Episode 6 School for Stars

Millions dream of fame, success and a life in the spotlight.

But few realise what it takes to make it to the top.

Heart and soul, do you understand? You either want it or you don't.

We're back...

Huh! Huh! Huh!

..inside one of the most famous stage schools in Britain...

Flapper, flapper...

..London's Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.

Where, for some pupils, dreams of a career on screen

and stage really can come true.

If I see it like that again, I'm going to start cutting people.

This is what life is like for those seeking the big time.

This is the School For Stars.

Previously on School For Stars,

Jade injured her leg and her dance teacher wasn't happy.

-You have ruined everything, Jade!

-I'm sorry!

But that's nothing compared to having let down her little sister.

After years of bleeding hands and struggles on the hoops,

Marni takes on her biggest challenge yet.

I just really want to do well to show the agents,

and then hopefully I can get signed.

And just as Max and Luca are starting to make it in music...

..could romance get in the way of the band?

They're like the new us, Max!

-They're not.

-No, they're cooler.

For those that can't attend the main school full-time,

there are classes at associate schools around the country.

Then we're going to go boom, boom.

Amber is Jade's little sister.

She's a really good big sister.

She's not one of those mean type of girls.

She's been going to these sessions three times a week

while she auditions to get into the main school.

Jade was due to dance with her at this school's summer show.

But her leg injury may have spoiled her chances.

Jade's injured herself,

so I'll be really disappointed if I can't do it with Jade.

-I go back to the hospital on Monday.

-Yeah.

And I'll have another X-ray, hopefully everything's fine.

If it is a fracture or a hairline fracture,

they won't let you dance on it.

I was planning on taking it off for Saturday...

-No, I don't think so.

-..but I don't think so.

It's not worth it, because the problem is

when you dance on an injury, whatever the injury may be,

you're prolonging the problem.

And then you'll have it into your adult life, into your career.

-I don't want that.

-It's not worth it.

-No.

A few of my teachers have been saying,

"This could be, like, career threatening,"

and I was like, "No, it can't, no, it can't!"

Hopefully not, but I am really, really nervous,

because I guess it is a serious thing cos your ankles are weak,

and if my ankle is weak when I'm older,

bye-bye, pointe, bye-bye, dancing.

I really want to dance, it's horrible.

With Jade fully aware of the consequences, she's forced to make

a tough decision to let her sister down and sit out of the summer show.

Like Jade and Amber, Max and Luca are used to putting in extra hours

at weekends to follow their dreams.

They're planning their first big gig,

so they're taken to Essex to check out a venue.

-I'm Max.

-Hello, Max.

Hi, I'm Luca. Nice to meet you.

-It holds 120 people.

-Great.

-That's OK, yeah.

And we've got a fantastic sound system.

-Oooh.

-All these controls, my gosh.

-Stage door.

-Stage door, yeah?

This is the stage door. In you go.

-It's pretty cool, isn't it?

-It's great.

It would be cool, especially with the drums and Loretti on guitar.

-Drums, you know, you here on, like, your keys.

-My keyboard.

Look at the lighting, that is great.

Look at that, "bands only".

Bands only, this is so cool.

Look at that. We could do this place up how we want.

Stick our sticker on the wall.

Yeah. Get like a poster....

..there.

-Yeah. But should we go and have one more look at the stage?

-Let's go.

I'll have my keyboard here.

# But if you close your eyes... #

Mate, it's going to be great.

-Yeah, mate.

-Good job, man, awesome, let's go.

Let's go, man.

-This is going to be so good.

-I'm well excited.

That is vintage legit.

This final term is packed.

As well as shows and auditions, there are heaps of exams.

Okey-doke.

14-year-old Sophie is taking her Grade 7 acting exam,

and she's meant to have learned her lines by now.

Cos I'm doing Grade 7, it's like a really high grade.

It's normally like 16, 17-year-olds that do it,

so Miss Evaristo did say that it's really high for my age.

But acting teacher Mr Turnbull

soon discovers she hasn't done homework.

Right, once through, let's see what you do with it.

What am I doing with a man's coat? Straight off to the police station...

then in came Nuala... Bleh...

When did you get the piece?

-A month ago.

-A month ago.

So what do you know about the play?

Have you done anything about the play?

-No.

-No. OK. There's your answer.

I want you to do this, I think you can do it.

And if I'm giving you a tough time,

it's only cos I think you're worth giving a tough time.

So, be good, I will see you next week.

Learn it, learn it, learn it, learn it.

Thank you.

Sophie has a choice of two scripts for her exam.

After struggling in Mr Turnbull's class,

she's keen to see what Miss Evaristo has in mind for her.

Right, guys, please can you stop twittering,

and put that drink away.

You seem to forget where you are sometimes.

If you carry on the way you are,

you won't be singing in that rain, you'll be crying in that rain.

LAUGHTER

OK, dearie, it's this one and I think it might be better for you,

because she's nearer your age, she's northern, too.

She's always been in trouble since she was little,

and she can be quite sneaky, as well.

Go and sit outside and have a read of it,

and then I'll call you in in about 20 minutes or so

and I'll have a stab at hearing you.

This is much better than the one I got given before.

I can just relate to this one much more.

Sophie may have found a speech she likes,

but time is running out for her to learn it before her exam.

Flavour, flavour, sharp, sharp.

Now that aspiring rock stars Max and Luca have found a venue

for their first ever gig, they need a support act.

Molly, Amber and Bessy are keen to get involved.

Hello, come in.

-Hi.

-Hi.

Have you guys been rehearsing a lot, or...?

Yeah, we have.

-So can we hear you?

-Yeah.

How many songs are you doing?

We've got three at the moment, kind of all together.

-Are they all covers, or...?

-No.

-One isn't, the other two are.

Right, OK.

PIANO PLAYING

-# We need to take it back in time

-# When music made us all unite!

# And it wasn't low blows

# Am I the only one getting tired?

-# Wasn't low blows

-# No video hoes

-# Am I the only one getting tired?

-# When music made us all unite

# It's not about the money, money, money

# We don't need your money, money, money

# We just wanna make the world dance

# Forget about the price tag

# Ain't about the cha-ching, cha-ching

# Ain't about the ba-bling, ba-bling

# Wanna make the world dance

# Forget about the price tag. #

-Nice.

-Wicked.

Guys, that was, like, really good, so I'd really like you guys

to sing alongside us, that would be really fun.

That'd be really cool, thank you.

Hopefully you'll enjoy it and so will we.

-Cool. Thank you.

-Thank you.

-See you later.

-See you, bye.

It went really well, to be honest, I think. Hope.

I think they sounded awesome,

their harmonies were really crisp and stuff, they were spot-on.

Hello, hello, hello.

Sophie has learned her new speech for the acting exam.

Do that again, and this time look like you actually want to be there.

-However you feel inside...

-I know, I do want to be here.

-Well, then show it.

-I ain't going back to no school.

If them in schools knew what it was like to be expelled,

they'd all be getting expelled.

Schools would be empty, teachers would be out of work.

You won't get me nowhere near.

You think when you hear the word expelled it means something terrible,

but it's a big con.

-You lost it.

-Yeah.

And it's also physically a bit stuck.

Let's give you an Andrea. Who wants to be Andrea?

You should always come from somewhere.

So, where are you coming from?

-Bring it with you.

-All right, OK.

-Where have you been?

-To the shop.

To the shop. What did you buy?

-Some Haribos.

-Do you like Haribos?

-I love them.

It's Haribos, Haribos as you come in,

then I need something from you.

-A change of attitude.

-OK.

-Yeah? Try that.

Eat Haribos, think about the shop, then see her.

Debbie nicked that knife off Miss Lever.

It goes in the cupboard.

Now she's come, she'll try and get Kelly back.

And I'll be on my own, again.

I was a bit stressed with it all, really,

cos it's been, like, such short notice.

Work it some more, doing what I've said.

I feel a lot more confident with this one,

I just need a bit more stage direction, then I'll be fine.

Sophie's confidence has grown, but will that be enough

to get her the grade she wants in her exam, now just days away?

Ah-ha-ha!

It's not just the acting exams that help these students

get work in the industry. They need an agent.

During their time at the school, the agency helps them to get work,

but when the senior students graduate and leave,

they need to get their own agent, and competition for these is tough.

So, the students put on a showcase to show off their talents

to a variety of agents in the hope of being spotted.

Showcase basically is for the graduating students

to show their talent.

And that's what they're training for,

to not only go on and find work,

but to find an agent that will help them find work.

And, regardless of what year they're in,

every pupil recognises the importance of bagging an agent.

It's definitely good to get your agent there.

I think the scariest part about leaving is trying to get an agent.

Yeah, cos that's the whole point of it.

Otherwise, if you haven't got that, you've got nothing.

I really hope that we all get what we deserve.

The day of the showcase has arrived, and all of the seniors

have relocated to the school's own theatre.

And the importance of the day is on everyone's mind.

We are finally at our third year showcase,

and already everyone's stressed very much.

I don't think I've ever been so nervous

for anything in my whole life.

After three years of training, to try and get representation today

to go out in the big, bad world of working...

Yeah, it's scary.

Before the agents arrive, there's just enough time

to perfect their routines in a last-minute rehearsal.

And senior Marni knows this performance

is crucial to getting noticed.

This is like the penultimate show, really, for my time at Conti's.

This is where I show everyone what I've learned

and how I have grown as a person and a performer,

and I just really want to do well to show the agents

and then, hopefully, I can get signed.

Do we look to the side? Side!

'There's a lot of casting agents, and directors.'

There's some really big names,

so I just want to impress them, and fingers crossed.

'The pressure is definitely on.'

I'm trying to stay cool, but it's, like, bubbling away underneath.

ALL: One.

One!

One person who knows just how important it is for the agents

to spot potential talent is school principal, Anne.

I often say, you know when you see a chorus line

and everybody can be doing exactly the same thing,

why is your focus pulled to one person

and not the other 11 or 15, or whatever?

That one person just has that extra something

that the others don't have.

One will stand out.

With rehearsals now well under way,

Marni's doing her best to fine-tune her routine.

But only seconds into the practice run and she's forced to stop,

and can only watch as her sister completes

the demanding routine on her own.

I strained my hip flexor on the hoop,

so I can't kick my leg very high without it hurting.

It's stopping me doing a lot of my dance moves,

and because I'm a righty, so I use my right leg all the time,

that's my main trick leg, and I can't really lift it

past a couple of inches off the floor now.

So it's stopping me performing to my best.

She's trying to rest, but obviously she can't fully rest

cos she needs to work things out, she what she's going to do

instead if she can't do a move or anything,

so hopefully she'll be OK.

Hi. Do you mind if I can heat my beanies for my hip flexors?

Thank you!

'Just put oat beanbags in the microwave'

and they heat up so that I can warm up my ligaments

and keep them nice and supple.

I'm just going to literally stuff it down my trousers

and hang it over the top, so I'll be walking around with beanies on.

With Marni desperately trying to limit the damage to her injury,

the prospect of not being able to perform in the showcase

has become a real possibility.

It's not all about work for the juniors.

There's always time for a gossip,

and today's hot topic is about two very special people...

..Ella and Luca.

-Luca and Ella have been getting closer.

-Closer!

I'm really shocked, it's like the new Max and Jade, isn't it?

Luca and Ella are like the next golden couple of Year 10.

-They're like the new us, Max!

-No, they're not.

No, they're cooler.

They're still just being a bit flirty, aren't they?

-They're not actually...

-Yeah, it's cute, though.

They totally have something going on, but I don't think

they want people to know, but they make it really obvious.

-They're really cute.

-They are cute.

Cute, yes,

but for Luca, dancing with Ella may soon be a thing of the past.

The showcase is now less than an hour away

and the agents have started to arrive.

It's nearly time for the students to focus

and put all their years of training into practice.

The students... Well, they're feeling the pressure today.

I've just been downstairs with them and they're very nervous,

but trying to contain it.

But for Marni, the only thing on her mind is her injury.

'It's all come down to this,

'this is your third year showcase to get an agent,

'and it's very important, and...'

not being able to perform at my peak,

cos I've trained so hard for it, as well, is really worrying,

cos I just want to let them know how well I can do

and I'm not going to be able to be as good as I can.

I'm just going to have to keep dancing, just keep going through

the pain and hopefully it'll be all right by the end of the show.

-With the show only minutes away...

-Good luck, my darlings.

Knock 'em dead, guys!

..backstage, the nerves are running high.

It's one of the most nervous days of my life.

I woke up this morning and I was, like, shaking.

But the students will have to control their nerves,

as it's finally show time.

# 90 little minutes to survive

# In front of 20 million people...

# Tonight... #

With every senior giving it their all and trying to impress,

it's time for Marni to take to the stage.

My hip flexor's feeling all right at the moment.

I'll see how it goes through the rest of the show.

Hopefully it holds out.

And first, it's her solo dance routine.

That hurt it, so it's a bit hurt now, it's a bit teary.

With Marni's hip starting to buckle under the strain,

it's time for her biggest test -

the hoop routine.

Against the odds, Marni's hip has held out during the show.

I think that went really well.

I'm so pleased with everything, I think.

-Are you?

-Yeah, I think it went really well.

My hip flexor was OK, like, it held out.

Good, I'm so proud of you.

So, everyone's had their time in the spotlight,

and now all that's left is the grand finale.

# She's the one

# One! #

APPLAUSE

With Marni nearing the end of her school journey,

will her years of hard work result in getting the agent

she so badly needs to start her showbiz career?

For Year 9 Sophie, the day of her exam as arrived.

Today I've got my Grade 7 LAMDA exam,

and I'm going to be doing three pieces.

I'm really excited, and I think it's going to actually

quite work, the performance.

(You're just going to listen for the bell.)

(Ding-aling-aling!)

(When the bell rings, then you go in.)

For my third piece, she's got a really weird name,

she's called Therese McQueen.

The bell calls Sophie in.

-Hello.

-Hiya.

-How are you, Sophie?

20 minutes later,

and teacher Miss Evaristo is keen to know how the exam went.

How did it go?

They didn't seem very happy.

Like, I don't know if that's just cos it's him,

but I tried my best, and that's all that matters.

-You can only do your best.

-Yeah. That's what the piece is about.

-Do you know when I was doing that Tokens Of Affection?

-Yes?

I don't think he liked that one.

Well, that's just personal choice, isn't it?

He kept on going like... He kept on doing that.

That's just his reaction to, you know, the story, isn't it?

Yeah, I guess so.

They pulled some funny faces,

I don't know what I actually thought of it.

But, at the end of the day, I tried my best,

and that's all that really matters.

Senior Marni pushed through the pain barrier

during her final showcase performance.

But the work isn't over yet.

Well done! Well done.

Now she has to mingle with the invited agents,

which can be just as daunting.

I feel like I need to go introduce myself. I don't know...

Are we allowed to go up and approach people?

I know they're there, I don't know how to say hi.

With only a limited time to impress them,

Marni needs to overcome her shyness, and quickly.

I just, I don't know what to do with myself, like, wooo!

Nice.

Sensing her moment is slipping away,

Marni swallows her fear and approaches her first agent.

Sorry, I'm Marni, nice to meet you.

-You look good in a suit.

-Well, thank you!

-It's all right.

Oh, look at her. Flattery will get you everywhere.

It helped going up to someone and just speaking to them.

It sort of got rid of the nerves, and I just did it,

so now I can go talk to anyone.

What I'll do is I'll e-mail you

-and you can send any video clips of you.

-Yeah, that's fine.

And, with her confidence boosted,

she finally gains the interest of a top agent.

Thank you.

I just met the choreographer of The Streets, a new musical.

He said he wants me to send over some clips of me.

My style's more contemporary commercial.

Yeah, I love, like, contemporary commercial.

It was definitely worth all the pain.

It's not only the seniors who are busy this term.

The juniors are getting ready for the end of year show...

Let's go from the beginning.

..and Karen has given Reece the special job of dance captain

to help her out.

It is hard to try to get the respect of the kids.

Guys, stop talking.

You don't want to come across like you're being too big for your boots

and trying to boss them about.

Guys, everybody listen, don't cut him off.

But at the same time you're trying to

give them advice to try to help them.

Then two, three, four, five and six, so she steps into it.

It's going well, but rehearsals are about to be interrupted

by Luca dropping a massive bombshell.

I've got a fractured foot.

I hurt it dancing about two weeks ago

but I didn't think it was anything serious.

Now, two weeks later, I'm at risk of breakage

and if I mess up a tendon I could be dealing with problems for years.

Now Luca has to break the news to Karen that,

along with fellow injured schoolmate Jade,

he won't be able to dance in rehearsals.

-Are you serious?

-Would you like me to come to the centre?

-No.

-No?

With the class in Reece's capable hands, Karen can talk to Luca.

-So no dancing at all in the show?

-Six weeks, so, no.

You're out for six weeks.

OK, so we have to be clever with staging.

How long's your cast on for?

Three weeks, it comes off two days before the show.

OK, so you need to be really sensible for me at the moment, OK?

And I want you to sit and watch and observe everything.

You move, you get up off your bottom, and I will send you home.

-OK.

-Promise?

-Promise.

So, Luca can only sit out and watch.

I'm watching all the guys dancing and I hate them, I hate them all.

It's not fun. Not fun to watch.

I just want to be dancing.

But Karen has some even worse news.

What they didn't know is I was also going to try

and put Luca together with Ella to do a little pas de deux section

that was going to be started today, so that's now been held, as well,

so we'll wait and see what happens.

At least Luca has some company in fellow hop-along Jade.

Luca, I've had a fabulous idea.

OK, sit on the chair.

I'm going to push you forward like this.

I'm going to have you coming forward, what do you think?

I think that could work.

Look, watch, you can dance and everything.

Can move you around, babe. I haven't got a problem with that.

Exactly. Do you know what's sad? I've done it before.

He's sad, guys. We need to cheer him up. Come on.

You need to be here because we've got to work out how we can

adapt everything for you, darling.

OK, so, guys, spread out.

Five, six, seven, eight, and one and two and three...

Did you just turn the wrong way, Reece?!

I feel sick.

# When you reach out for me, girl

# And the feeling is right

# Night fever, night fever... #

While Reece leads the routine Jade and Luca were meant to star in,

all they can do is watch.

MUSIC: "Not Giving In" by Rudimental

# Lost my heart and lost my soul... #

Sometimes bad luck can get you down...

# Now it's time that you all know... #

..and other times life just doesn't feel fair...

# Lost my mind and lost my goal... #

..but with determination...

# I'm not giving in... #

..and a little help from your friends...

# I'm not giving in... #

..things are rarely as bad as they might seem.

# I'm not giving in. #

Next time on School For Stars,

Layton lands a tough acting audition...

I can't believe what just happened. That was the hardest thing,

I think one of the hardest things I've ever done.

..it's make or break for one senior couple...

I feel really let down by Kieran,

cos he should be here, he's my partner.

No tears, we don't do tears.

..and Ella's gruelling rehearsal schedule has its ups...

and its downs.

# This time, I'm gonna be stronger

# I'm not giving in

# This time, I'm gonna be stronger

# I'm not giving in

# This time, I'm gonna be stronger

# I'm not giving in. #

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd