Student profile: Jenny Rands

Third year CATF student Jenny Rands gives an account of her work experience..

What on earth are you doing in that photo??


The photograph was taken at Robert Allsopps' Workshop (this picture sums up what work experience is all about....you are ask to do the most weird and wonderful things!) The photo shows myself trying on a Crocodile costume which had come back to the workshop for alterations....they needed someone to put it on to see the problem...I was apparently the right size for it....


Where are you/have you been working? 

I'm currently working at the Royal Opera House (in Covent Garden) as a Front of House usher. Since January 2011 I have worked at the Royal National Theatre (within the Paint Frame), within the Props Departments at the Royal Opera House, Glyndebourne and with the English National Opera, smaller companies I've worked for have been Robert Allsopps and Associates (Costume Props Company), Russell Beck Studio (Props / Scenic company for Theatre / Exhibitions etc), Factory Settings (Set Construction Company) and at the Bob and Tamar Manoukian Production Workshop (The Royal Opera House's new production workshop based in Purfleet, Essex).


How long were you there?


Take the English National Opera for example... My first encounter with them was on the 31st January 2011. I completed 4 weeks work experience with them. I then went onto work for various other companies (Robert Allsopps, The National Theatre and the ROH) I decided to ask to go back in May....so I was surrounded by the world of ENO props for another month. After this I was told to sort out my tax reference number as they were going to employ me! Unfortunately summer was very quiet but I went back in October to work on the production of Eugene Onegin.

What productions did you work on?

[In addition to all the other placements], throughout my time with the English National Opera I have worked on producing and maintaining props for their Opera productions - Lucrezia Borgia, Parsifal, The Mikado, Return of Ulysses, The Damnation of Faust, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Simon Boccanegra, Two Boys (all within the 2010/2011 season) and Eugene Onegin (an opera within the 2011/2012 season).

What kind of things did you do?

There were a variety of projects ("no two days were the same"). Techniques within the projects to produce a numerous amount of props would be welding, upholstering, different painting techniques, moulding, casting, vacuum forming...seriously the list goes on.....

What did you get out of it?

Invaluable experience, new skills and techniques used in the industry that would not necessarily be introduced within the University environment and contacts :)

What you think of the work placement aspect of doing the course?

It is the best aspect since sliced bread. There's nothing more important then getting a taste of the 'real world'. You could be an amazing sculptor, welder, painter or glue sticker but if you stay in the safe surroundings of University nobody will know how amazing you are. The saying it's not what you know, it's who you know...is an alarming but very true saying within the Creative industry today. So my advice would be to get out there as much as you can until the tax man comes knocking!!

And it sounds like the tax man will soon be knocking.  Being offered work by the English National Opera on the basis of Jenny's performance on work placement bodes very well for UCA's Creative Arts for Theatre and Film graduates!

Student Profiles: Miriam Abou-Shehada

Third year student Miriam Abou-Shehada answers some questions about her work experience at PropShop Modelmakers in Pinewood Studios, Bucks.

Here is Miriam (second from the left) with fellow workers, and some of her work:

How long were you there?  1 month and 3 months in the Summer

What did you work on?

‘Wrath of the Titans’ 2012

‘47 Ronin’ 2012

‘Dark Shadows’ 2012

‘The Dark Knight Rises’ 2012

‘Jack the Giant Killer’ 2012

‘Snow White and the Huntsman’

‘World War Z’ 2014

‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’ 2011

‘Bond 23 - Skyfall’ 2012

McCains Chips advert – ‘Chip Perfection’ 2011 (see below)

What did you do on that project?  LOTS of Resin, foam Casting, Silicon moulding, scenic painting, spray painting, polystyrene sculpting, sanding, filling, gluing, polishing, basic workshop maintaining and making lots of Tea!

What did you get out of it?  The possibility of a Job once I have graduated. Experience in the industry; quick methods, making things I had never made before, using tools I had never used before. An insight into how things are actually made in films and being there to experience first hand. Going on sets of a film especially is exciting, especially when you see that scene in the cinema after it’s finished. Learning about being freelance, how to be on production of a film, how much props cost to make, the skills needed in order to be successful in this industry.

What do you think of the work placement aspect of doing the course?

AMAZING.

Well done Miriam.  With the possibility of a job for the taking when you complete this year, it sounds like it has been more than worth the effort!

Student Profile: Lara Hatley on work experience

Third year Creative Arts for Theatre and Film student Lara Hatley has had a busy time on work experience recently. 

Where?  Factory Settings Ltd. - a scenic fabrication company.


How long?  I did my full 12 weeks there then continued with them throughout summer, overall I spent 6 months working there.

What did you work on?  Numerous projects for theatres, to exhibitions at the V&A as well as travelling exhibitions and plays. 

What did you do?  On each project I undertook a variety of tasks. Whilst there I learnt carpentry and how to make a variety of flats, furniture etc. I also did a lot of painting and scenic painting of the sets and props. I also learnt metal work, leaning how to weld metal together, grind and clean metals and how to contruct metal frames. I also made a stained glass window as well as numerous different props. 

What did you get out of it?  The techniques and methods I picked up from the workers at factory settings were invaluable. Working there enabled me to read technical drawings and apply what i had read into a prop or set. I had never even thought about doing metal work and absolutly loved it and want to do more metal work in the future. I also got to visit theatres to set up the props and sets as well as getting to go "behind the scenes" at the V&A which was a really good experience.  Probably the most valuable thing I got from the work experience was the pace things were made. I could make things so quickly by using the correct techniques, and I saw sets being built in a day whereas in the uni environment you get a much longer deadline.

I personally think that the work experience aspect of the course is the most important part of the 3 years. Not only does it make you more independent as a person having to find the work etc., but it is an experience that readies you for what is to come once the course is over. 

                                                              
 Lara has also  been working on the set of the new film Magwitch, from Viola Films.  

The film is conceived as a prequel to Charle Dickens' 'Great Expectations'.  Here are some photos of work in progress.

The film will receive its world premiere on 11th February 2012 in Rochester Cathedral.  Follow Viola Films on Twitter here.