Production Arts

Entertainment is one of the largest industries in the UK with a wide range of careers spanning

Film & TV – Theatre – Gigs, Concerts & Festivals – Live & Corporate Events

This varied industry includes a wide range of specialities including sound work, lighting design and programming, AV design, stage management, set design and prop making.

Production Arts is the ideal course if you are looking for an exciting creative and technical career working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. You will be taught by industry professionals and will benefit from our outstanding facilities, gaining hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art hub theatre as well as external venues. The course is designed for students of all ages and abilities – we just ask you have a passion for the industry.

This two-year course has a 100% pass rate, is equivalent to three A Levels and successful completion will provide you with the same UCAS points to enter university.

UCAS Tariff – Earn up to 168 UCAS points for university entry

On this course you will follow a full-time Study Programme made up of the following four compulsory elements to best prepare you for progression to employment, apprenticeships, further study or applying to university/drama school:

• The main subject qualification
• Work experience for a minimum of 37 hours or, on some courses, up to 50 days over an academic year. You will be expected to find placements by researching companies, contacting employers and speaking with college staff. 
• English and maths where students have not yet achieved GCSE grade 4 or above in these subjects
• Additional enhancing activities such as tutorials and work-related learning, including careers fairs, site visits and guest speakers, to help further develop the personal skills relevant to your progression goals

The Production Arts qualification

Over the two-year course two thirds of your time is spent on hands-on projects which include working on studio installations, at events and in the theatre. You will be creatively involved in working on the production of a variety of performances including the annual pantomime, a contemporary arts showcase and final major production with the Performing Arts students. You will also have the opportunity to participate as a venue technician for the college’s in-house professional venue, including working on our Oscar-style annual awards ceremony.

Year 1 (Diploma)

Your first year will be spent exploring the different roles within the industry. You will learn the skills to operate a variety of equipment including light, rigging, AV and sound. You will also learn about set design and the basics of event management including how to successfully produce a show.

• Lighting skills – rigging and operation
• Sound skills – operation and design
• Stage management
• Set construction and scenic painting
• Prop making
• Studio project
• Lighting and sound show
• Roles within a production team
• Health and safety within events industry
• Legal aspects of public performance

If you successfully complete the first year of study you will gain a Level 3 Diploma qualification. In order to progress to the second year you will need to pass the first year of study.

Year 2 (Extended Diploma)

In your second year you will choose the area you want to specialise in. You will focus your creative ideas and skills learnt in year 1 to work towards more senior roles and responsibilities within production arts. 

• Producing a range of professional shows
• Large scale lighting and sound for concerts
• Specialist assignment
• Production of final major performance
• Final major production

Trips, visits and activities

As part of the course you will also take part in industry trips and activities including networking events, studio visits and guest lectures. Previous events have included:

• Two-day training at ChamSys HQ on their industry standard MagicQ software for light programming
• Tours of facilities and careers talks including Mayflower and MAST theatre, cruise ships, trade shows, production companies and studio tours
• Progression coaching including visits to drama schools and universities
• Industry networking opportunities through work experience and a dedicated industry week
• Guest lectures from a wide range of industry professionals

• Professional full-size medium scale theatre with the latest equipment
• Fully equipped sound and lighting studio
• Recording studio for voice overs productions
• State-of-the-art TV studio for AV production
• Set and prop construction workshop

You will benefit from a dedicated project space that is equipped with a wide range of industry standard facilities. With these facilities and equipment, you will be able to explore all the creative and technical elements of the course.

Explore our virtual tour (new window)  

Explore our hub theatre facilities page

100% coursework / practical

5 GCSEs grade 4 or above (including English and maths)
OR
Relevant Level 2 qualification (with GCSE English and maths grade 4 or above)

Mature students considered depending on experience.

You will need to attend a College interview. Find out more about How to Apply

May not meet the entry requirements?
Check out our Level 2 Production Arts course.

Job Roles

There are many roles available within the Production Arts industry. Often these roles are available in a range of venues and locations or as freelance roles.

Lighting

Lighting Designer (LD): Responsible for liaising with the director and with the set and costume designers to decide on the position, type, focus, direction and colour of every light in the rig. They then draw plans to communicate this to other members of their team.

Assistant Lighting Designer: Work alongside the lighting designer, helping with organisation, logistics, paperwork and planning.

Production Electrician: Responsible for all non-design aspects of the lighting for a production. They may also be involved in any electrical elements of a production which can include special effects and sound systems.

Board Operator (aka LX Operator): Responsible for operating the lighting board in response to cues given by the deputy stage manager.

Followspot Operator: Operates a followspot (a moveable profile spotlight used to highlight performers in various types of performance).

Moving Light Programmer: Programmes moveable lights.

Moving Light Maintenance Crew: In charge of maintaining moving lights.

Rigger: Responsible for inspecting and preparing loads that need to be moved. Set up, align and levelling heavy equipment machinery. Select the appropriate rigging gear. Prepare rigging equipment including beams, pulleys, clamps, and bolts. Inspect rigging before final use.

Chief Electrician: Responsible for performing duties in the maintenance and repair of electrical systems, equipment and fixtures.

Sound

Sound Designer: Responsible for creating audio content.

Sound Operator / Engineer: Responsible for making the event sound quality to be at its highest for all members of the audience. 

No. 2 Sound (Production Audio Technician): Someone responsible for the maintenance and operation of sound equipment.

Stage Management

Production Manager: Responsible for making sure the technical elements of a production are completed safely, on time and on budget.

Stage Manager: Head of the stage management team which includes the Deputy and Assistant Stage Managers. They organise all the different teams involved in the running of a production from rehearsals right through to performances and then post-show to ensure everything runs smoothly.

If you will be aged 19 before the start of the second year of this course, you will be liable to pay a fee for that year. Please contact us for more information.

Uniform

You will be required to wear a uniform for this course.

• Black trousers – provided by you
• Branded t-shirt – purchased through the college for £15 (free if you’re eligible for financial support).

Details will be discussed at interview.