Film – Widening Access to the Creative Industries

Come and Try Festival 2023

Posted on 17th March 202316th March 2023 by Yvonne McLellan

Come & Try Festival 2023

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 4 April – 12 April

A group of young people posing in their disciplines

Widening Access to the Creative Industries (WACI) is delighted to announce that applications for our Come and Try Festival are now open!

Whether you’ve got loads of experience already or you want to try something for the first time, the Come and Try Festival is for you! It’s a great way to get your creativity flowing, work with experienced artists and meet other people with the same interests as you.

Throughout the Easter holidays the festival takes place at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland – and best of all, it’s all free to attend!

Festival Programme:

Setting the Scene:
An Introduction to Production Arts and Design
Tuesday 4 April, 10am-5pm

Explore Your Artform
Wednesday 5 April, 10am-4pm

Woodwind Performance Techniques
Thursday 6 April, 10am-4pm

Let’s Get Technical
Friday 7 April, 10am-4pm

Let’s Get Acting
Tuesday 11 April, 10am-4pm

Storytelling Through Sound and Screen
Wednesday 12 April, 10am-4pm

Who is it for?

The festival is open to all secondary school-age pupils. Priority places will be given to pupils who:

attend a FOCUS West School
live in an SiMD1 postcode
Care Experienced or Estranged
Black, Indigenous, or a Person Of Colour
Seeking Asylum or Refugee

The festival is also open to: Transitions students, Aspire North Students, Leaps Students, Lift Off Students

Contact Us

If you require any information or have any questions about any of our activities and events, contact the team at: waci@rcs.ac.uk

Filmmaking Open Morning for Schools

Posted on 7th February 202328th February 2023 by Yvonne McLellan

Filmmaking Open Morning for Schools

Thursday 23 February, 9:30-12:30pm at RCS

A group of people trying out filming in a classroom — 📸 Brian Hartley

Fair Access and WACI are thrilled to announce a Filmmaking Open Morning for Schools. You can sign up, and add up to five of your pupils, for a morning focused on finding out more about studying filmmaking. It will be a great opportunity to:

find out about our BA Filmmaking programme from the people who teach it
try your hand at screenwriting
hear what it’s like to study filmmaking from current students
see inside RCS, and get a feel for what it could be like to study here
get up close with filmmaking equipment
meet the Fair Access team and learn what support we can offer you and your pupils

Event Details

When: Thursday 23 February
Time: 9:30am – 12:30pm
Where: The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Renfrew Street Building

Please note:

The Filmmaking Open Morning is for all young people with an interest in studying filmmaking. However, Fair Access will prioritise places for those who fall into our eligibility criteria of:

living in a SIMD1 postcode and/or
care experienced
estranged from parents or carers
are a young carer
are a refugee or seeking asylum
are Black, Indigenous, or Person of Colour
attend a Focus West School

Get in Touch

If you have any questions or queries about this event, please get in touch with the team at: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

Stories and Spaces, Mull

Posted on 2nd February 20232nd February 2023 by Yvonne McLellan

Stories and Spaces, Mull

Fair Access x SYT x Mull Youth Theatre

Last weekend Fair Access at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland worked with 20 young people from Mull Youth Theatre and Scottish Youth Theatre on a collaborative performance project.

We used storytelling, photography, lighting & sound design and contemporary performance to create a beautiful installation together at An Tobar. 50 people visited our installation on the first day. An Tobar were so impressed with our collaborative work they invited us to leave it up in the space for others to see.

We feel so lucky to have worked with young people on Mull. The spirit of the place was very present – we were made so welcome, the young people were mightily generous and we went on amazing creative adventures in such a short space of time.

In the words of the participants:

“It has been nice learning new things and meeting people that love doing their job. I have enjoyed this because we don’t get this opportunity a lot”.

“I enjoyed meeting new and experienced people. I enjoyed learning new skills, especially on the tech side of things”.

Thank you to Mull Youth Theatre for being brilliant hosts – we sincerely hope to visit and make something exciting together again soon.

You can view more photos from the weekend on our Flickr.

Fair Access at the Scottish Parliament

Posted on 2nd February 20239th February 2023 by Yvonne McLellan

Universities Scotland Event at the Scottish Parliament

Featuring RCS, Fair Access and GMAC Partnership

The RCS Filmmaking and Fair Access teams represented RCS at Universities Scotland’s Scottish Parliament reception on Tuesday 31 January, where Higher Education institutions showcased their inspiring contributions to the economic transformation of Scotland.

RCS and Fair Access highlighted our partnership with GMAC Film and the way we work together to support people into the film and television industry.

The photograph includes Dayton Mungai, BA Actors student and Fair Access Ambassador, BA Filmmaking graduate Colleen Bell and Kieran Howe, who graduated from the former BA Digital Film and Television programme. They’re joined by members of RCS’s Fair Access team and BA Filmmaking programme, along with Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, RCS Principal, and Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.

You can read more on the Universities Scotland website.

Mentoring Week

Posted on 20th September 2022 by Yvonne McLellan

Mentoring Week

3 – 7 October, 5pm

Two young people listening

Are you interested in studying Drama, Musical Theatre, Music, Production or Filmmaking? Not sure where to start or where to study? Unclear about what career opportunities are out there in that art form?

Come along to one of our group mentoring sessions in the art form that interests you. Here you’ll speak with a professional working in the industry, learn about where they studied and have the opportunity to ask about their journey.

Sessions are all online and take place over the 1st week in October from 5pm:

Monday 3rd: Drama

Tuesday 4th: Music

Wednesday 5th: Musical Theatre

Thursday 6th: Production

Friday 7th: Filmmaking

These are a great opportunity for any pupil in S4 or above looking for support and advice in art forms and for those applying to a college, university or conservatoire.

Register Your Interest

You can register your interest for these sessions by clicking the button below to take you to an online form:

Get in touch

If you require any further information get in touch at: waci@rcs.ac.uk

Focus on Applications: DDPF

Posted on 15th September 202215th September 2022 by Yvonne McLellan

FOCUS ON APPLICATIONS: DDPF

Tuesday 27 and Thursday 29 September, 6-8pm

Young woman sitting with some sound equipment

Who it is for: S5 & S6 Pupils interested in studying a course in further or higher education for dance, drama, production and film.
When: Tuesday 27 and Thursday 29 September, 6-8pm
Where: Online (Zoom)

Come along and find out how we can help you figure out which course might be the right course for you! We’ll also help you with your application and get you started on your personal statement.

These sessions focus on applying via UCAS and UCAS Conservatoires, as well as applying for a creative course at any college and/or university.

Get In Touch

If you require any further information or have any questions, email: waci@rcs.ac.uk

Apply Now To Become A Fair Access Ambassador!

Posted on 18th May 202218th May 2022 by Yvonne McLellan

FAIR ACCESS AMBASSADOR PROGRAMME

September 2022 through to Summer 2023

⭐️ Applications are now open for our Fair Access Ambassador programme ⭐️

Young people sitting chatting in student area

What is Fair Access?

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is an inclusive and diverse environment. We want to encourage as many people as possible, regardless of their background, to get involved with the performing and production arts. The Fair Access department at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland run two programmes – Transitions and WACI – alongside our Fair Access Outreach and Partnership programme. 📽 Watch more here.

The work of Fair Access Ambassadors

Our Ambassadors work alongside our staff to help promote and provide information on opportunities around entering into the performing and production arts and our Fair Access activities and events within their local schools and communities. In return, our Ambassadors gain experience within the arts sector, working with people, and developing teamwork and communication skills alongside bespoke training opportunities.

About you!

The Ambassador programme is aimed at those aged 16+ who are passionate about the performing and production arts. You will meet the WACI eligibility criteria or be a current Transitions student. Checking your emails regularly, having good knowledge in social media, clear communication skills and being comfortable in social situations are an advantage.

When will I need to be available?

Aside from normal Ambassador activities, you will be available to attend our Ambassador meetings either at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland or via Zoom:

▪️ Residential Weekend: 2 – 4 September
▪️ Meetings: 20 Nov 22, 18 Feb 23 and 17 Jun 23.

Sounds good, where / how do I sign up?

Our application form will ask you to fill in your personal details and write a short response to the following questions:

▪️ Why are the arts important?
▪️ How would you promote the arts within your community to young people?
▪️ Why and how would you commit to being a Fair Access Ambassador?

*Alternatively, you can attach a short video (2-3 mins) that answers the questions above.

Completing you application

To complete your application we ask that you provide a reference from someone you know who is involved in the arts. This can be a teacher, tutor, community practitioner etc.

Get in touch

If you require further information or have any questions, get in touch with the team at: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

WACI x RCS Summer School Scholarships

Posted on 3rd May 20223rd May 2022 by Yvonne McLellan

SUMMER SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS

Now Open for Application

WACI are delighted to announce that our scholarships for RCS Summer Schools are now open for applications.

Young people playing strings in an orchestra

Each WACI pupil can now apply for a fully-funded place on an RCS Summer School of their choice (subject to availability). Taking place throughout the summer holidays, these courses offer you the chance to try something new or develop your existing experience within your chosen art form.

Summer School Availability

There are a whole variety of summer schools to choose from in Dance, Drama, Music, Film and Production. Visit the RCS Summer Schools website here to see the selection of courses you can choose from. Some of the courses are very popular where spaces fill up quickly. We’ll be assessing applications as and when they come in, so get your application in as soon as you can to avoid being disappointed!

How to apply

1. If you haven’t already, firstly register with the WACI programme

2. Then, fill out the application form to let us know:

a little bit about you
why you would like to do the course you have chosen

If it would be easier, you can provide a voice recording or video statement in support of your application.

Deadline for applications

Monday 6 June

Get In Touch

If you require some help filling in your application or have any questions, get in touch with the team at: waci@rcs.ac.uk

48 Hour Film Challenge

Posted on 10th March 202216th March 2022 by Yvonne McLellan

48 HOUR FILM CHALLENGE

Make a Movie in Just 48 Hours, 2 & 3 April

Fair Access has organised a jam-packed weekend of opportunities to learn about sound and film production. You’ll also be able to find out about the many exciting careers to be had in the creative industries.

Young man with camera zoomed into his eye — 📸: Brian Hartley

When: Sat 2 and Sun 3 April 2022, 10am – 4pm
Where: The Gaiety Theatre, Ayr
Cost: Free
For people aged: 14 – 18

Clap a Clapperboard • Shout Action • Get behind the Camera • Act • Story Board Animate • Write, Document or Tell a Story • Make Noise • Dive in with Hydroponic Mics • Operate a Boom Pole • Edit • Produce

Try Everything or Try Just One Thing
Absolute Beginners & Beyond Welcome

Hands-on experience combining your tech; your phone, your tablet, your iPad with industry standards: Canon, Sennheiser, Adobe, Ableton, Moog, Soma, Rycote, Røde and Push.

Make a Drama Documentary
An Animation Underscore with Sound FX & Music
Make a Movie in just 48 Hours

Contact Fair Access

If you require any further information or have any questions, get in touch with Fair Access at: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

Announcing: Come and Try Online Festival 2022

Posted on 9th March 2022 by Yvonne McLellan

COME & TRY ONLINE FESTIVAL

Short Courses, Masterclasses and In Conversations, 5 – 15 April

WACI are delighted to announce that applications for our Come and Try Online Festival are now open!

Image mixed with photo and graphics and text. Schoolgirl on a stage looking at an ipad.

Whether you’ve already got loads of experience or you want to try something for the first time, the Come and Try Online Festival is a great way to get your creativity flowing, work with experienced artists and meet other young people who are into the same things as you are.

Taking place from 5 – 15 April, all of the workshops and Q&A sessions will take place on Zoom – and best of all, it’s all free!