costume course at waapa

Hi I've been preparing to apply for the waapa costume course for a large part of the year, but I have not prepared a folio. I have only been producing articles of clothing and other bits and pieces relevant to costume design. Should I really be preparing a portfolio? Is this going to improve my chances of a successful application? I am very apprehensive about this and I really want to get in. I only hope I haven't left it too late to start making the portfolio if it is necessary that I do so.

I can't speak to the specifics of WAAPA's audition process, but generally when applying for a design course, you should take a portfolio. The panel will want to see examples of your work, what kinds of designs you've done and how you've done them - but more importantly, it shows how dedicated and interested you are. If you don't turn up with a portfolio, it may suggest that you either haven't put in enough thought into your application, or that you simply can't be assed showing off your work. When applying for my course (Swinburne's combination of tech and acting - I applied as a techie), I took a portfolio of set designs, scripts and anything else I could possibly use to impress people with. I did the same for two unsuccessful bids at VCA. Although VCA was unsuccessful, all panels were extremely glad to see a well-presented portfolio. And it was the clincher at my Swinburne interview, when one of the lecturers asked to keep a copy of one of my designs. In other words: it might not necessarily hurt you to not take one, but it certainly will give you an advantage if you do. Moppet eyes now on sale at Puppets in Melbourne