In Conversation with BA Acting student Tanush Gupta
In Conversation with BA Acting student Tanush Gupta
From keeping organised and prepared for auditions to choosing a monologue, we caught up with BA Acting student Tanush Gupta to talk about why they chose Guildhall, moving to London and the famous filmmakers they would love to work with.
Why did you decide to apply to Guildhall to study BA Acting?
Ever since I was 12 years old, I wanted to be an actor. I used to pursue a young actor’s training programme on the weekends back home. After finishing school, I realised I wanted to continue acting but there weren’t any Drama Schools in India that offered a course for my interests. So, I started looking for them in the UK and I came across Guildhall. And just the website itself gave me a vastly different feeling. A feeling of I belong here. I then applied.
At Guildhall, applications are made directly to the school – how did you find this process?
Honestly, not using UCAS was so much easier for me. Firstly, because I felt like there was a personal touch involved, being in direct contact with the School. Secondly, because I had applied to other drama schools using UCAS as well and I found the Guildhall’s application process to be much easier and user friendly for me.
What are your top 5 tips for submitting an application?
- Remember that it is not just the School auditioning you, but you are auditioning the School as well. You should feel comfortable and genuinely like the university where you will be spending your next 3 years.
- Creating a chart to organize all my audition details and their deadlines was helpful. It helped me organize everything and not go off track.
- While prepping for an audition I made sure that I could deliver the best possible from my side and not to worry about things that were not in my control. If you are working from an honest place. Nothing can stop you.
- I chose the monologues based on what I would enjoy doing. Also, not sticking to the same theme but picking versatility was a personal choice that was helpful for me. Remember, you will be doing the same piece for probably the next 5 months so choose something you like.
- On the day of the audition I honestly got incredibly nervous. But you must remember that this is what you love doing and you are there to have just as much fun as you can. The nerves will then take care of themselves. It is your day, and you truly deserve it, so HAVE FUN!
What advice would you give to students who are interested in studying drama and are deciding which course to apply to?
What the curriculum involved was important to me. Guildhall not only teaches traditional techniques but includes a lot of new things and keeps itself updated, that was unique to me. Added to that, the 3rd year, majorly being about doing shows to the outside world, was perfect and just what I was looking for.
What are you most looking forward to on your course this year?
I am really looking forward to Stage Combat and classic movement sessions to get to know my body and myself better.
What advice would you give about moving to London?
It was the first time moving abroad for me and it was really scary. The first year I lived in the college’s student accommodation. That was so easy as it was close to the college. Living with students and not worrying about bills. It set me up to live elsewhere for the second year.
Can you tell us why you chose to study here, what made Guildhall stand out for you?
- The rankings definitely. It is one of the best drama schools in the world.
- An incredibly supportive and inclusive student union and student affairs team.
- The teaching staff truly make you believe in yourself.
- With its name, it provides very good connections with the industry in the 3rd year and later as well.
- The facilities are all set for you, so that you can get the best output from your training here.
If you could play a role in any film past or present, what would it be and why?
I would like to play a role in one of Denis Villeneuve or Christopher Nolan’s films, because they truly respect art, diversity, culture and have a strong work ethic. That is what matters to me the most.
