FdA Technical Production

2 Years Full-Time

Still looking for a place to study this September 2024?

There are a few spaces left on our FdA Technical Production course.

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.

Mountview also offers a one-year BA (Hons) Top-Up in Technical Production, in which students with previous experience can select a specialism and develop a greater depth of understanding.

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 Technical Production Foundation Degree is a full-time two-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.

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
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.

Photo by Cesare De Giglio

Photo by Robin Savage

Photo by Cesare De Giglio

Photo by Robin Savage

Photo by Katherine Leedale

Photo by Robin Savage

APPLY FOR THIS COURSE

2023/24 Term Dates
Autumn term 11 September – 15 December 2023
Spring term 2 January – 28 March 2024
Summer term 15 April – 12 July 2024

2024/25 Term Dates
Autumn term 9 September – 20 December 2024
Spring term 6 January – 4 April 2025
Summer term 22 April – 18 July 2025

*Please note – All Production Arts students will not have a two week break over Easter. All students will have a two week break but they are scheduled around show roles. All students must speak with their course leader before booking any holidays/travel.

Foundation Skills

Introduction to key practical & research skills

Intro to Production Roles

Assistant level role/s on public productions

2023/24 Term Dates
Autumn term 11 September – 15 December 2023
Spring term 2 January – 28 March 2024
Summer term 15 April – 20 July 2024

*Please note – All Production Arts students will not have a two week break over Easter. All students will have a two week break but they are scheduled around show roles. All students must speak with their course leader before booking any holidays/travel.

Applied Technical Production Skills

Masterclasses & advanced technical lessons further developing key lighting production skills

Production Roles

Higher level role/s on public productions

Industry Research

Career development training

Discover Uni - key statistics about this course

USEFUL INFO

Application Fee	Free
2024/25 UK/Republic of Ireland Course Fee	£10,025 p/a
2024/25 International Students Course Fee	£18,575 p/a

Additional costs may include a basic tool kit and transport.

There are a number of student scholarships available.

Applicants must be aged 18 years or over at the start of the course. Entry is based on an interview at which you will be invited to talk about previous experience, interests and inspiration. There are no formal academic entry requirements, however one of the following is desirable:

Five GCSE passes and two A-Levels or
Four SCE Higher Grade passes
BTEC National or Higher National Certificate or Diploma
Foundation course
Access to Higher Education Diploma

If an applicant requires a student visa and their first language is not English, they will need to prove their knowledge of the English language before applying for their student visa. This must be demonstrated by passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider or, having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that they began when they were under 18

Mountview welcomes applications from people with disabilities and is keen to support all applicants to achieve their best. If applicants have any special requirements or access needs, these should be discussed with the course leader/administrator.

Mountview is committed to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities for students in which individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities. No applicant will receive less or more favourable treatment on grounds of sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnic origin, disability, religion and marital/parental status or any comparable grounds.

Upon offer, students must be sure that they are prepared to engage with a wide range of material that may challenge their personal ethical, religious, spiritual or moral beliefs, and present it in a wide range of settings.

All Production Arts candidates will take part in a first-round interview with senior course tutors, at which you will discuss your interests, influences and production arts experience. You will be required to submit examples of work. This will be either online or, if possible, at Mountview with the opportunity to meet staff and students and tour our building and theatres.

Please note that later applicants may not be received in time to be considered for scholarships and local accommodation spaces as these are allocated from June. For this reason, early application is recommended.