.

The house lights fade as the overture starts. A red velvet curtain rises as hundreds of lights start to brighten the stage. In the corner a stage manager calls cues in quick succession. Assistant stage managers are checking their props inventories as a radio mic technician is doing final signal checks. Behind the scenes up to 20 technicians are operating lighting consoles, followspots, sound equipment and undertaking complex scene changes hidden only by the darkness.

Weeks of training and rehearsal have prepared the cast and crew for this show. Tonight, as the house lights fade and the overture finishes, for the next three hours over a thousand audience members enjoy the final performance. The trucks line up in the back lane behind the theatre in preparation for the massive transfer to the next city.

Expertise in technical production is sought after in a range of industries. This course will provide you with skills in lighting, sound, stage management, and production management, with exposure to multimedia and film shoots, as well as the opportunity to specialise in a particular field of live production.

Why choose this course?

This intensive, highly practical course provides the opportunity to work on a range of events, including theatre productions, music and dance performances and fashion parades featuring students in other creative industries courses.

Our teaching staff consult to industry in their areas of expertise, and provide opportunities for students to enter working environments through internships and industry placements. Students have undertaken placements at music festivals, state and local theatre, opera and dance companies, performing arts complexes, entertainment venues and touring stage shows.

Industry professionals also work with students as production mentors and designers, and as directors and choreographers.

Career outcomes

Graduates work as stage managers, production managers, lighting and sound designers, operators and technicians for theatre, ballet, contemporary dance, opera, pop concerts, large public events, conferences, international galas and corporate events. Pathways exist to prepare you for further study including honours.

Units

Your course

Year 1

You will attend classes in stage management, lighting, sound, and the workshop areas of props, sets and costume, developing basic skills and knowledge in all areas of technical production. You will apply your knowledge on productions as bump in/out crew and production assistants. As you progress you will undertake the roles of stage managers and lighting, sound and AV operators.

Year 2

Your classes cover advanced lighting and sound technologies (including elements of design), set and costume design, stage management for dance, opera and musicals, and festival management. Classes will be aligned with production seasons within the areas of dance, acting, music and fashion. You will work on a minimum of four productions as a lighting, sound or AV operator, head electrician, fly operator, mechanist, followspot operator, assistant stage manager and/or stage and event manager. You will work with professional directors, choreographers and designers, and students from a variety of creative disciplines at QUT. You will also study electives in areas other than technical production.

Year 3

You will work on several QUT productions in more senior roles such as stage manager, head electrician, event/festival coordinator, sound coordinator and lighting designer. You may choose to focus on applying and developing your skills in one of these areas of live production. You will work alongside industry professionals (directors and designers) at QUT, with first- and second-year students as your crew. You will also have the opportunity of industry secondment placements with appropriate professional companies or personnel in your area of expertise.

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 Technical Production 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 Technical Production at QUT Creative Industries?

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

Applicants must supply the following information and attend an interview:

• Academic record - Please bring your most recent Academic Record to your interview.
• Photograph - A clear current head-and-shoulders photograph (no larger than 6cm x 6cm - passport photo size) is required.
  This photograph should be attached to the Application Form in the space provided.
  Note: the photograph is compulsory. Applications that 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 six (6) typewritten A4 pages. This should detail any drama/technical/performance experience, leadership roles or other 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.
• Script Analysis and Practical Response - You are required to write a script analysis of between 500 and 1000 words based on one of three works and bring three copies of this to the interview. Further details of this requirement (and the practical response) are available at the following link - Additional Entry Practical Task. You should carefully read the instructions before completing this requirement. A floor plan of the Gardens Theatre and additional Gardens Theatre specifications have been provided for use in the practical response.

Do not send original documents, photocopies only please.

How do I apply?

To apply for this course, you must:

• Complete the online registration and print the confirmation pages;
• Post or deliver the confirmation pages with a passport-style photograph attached; your resume or curriculum vitae; a copy of your academic record; 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);
• Provide the information requested and attend an interview as detailed below; and
• Apply for this course through QTAC. Please see the QTAC website for more information.

When and where are the interviews?

All applicants are required to attend a first interview. A letter confirming the time and place will be sent to your nominated address. If you are successful, you will receive a second interview. You will be notified of shortlisting arrangements at your first interview. Interviews will occur at the QUT Kelvin Grove campus.

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

• First Interview - during the week commencing November 15, 2011
  Your first interview will be scheduled when you lodge your online application. Please note that the time and date of your interview cannot be changed except in exceptional circumstances. You should be prepared to discuss your academic history and the reasons you are interested in this course. You will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of at least one of the following areas of live performance practice: stage management, lighting, sound, or event production/management. You must also bring with you three copies of your script analysis and practical response and be prepared to discuss this.

• Second Interview - during the week commencing November 21, 2011
  Shortlisted applicants will be required to present an example of their work, or an indication of their potential. Examples of material to submit at this recall will be provided at the first interview.

Please Note: Registering with QUT for an interview 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 interview 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