What is Drama at Liverpool John Moores like?

OP

Original post by Breeee

I cant really answer those questions sorry, but i know someone who did drama at ljmu and they Loved it. Theyre now working in that industry and they said they found everything about their course pretty professional. But they didnt really mention anything else and i dont know first hand sorry!
If you have questions that arent course related just let me know and maybe i can help a little more :smile:

I will keep that in mind! Thank you!

If anyone else has answers to my questions then be sure to respond to this thread! :smile:

Reply 3

Hi!
I have just graduated this course. It is amazing! The course has just had a lovely new make-over, and everyone is settling in to the new course structure. It is well rounded and really interesting!
The lecturers & building make the course. The building might sound weird- but you'll understand by xmas! The lecturers are so passionate and have amazing relationships with their student. Make sure to use your personal tutor if u need them, they really want to help!

The best thing about the course, is that you will interact with the other two years. It is a huge community, living in its own creative hub of a building. The worst... hmm. Drama is so emotionally charged and sometimes this lead to the years falling out, tears etc- but I'm sure this is the same any drama course!

It is more full on that other courses- you might have about 20 contact hours a week? usually, the very longest a day in your first 6 weeks will be is 10-5 but thats only 1 or 2 days a week. It does mean that you will get to know everyone in your year very well- this doesnt happen in other courses!!

Nope, dont pay for costumes- we have a lovely costume room & prop storage which covers everything. We also have links to big costume facilities in the city for anything super specific.

All in all, it is a wonderful course and I am very sad to have finished. Yes there are hard moments that challenge you, but you are stronger than you think and you will grow and survive- your lecturers will not let you fall. If you turn up to everything, try hard AND TAKE ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES YOU CAN!! You will have an amazing time. I'll come back in a few days if you have any other questions!! (oops this is so long!) xxxx

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 4

Liverpool John Moores

<3

OP

@S.Baillie

Thank you for your really helpful response!!

I don't mean to be a pain but I do have one or two other questions if that's okay!!

1) How is the course structured? In the sense that do you learn a play, perform it and move on?

2) Are there any specific course subjects I should be aware of? I had a friend doing Drama at uni who had to pretend to be a tree... :K:

I can't seem to find this information online, but I understand that it may slightly differ as it was so long ago!

I can't express how much of a help you've been! <3

Reply 6

Original post by Hattersley

@S.Baillie

Thank you for your really helpful response!!

I don't mean to be a pain but I do have one or two other questions if that's okay!!

1) How is the course structured? In the sense that do you learn a play, perform it and move on?

2) Are there any specific course subjects I should be aware of? I had a friend doing Drama at uni who had to pretend to be a tree... :K:

I can't seem to find this information online, but I understand that it may slightly differ as it was so long ago!

I can't express how much of a help you've been! <3

It's changed a little this past year- I have watched it change and actually helped at every audition day, so its very likely I met you inadvertently! But to answer your questions....

1) The course is made up of a no. of modules per year. I might be a tad off with the breakdown but in 1st yr at least there is 1 theory module where you have sit down lectures in a lecture theatre/room and learn some big ideas of drama. Everyone is at different points of drama knowledge so this tries to get everyone up to the same point and teach the big things. Other than that, there are roughly 4 practical modules (not all at once!) one that lasts all year is about acting which culminates in 2(ish) performances: the first is one or two 12 minute performances called a directorial. They are small extracts chosen and directed by third year students. You and some others are the actors and the 2nd yrs are techies. It is AMAZING and a right of passage- scary sounding but great fun. Thats at xmas. In semester 2, it ends in an end of yr performance directed by a lecturer. Could be anyting they chose to do. Other modules cover devising and improv, just your general drama skills. Each module is structured differently- sometimes you might focus on a script, sometimes not, a lesson might culminate in a mini performance, some dont! The course structure is explained in detail during induction in freshers week though so dont hang up on it too much.

HA! your friend playing a tree! I have seen this in the department actually but only once and only as a non naturalistic approach to something. No. You will be taught everything- if ever you don't know or understand something, then say so. The lecturers are brilliant and super super knowledgable in the subject- but once or twice it went right over my head! They are great at explaining things though so just ask. In all honesty, early subject content and experience will change a lot depending on who your lecturer is that week. They all have their styles of teaching and approaches- which are all unique and influence the way you learn. Just roll with it- you will find your own preferred style to put into practice later on. However the first semester is mostly getting everyone up to a set level of drama knowledge.

Basically, the first six weeks are structured to get you settled in to uni, department and independent life. I've rambled here haha so if you need anything clearing up or anything comes to mind let me know 😁

Reply 7

OP

Original post by S.Baillie

It's changed a little this past year- I have watched it change and actually helped at every audition day, so its very likely I met you inadvertently! But to answer your questions....

1) The course is made up of a no. of modules per year. I might be a tad off with the breakdown but in 1st yr at least there is 1 theory module where you have sit down lectures in a lecture theatre/room and learn some big ideas of drama. Everyone is at different points of drama knowledge so this tries to get everyone up to the same point and teach the big things. Other than that, there are roughly 4 practical modules (not all at once!) one that lasts all year is about acting which culminates in 2(ish) performances: the first is one or two 12 minute performances called a directorial. They are small extracts chosen and directed by third year students. You and some others are the actors and the 2nd yrs are techies. It is AMAZING and a right of passage- scary sounding but great fun. Thats at xmas. In semester 2, it ends in an end of yr performance directed by a lecturer. Could be anyting they chose to do. Other modules cover devising and improv, just your general drama skills. Each module is structured differently- sometimes you might focus on a script, sometimes not, a lesson might culminate in a mini performance, some dont! The course structure is explained in detail during induction in freshers week though so dont hang up on it too much.

HA! your friend playing a tree! I have seen this in the department actually but only once and only as a non naturalistic approach to something. No. You will be taught everything- if ever you don't know or understand something, then say so. The lecturers are brilliant and super super knowledgable in the subject- but once or twice it went right over my head! They are great at explaining things though so just ask. In all honesty, early subject content and experience will change a lot depending on who your lecturer is that week. They all have their styles of teaching and approaches- which are all unique and influence the way you learn. Just roll with it- you will find your own preferred style to put into practice later on. However the first semester is mostly getting everyone up to a set level of drama knowledge.

Basically, the first six weeks are structured to get you settled in to uni, department and independent life. I've rambled here haha so if you need anything clearing up or anything comes to mind let me know 😁

Just one more question! :smile:

So does that mean that it's only first year that is more acting focused or am I reading it wrong? :P

Nonetheless it sounds really fun and I'm nervously excited!

Reply 8

Ok so first year is almost exclusively acting so everyone does it. In second year, you try more new skills (i.e you try a little bit of tech, a specialist skill like stand up or musicals or writing etc) and people tend to branch off and begin to influence their modules by what the like or dont like in terms of what roles they take in a show, for exanple. In third year, you get to choose almost? Next to all modules have the option to explore what you want- and you get the biggest taste of directing here. Most people change their plans from 1st-3rd year. I was focused on acting in yr 1, ended up exclusively doing stage management and production management. The whole idea of the degree is to widen your knowledge of theatre as a whole; its roles, the history, genres and all sorts. Itll make more sense when you go. Its alll about growth (god cheesy haha!) and letting you influence your own learning supported by dedicated lecturer. Dont be scared of the other stuff like tech, its brilliant and easy enough for anyone to grasp. Hopefully, you will love it as I did xx

Reply 9

TheYearNiner

21

Would've thought u can practise drama at home or private places rather than uni. Forgive me for my ignorance but why spend 9k a year for that.

No offence once again

Reply 10

OP

Original post by TheYearNiner

Would've thought u can practise drama at home or private places rather than uni. Forgive me for my ignorance but why spend 9k a year for that.

No offence once again

Because it's a more nuanced subject than just pretending to be someone else. If you read the thread above, you'll see that you can learn all kinds of skills like stage management and technology. I've not studied it at uni (yet) but in the past you learn a lot about playwrights, acting styles, organisation and planning, etc.

It's also a bit rubbish if you practice on your own without experience of collaborating and working with others. Not to mention all the opportunities you get from having a Drama degree. You could make an argument why you don't need a Drama degree, but this path is as good as any.

Reply 11

OP

Original post by S.Baillie

Ok so first year is almost exclusively acting so everyone does it. In second year, you try more new skills (i.e you try a little bit of tech, a specialist skill like stand up or musicals or writing etc) and people tend to branch off and begin to influence their modules by what the like or dont like in terms of what roles they take in a show, for exanple. In third year, you get to choose almost? Next to all modules have the option to explore what you want- and you get the biggest taste of directing here. Most people change their plans from 1st-3rd year. I was focused on acting in yr 1, ended up exclusively doing stage management and production management. The whole idea of the degree is to widen your knowledge of theatre as a whole; its roles, the history, genres and all sorts. Itll make more sense when you go. Its alll about growth (god cheesy haha!) and letting you influence your own learning supported by dedicated lecturer. Dont be scared of the other stuff like tech, its brilliant and easy enough for anyone to grasp. Hopefully, you will love it as I did xx

Thank you so much for clearing up the confusion! I can't tell you how much of a help you've been.

Reply 12

Liverpool John Moores

9

Thanks for helping everybody! We would of, but then we're a tad biased :wink:

Hope to see you in September!

Reply 13

Original post by TheYearNiner

Would've thought u can practise drama at home or private places rather than uni. Forgive me for my ignorance but why spend 9k a year for that.

No offence once again

I should hope, then, that you do not indulge in the multi million businesses of watching any TV, listening to the radio, listening to music or visiting the theatre. Drama graduates are naturally in demand in these areas- also very in demand as teachers, business careers, researchers, public speakers and more. Drama is not putting on a show in your living room and I find it somewhat offensive that you would reduce my first class degree and career to such. I am about to start my grad job at an entry level of £23,000. My friends from other subjects across a multitude of degrees/unis are having a harder time.
Thank you for your concern over the legitimacy of my degree and its worth,but it has given me a career I love that will change a lot of lives. Maybe it is worth keeping such opinions to yourself & and allow me to practiCe* drama.
Thank you!

Reply 14

OP