The Lighting, Sound and DJing programme is designed for students to gain the knowledge and skills to pursue a career in the technical side of the live arts, entertainment, and events industry. The course takes a forward-facing approach to technical theatre, promotes exploration of new practices and teaches the fundamentals of the Entertainment Industry.

You will develop key skills including professional theatre lighting / sound design and practice, how to set up and maintain equipment, original design and working within your constraints – time, space, budget, knowledge - in a project-based format. The programme focuses on developing an understanding of Entertainment industry roles and responsibilities, including academic knowledge and practical experience of lighting, sound and DJing. It will help you develop your creativity and skills whilst gaining hands-on experience working on a range of school performances and events.

In the first stages of the course, you will explore lighting and sound design in a range of styles, looking at professional, existing works and creating your own ideas in response to them. After this, you will work collaboratively with students from other Entertainment pathways to take a production from initial ideas to final product, working on briefs set by the exam board. You can explore these briefs in whichever direction your creativity takes you!

The course is made up of three units:

Unit One: You will create original ideas based on your choice of brief. You will research, develop, plan and pitch your ideas as a company, going through all stages that a professional would in the Entertainment Industry. In this unit, you will be asked to create a portfolio of evidence of the process you have gone through to create your idea.

Unit Two: You will design lighting and / or sound for an existing or original production, in collaboration with other students on Entertainment pathways. This will include preparation and maintenance of equipment, scheduling and budgeting and running technical rehearsals as well as performances.

Unit Three: You will study all aspects of the industry, including the role of the entertainment and media in our society, available careers, technical elements of lighting, sound and other areas of theatre design. You will watch and review professional performances and productions, both live on trips and streamed online in school.

Units One and Two will be delivered in practical workshops, Unit Three in theory or seminars.

In Unit One, you will be assessed on a business-style pitch as a production company, along with designs and plans for lighting or sound. You will also produce a portfolio, evidencing the research, idea development, planning and budgeting that have gone into producing your final business proposal.

In Unit Two, you will be assessed on your design and production of existing or original work in a discipline of your choice.

Finally, in Unit Three, you will undertake a 90-minute examination that assesses your knowledge of the Entertainment Industry as a whole, through a range of multiple choice questions, short answers, extended responses and designing / devising questions.

Many of the skills learnt within the course are transferable. You will learn how important it is to be approachable as a person and how to manage time carefully, which are all valuable life skills. Being creative is a great way to get your brain to think differently and take different approaches to situations.

You’ll learn how to organise and enhance your skills as a creative practitioner, including how to plan, schedule, design and produce a final product.

You’ll learn the skills to work effectively as part of a team.

You’ll learn how to manage personal workloads, and negotiate and manage personal, as well as company, time constraints.

You will develop a more analytical approach to entertainment, enhancing your awareness of what makes a successful practitioner in the industry.

You will learn how to properly use lighting, sound and DJing equipment.

You will build your confidence in the practical side of creating stage lighting and sound, working on developing your creative responses to texts and other sources.

A pair of headphones, preferably over-ear, would be of real benefit in a noisy, busy environment.

General art & design equipment will be required. For example, drawing / sketching pencils, coloured pens / pencils, ruler, glue etc.

This Entertainment pathway will help you to become a confident member of society, to celebrate diversity, to achieve your aspirations through creativity and commitment and help you to secure a better understanding of your own values. All this will be achieved through the study and creation of film and animation, including performance and production from a range of cultures and styles, touching on topics that challenge your perspectives.

This course will offer a progressive route through to Tech Certificates, Tech Levels, BTEC Level 3, AS and A-levels.

Your teacher will be happy to share knowledge of linked professions with you.

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/performing-arts/technical-award/performing-arts-3745/introduction

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/performing-arts/technical-award/performing-arts-3745/specification-at-a-glance

Lighting design: https://youtu.be/wqMYsjHU5rU

Sound: https://youtu.be/w3LZwTUn_bo