Episode 3 School for Stars

Many people dream of fame, success and life in the spotlight.

But few realise it takes years of hard work.

Motivation, commitment. Let's do it!

We're going behind the scenes of one of the most famous

-stage schools in Britain.

-It's got to be sharp, guys.

# We'll be in trouble when the kids come out... #

Where pupils learn to cope with rivalry,

sacrifice and rejection every day.

# ..When the kids come out When the kids come out

# When the kids come out When the kids come out... #

Russell Brand, Pixie Lott and Leona Lewis all studied here.

But this series is about the talent of tomorrow.

This...

Is the School For Stars.

Coming up...

Max and Jade's upcoming duet threatens to be a disaster.

Max! We need to practise.

Action!

Katie finds out if she's got what it takes to be a movie star...

It's a long day. To do one scene it's taken four hours.

..and gifted student Marlee finds out if she's going

to win the scholarship so she can stay on at the school.

I wanted to dance and that, and without the funding,

I won't be able to.

It's the summer term at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts

and everyone here seems to be preparing for GCSEs and other exams.

# I need dollar, dollar Dollar, that's what I need... #

Just as they would at any other secondary school.

# I need dollar, dollar... #

But that's not the only preparation going on.

In ten weeks' time, the school will have its 100th birthday,

and to celebrate, they're putting on a massive centenary gala.

Every single one of the 305 students here are desperate to perform at it,

and auditions for the lead roles have led to some fierce competition.

# All that glitters ain't gold... #

Max had to fight his best friend Jordan for the chance

to sing a lead with his very own girlfriend, Jade.

OK, I now have to tell you what worries me...

Max struggled to win the part, as Karen,

the head of performing arts, was worried about the awkwardness

between the two of them.

But you two found it hard to make eye contact,

so that might be helping my decision.

Even Jade had her doubts.

I'm scared to do it with Max, though,

cos I find it really awkward but I think it will get better.

I know it will get better. I just, erm...

Max!

With so many others desperate for a leading role,

Max and Jade need to nail this and prove that they're the right pair

to sing for the star-studded audience at the gala.

Max?

And Jade's desperate to use all her spare time practising with Max.

What are you doing?

OK, go.

# I have a feeling It's a feeling I'm concealing

# I don't know why

# It's just a mental, incidental sentimental alibi

# That I... #

-Max!

-You went, you went...

"incidentil". Is that what it is?

-Yes!

-Oh, OK, erm...

-Come on, then.

-Practise!

Sorry. Just made me laugh! OK, go.

-It's not funny!

-It's not funny, no.

Doesn't look like Max is taking this too seriously.

He can't keep a straight face.

Max! Stop! Stop laughing.

We need to practise!

But he has an idea on how to beat the giggles.

# I have a feeling It's a feeling I'm concealing

# I don't know why

# It's just a mental, incidental sentimental alibi.

# But I... #

Max has to sing this song to an audience of hundreds,

but he can't even sing it to his girlfriend

standing behind a whiteboard.

Can you start singing?

-Please start. OK, can we do it properly now? Ready?

-Yeah.

-Again.

-OK.

It seems making a connection is a hard thing to practise.

-BOTH:

-# But I adore you

# So strong for you... #

Karen may've been right. They can't even make eye contact.

If Max and Jade don't get it together,

it's going to be very awkward come gala night.

You know it goes one bit...

The start of GCSEs means that for Year 11 there are no more lessons

and they'll only have to come into school for revision

and for their exams.

To mark this last official day at school,

a special leavers' day has been organised, and it's fancy dress.

Peter Pan!

We are Mario and Luigi.

-I'm Tinkerbell.

-I am Batgirl today.

Some Year 11 pupils will come back next year to join the senior school.

Others will only come back if they get scholarships

to pay the fees, and others, like aspiring actress Evie,

are leaving for good.

It is the official leavers' day, so...

I'm really happy...and excited and sad.

So it's like a mixture of emotions.

Filip, who's dressed as a zombie,

is also expecting it to be emotional.

It is our last day in school so it is really sad.

Some of us are going to do A-levels, going to different colleges.

It is sad. I'm trying not to think about it at the moment, to be honest.

Pupils from Year 7 to Year 10 are waiting in the hall,

and it's time for Year 11 to take centre stage one last time.

# L-O V-E

# Dance to the beat of my drum Dance to the beat of my drum

# L-O V-E

# Dance to the beat of my drum Dance to the beat of my dru... #

With models like Naomi Campbell and Kelly Brook

graduating from this school in the past,

who knows which of these students will become a household name.

But to everyone's surprise, a new star's waiting in the wings.

# 11

# 2011... #

Maths teacher Mr T's written a song dedicated to all those in Year 11.

Well, it's more of a rap.

There's Fiona and Nicola, and Eliza with an E.

Then there's Rebecca and Ulelya and Shardy, Annie V.

What about Hoffy and our Lindsey, course there's Leyton and Amar.

You must not ever forget Craig and Craig, the Filip and Kidar!

SCREAMING AND CHEERING

For many, there are mixed feelings.

This assembly signifies the end of a major part of their school life.

# It's a little bit funny

# This feeling inside... #

This is, in my opinion, one of the best Year 11 leavers' days.

And with an emotional speech from headmaster Mr Vote.

You have been a wonderful Year 11 and we really do

wish you every, every success.

The tears start flowing.

# And you can tell everybody This is your song... #

He knew this day was going to be sad, but just how sad

has surprised Filip.

I never thought it would be that emotional. Like starting crying,

I never did that before and I'm like, wow.

And for Evie the reality of leaving the school she's been a part of

for three years is just too much.

I...

I really want to come back now but I can't.

I'm going to go do A-levels.

So I'm leaving.

So it just feels really final.

It's, like, all coming to an end, you know?

Sorry.

# How wonderful life is Now you're in the world. #

Hair in my food!

Max is worried about his gala duet with girlfriend Jade

and really needs to improve his performance.

So he's turned to his best friend Jordan for advice.

Why do you think it's weird, me singing with Jade?

It's probably cos, like, say for example,

if you were with a stranger you wouldn't really care

cos you don't really get along with them

and it'd be easy. But then you're going out with her and it's like...

-Yeah, yeah. That's it.

-Awkward.

It's going to be down to Max now to fix this.

If he doesn't, the biggest performance he's ever done

could well be a disaster.

Air high five!

Everyone at school has ten weeks to practise for the gala performance,

but for Year 11 right now there's a far more pressing matter.

GCSEs have arrived.

Some of us are going to different colleges and we need GCSEs to get in.

Everyone's getting really stressed out at the moment.

Everyone's just hoping for the best.

This is it. We've been at school all these years.

It's all come down to these GCSEs.

As well as the usual GCSE subjects like maths and English,

pupils here also have to take exams in all the performing arts,

and first up is GCSE Dance.

Filip is anxious to practise but this morning has not started well.

We're trying to work out the group dance for our GCSE dance exam.

It's really stressful cos two people aren't here,

so we have to get people from the other group to help us out.

Today, Filip is taking the group performance exam,

where routines are learned beforehand in groups of up to eight

then performed for the examiner.

He'll be marked on how he performs in that group.

Filip has been practising for weeks with the same people.

Today, two of them haven't turned up.

We haven't got a group dance. We have not got a group dance.

So at the last minute,

fellows student Lynsey has stepped in.

-You take this corner and I take this corner.

-Yeah.

-Then you run.

-Run, run, run, twist.

-Catch me.

-Yeah.

Filip started dancing when he was eight.

He desperately wants to pass this exam,

as he knows it will get him one step closer to his dream.

'My ambition is to become a contemporary dancer.'

So, holding hands, yeah? No?

'It's the only thing I think about every day.'

It's literally crazy.

-I'm going this way.

-'Today has been important to me.

'I'm hoping to get an A or B, kind of those grades.'

I want to go to college in the future, University,

I need to show them I've got a good mark.

He's facing the biggest exam of his dancing career so far.

I was going like this... Fiona?

It's the day of the exam. It should be done before.

I'm so stressed. Stop talking about it!

But with two of his group still missing

and just a few hours until the exam, will Filip pull it off?

Exams prepare students for careers in the world of showbiz.

But for some here, their professional careers

have already started.

Katie had a treat on her birthday when she found out

she'd been given a leading role in a gritty feature film.

-Happy birthday.

-Thank you.

-How did the audition go?

-Really well.

The phone call they've just given me to say

that they want to offer you it. Yay!

-Are you serious?

-Yeah!

First positions, please!

It's her first week and she's using everything she's learned

in her very first role in the movies.

Leave the space behind him.

Today's going well. It's a long day.

To do one scene it's taken like four hours,

but it's going well.

Katie's been at this school for three years.

When she joined, her dream was to be a singer.

'I was like, tunnel vision, singer,

'go to every lesson, solo coach and everything.'

But starting acting classes, Katie's teacher spotted her natural flair.

Bruv! I'm trying to help you, man!

'I love how you can be different people'

and play different parts and feel different emotions

and act someone who's upset when you're happy, know what I mean?

It's different, it's cool.

That kid in West Ham?

That's him, he's going to help me get started out in business.

And we'll cut there.

With a break during filming, there's time for exploring.

This is all sound stuff. That's called a boom, I think.

These marks on the floor is where we start the scene, where we stand.

This is my one.

This is one of the best things I've ever seen.

When we got here, it was all black.

And then, when we came back up, it was like this.

They had an artist do it and they've stuck it on.

But break time on a film set doesn't last long.

Stand by, we're going for another.

Since Katie's still at school,

balancing a job with her schoolwork takes real dedication.

'It's hard, but to do something you love,

'you've got to push at it, but it pays off in the end.'

I'm being called to set, so I'll speak to you later. Have fun.

At school, Filip's GCSE dance exam is minutes away.

Only one of the missing classmates has shown up to join the routine.

So you'll partner up with me? That's perfect, then.

The second missing dancer will have to take their exam

in another group later.

It means Filip has a partner

he's never danced with before.

But you don't know it.

With the exam rapidly approaching, this is not good news.

Anybody who isn't Craig or Fil or Libby and Lauren, just leave.

Filip and his group have a last-minute rehearsal.

This is their last chance to practise before the exam.

Fil, you need to come downstage inside. Just perform.

Big up focus.

Fil, you're not lifting your head as you come back over there.

Think about performing now, not about doing it.

But the stress of practising close to this exam

is beginning to show in Filip's performance.

Get your chin up! Your chin's down, Fil.

Chin up. Chin up! Don't make me come and poke it with a pen. Up!

Dropping his chin in the exam could lose Filip big marks.

Fil, keep that chin up.

Right, Phil, chin up.

Do not let it drop. There's a pen here,

and it'll go through your chin if you let it drop down.

Just think about that.

Right, let's go.

Big thing, Fil, keep your head up.

Stop worrying about whether you're going wrong.

I feel bad because I'm letting the group down.

I'm doing something wrong.

She's not being mean, like, you're rubbish.

She's saying, put your head up so you can get better marks.

But practice time has run out.

Your examiner is here, she's ready to go. This is it.

CHEERING

This is what you've been working for all of this year, OK?

Good luck, guys.

Filip's dream is to become a contemporary dancer.

All his years of practice and rehearsal

have come down to this one moment.

He has just one chance to perform...

and remember to keep his chin up!

Good luck.

Performing for an examiner they've never met,

students are marked on presentation,

technical ability and performance skills.

They won't be told if they've passed this GCSE for another two months,

but Filip knows right now if he's danced well or not.

I'm actually really happy.

In rehearsals we were like, yeah, whatever but it went really, well.

I'm really proud and I'm happy.

I was like in the zone, feeling it, magical.

But, did Filip keep his chin up?

I did keep my chin up, yeah.

He has to wait for confirmation,

but Filip's confident he's done all right.

# I just wanna make you sweat... #

Exams aren't only thing students have to deal with.

With just 10 weeks before the school's end of term gala,

every student is rehearsing hard.

# I just wanna make you sweat

# I wanna make you sweat

# I just wanna make you sweat...#

One of the toughest routines

will be the opening aerial acrobatics.

Six pupils will perform complex dance moves

suspended high above the stage in metal hoops.

Potentially very dangerous,

this routine can only be done under strict supervision.

These girls have trained for eight months to get to this standard.

17-year-old Marni from Staffordshire is one of the youngest.

Bend the leg. Again, Marni.

This is the opening number for the gala show.

Marni came here a year ago, joining her sister, Mia.

Like her sister, Marni dreams of being a West End star.

I've always been ambitious, since I was really young.

I think I just want to make it and be on the West End.

The end of term gala is a fantastic opportunity

for Marni to get spotted by casting agents.

There'll be a lot of agents there, a lot of important people,

so nerves will kick in, definitely.

With so many important people there,

the last thing Marni wants to do is fall.

Don't let go because it might swing and hit you.

I do feel the pressure sometimes,

when you're not picking up the choreography...

The spin isn't fast enough.

or you're not strong enough to hold on or pull yourself up.

That's when you think, "Am I good enough?"

The practice that you did, you've got to put more in.

I get bubbles of skin, like blisters, all across here.

You can just tell it's going to rip.

But the pressure of getting it right for the gala,

is not all that's on Marni's mind.

Her time at the school is coming to an end,

but she wants to come back next year and do a diploma course along with her older sister.

But this would mean her parents paying two sets of fees.

When there's two of you, it's hard to say,

"You can go and you can't."

That's the problem mum has. She's got to fund us both.

Like many of the students here, Marni's applied for a scholarship

to pay all the fees.

I want to dance, sing and act.

I think that's what I was born to do so without the funding,

I won't be able to, so it's vital.

Scholarships are only given to the most gifted students.

If Marni doesn't get it, she thinks her and her sister's future at the school

will be in serious jeopardy.

It's hard to go, "You can have the dream and you can't."

Lots of students apply for scholarships

but only a few are given them and Filip has also applied for one.

I wouldn't like to leave just because I can't afford it.

If I don't get any scholarship, it's just going to like break me totally.

All students will be told this week if they have funding.

But will it be good news for Filip and Marni?

Whether singing, dancing, acting or academically,

all over the school, pupils are preparing for their exams.

A few weeks ago, a handful of students took their very first singing exam.

Good morning everybody.

And in this morning's assembly, headmaster, Mr Vote,

has their results.

I've got to tell you, I'm really, really chuffed.

You've done extremely well. They were demanding.

Year nine's Reece, has a reputation for dancing

so he's not expecting to do as well in his singing.

I'm quite nervous because I don't really count myself as a good singer.

I'm an OK singer but I'm not one of the best.

Hopefully, fingers crossed, I'll do well.

As Mr Vote hands out the certificates,

Reece isn't the only one who's nervous.

Year 11, Fiona, is also feeling anxious.

It's my first exam I've ever done.

The exam was really daunting. You had to do four different songs.

Five minutes beforehand, I sprained my ankle,

so I was doing this exam with an ankle the size of a golf ball.

Reece.

Reece has his result, but Fiona is still waiting.

Right, Edward, Fiona and Eliza, please stand up.

Because, you have distinctions and grade A.

Congratulations, well done.

Fiona's achieved the highest mark possible - a distinction.

Mr Vote was wandering around the studio with his two distinctions.

I had no clue it would have be me because I was so nervous.

When he called out my name, I just felt over the moon.

You got eight D?

It is such a good step towards my GCSEs.

Now I'm in a positive mind for the rest of my exams.

Hopefully, all my GCSE results will follow.

And it's not just Fiona celebrating.

I just found out I got a distinction so I'm really, really happy.

I was expecting it to be maybe a pass

because I wasn't really confident.

When I saw it, I was really, really happy.

And there's one person Reece knows will be just as excited as him.

Hi Mum, it's me.

I just found out about my singing exam.

I got a distinction.

A good exam result always cracks a smile and Reece is Beaming.

Yeah, I'm really happy, thank you.

Marni and Filip are desperately waiting to see

if they have scholarships so they can afford to come back to school next year.

If I don't get any scholarship, it's just going to break me, totally.

Without the funding, I won't be able to, so it's vital.

All over school, students are finding out

if they've got their scholarships.

-Well done.

-Thank you.

-Well done to you.

But for Filip, it's not good news.

He may have been pleased with his performance in his GCSE dance exam,

but Filip's shocked to hear he hasn't been given funding for his next year.

I'm worried cos I don't know what's going to happen next.

I don't know if I can carry on.

I don't know what to do.

I was really crushed a bit.

I left the building and sat outside for two hours.

I was like, "This is it."

I was counting on getting at least something.

But, I do understand it, obviously.

There's other people that deserved it more than I did.

Filip's not giving up.

He's determined to finish the term, perform at the gala

and carry on chasing his dream.

I'm not going to let this stop me,

because dancing is my life and my dream.

I'm not going to let that go at all at the moment.

Marni hasn't heard yet about her scholarship

and it's making her anxious.

Everyone is getting their letters about funding

and it's really frustrating because I want to find out whether I can carry on.

Students are told by a letter through the post, but Marni hasn't had hers.

Whether it's a yes or no,

the school secretary has copies of all the letters sent to students

so Marni's on her way to the office to find out.

I'm a bit nervous because you never know what's going to happen, but I'm excited to find out.

-Hello.

-How you doing?

-Fine.

Sue, have you got any information on the letters?

If Marni's been given a scholarship, both she and her sister

will be able to carry on training till graduation from senior school.

Have I got one?

Yes, you've got a Dance and Drama Award.

-Happy?

-Yes, really happy. Thank you.

She's done it.

-Marni's got her scholarship.

-I'm just so excited and relieved and proud and happy and glad I did it.

Marni's been given a Dance and Drama Award,

which guarantees her school fees for the next two years.

And of course, there's one person she has to tell first - her sister.

I found you.

I've got something to tell you.

It's good news. I got an award!

That's so good.

I'm so proud of you.

-Are you happy?

-Yes, really happy.

It just means that I can continue on my training now I've got help.

I can't describe it.

I love you.

Life at this school is full of tests,

but not just exams.

There's tests of friendship...

courage...

talent and determination.

A test doesn't have to be a bad thing,

but a chance to prove how amazing you are.

Next time on School for Stars,

blood, sweat and tears.

You're either a fighter or you're not.

As practice gets too much for Marni.

If you give up on those hoops, you can't be in it.

And Leighton, one of the school's best dancers gets pushed to the limit.

You shouldn't be asking this, you should be doing it.

That's one of the hardest rehearsals that I've ever done here.

Start it again.

It's all life at the School for Stars.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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