1 Year Full-Time
Mountview produces over 20 in-house productions each year in our state-of-the-art theatres, giving Technical Production students a vast array of learning experiences.
Mountview’s Technical Production training is primarily focussed on sound and lighting, while also incorporating video and technical stage craft. Course content includes lighting and sound studio skills, the preparation and management of technical equipment, lighting and sound system design, how to programme and operate desks, video mapping and design, as well as core technical and maintenance skills.
Mountview is internationally recognised for the quality of its Musical Theatre training and produces at least 8 large-scale musicals in-house every year, providing Technical Production students with extensive experience of the musical format.
As part of the BA (Hons) Top-Up, students have the option to select a specialism in which to develop a greater depth of experience.
Mountview also offers a two-year Foundation degree (FdA) in Technical Production which provides fast-track training – find out more here.
The BA (Hons) Top-Up is open to Mountview students currently studying on the FdA course, as well as non-Mountview graduates with relevant qualifications or experience.
Read about freelancing as a Production Arts student here.
Graduate Destinations
Mountview Technical Production graduates enter a strong network of successful professionals working in lighting, sound and technical production. Their work spans large-scale national, West End and regional theatres, international touring productions, festivals and events, as well as TV, film and media companies.
Production Arts graduates have gone on to work with a diverse range of companies including the National Theatre, Secret Cinema, Hamilton, Mamma Mia, Eurovision, Les Miserables and the Olympics.
Course Leaders and Guest Practitioners
Our resident team of tutors for this course are supported by industry professionals who work alongside the students on productions. Previous guest tutors have included professionals from:
- Punchdrunk
- Hamilton
- The Globe
- The National Theatre
Course Content and Delivery
The BA (Hons) Top-Up course is a full-time one-year course with 30 contact hours per week over 36 weeks in each year. With continuous assessment across all the compulsory modules, students work alongside professional lighting and sound designers, technicians and programmers.
Students have the option to select a specialism in which to develop a greater depth of experience. All specialisms are built on a robust foundation of transferable skills and strong emphasis is placed on learning through practice.
Training includes:
- Hands-on training with contemporary equipment
- Technical stagecraft skills including rigging and flying and installation of live productions
- Sound studio skills including recording and editing technology and techniques
- Lighting studio skills including computerised drafting and visualisation software
- Understanding and designing lighting and sound systems
- Prepping, fitting, and monitoring radio mic systems
- Planning, prepping and managing lighting equipment for live productions
- Programming and mixing industry standard sound desks on plays and musicals
- Programming and operating lighting desks, including working with generic and moving lighting equipment
- Creating sound, lighting and video designs for live productions
- Technical and maintenance skills such as power distribution, soldering and other skills needed by the modern production professional
Please note that work on in-house productions requires attendance in the evenings and/or weekends.
Students also undertake work placements with external organisations, allowing them to develop a network of professional contacts and gain valuable experience. Previous placement destinations have included Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Globe, Wiltons Music Hall, National Theatre, Cabaret, Park Theatre and the Barbican.
Showcase
Students are given integral roles on both Mountview productions and professional placements. This provides excellent opportunities to showcase skills, gain important industry contacts and develop personal networks, all of which are key to your career progression.
