Natalie Winter
- Dear Reader...
- Breakdown of Finances
- I Would Like to Help, Now What?
- What Will You Get Out of It?
- Summary of Points
- Extended FAQ
- Reviews and References
- Useful Websites
Dear Reader...
I have just been offered a place on the two-year Acting course at Drama Studio London, a school well known for its excellence and strong industry links. However, since I have not been offered a Dance and Drama Award (DaDa)-funded place, before I can begin to get excited about starting my course I need to raise the funds to pay for it.
I have scrimped and saved for the past few years, and intend to take out a Professional Career Development Loan (PDCL) to top up this money. However, I am dismayed to discover that even with these resources I am still a short way off covering all of my fees.
Thus I need to raise the last £3,500 to cover tuition fees and course costs. With no expectations of a response, I am asking for your help.
I pride myself on my potential, focus, determination and ability to work very hard to achieve my goals. I therefore find it frustrating that my hard work so far has been scuppered by increasing tuition fees, the VAT rise and reduced arts funding.
I know that upon completion of my course at DSL, I shall emerge as a more rounded actor with the fruits of my labour evident in any performance I give. I also know, from having worked already, that it won't be easy, and the hard work will never stop. And I'm OK with that.
Breakdown of Finances
Fees for 2011/12 are £7,500+VAT/year, totalling £18,288. I have already paid £1000 of this as a deposit. The rest of my expenses break down as follows:
Expenses
Course fees left to pay: £17,288 total
Course materials*: £500 total
Living cost contribution**: £25/month over 24 months totalling £600
Total expenses: £18,388
* Books, theatre visits, clothing, professional subscriptions and photography
** After assessing my finances, the majority of my day to day living costs are covered. However, based upon my current (frugal) spending, I would still be short by £25 a month.
Income
Personal savings as of 15/03/2011: £4,000
Projected future savings before 1/10/11: £1,000
Personal Career Development Loan: £10,000
Total income: £15,000
Thus I aim to raise £3,500. This will cover all of the expenses listed above, plus leave me with a small amount of emergency money which, if unused at the end of the course, will go towards paying off the £10,000 PCD Loan.
I would like to help. Now what?
If you have decided that you would like to help, first of all thank you!
There are a few different ways in which you can help support me.
- A one off lump donation
- A small, regular (monthly/yearly) donation
Alternatively, you could donate any theatre (or otherwise) memorabilia that you would not mind me auctioning via eBay or as part of a live event. If you think your signature would add value to the item please could you include that too where possible.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you wish to discuss any of these options.
What would you get out of it?
Any sponsors will receive:
- A personal letter of thanks
- Progress updates throughout the course
- Performance notices
- Complimentary tickets to aforesaid performances (where possible)
- A mention in my Olivier/Oscar speech (we can all dream, can't we?)
If you require, for example, voiceover work for a product, a presenter for online content, workshop leader, wannabe Disney Princess, or even an MC or promotional distributor I am happy to discuss your needs and my availability with you.
Summary of Points
- I am heading to Drama Studio London in October 2011
- Formal actor training is essential even for talented actors to get a foot in the door in the industry today
- I have savings and some financial support, and intend to take out a Professional Career Development Loan
- I am still £2,288 short of my tuition fees, and £25/month living costs
- Looking to raise £3,500
- You can help by donating money via cheque or PayPal, or items I can auction
- You will receive regular updates on my progress, performance notices and complimentary tickets where possible
Extended FAQ
- Lots of young actors have appealed to me for funding, why should I choose you?
- You've already got a degree and had some acting jobs - is that not enough?
- Why can't you get a part time job/work over the summer?
- Why add yet another actor to the pool looking for work? Aren't there more worthy causes to support?
- Why DSL? Who trained there?
Lots of young actors have appealed to me for funding, why should I choose you?
I am a talented, hardworking individual with great potential and the determination to succeed, as I hope my reviews demonstrate.
I have a wide range of performing abilities, and am always striving to refine my craft and add to my skills (I am currently teaching myself to play the ukulele and speak Japanese).
At a time when financial investments are not to be made lightly, I will treat any donation with the greatest respect and gratitude.
You've already got a degree and had some acting jobs - is that not enough?
Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed the academic side to my degree, none of the practical elements of the course involved actor training. At DSL I will have the opportunity to learn and hone my craft supported by the knowledge gained at Queen Mary.
I have been very lucky to have gained some professional acting experience over the past two years, however I know in my heart that I am currently not performing to my potential: a potential that cannot be reached through tenacity alone but could be reached after training.
Furthermore, it is becoming increasingly difficult to forge a successful career without a drama school 'name' on your CV.
Why can't you get a part time job/work over the summer?
I hope to work a few hours a week during training to help cover living costs, however DSL students are strongly discouraged from working, lest it affect their studies.
The course is very intensive (potentially averaging 50+ hour weeks once rehearsals and research time is included) so I, realistically, have not included more than 5 hours work a week in my budgeting. Any time off, such as summer holidays, I assure you I shall be working as much and as hard as I can to earn money to further pay for the course.
Why add yet another actor to the pool looking for work? Aren't there more worthy causes to support?
Of course there are. There seem to be so many awful things happening in the world at the moment that helping yet another actor get a foot in the door admittedly seems insignificant. If, by supporting me, your charitable givings would be reduced then I would ask you to focus your attentions on charity instead.
However, if you find you have the ability to support me in addition to your usual charity then you would be supporting diversity in the industry, as well as my hopes for a future career.
Without government funding and generous donations training, as with most further education, would only be available to the rich, meaning some of the most talented performers are wasted. In an ideal world, applicants for training would only be limited by their potential talent and level of commitment.
Why DSL? Who trained there?
I believe the training at DSL will provide me with valuable insight that will last me the rest of my career. They have an excellent reputation and their course content is constantly monitored for excellence and adapted to provide for the industry's needs.
All of the teachers are currently working within the industry in one way or another so have the knowledge and connections I would expect from such an institution.
Finally, I shall not just learn acting technique, but how to survive as an actor; essential skills that not all schools teach.
Alumni includes: Forest Whitaker*, Emily Watson*, Lesley Vickerage**, Cory English**, Helen Schlesinger**, Adrian Lukis, John Vickery.
*Oscar Winner/Nominee **DSL Teacher
Reviews/References
"(Natalie and the Chorus Girls) continue to give it their all and liven up the stage whenever they appear"
Lindsay Richardson, Remote Goat reviewer.
"Natalie Winter joined Rainbow Theatre for the 2010 production/workshop of THE TEMPEST at the Glastonbury Arts Festival. She was cast as Trinculo the Jester, and gave an assured and very funny performance. Her ability to engage the audience was tremendous, and she worked and directed some of the young audience brilliantly."
Nicolas Young - Rainbow Theatre Artistic Director.
"(Natalie) used physicality and improvisation to ensure she gave the guests a fantastic experience. (She) is able to adapt her performance to suit her audience in these fast paced attractions (...) 100% attendance with no sickness or lateness (...) a pleasure to work with."
Courtney Lewis, former employer.
"I know this is what (Natalie) wants and I know (she) has the application to pursue it tenaciously"
Jen Harvie, former university tutor.
Lindsay Richardson, Remote Goat reviewer.
"Natalie Winter joined Rainbow Theatre for the 2010 production/workshop of THE TEMPEST at the Glastonbury Arts Festival. She was cast as Trinculo the Jester, and gave an assured and very funny performance. Her ability to engage the audience was tremendous, and she worked and directed some of the young audience brilliantly."
Nicolas Young - Rainbow Theatre Artistic Director.
"(Natalie) used physicality and improvisation to ensure she gave the guests a fantastic experience. (She) is able to adapt her performance to suit her audience in these fast paced attractions (...) 100% attendance with no sickness or lateness (...) a pleasure to work with."
Courtney Lewis, former employer.
"I know this is what (Natalie) wants and I know (she) has the application to pursue it tenaciously"
Jen Harvie, former university tutor.
Useful Websites
Drama Studio London: http://www.dramastudiolondon.co.uk
Conference of Drama Schools (CDS): http://www.drama.ac.uk
National Council for Drama Training (NCDT) including information about DADA Awards: http://www.ncdt.co.uk
Personal Career Development Loans: http://www.direct.gov.uk
Drama Studio London Contact Details
020 8579 3897
admin@dramastudiolondon.co.uk
Grange Court, 1 Grange Road,
Ealing, London W5 5QN
020 8579 3897
admin@dramastudiolondon.co.uk
Grange Court, 1 Grange Road,
Ealing, London W5 5QN
| Drama School Funding Campaign - Article Last Updated by Natalie on 02-Oct-11. |
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