job opportunities in performing arts
What is the work like?
An arts administrator is in charge of administration for the creative industries: this may include the visual and performing arts. The job involves promoting, supporting and any managing jobs.
An arts administrator's job can vary, it all depends on who they work for, for example, if they worked in a small theatre they can get involved in a big range of tasks, but if they worked within a big theatre, they will tend to have a specified area that they would work within.
Responsibilities may include:
* Planning a programme, securing dates and venues
* Booking artists and performers
* Organising accommodation and transport
* Dealing with internal and external correspondence
* Event management
* General management
* Overseeing the maintenance
* Looking after visitors, this includes directors, producers and artists
* Coordinating front of house
* PR activities
* Identifying fund raising opportunities
* Advising on contracts and terms of employment
* Managing a budget
* Filling out grant applications
* Briefing on health and safety requirements
* Dealing with performing rights and other legal requirements.
Hours and environment
Hours can vary depending on what job you are doing, for example administrators that are working on exhibitions or performances may need to work evenings and weekends, but other may work more regular hours, part time work is available.
Many jobs are based in an office and larger owns, this may then involve a lot of travel. It is hard to say specifically what the working conditions are like, but it isn't the most glamorous. Part time work is available, most arts organisations offer support for worker with family commitments.
Travel is frequent, absence from home is also likely, and overseas travel is not that common, unless the organisation take regular tours abroad.
Salary and other benefits
The below figures are only an estimate, because the actual pay rates can vary on the employer and also on where they live.
* Arts administrators may start at around 13,000 to 18,000 pounds a year
* With experience, salaries may be around 20,000 to 30,000 pounds a year
* For some senior positions, salaries may be over 50,000 pounds a year
I am now going to go more in depth.
* Salary on entry may begin at around 11,000 for trainees and assistants
* Experienced arts administrators could get a salary ranging from 18,500 to 28,000 a year
* Salaries for a senior management or a chief executive level could be anything from 25,000 to 50,000 pounds a year
* Freelance consultants can earn higher than that, but it all depends on their contracts
* They can command a higher salary, if they can offer specialised skills.
Skills and personal qualities
Arts administrators need:
* Strong communication skills
* Orgainisational skills
* To be able to work to a deadline
* And manage several projects at once
* The ability to prioritise their workload
* Flexibility and adaptability
* Negotiation skills
* To be able to use their initiative
* The ability to work with numbers and manage a budget
* Technical skills and computer literacy.
Getting in
The below information is a rough guide based on the information from the jobs4you website.
There are over 500,000 people that work in the creative and cultural skills area of work, there are over 62,000 creative businesses in the UK, and 94% of the businesses only employ 10 people a year, so being an arts administrator is a very competitive area of work to get into.
There are opportunities throughout the whole of the UK, in public and private organisations. You can get a job in theatre, concert halls, galleries, museums, exhibitions and festivals, etc.
Jobs for admin are advertised in the local and national press, and through magazines such as the Arts Professional and The Stage.
Qualifications
Most of the employers ask for GCSEs at A-C in English and Maths, also it helps to have some relevant work experience. Some arts administrators have gone on to complete a degree, there are many degrees that offer relevant experience, for example business studies, arts management, music, drama or visual arts. The degrees normally last for 3 years, entry for a degree is normally at least two A levels.
Entry for adults is a bit harder, so relevant work experience is required, for example:
Administration or secretarial work, marketing or public relations, finance, performing arts, for example as a dancer or performer.
Access courses are available for people that don't have the relevant qualifications, and who would like to study a degree.
Training
In this job, many people train on the job, but they can take short courses to help develop or to produce new skills.
There are many NVQs and SVQs that are relevant, these include:
* NVQ/SVQ levels 3 and 4 in business and administration
* NVQ/SVQ levels 2,3,4 and 5 in cultural heritage.
A promotions manager in the music industry is specialised in finding any opportunities in publicity, this can be for all types of artists, for example a singer or instrumentalist.
promotions managers may work with record labels and individual musicians or bands.
Their role may involve tasks like:
* Creating a list of contacts from the music industry, this will help them promote their clients
* Publicising their clients work
* Arranging publicity events
* Going with clients to publicity events
* Promoting clients work
* Organising tours
* Advising clients on things like the best time to release their album or single
* Listening to new performers and deciding if they have the right sound for their organisation.
In the larger companies, the promotions managers may specialise in a certain area of work, for example marketing.
Some promotional managers may also work for live music venues, their roles may involve:
* Getting acts and artists to perform at the venue
* Contacting performers or their agents and booking them
* Making sure that each venue can offer everything they need, for example a full programme of performers for each night
* Checking that there isnt any double bookings
* Organising the design, printing and distribution of the marketing material
* Having replacement acts, in case an act cant make it on the night
* Checking that all equiptment is in working order
* Making sure that all health and safety is right.
Hours and environment
There isnt really any certain fixed hours for promotions managers. The job may have early mornings, late nights and they may have to work weekends.
They are normally based in an office, but may find that they need to travel to accompany their clients to promotional events. This may meen staying away from home, they most likely will have to spend time at music venues, this can be loud and noisy. Having A driving licence will help in this job.
Salary and other benefits
The below figures are only an estimate, pay rates will vary, it all depends on the employer.
* New entrants may earn from 10,000 to 15,000 a year
* More established people may earn from 21,000 to 42,000 a year
* The highest salaries may reach 100,000 pounds and year.
Skills and personal qualities
a promotions manager should:
* Know about music and have a talent for spotting new talent
* Commumication skills
* To be able to work under pressure
* To be persuasive and good at negotiating
* Enjoy working with people
* Understant the audience
* Organisational skills
* Computer literate.
It is important to:
* be interested in the media and marketing
* be interested in music and popular culture.
Getting in
The music industry in the UK, employ around 125,000 people, so there is always competition to get the vancanies for the job. The larger the city the better chance they will have at getting a job within this area of work. The jobs arnt always advertised conventionally, most people tend to here through word of mouth, but some may be found in local and national newspapers, also in the music press.
There isnt a specific route into this career choice, many promotions managers don't have releveny or specific qualifications.
Getting work experience is a good way of learning about the job, and also it helps to gain basic training. Networkings is a must for a successful career.
Many universities offer relevent courses for example:
* BA (Hons) International Music Management
* BA (Hons) Music Entertainment and Arts Management
* BA (Hons) Music Industry Management and Marketing
* HND Music Industry Management
* HND Music Industry Management and Marketing.
A background in the music industry can be an advantage, but experience in sales, marketing, public relations, advertising or events organisation may also be useful.
Training
Most of the training is given on the job.
The bristish phonographic industry offer a few courses relating to management in the music industry.
MMF Training also offers a range of relevant short courses.
Getting on in the job
With experience it is possible to move onto larger organisations, these may pay better and will give you more responsibility. They can also specify in a particular area. They can work freelance or even move onto relevent careers such as an agent or manager.
What is work like?
An actor has to be able to take a character and to then bring it to life. The actors then have to interpret the character, with help from the director, and then perform it to an audience, maybe in the theatre or TV, radio or film.
the difference between performing for a film, radio or TV compared to performing on a stage, is that to do it on stage is live, so if they go wrong they cont go back and redo it, they have to get as accurate as they can every time, unlike pre recorded stuff, which they can be redone in many takes. Work can vary from live stage performances and community theatre to soap operas, radio work and film parts. An actor may also get involved in education, training and therapy, as well as performing.
When an actor is at work, they spend a lot of time rehearsing and preparing for a performance. If they work in a theatre the actor may have to perform the same role for weeks. In all acting jobs they have to research the character, learn the lines and prepare and go to auditions. If they get the part they will spend a lot of time in costume fittings and also in make up.
To be an actor you have to be able to work as a team, an actor has to be able to work well with the other actors and crew.
Many actors have to spend time out of work, whilst they are out they are looking for new jobs, it is important to be versatile, skills like singing and dancing will help actors to get a job. Some actors may also get involved in administration and production.
Work activities
Even though acting is the most obvious activity, it is normally only a portion of what they have to do. On average an actor can spend at most 80% of their time resting, so during this time it is important to focus on the important activities. ...
This is a preview of the whole essay
Many actors have to spend time out of work, whilst they are out they are looking for new jobs, it is important to be versatile, skills like singing and dancing will help actors to get a job. Some actors may also get involved in administration and production.
Work activities
Even though acting is the most obvious activity, it is normally only a portion of what they have to do. On average an actor can spend at most 80% of their time resting, so during this time it is important to focus on the important activities.
Work activities and be different for every actor but below is the most common activities that they will do:
* Looking for a job and networking
* Going to meetings with their agent
* Preparing for auditions
* Learning lines and rehearsing
* Researching the character or reading material, this will help them prepare for a part
* Talking through their interpretation of a character with members of their company
* Performing to a live audience
* Performing in a studio
* Managing the performance area, example: props and costume
* Getting involved with activities to do with touring, for example setting up and putting away set and props, talking with the venue manager, and also the accommodation people
* Working as an walk on or an extra for TV
* Voice over
* And finally doing part time jobs that aren't to do with acting, for example catering.
Hours and the environment
Working hours for an actor can be long and irregular; it may include evenings and weekends. Whilst on tour an actor may be setting up and rehearsing during the day then performing at night. Television and film work also involves a lot of early starts and late nights.
An actor may find themselves working all over the UK and maybe even touring abroad. The auditions are normally held in city locations like London, and the actors are likely to be asked to attend at very short notice.
An actor can work in many places like, community centres, concert halls, or on TV, radio and film, any acting that is performed indoors can be hot and sweaty due to the lighting and costumes. Actors that are performing outdoors, the weather could go both ways, it could really hot or really cold, depending on where and when you are filming.
* Outdoor filming can be very uncomfortable, and it mostly means sitting around and waiting for things to happen
* The rehearsal space and dressing rooms can be fairly basic and small
* In many roles the actor may have to wear lots of make up and uncomfortable costumes, for a long period of time.
The lifestyle implications can be hard work, time spent away from home is an almost certain part of the job, so if they have children or they are married this will have a great affect on their life, it may cause problems in the social aspect of life, but if they work hard and can find a way of balancing the two out, the job is rewarding.
Many actors leave the profession due to the fact that they are finding it hard to find a job. This is because there is great competition in this area at work and directors only want the best, so actors have to work hard and always try even to practice as much as they can.
Salary and other benefits
The figures below are only a rough estimate; I will delve more in depth in a separate section of my project.
The actors union, Equity, sets out a minimum rate of pay for an actor.
Many actors work very little, mostly at the beginning of their career.
* TV and film actors pay rates, depends on the part and of the reputation and experience of the actor.
* Supporting and walk on actors may earn around 80 pounds a day
* The minimum rate for west end actors is around 360 pounds a week, but they be paid a lot more
* Actors in other theatres may earn around 300 pounds a week
* Voice over artists may earn between 150 to 600 pounds a session
* Some performers are paid based on how successful the performance was.
Equity negotiates minimum wages for its members; it all depends on the type of employment, location and the number of performances.
The minimum Equity pay rates for a theatre actor is around 300 pounds, this is based on date collected in December 2005. Minimum rates for television, film and radio work can vary widely.
Actors that aren't part of the Equity can expect to work for a much lower rate.
Most actors sign up to an agent, who can take a percentage of 10 to 25% of the actor's earnings. The percentage can vary depending on the type of work. Not many actors become wealthy through acting, but those who do the rewards are endless. In the acting profession earnings are not always based on experience, it all depends on how hard you work and on how talented you are.
Skills, qualities and interests
Actors need to be:
* Talented
* Self disciplined and hardworking
* Work well as a team
* To have a strong voice or trained voice
* To be a lively and creative individual
* Stamina and good physical fitness
* Adaptable and also to be versatile
* And a good memory for learning their line quickly.
It is important for an actor to be interested in:
* Performing for an audience or for a camera
* And the art of acting.
Getting into the industry
Most acting jobs are short term, even the experienced actors can find it hard to make a full time job out of it, so many need to find a part time job, to help pay bills and to cover costs.
A survey in 2005 founds that almost half of those in the UK working in performing earned less than 6,000 pounds a year!
Most jobs are based in city areas or in large locations, they have to be close to the theatres, concerts, studios and audition venues, but there also acting jobs in and around the UK.
There are opportunities in:
* Theatre
* Film
* Radio
* Television
* Theatre in education and teaching
* Clubs and variety performances
* Management development.
Most actors have an agent that represents them. Finding an agent that is willing to take on an actor is the first step into the actor's career.
Drama schools offer an actor the chance to be seen by potential employers. Actors can look for work on websites like Equity, or in the Stage magazine. Also many web pages allow an actor to post a blog about themselves, so that they may get seen by agents or casting companies.
Entry into the industry
You don't really need a qualification to become an actor, many start out as stage crew, and other may just attend auditions. However many actors do have some experience in a stage school, or at university, or maybe just have experience in amateur performances. Also many actors have been trained.
Drama schools try to accept an equal amount of males and females, although it is more common for a female to apply. There are more opportunities for men in the acting business, but there are organisations like the EQ: diversity and opportunity in creative industries that work to promote an equal amount of male and female.
Although acting is open to anyone, people that have a degree in drama tend to find it easier to find work, however people that have experience in acting so societies are known to become actors, there are many actors that don't have a degree in drama but another subject. There is no single route into becoming an actor; experience is more significant than a qualification.
A postgraduate degree is not essential but is great experience for an actor; it will help them gain more skills and experience. Entry is always competitive, and the courses are hard work and very intense. Theatre experience is essential, and they may have to audition to get in.
There is some funding available through the Dance and Drama awards, but the maintenance and study fees can be considerable.
* Skills like singing and dancing will open up more opportunities in employment. Many jobs aren't advertised, when they are they mat have specific physical requirements.
* Many actors sign up to an agent to help find jobs and to advertise them. Some actors from co operative agencies work together and represent each other.
The national council for drama training accredit drama courses, like the three year full time acting and musical theatre courses.
* Getting onto these courses are very competitive, on average only one in 20 people are offered a place
* There are no formal qualifications for some drama courses
* However some require 5 GCSEs grades from a-c, a few require 2 or 3 A levels
* To get onto a drama course, all candidates may have to audition
* Most drama schools have a minimum age of 18 for 3 year courses and 21 for 2 year courses
* For a university degree you have top be 17 and above.
When entering the career training is not normally offered, you normally gain skills whilst working in rehearsals and performances, and also when you move through contracts, this adds to your CV rather than certificates. Sometimes an actor may be taught a new skill for the role, for example and role that includes dancing. Actors undertake training in other skills to help them in their career, but this is unlikely to be paid by the employer.
An actor may also consider a degree in any of the following:
* Scriptwriting, directing, teaching and drama therapy
Those subjects are useful if the actor wants to go on to different aspects of the profession.
Training
Actors need to learn how to project their voice and also how to move around a performance space. They may learn how to sing, stage fighting, improvisation, mask work and make up.
They also get involved in a wide range of productions and practise audition techniques.
It is important for an actor to continue to develop their skills through out their career. They may take further voice, dance and music training.
Moving on in the industry
Actor's prospects depend on talent, self discipline, the right image, contracts and luck.
If an actor hits big they may also choose their roles, but that all depends on the actor's popularity and skills.
Some actors go onto to work in directing and producing, maybe even writing or teaching.
There is no certain standard career progression for an actor. Some actors will spend their career moving from one contract to another, performing similar work and not really gaining any more responsibility and higher pay rates. Success in one acting job doesn't always mean instant success, but it does help. The actor must be prepared for the ups and downs of the profession.
Career progression may take the form of learning new skills and then specialising in them, or maybe even branching out into other aspects of the profession.
To become successful you have to work hard, gain skills and have a lot of patience.
A singer is a musician who uses their voice to produce music. The singer is/can be accompanied by other musicians and/or instruments.
Many singers sing for pleasure, but many want to go professional, the vocal skills are usually a combination of innate and professional training.
A professional singer performs in front of an audience; they can also make recordings for the radio, CD and nowadays for download. Some may also do session work for backing tracks, adverts or even films.
A singer can be a soloist or work in a group or band. A few different styles may include:
* Classical, this includes opera and light opera. Classical singers are most likely soloists, but they can also be part of a professional or semi professional choir.
* Musical shows: they can range from classical to pop music. They also usually require the performers to act.
* Ballads: this is usually jazz, folk, country and western music. But they can also be pop and a wide range of music styles. It can involve a soloist but it is mainly as part of a group.
* Pop, soloists mainly sing in the style of pop, also lead vocalists and session singers can sing in the same style.
A solo artist can work with a band or orchestra, but they may use their own equipment, such as backing tracks or a musical instrument. Pop singers can pay a session singer or an accompanist to play the music. Pop singers may need to work with sound engineers, operators or be able to set up their equipment themselves.
Singers don't really get a fixed wage, they are usually paid on a concert or gig basis. The wage always depends on the venues and the experience of the singer.
Hours and environment
Singers tend to work long and irregular hours, they need to practise and rehearse then also put on a performance. Evening and weekend work is normal in this job, and the life of a singer can involve travelling.
Singers work in a variety of environments, they can work at an indoor arena, in concert halls, night clubs, pubs, theatres and also in recording studios, they can also work in outdoor venues such as parks, pop festivals and also in gardens at stately homes.
Most venues, such as pubs and clubs, can be hot, unlike the rehearsal spaces which are normally cool. Outdoor venues can be any range of weather conditions, but under all the lighting it can get very hot, so singers should always try and keep hydrated.
The dress code for a singer is very relaxed, but for classical singers it is usually formal wear.
Being a singer can involve long hours and may include a lot of travelling, this may have implications on the singer's lifestyle. If they have children or a wife, they may have to spend long periods of time away from them, also their social life may be affected, the long hours and rehearsals create only small periods of time where they can go out.
Salary and other benefits
There is normally a fixed salary, then they are usually paid on a concert or gig basis, it all depends on the venue and the experience of the singer.
Below is just a guideline, I will go more in depth in the equity part of my report.
* Solo singers may earn between 150 pounds and 450 pounds per concert.
* Chorus singers on the BBC radio may earn between/ around 70 pounds and 100 pounds per session.
* A backing singer on an album may get at least 110 pounds for a three hour session. A very experienced backing singer may earn up to 350 pounds for a three hour session.
* For those appearing in a stage or television productions, Equity (the performers union) sets minimum rates for singers in various categories, for example, the rate for performances in London's west end is around 650 pounds a week for eight shows.
The above figures are from the jobs4you website.
Skills, qualities and interests
A singer needs:
* Musical talent
* They need to be self discipline and to have determination
* To be able to work with musicians, conductors or other singers
* They need self confidence
* To be prepared to work long hours
* To be totally dedicated to what is a very demanding profession
It is important to:
* Be passionate about music
* Enjoy performing to an audience.
Getting a job
Being a singer means that they will be entering a very competitive area of work, not many people work full time as a singer, most have a job on the side, to help pay for equipment.
To be a singer they need to build up confidence by singing at every opportunity. They may be anything from pub gigs or school choirs.
There are limited jobs as a classical singer; most opportunities are within opera, or maybe as a professional chorus singer.
A classical singer can get experience in many ways, like festival competitions many successful careers are started this way. Singers, who sing ballads and pop music, may get advice from a talent agency. They have to be prepared to work at minimal wage, just to help them gain experience. All types of performers need to get singing lessons at a young age, some may not need to, but having them will improve the singer's innate talent.
Networking sites have become very important for singers that want to get themselves known. Record companies may look through these sites to find new artists.
Entry at universities for singers
There isn't any specific course they should take, but to have a qualification, like music, shows expertise and experience, but even if the singer had one it doesn't guarantee automatic work.
The courses and qualifications that are available can always be a starting point for singers, but to have experience, maybe in choirs or amateur groups, is important.
* GCSEs grades and A level grades in music
* BTECs in music, music technology, music performance, performing arts and music practice
* Scottish National Certificates in music performance and Higher National Certificates in Music, which cover most aspects of popular music
* A degree in popular music- the minimum entry requirements are usually five GCSEs/ S grades (a-c) and two A levels
* HNC/ HND courses or foundation degrees in a wide range of relevant subjects.
Entrance too many of these courses require an audition.
A classical singer needs to go through musical education and training, often to postgraduate level. Many classical singers have learnt how to play an instrument, most commonly the piano, but this isn't a requirement. They normally take graded examinations, often including music theory.
There are other full time and part time courses, these include:
* Private music courses in a specialised performing arts schools
* Popular music courses, these are offered by the adult education institutes and local community organisations
* A whole series of professional practice diplomas offered by the examination board Trinity Guildhall; these are mainly aimed at musicians wanting to work in the business of popular music.
There are two main types of higher education courses:
* Specialist vocational degree courses in a music college
* Music degree courses in a university or higher education institutes.
Training
As well as a formal qualification, classical singers need to get involved in performances and competitions. Singers can apply for a bursary, they can attend auditions, participate in schemes for artists or even joining in at amateur groups or by putting on a free concert.
It may take years even to create a reputation, and even after that it is hard to maintain a successful career.
Most singers go on to develop their voices and their reputation with practice, voice training, workshops or lessons. They get singing lessons and always try to keep their voice healthy. All singers should do this because if they don't, they will damage their voice, and will sound rough and out of tune.
Most singers don't have a formal qualification, it isn't a necessary, but it does help, it is mostly about luck, patience and hard work.
Carrying on in the singing career
To have a career as a singer they have to be prepared, because it is challenging and requires resilience, training and talent.
Singers can perform in a theatre, on a cruise ship, or they may support other acts. They may move form one area of the music industry to the other, for example, teaching, writing songs or producing their own music.
A career as a singer can be strenuous on their life, they need to travel around a lot, to all different places, they may find themselves living form a suitcase, but if it their ambition and they love what they do, they can be successful and enjoy it, as well as balancing it out, with a lot of hard work and patience, they can make it as a successful singer.
Soprano: this is the highest of the female voice types. A soprano singer can have a voice range form a middle C to a high A in choral music, or to a soprano C (two octaves above middle C) in opera music. Male singers whose voices have not yet changed are known as either a boy soprano or in church traditions as trebles, whilst adult male sopranos are known as countertenors. Historically women were not allowed to sing in the church so soprano role were given to boys.
Mezzo- soprano: a mezzo- soprano is normally a female singer who has a singing range from the A below middle C to the A two octaves above. While mezzo- sopranos have a heavier, darker tone then sopranos, the mezzo- soprano voice is in a higher range than a contralto.
Contralto: this is the lowest of the female voice types. It is rare to find a contralto singer. The roles that are normally sung by contralto singers are normally character parts, such as older women. Their range can be from the G below middle C up to the E a tenth above middle C.
Tenor: a tenor singer is a male singer with a high voice but not as high as the counter tenor. A tenor singer normally sings opera roles, such as a hero. Their range can be around the C3, one octave below middle C, up to A4, the one above middle C, in choral , or up to the tenor C (one octave above middle C), or even higher in opera music.
Counter tenor: a counter tenor is a high male voice, they generally sing with the female contralto or the mezzo soprano. They normally sing in alto, mezzo soprano range, they may use falsetto: this is a singing technique that produces sounds that are a pitch higher than the singer's normal range, or sometimes they use a natural head voice: this is a vocal technique used in singing to describe the resonance of singing.
Baritone: this is the most common type o male singing voice: it is between bass and tenor. Music written for a baritone singer is written from a range of the A below middle C to the F above middle C, in choral music, and from G above middle C, in operatic music, but it can be extended at both ends.
Bass baritone: this is a singing voice that has certain qualities from baritone and bass. The bass baritone voice can be distinguished by two things, firstly it must be capable of singing in a baritone tessitura and secondly it must be able to sing in the lower range of the bass.
Bass: this is a male singer who sings in the deepest vocal range of the human voice. According to grove music online, a bass has a range from F below low C to the E above middle C.
A lighting technician is responsible for both creatively and technically, for lighting the interior and outside scenes, or even for performances, they are also in charge of the lighting effects seen in the theatres, at music venues, in a film or on TV.
When they arrange the equipment and adjust the lighting they are then creating a variety of effects, this may be used to make a scene or mood, it all depends on the play or plot of the piece. The lighting effects and angles can range from basic stage lighting, spot lighting, strobe lighting, search lighting or special effects lighting.
Their main responsibilities are to set up and to operate the lighting, but under the instructions of the lighting director. Depending on the production and also on their experience, a lighting director may get involved in some or even all of the below:
* Talking to the lighting director and designer to agree the lighting design
* Getting all the lighting equipment
* Plotting the lighting
* Setting up the lighting stuff
* Coordinating the technical crew
* Making sure that everything is working
* Rigging the lighting
* Making sure that every wire and cable is safely concealed
* Programming the lighting consoles
* Talking with the floor manager, producer throughout the project
* Making sure that all the equipment is stored and transported safely
Hours and environment
The working hours vary according to the type of production they are involved in, but they normally work long hours, they can be unpredictable hours which could have an effect on their social life. When they work during the day, they are mostly spending their time installing and setting up the equipment for use during the rehearsals. The shows may finish late at night but the lighting technician tends to be the last one to leave, this is due to the fact that they have pack up.
If they are involved in a production that is touring, they have to travel, it can last for months, with long distances between every venue. Television and radio jobs can be just as demanding. A driving licence is normally required, and also a LGV licence may be required due to the fact that they may have to drive vans of various sizes for the equipment.
The working environment can vary between each job.
* A theatre may be hot, dark, cramped and dusty
* A TV studio may be warm and well lit
* A concert hall is normally also warm and well lit
* An open space, can involve all types of weathers
Salary and other benefits
The below figures are only a guide, actual rates vary depending on the employer and where they live. The below figures are taken from the jobs 4 you website
* A trainee lighting technician with no previous experience can start at around 8,000 pounds
* A new entrance with previous experience could start at around 12,000 up to 15,000 pounds
* This figure could get up too 24,000 pounds
Senior technicians, and those who are working with major productions can earn a lot more, they may get a considerable scope for overtime payment during the production work.
Skills and personal qualities
A lighting technician needs to:
* Have a talent for electrical work and electronics
* Have a creative flair
* To be able to show initiative
* To be able to work quickly and creatively as part of a team
* To be confident
* To have good communication skills
* Be practical and able to find solutions quick to problems
* Have patience and stamina
Interests
* It helps to be interested in the performing arts and to have an interest in electrical work.
Getting in
There can be jobs in theatres; television and video productions companies, there are more jobs in theatre companies for lighting technicians. Some companies will employ free lance lighting technicians but only on a contract basis.
It is a highly competitive job; the jobs may be advertised in local newspapers or in a special section of magazines such as Broadcast and The Stage.
Entry for young people
To be a lighting technician they have to be a fully qualified electrician, a few relevant qualifications are:
* A city and guilds qualification courses
* SVQs at level 2 and 3 in lighting
* A specialised course with the association of the British theatre technicians.
Relevant work experience is an advantage.
It is possible to become a lighting technician with a vocational qualification or a degree. There are specialised degree courses in:
Lighting design, lighting technology, sound, light and live event technology and theatre and performance technology,
A degree in stage management may also be useful.
Entry for adults
Experience is vital, they need to show that they can work to a mature standard; they will need to have an interest in theatre.
Training
When they are qualified as an electrician, most training is done on the job. There are some specialised courses, the BBC offer training.
Because the technology is always changing they have to be willing to go on extra training courses just to keep up to date.
A stage designer is in charge of the visual part of a production. It is their job to bring a script or a character to life by making the environment around them convincing, so the actors can work in them.
Their main tasks may include:
* The research, to make sure that the set is suitable for the period and style of the production
* To produce sketches and scale models to create a story board of the proposed set
* Use computer packages to help create a detailed floor plan
* Keeping the costs within budget
* Checking safety of all staging and props
* Choosing out door locations
Stage and set designers need to work close with the director, to talk through ideas and themes. Designers that are working within theatre are responsible to produce detailed designs, set designers that are working within TV and film have to report back to a production manager. Designers need to work close to other creative team members.
Hours and environment
Stage designers tend to work for theatre companies on a permanent or per production basis, this means that they will work for permanent or only on selected productions.
The actual working hours vary, sometimes the work can be for long periods of time, but if they need to get to a deadline the hours can be very long and it can have an effect on their social life.
If the designer is freelance, they may find that they will have a lot of busy times then followed by quite times. During a quiet time, the designer may go off and do additional roles such as model making or maybe teaching, doing this will help them pay bills.
This certain job can involve a lot of travelling and may have some long periods of time spent away from home.
Salary
The below figures are only a guide, actual pay rates vary, it all depends on the employer and on where they live.
The figures are all taken from the jobs 4 you web site.
Freelance designers can negotiate their wage, on the guidelines from unions such as Equity, Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematographic and Theatre Union (BECTU).
* An assistant that is employed by the theatre can earn around 15,600 pounds a year
* A head resident designer employed by the theatre can eran around 20,000 pounds a year
Skills and personal qualities
Stage or set designers should have:
* Imagination
* Creativity
* Drawing and design skills
* Good communication skills and networking skills
* They need to know the health and safety regulations
* Teamwork
* Energy and enthusiasm
* Patience
* Attention to detail
* Computer skills
Interests:
* The performing arts
* They should have an interest in cultures and historical periods
Getting in
The employers of the stage designer may work in national theatre companies, regional theatre companies and opera houses. Theatres tend to be in larger cities so that where the majority of the jobs will be, but there are theatres in smaller towns. There are jobs all over the UK, there are jobs in touring, and theatre education etc. the job is very competitive.
Set designer jobs can advertise on the 'The society of British theatre designers' website, they can also advertise in magazines such as 'The Stage', but they can also advertise in newspapers and some people may find jobs from word of mouth.
Entry for young people
Many may start out as an assistant, this may be voluntary work or low paid work, work experience like this is useful.
Most stage and set designers are graduates from university, full time courses in theatre design are available, this can be at degree level or at foundation degree level, other courses that are relevant are available, courses like technical theatre, or set design.
When people do a degree they can create a portfolio which is important in this work.
Entry requirements for a degree are normally 2 A levels or a BTEC national award in a relevant accent, also at least 5 GCSEs.
Training
Many designers train on the job. Like any performing arts jobs designers have to make sure that they network and build up their contacts, this will help them progress. Most designers are freelance so they have to pay out for their own training courses, they may go on courses to learn specific technical skills, for example courses in computing, but many go and do postgraduate courses in a specialised area.
There are a few formal training schemes, these will allow the designer to enter the job at a professional level.
Getting on
Assistant set and stage designers can move up to head designers, production designers or art directors.
Freelance designers are employed on job by job basis, so their isn't any certain career structure, their career development all depends on them going onto working on bigger productions.
I am now going to do a section on agents, because any one that wants to move onto a job in the performing arts needs an agent, to help them start their career.
An agent works behind the scenes, to help performers and other people who have a creative role in the industry. They promote their clients careers and also run their business affairs. It is their job to make sure that they secure the best work for the client.
'agent' is mainly used to describe someone who books performances or an artist.
Agents can represent:
* Actors
* Comedians
* Dancers
* Television and radio presenters
* Writers
* And artists such as circus acts, stunt artists or lookalike models, also known as niche artists.
Their clients can range from top hollywood stars, but these are normally handled by larger international agencies, to struggeling bands.
The job may include any of below:
* Nagotiating contracts and fees
* Finding and booking festivals and also venues
* Giving advice on career chioces
* Publicity and promotion
* Scouting for new talent
* Being involved in the creative process, for example helping a musician choose a producer
* Handling fan mail, telephone calls amd requests for personal appearances
* Media enquiries
* Dealing with work permits, travel arrangements and practical issues
* Finding local managers
* Keeping records of conversations and agreements.
Being an agent can be intense and stressful, but it can also be rewarding. There is always competition to get a certain clients and keeping them. It is also important for an agent to have a balance of experienced and up coming artists.
An agent needs to have contacts. This may be promoters, club managers, festival directors and TV executives and producers.
Hours and environment
Agents normally work normal office hours, Monday to Friday, but may sometimes work longer hours. They are required to attend their clients performances. The agents that are working with international clients may need to work late to deal with contacts from the USA., or anywhere else with different time zones. Agents are office based. They may need to travel to meetings and other events. If they are representing major clients then international travel may happen. Having a drivers licence is required.
Salary and other benefits
These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.
Agents salaries all depend on the work that they manage to secure for the clients, they normally keep between 10 and 25 percent of they fee.
* Salaries for a trainee agent in a large agency may start at around £12,000 a year.
* An experienced agent could earn around £30,000 a year.
* The most respected agents, representing top clients, can earn up to £250,000 or more.
Skills and personal qualities
An agent needs to have:
* communication and negotiation skills
* organisation and the ability to prioritise
* a head for figures
* charm and persuasiveness, to build contacts and relationships
* confidence
* persistence
* stamina
* an eye for detail
* good computing skills.
Examples of agencies.
The association was founded in 1927, and is the largest organisation of its kind, it promotes the interests and to protect the welfare of its member agents. It currently has a membership rat of 400 agencies, in which they cover nearly every field of light entertainment, from performing artists, pop and rock music artists, television, film, radio, recording, theatre, musicals, cabaret, clubs, and cruising artists.
Bodens agency
They provide Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teenagers and Adults for work in Theatre, Film, Television, Radio, Commercials, and Modelling.
They are Available as supporting artists or for featured, small and lead roles, Bodens Agency can be relied upon for professionalism, experience and high standards.
It was established in 1979.
The Direct Music Management supply quality entertainment.
They have over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry, and they are constantly on hand to give help and advice to their clients. They cater for all categories of entertainment.
3 Artists
3 is an independent booking agency started up in 1999, below is a few example of people that they managed to get:
Air Traffic , The Aliens , Arctic Monkeys , Athlete , Bill Callahan , Bloc Party , Brett Anderson ,Bryn Christopher ,Clockwork , Damien Rice, Ian Brown, Kate Nash, Kooks , The Magic Numbers.
On the next page I am going to talk about Equity and its involvement with the performing arts industry.
What is Equity?
Equity is a trade union that represents artists from across the entire business of the arts and entertainment. It was formed in 1930 by a group of west end performers. Even though they are a trade union they are not affected by politics, so they don't make any payments to a political party.
The main reason for Equity is to negotiate the minimum terms and conditions of employment to the world of entertainment. They look to the future; they negotiate the agreements to embrace the new emerging technologies which will affect the performers, so satellite, digital television and new media are all covered.
In June 2006, equity took on their first ever Equalities officer, this post is designed to pull together the unions efforts on helping the members who have been at a disadvantage because of their race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability. As a result equity is now putting equal opportunities high on their agenda.
A few Benefits of Membership
Pay and Conditions
Equity negotiates the minimum terms and conditions with the employers from across all the areas of the entertainment industry.
Help and Advice
They can help the performer throughout their career; they offer a range of services as well as advice. Their staffs have a detailed and a specialised knowledge, they are happy to help in areas like agents, contracts and terms and conditions.
Equity Card
This is the universally recognisable symbol of the performer's status, as a professional in the business.
Legal Advice
Their legal advice is free when they are about the professional engagements, this may include personal injury claims.
Medical Support
Any member can use the British Association of performing arts medicine help lines and clinics to help them access advice and information on performance related problems.
Royalties and Residuals
They distribute royalties, residuals and other payments to members of TV and film re-runs video sales and sound recordings.
Registers
Equity has a large amount of specialist registers which are made available to casting directors and employers.
Your Professional Name
They reserve your choice of a professional name when you join Equity, as long as it is not already in use by another member.
Discounts
Equity members are entitled to discounts on a range of services and goods including hotels, car breakdown recovery, ticket prices and others.
On the next page there is information on pay rates and fees, for a few examples of performers.
Rates for performers and stage managers
These rates were agreed in 2007-2008
Minimum salary from 2nd April 2007 was 350 pounds
Relocation costs
London companies- 97 pounds 70
Out of London companies- 77 pounds 20
Accommodation
Own paying- 30 pounds 30
Weekly touring allowances- 233 pounds
Meal allowances
Overnight: breakfast provided- 13 pounds 30
Overnight: breakfast no provided- 19 pounds 40
Commuting costs threshold- 18 pounds 60
Opera singers
From April 2007 for 12 months
335 pounds per week
Opera guest artists
From April 2007 for 12 months
Rehearsal salary- 285 pounds
Session fees- 64 pounds
Performance fee- 230 pounds
Cover fee- 80 pounds
Cut-off 2009- 960 pounds
Subsistence- 75 pounds
Ballet and dance
From April 2007 for 12 months
326 pounds per week
Opera and ballet stage management
From April 2007 for 12 months
Grade per week
C&CSM 383 pounds
SM 347 pounds
DSM 318 pounds
ASM 300 pounds
Other allowances
From April 2007 for 12 months
Subsistence- 75 pounds
Costume- 14 pounds
Dress allowance- 9 pounds 50
West end performers- rates from 8th January 2007
Weekly minimum (8 shows) - 366 pounds 82
Weekly minimum (12 shows) - 429 pounds 86
The minimum rehearsal fee will not be less than 476 pounds 87 if your performance salary is higher than 476 pounds, in practice most singers engaged in musicals will be engaged at this pay or higher.
Booth singers- minimum 45 pounds 85 per 3 hour session
Commercial theatre- rates from 2nd April 2007
Weekly minimum
Performance- 338 pounds
Rehearsal- 314 pounds
Small scale theatre- rates from 2nd April 2007
Minimum weekly salary
Performance- 350 pounds
Rehearsal 350 pounds
BBC television- August 2007
Pop singer/ groups
Minimum fee cover two days
One artist- 571 pounds
Two artists- 698 pounds
Three artists- 817 pounds
Up to four artists- 946 pounds
Chorus singers
Five hour session- 204 pounds
Additional rehearsal on the day- 74 pounds for 3 hours
Rehearsals on other days- 83 pounds for 3 hours
Below is a breakdown of what percent of university students leave and then enter the world of performance.
A company called prospects asked 5000 students what they went on to be:
Arts, design, culture, media and sports professionals
* Actors- 5.1%
* Arts officers, producers and directors- 2.6%
* Dancers and choreographers- 1.1%
* Design associate professionals- 1.3%
* Media associate professionals- 1.2%
* Musical instrument players- 3.0%
* Musicians- 1.2%
* Other arts, media and sports professionals- 1.6%
* Performing artists- 1.1%
* Sound, photography, video and associated designers, operators and technicians- 2.1%
Samantha Thomas 13tu2