Can you learn to be a star? Perhaps, or at least that's what a lot of young people believe, for it has been biologically embedded in our instinct to want the easiest and most entertaining job that also comes with fame and money.
In this boot-camp style lesson, Lalita's student, First, must do leg exercises while warming up his voice to build a stronger diaphragm and improve his singing endurance.
Superstar College of Asia, which will open in Bangkok and take its first batch of students this year, will be a testing ground for whether stardom can be taught through an academic course.
Thailand's first college offering comprehensive training for the entertainment industry, from the leading lights to designers, experts and behind-the-scenes professionals, will be part of Siam University, although the campus is situated in Thong Lor. Two Bachelors of Fine Arts degrees will be open for admissions this year, Music and Theatre, with a third in Entertainment Business coming along in two years. The catch is that the college insists that students, on getting their degree, can have a sustainable career in showbiz thanks to the wide range of connections which the dean, Lalita "Pam" Tavedikul, possesses from her 20 years in the industry.
The five-storey building in Thong Lor had already been home to Superstar Academy _ an evening and weekend talent school that has students ranging from the age of two to those in their 60s. The college's students will be using the same facilities, which includes 50 studios and professional equipment.
Lalita explains that Superstar College's approach is different to other places, saying the courses are more practical and really ensure the students will have all the skills to survive in the limelight.
"I've also been in this industry for 20 years so I don't only have the perspective of a professor, but as someone who really works in this field. I know what qualifications and talent people look for in singers, actors and such, how they need to conduct themselves in order to achieve success. So I form my curriculum to correspond to the real needs of the entertainment industry."
While most classes will be practical and revolve around intense one-on-one training in the student's choice of major _ Voice, Music Performance, Musical, Film and Television or Acting Coach _ students are also required to learn about other aspects of the industry and should graduate being able to do everything themselves.
Subjects such as Entertainment Business Law and Artists' Ethics, Attitude and Image are a must for all. Music students must take Concert Management as well as know how to run an online showcase of themselves on top of managing ticket sales, while acting students must also learn how to direct as well as write scripts.
"It's not enough for singers to just sing," Lalita exclaims. "What do they do on stage when they are done singing, just stand there stupidly? They must also learn how to speak in public articulately and know how to build excitement in the audience.
"Students will get to see what goes on both in front and behind the scenes. So when you start to age and getting work becomes harder, at least you will still know how this industry functions and you can take on other roles instead."
Society's focus on the stars in the limelight can sometimes make us forget there are still numerous people both in front of and behind the camera making sure the show goes on. Whether it is producers, lighting designers, acting coaches or a villain's mother, Lalita says there's bound to be a job for everyone.
"What people don't know now is that the entertainment industry is expanding massively. We watch media online through our devices practically all the time. Within one to two years there will be free and digital TV with around 50 channels, there won't just be channels 3, 5, 7 and 9 any more.
"There will be so many channels so there has to be more content as well. There will be a need for more actors, hosts and news anchors and people working both in front and behind." So while future students might have to play down their dreams that this college will be their express ticket to being the next Chompoo Araya, they can still pin their hopes on becoming part of the industry.
"We can't guarantee that every student will become famous. No one can. That will depend on how fitting they are for the role, chance, timing and also luck," she says. "But everyone can have an occupation."
In fact, students should be on the safe side as long as they have the talent, according to Lalita. They don't even have to be good-looking.
"Surely even unattractive people can make it here. Look at the comedian Tukky. What she lacks in looks, she's got in personality and aura.
"In fact, she makes more money than some starlets. If you are good with your craft, you should be able to play any character."
The opening of the college will be good news for superstar hopefuls, but the question of relevance is always present: is there really a need for a school to groom celebrities when young people have other, more serious choices in life? Lalita asks us to think about South Korea.
"Why is Korea one of the leading countries of Asia? Their economy thrives because they use entertainment to lead it. Entertainment is brainwashing the world to think that their country is awesome, so when they produce whatever product, people will buy it. The US also influences the world through their entertainment products.
"Their propaganda is spearheaded by entertainment and we are led to feel that they are the world's leader through the countless depiction of that in Hollywood movies."
That's the reason, she explains, why it is more pressing than ever Thailand starts developing the entertainment industry to a higher standard. "It will lead the way for people to appreciate our Thai culture. Kids don't believe what teachers preach, they are influenced by their idols. We must produce high-quality media that they like and subtly sneak good content into it."
OK, so let's fast-forward things a couple of years to when our entertainment world is thriving and all kids want to head that way. An imbalance could occur with all kids aiming to be stars, rather than doctors and engineers. What will Thailand come to then?
Lalita rationalises that if the supply of entertainers exceeds the demand, it would lead to even fiercer competition where even the best need to improve because there are so many talented and qualified people. The content produced will be of even higher quality. On the other hand, if there are shortages of doctors, the high demand could lead to higher pay, which could cause students to come flocking back to being doctors.
All in all, the past singer, performer and producer explains stars are cultivated and not just born that way any more.
"We're no longer in the age where you can walk around at Siam and agents will walk up to offer you castings. At castings, a mere pretty face is not enough any more because they want someone who already knows how to act. You need to develop and get educated properly to be even better because you can't just wing your way through. There are people who can do that but they are one in a million and are extremely hard to find.
"Most humans aren't born being able to hit the high notes and knowing exactly when to breathe. It's something you can only know after you've learned."
Superstar College of Asia is open for admissions. For further information, visit www.superstarcollege.com.
The veteran speaks
Kantana is a household name long associated with the entertainment industry. Since 2010, the television and film production company has run Kantana Institute, a college specialising in training professionals to work behind the scenes. The three majors under the Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees are Film Production, Animation and New Media/Transmedia.
Warasiri Whatkhaolarm, the institute's administrative secretary, gives us her insights.
With the increase of institutes geared to produce people for the entertainment industry, can students be sure to find a job after graduation?
With the increase in cable channels and digital TV coming soon, there is definitely a demand for more people. It's an industry that's growing fast that needs professionals who can work efficiently.
More students today want to work in this industry. The celebrity culture surely plays a role?
It's normal that anyone would want a well-paying career. With many more channels opening and increasing availability for a job, people are beginning to see this as a sustainable career.
How crucial is it that students receive training in institutes that specifically train people for this field? People in the past didn't get that training but still made their way through?
Education in this field back in the day was more theoretical and still in a particular frame. We learned about things through hypothetical examples, but here students will get a complete, realistic picture because they get to experience the real working process from day one. They don't only learn how to make movies, but also the real-life process of pre-production, pitching and also what happens after a movie is released. They need to accumulate a well-rounded set of skills so they can be ready to take on different roles that may otherwise pass them by.
Are students in this field sure to find success once they have been trained? There is a growing number of people in this field today, but that's just quantity and not necessarily quality. Regardless, it's the ones that are really exceptional who would make a mark for themselves, and those people are made from both original talent and further training.
Every room is equipped with mirrors or video cameras so students always know what image they project.
Share this article
About the author
Writer: Parisa PichitmarnPosition: Life Writer
Bangkok Post online classifieds
Try buying selling goods and properties 24/7 in our classifieds which has high purchasing power local expatriate audience from within Thailand and around the world.
Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/02/01/degrees-of-fame/
0 comments:
Post a Comment