From the building site to the acting stage. Second year New Zealand Diploma in Drama student Brock Oliver decided to put the tools down and pursue his passion in drama. We spoke to Brock about the transition to studying drama, his study environment and plans for his future.
Why did you decide to study at Whitireia and WelTec | Te Pūkenga?
After high school, I worked as a carpenter for a few years. Although working in trades was a reliable source of income, I didn’t see much opportunity to meet new people and work on new projects. I found my lifestyle getting monotonous and got caught in the flow of working a nine to five.
I found drama really enjoyable at high school and felt like I was good at it. I thought I would continue my passion for drama by enrolling at Whitireia and WelTec | Te Pūkenga.
How are you finding the programme?
Coming into the programme, I didn’t have much confidence and I didn’t think too much about what I would get out of it. But now that I’m in my second year and being able to see the work that I’ve done, I see a serious pathway in making acting a career.
Working with year ones and being able to work on film blocks (the detail of an actors movements in relation to the camera) has helped boost my confidence. Reflecting on what I had worked on last year and going into similar projects this year, I think and manage things differently now.
What are your favourite parts of the programme?
Being able to explore the creative process and applying our skills on stage. It’s exciting when we do plays and solo work, as it shows what we have created. It also gives us the opportunity to provide feedback on each other’s work.
How has your study environment been?
I love how central the campus is in Wellington. Our class has grown really close, we’re like one big friend group!
We also get the opportunity for guest tutors to come in which is really cool. Carmel McGlone (Drama tutor) ran an incredible Shakespeare unit. She was able to help the class understand the concepts. The Shakespeare unit was a valuable time to learn acting skills, and it was great to understand how to inhabit the body and use our voice.
What's next for you after study?
At the end of this year, we’re spending time with acting agents to discuss audition opportunities and learn how that process works. I’m looking forward to that!
