Originally Posted by roadster280

I believe there's a troop of 63(SAS) Sig Sqn in Bournemouth. Might be more interesting than TEWTs.

Yeah I noticed they were able in the area, but I think the commitment for that would be much more, and I want to focus on my education.

Originally Posted by dinosaur_poo

Not sure but I was under the impression you had to be ex-non-SAS-TA or ex-regular to join TA SF?

TA SAS are flexible on this depending on the individual and the policy (in the mind of the hierarchy) at the time, TA Sigs (even attached to UKSF) are rather less choosy (after all they're not really SF (even TA SF) are they?)

Originally Posted by dinosaur_poo

You're correct there's not, but from what you've said I'd go straight to the TA. It's not as easy to fit around your studies as UOTC, but it'll gear you towards going on tour from the start, which is not what the OTC is there for. The opportunities for courses will likely be far better too, since you holding the qualifications is of far more use to the TA than the OTC, (as everyone has to leave the OTC after 3/4 years, they'll be putting you on courses in the hope you'll stay there for a long time).



Your point is exactly what would put me off that place. To work in film you'd be far better studying in London where there are plentiful work experience opportunities on a daily basis.

That's why I drifted towards the OTC because it would fit around my studies. I honestly don't know how much my work load would be for my course. It is a film course, so I would imagine I would need to use my free time to go out and film etc. I'll have to talk to the recruitment office or 6 Rifles (the local TA unit) to see if it would be beneficial.

You are right, being in London would be a better opportunity. But before I realised there was a course I could attend, I had already chosen my courses on UCAS. I also did not get the required grades for most of my choices, this was the result of my course and course teachers (At one point I was told not to bother applying for any Universities as my work wasn't great.. don't forget, this was an art course). It wasn't aimed at people wanting to do film, it was aimed more towards people who had just come out of school. The work was... tedious to say the least. Drawing naked people and doing boring screen printing isn't exactly what I had in mind when I decided to do film, the course was merely a stepping stone to get me into Uni.

Anyways! I plan to move to London after I finished my course. Where the TA will fit into this, only time will tell.

Originally Posted by sucramdoow

That's why I drifted towards the OTC because it would fit around my studies. I honestly don't know how much my work load would be for my course. It is a film course, so I would imagine I would need to use my free time to go out and film etc. I'll have to talk to the recruitment office or 6 Rifles (the local TA unit) to see if it would be beneficial.

You are right, being in London would be a better opportunity. But before I realised there was a course I could attend, I had already chosen my courses on UCAS. I also did not get the required grades for most of my choices, this was the result of my course and course teachers (At one point I was told not to bother applying for any Universities as my work wasn't great.. don't forget, this was an art course). It wasn't aimed at people wanting to do film, it was aimed more towards people who had just come out of school. The work was... tedious to say the least. Drawing naked people and doing boring screen printing isn't exactly what I had in mind when I decided to do film, the course was merely a stepping stone to get me into Uni.

Anyways! I plan to move to London after I finished my course. Where the TA will fit into this, only time will tell.

Not being funny mate, but in the current climate, don't make the mistake of thinking that because your UCAS form didn't have the right universities, and because you didn't get the grades, it is too late to find a course that will suit you. The UCAS system and grades system are simple ways of computer-ising things which could be done by human beings. In exceptional circumstances, it can still be done by human beings, if you ask for that.

So, if you want to study in London (which, for film, I would say, IF YOU WANT A JOB IN IT POST-UNI, You NEED to study in London; simply because you need to get on the work experiences. Upon finishing you will find posting CVs and portfolios achieves the square root of fuck all, and the only chance of getting a job is hooking up with somebody who you've already worked for, either for free, on work experience, internship, or even paid), don't just go to Bournemouth College of Arts or whatever it's called, you're wasting your time and a significant amount of money (£20,000 by the end of it in tuition fees alone. Then there's living costs, and then the fact that you're not earning. All in all, you'll be £50,000 behind where you would be had you just worked in Asda, and, career-wise, probably no closer) doing something which wasn't really of benefit, solely due to an administrative restriction that can easily be worked around.

If you're serious about a career in the film industry, I would strongly consider binning this Bournemouth bollocks, find a simple job at a local temping agency or whatever (for what i'm about to suggest, temping is ideal). Spend the next 6 months doing amateur filming... from amdram groups to band videos to skaters / bmx'ers to... whatever you can get your hands on. Apply for university again, citing your previous course but predominantly using your work to help you get in, explain how you have struggled academically but have your awesome portfolio work from your year out, and how you hope to combine that with a fresh start in education to get a degree. If you sell it properly, you'll easily get into a good London university, and you've actually then got a living chance of getting a genuine film career.

I know you just came on here looking for answers about OTC, and this wasn't really what you were looking for, but honestly, I'd really consider making the drastic move.

Originally Posted by sucramdoow

I am studying Film Production. I've done my research, and this is one of the best Universities for film. I have studied there, but only on a Diploma course. It's not the piece of paper saying I got a qualification I want, it's the potential to get contacts that will eventually get my foot in the door. I'm sure you know the saying in the media industry, it's not what you know, it's who you know.

This isn't my forte but don't RADA, the Bristol Old Vic and other such places offer similar courses? Surely that would give you an impressive CV with ample networking opportunities. Bournemouth just doesn't strike me as the heart of British cinema

Originally Posted by boogaloo

This isn't my forte but don't RADA, the Bristol Old Vic and other such places offer similar courses? Surely that would give you an impressive CV with ample networking opportunities. Bournemouth just doesn't strike me as the heart of British cinema

Quite. Aside from the networking opportunities it's the filming opportunities, in the cities a lot more stuff wants filming.

I maintain, it's never too late to do what you want. No point doing something that's not going to help you because at first shot you couldn't partake in what would. 3 years is a big commitment to piss up the wall on a meaningless degree when just a year out could put you on one that'll actually mean something, and beyond the degree meaning something, put you in a position where you can develop a professional career.

Originally Posted by dinosaur_poo

Not being funny mate, but in the current climate, don't make the mistake of thinking that because your UCAS form didn't have the right universities, and because you didn't get the grades, it is too late to find a course that will suit you. The UCAS system and grades system are simple ways of computer-ising things which could be done by human beings. In exceptional circumstances, it can still be done by human beings, if you ask for that.

So, if you want to study in London (which, for film, I would say, IF YOU WANT A JOB IN IT POST-UNI, You NEED to study in London; simply because you need to get on the work experiences. Upon finishing you will find posting CVs and portfolios achieves the square root of fuck all, and the only chance of getting a job is hooking up with somebody who you've already worked for, either for free, on work experience, internship, or even paid), don't just go to Bournemouth College of Arts or whatever it's called, you're wasting your time and a significant amount of money (£20,000 by the end of it in tuition fees alone. Then there's living costs, and then the fact that you're not earning. All in all, you'll be £50,000 behind where you would be had you just worked in Asda, and, career-wise, probably no closer) doing something which wasn't really of benefit, solely due to an administrative restriction that can easily be worked around.

If you're serious about a career in the film industry, I would strongly consider binning this Bournemouth bollocks, find a simple job at a local temping agency or whatever (for what i'm about to suggest, temping is ideal). Spend the next 6 months doing amateur filming... from amdram groups to band videos to skaters / bmx'ers to... whatever you can get your hands on. Apply for university again, citing your previous course but predominantly using your work to help you get in, explain how you have struggled academically but have your awesome portfolio work from your year out, and how you hope to combine that with a fresh start in education to get a degree. If you sell it properly, you'll easily get into a good London university, and you've actually then got a living chance of getting a genuine film career.

I know you just came on here looking for answers about OTC, and this wasn't really what you were looking for, but honestly, I'd really consider making the drastic move.

I appreciate your view, but I'm going with what I set my mind on. If I wait another year I'll have to pay the increased student fee's anyway. The course I'm doing is Skillset accredited so it leads to plenty of job opportunities, paid and non-paid. They really help you in terms of contacts. I know of several students from the Uni that have gone into the industry as soon as they finished. The Uni prides themselves on getting a good reputation, so they always let in people who already have direct contact. One girl who I studied with (and who is going onto the same course) was an actress for some big budget films. Another lad who has just finished, his dad is a cinematographer for some well known films.

I'm not worried about whether I will get anything out of it, it's because I know I will get something out of it. The only thing that the London course has that this one doesn't is the area. But that doesn't mean I won't get work experience. In fact, the animation course has had some people who have gone on to work for Pixar and Disney. So they will help you get there.

Also, the facilities at this place are very good. It's also a more hands on approach, and you study in your chosen area, for example editing, lighting etc.

I wouldn't go if I knew this would be a bad choice. Cheers for your input though.

Called them today. They said as long as the place has University status it should be fine. So I'm going to go down at freshers weekend to have a chat with them.