City Lit Student Belinda Wava
The Acting Diploma, Level 3 meant that Belinda could fuel her passion for acting alongside her full-time job. The professional qualification has assisted Belinda in the audition process and the contacts she made on the course helped her land her first short film and sign with an agent.
Video: Belinda talks about her experiences studying at City Lit
What did you study at City Lit?
I chose the Acting Diploma course because I have a passion for acting. The main reason for chosing City Lit is because of the flexibility around managing full-time work and the other facets of my lifestyle. It just provided the intense training that I needed around work and life.
Did you consider other learning providers?
I did consider other learning providers, just looking and generally doing research, but I have been part of the City Lit family for a few years now and I have built relationships with a few tutors, and I am very familiar with the college so it just felt natural to stay here. But also the course really spoke to what I was looking for, for training.
My history with City Lit has been a history of self-discovery. I have done a plethora of courses at City Lit including French, Mandarin and TV Presenting, but what led me to acting was the passion I have for acting, and it just made sense that I stayed with the family I know so well.
What skills did you develop during the Acting Diploma course?
The Acting Diploma course provided me with a plethora of skills for the industry especially. One of the skills I developed during the course, was auditioning skills. I thought I understood what auditioning was, but not until I did the training here, I really understood what it was about, even minor details on how to film yourself on camera, and frame the camera and use the lighting, and use your voice correctly. Other skills I learnt, was how to break down characters, how to build characters, how to analyse scripts, and I still use those skills in the industry today.
What did you enjoy most about the course?
Getting to work with colleagues on a play and performing in the John Lyon’s Theatre and having friends and family coming to visit. But also, the connections I have built, I booked a short film through somebody who I met through the course, which would have never happened otherwise. So, it’s having that practical experience, it’s been able to showcase your skills and get that feedback and improve and grow, as well as meeting people in the industry and getting the opportunity to do a short film, which was fantastic.
What I enjoy most about studying at City Lit are the relationships I have built, they really are, for lack of a better phrase, priceless. Not just with the tutors but with the colleagues as well. Throughout the years, I have done so many courses, I have met so many people, and still have solid relationships with those people.
Any tips for anyone interested in joining the Acting Diploma course?
I would say absolutely go for it. For me it was a journey, and I did a first short courses first, and then it made sense for me to progress to a longer, more advanced course. It is a great way to break down any barriers you might have, it is also a good challenge. It was also a fantastic way to meet people and built relationships. So just go for it!
Tell us a bit about life after the acting diploma course?
Since finishing my course, I did a short film through a contact I met through the course, which is fantastic. That gave me my first industry credit. Then I also did a second film, again through a contact through the course, a colleague of mine, and that gave me my second credit which helped me get onto Spotlight, which I wasn’t on before, and that has opened so many doors. Since doing the course, it has been very positive. I also recently signed with a talent agency, and funny enough, when I mentioned when I trained at City Lit, she knew the college, so it was good to have that foundation.
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