Foundation course....?

[ruby95]

I have already posted a thread in this section of the site about my dilemma over whether or not to go to drama school or to university to do a history degree: viewtopic.php?f=36&t=17863

To summarize, basically I love acting and ultimately want to pursue it professionally but I am also passionate about history and would very very much like to go to uni to do a history degree but not if it would probably jeopardize my chances of becoming a professional actress so I don't know what to do.

I have recently started thinking about maybe taking a gap-year and doing a foundation course (possibly part-time) at a drama school. In my mind this would give me the dramatic training i'd need to stand a chance of becoming an actress but would also allow me to go on to university to do a degree in the subject I love. If I did the course part-time I could also continue to go to auditions through my agent and hopefully get some more professional work. It is also much much cheaper to do a part-time course. However I wouldn't rule out the prospect of a full-time foundation it was infinitely more useful/ well-regarded than a part-time course and if I could get a loan.

I have seen that Central School of Speech and Drama, Mountview, Arts Ed and Italia Conti all do very interesting looking foundation courses of the part-time nature that I had in mind.

But what I want to know is how valuable are these part time courses from an industry perspective? If I had a part-time foundation from one of the schools above plus a history degree from a (hopefully) Russel Group university would that be enough accreditation for most employers/ casting directors or would many want me to have a BA from a drama school as well? If I had a full-time foundation would that make much difference? I know there are successful actors who haven't had any further education training dramatic or otherwise but they are obviously the lucky exceptions

And experiece, help, advice or opinions would be much appreciated.

[Caroline A-C]

Really can't help you there but I spoke to my ds the other day who is at Arts Ed. He was talking generally (I had asked him whether many students failed to pass the first year) but did mention that if you complete two years at the college before you can actually put Arts Ed down on your CV. Not sure whether this is the same rule across the industry don't know how foundation courses are perceived. I thought they were aimed at helping improve audition technique etc but I am probably wrong. Can't see how doing a history degree could possibly jeopardise your chances though. After all, lots of well known actors/actresses did not start out in acting.

[Truffle1234]

We have been told that the Foundation Courses are really a springboard for the 3 year courses, and are not generally treated as being a qualification in their own right, and may not have a showcase. Having said that, some of the full time Foundation Courses are fairly difficult to get into, and are quite well thought of. There are also some one year or two year courses which you can do after a University degree, which is another option. If you are taking a gap year, the Year Out Drama Company at Stratford upon Avon may also be worth a look http://yearoutdrama.com. My dd has a place on YOD starting this September and she will be auditioning for drama schools next year.

[francescasmum]

You could do the history degree, join the university drama group (many well known actors/comedians have got into acting that way) then you gain your degree, acting experience and possibly contacts for the future all at the same time.

[mathsmum]

i'd love to read what pg and paulears have to say on this, but we have been told more than once in the past that the main problem with doing a degree for a woman is that you need to be young - parts can dry up very quickly at 28-ish until you reach matron status - unless you are firmly established by then - one reason miss p decided to chuck the whole thing in

a gap year before a degree could exacerbate your problem, rather than help

[LivingTheDream]

Quite a few actors (including Benedict Cumberbatch) have done undergraduate degrees at a university (in any subject they like) then gone on to drama school to do a postgraduate degree. This also gives them a better chance of getting into RADA and LAMDA, who tend to only accept older applicants with more 'life experience'. As for the foundation course, it depends on whether you've done a lot of acting; if you're an experienced actor, it's not going to challenge you, but if you're not experienced, it might be an option to give you a taste of the life. Hope this helps!

[Welsh Mum]

I think if you are this undecided about drama college, you should go to uni instead, then see how you feel after. Training is HARD work for those 100% committed - those who are not end up dropping out. It may be a better option for you to do the uni route, getting lots of experience in uni drama etc. Why bother spending a lot of money on a foundation course which I dont think is regarded that highly as an end in itself - more as a precursor to a full 3 year course. A post grad is much better option, if you feel you want to do it in 3 years time.

[pg]

ruby95 I wouldn't bother with a foundation course if I were you. You already have quite a bit of experience and foundation courses on their own don't mean much on a CV. They are also expensive and generally you can't get funding for them. I'm with Welshmum on this one: I think University is calling you!

but we have been told more than once in the past that the main problem with doing a degree for a woman is that you need to be young - parts can dry up very quickly at 28-ish until you reach matron status

I think this depends very much on what kind of performer you are and what kind of work you hope to get. Those who look very young when they graduate may be snapped up by agents and may be lucky to land stage and TV work very quickly; however, there will also be lots of young looking actors who don't get work or agents. There will be other actresses who have to wait to grow in to the roles they are best suited to and may only find success/work in their thirties. I don't think age itself (as a number) has much bearing on success as an actor, each actor's journey is different. There are plenty of actors who don't start at drama school until they are in their mid to late twenties. Certainly, there are fewer roles available for women than for men (particularly older women) and looks tend to be more significant for women than for men. There will always be exceptions though and I think basing your career plan on what has happened to other people is setting yourself up for disappointment. I know that one of the graduates from my son's year at RADA has had a terrific career so far and she is not a beauty (though she certainly is a very good actress!). She looks young, but then so did other graduates in her year and they have not had the same success. One had success very early on but then had a period of a year with no work. Another had no properly paid acting work at all for about 18 months but is now doing reasonably well. There are many more examples of the unpredictable nature of the business. It is helpful to know your "type" when you are starting out, so that you aim for the jobs you are likely to get, but this holds no guarantees either of course, because there are likely to be many talented people of your "type" also competing for the roles.

It is very tempting to look for reasons why some people are successful and some are not, in the hope that you can follow in the footsteps of the successful ones. However, what we don't see (and therefore can't take into account) are those who have done exactly the same as the successful actors in terms of training/preparation etc and perhaps who even look similar, but have not had success. It is very hard to accept that chance plays such a large part in someone's success, but I think it does. The best one can do is to prepare and train, make contacts where possible and be ready for the chances when they come along.

[ruby95]

Thank you so so much everyone. All of this is really helpful.