Mountview’s vocational, hands-on courses in sound have seen graduates go on to be production sound engineers and sound designers in the West End, across the UK and internationally.
What sets Mountview apart from other drama schools is that you get vast experience working on musicals, mixing sound for West End-size casts.
We offer three training levels: a two-year Foundation Degree (FdA) which provides a fast-track training and a three-year BA (Hons) with greater experience and the possibility of design roles. For students with previous experience who are looking to formalise their skills and develop industry contacts we also offers a one-year Diploma specialising in sound.
Our practical training runs over 30 hours per week, 36 weeks per year. You’ll begin with workshops covering core skills in all areas of production arts before moving quickly on to practical show roles.
Strong emphasis is placed on learning through practice. There is continuous assessment of coursework and practical show roles throughout. All modules are compulsory.
Students gain first-hand experience of working alongside industry professionals including sound designers, engineers, radio mic fitters and programmers.
SOUND TRAINING COVERS:
Hands-on training with contemporary sound equipment
Studio skills including recording and editing technology and techniques
Understanding and designing sound systems
Rigging and balancing sound systems
Prepping, fitting and monitoring radio mic systems
Programming and mixing industry standard sound desks on plays and musicals
Networking, soldering and other skills needed by the modern production professional
Sound design for plays and musicals (BA only)
Mountview has been training lighting designers and technicians for over 40 years.
Our vocational, hands-on course has seen graduates go on to be Chief Electrician at the Royal Shakespeare Company, freelance production electricians, and notable lighting designers.
We offer three training levels: a two-year Foundation Degree (FdA) which provides fast-track training and a three-year BA (Hons) bringing greater experience and the possibility of design roles. For students with previous experience who are looking to formalise their skills and develop industry contacts we also offer a one-year Diploma in Theatre Production Arts specialising in lighting.
Our practical training runs over 30 hours per week, 36 weeks per year. It begins with workshops covering core skills in all areas of Production Arts in small cohorts with training from experienced industry professionals. You then move quickly on to practical show roles in lighting.
Mountview produces around 26 plays and musicals each year giving you a vast array of learning experiences.
Strong emphasis is placed on learning through practice. There is continuous assessment across all the compulsory modules. Assessment is based on coursework covering the skills elements of the course and marking of practical show roles. Students gain first-hand experience of working alongside professional lighting designers, technicians and programmers.
There is an ever-increasing demand for performers who combine first-rate acting ability with a high level of musicianship.
Mountview’s Actor Musician course develops these dual skills to the highest level, creating graduates who combine skills in acting and music in their professional lives.
Whilst a high level of prior musical experience is a pre-requisite, it is not necessary to have achieved formal music qualifications.
There are limited places available each year and students are taught in small groups. Teaching mirrors Mountview’s actor training but with specialised music elements and you’ll receive over 30 hours of direct teaching time each week including one-to-one singing and instrumental lessons.
The course develops technical skills through workshops and performance opportunities. During the course you’ll engage in a range of actor musician projects, working on Shakespeare, contemporary plays, and musicals as well as devising original work. Students engage with a range of classic and contemporary texts for example If You Don’t Let Us Dram, We Won’t Let You Sleep by Anders Lustgarten, Colder Than Here by Laura Wade, His Dark Materials adaptation by Nicholas Wright, Flora the Red Menace by George Abbott, Kander and Ebb, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris by Mort Shuman and Eric Blau.
Study takes place over three 12-week terms a year.
The first half of each term is devoted to skills classes whilst in the second half of each term you will work on performance projects which are presented in-house to fellow students and staff.
In the second year you apply your skills in collaboration classes which include peer integration and team teaching to enhance your creativity and help you to make connections between subjects. Additionally, there is time given to tailored ‘surgeries’ to focus on detail and help you to develop your independence and confidence in your practice.
You’ll also work closely with Mountview’s Industry Liaison Manager to understand and prepare for life as a working actor.
The focus of the third year is film, recorded voice, public performances and reflecting on acting practice. You’ll work with professional directors to present a range of productions and an industry showcase and create a voice and film showreel. Audiences include agents, casting directors and other industry figures as well as the general public.
Reasons to study Scenic Arts (Construction, Props and Painting)
• Gain construction skills in wood and metal; using hand tools and machinery. Learn scenic painting techniques and explore prop making in a range of materials.
• Gain advanced skills with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and 3D modelling using resins and silicon
• Learn in our spacious workshop which includes CAD facilities, paint frame and specialist fibreglass and plaster room.
• Hone your craft, through manufacturing scenic elements to a brief for staged productions in College and London venues, collaborating with other programmes as part of a creative team.
• Develop your own areas of specialism through individual project work, productions and work placement preparing you for a career in the theatre and performance industries.
• Share classes and projects with students from other programmes to learn about the performance, arts and events industries and how to use experimentation, enquiry and creative research in your work, and prepare to build a successful career.
Career opportunities
Our graduates have gone on to work as freelance scenic painters, prop makers, carpenters and engineers, and to work for scenery construction companies for theatre, film, television, entertainment, museums and themed attractions.
You may also be interested in:
Design for Theatre and Performance, BA (Hons)
“It is challenging but when you finish the show you can say “Yes, I built that!” It’s an enormously satisfying feeling.” Gareth Shippen Scenic Arts, 2017 Graduate
Location: Sidcup
Reasons to study Audio Production:
• A comprehensive programme covering audio and music production, and sound design for live music, theatre, film,TV, radio, games and VR/AR.
• Develop technical skills and creative awareness, and explore your interests through taught classes and a wide range of creative projects.
• Specialise in audio engineering, recorded and live music production or sound design for theatre, film, TV, video games and VR/AR.
• In your final year, study for a technical BSc or a creative BA qualification.
• Benefit from our extensive network of industry experts who will work with you on projects as you learn specialist skills.
• Build your knowledge through industry placements.
• Deliver your own personal or collaborative projects inside and outside the College.
• Share sessions with students from other programmes, to learn about the creative, media and performance industries.
• Develop your professional practice and identity in order to build a successful career.
Career opportunities:
Graduates will enter the industry equipped to work as music and audio producers, live and studio mixing engineers, sound designers, sound artists and studio and production managers.
Location: Sidcup
Reasons to study Creative Lighting Control
• Learn lighting and video programming and design, show control and interactive technologies, networked systems and stage electrics, projection systems and digital visual content deployment, 3D visualisation, computer-aided design and technical management.
• Benefit from our extensive network of industry experts who will work with you on projects as you learn specialist skills.
• Build your professional knowledge through industry placements.
• Gain an insight into techniques used across live music, theatre, television, film, live and corporate events and architectural installations.
• Deliver your own live projects inside and outside the College.
• Study a unique course with an outstanding track record of graduate success in the live events industries.
• Share classes and projects with students from other programmes to learn about the events industries, arts and performance, and how to use experimentation, enquiry and creative research in your work, and prepare to build a successful career.
Career opportunities
Our graduates go into the industry equipped to deliver creative solutions to technical problems. They go on to be lighting and video programmers, designers, creative technologists and technical managers, working in theatre, live music, live events, film, television, corporate and architecture settings.
You may also be interested in:
Lighting Design, BA (Hons)
Lighting Design For Architecture, BA (Hons)
“Having that degree behind me opens so many doors that I wouldn’t have had before.” Sam Lisher, Creative Lighting Control, 2017 Graduate
Location: Sidcup
Costume Production BA (Hons)
Reasons to study Costume Production
• The Costume Production programme will provide you with the understanding and skills needed to pursue a successful career in the production and management of historical and contemporary costumes and accessories either based in-house or as a freelancer.
• Learn about period and contemporary costume construction, pattern-cutting, running wardrobe and dressing, specialist skills in corsetry, dancewear, fabric breaking down, millinery and wig dressing.
• Work on live performances within the College, in London and beyond. As a vital member of the collaborative team, you will work with designers, directors and performers.
• Work on a module for Film and TV to understand the costume department’s role within this ever growing industry.
• Develop the skills to supervise and manage wardrobe departments in large and small theatres including budgets and time management.
• Share classes and projects with students from other programmes to learn about the performance, arts and events industries and how to use experimentation, enquiry and creative research in your work, and prepare to build a successful career.
Career opportunities
Our graduates have gone on to work as costume makers and supervisors in wardrobe departments, for theatre, opera companies, circus, film and cruise liners companies.
You may also be interested in:
Design for Theatre and Performance, BA (Hons)
“I’d recommend Costume Production as it’s a really unique course. It’s very realistic as to how the actual industry works.” Rachel Woolcott, Buyer & General Assistant, Royal Opera House
Location: Sidcup
