We’re so excited to see Aimee Lou Wood recognised with not one, but two BAFTA TV nominations this year!
In case you missed the news, Aimee Lou Wood has been nominated in the Leading Actress category for her work on Film Club (BBC) and in the Supporting Actress category for her work on The White Lotus (HBO).
It’s a huge moment for her, and being nominated in both leading and supporting categories is a real testament to the range and depth she brings to her work. It’s been amazing to watch her career go from strength to strength.
Taking the Time to Find Your Path
Before gaining a place on a three-year course, Aimee completed the Foundation Course in Acting here at OSD. After completing the course, she went on to secure a place on RADA’s renowned BA Acting programme.
Her journey is a great example of something we often talk about here: not everyone is ready to jump straight into a three-year course, and that’s completely fine.
Sometimes, what you need most is time. Time to build confidence, develop your skills, and really understand what training at drama school involves.
If you’re thinking about drama school, here are seven reasons why a foundation course might be exactly what you need.
1. Build Confidence Before the Big Leap
Going straight into a three-year course can feel intense, rightly so, and not everyone is ready for the double whammy of leaving home for the first time AND diving headfirst into a three-year programme.
A foundation course gives you the chance to grow your confidence in a supportive environment, surrounded by people who have the same goals and drive as you do.
2. Develop Core Acting Skills
This is your time to really get stuck into the craft.
Voice, movement, text work, improvisation, these are the building blocks of actor training, and having a solid grounding can make a huge difference when you progress onto a three-year course.
School curriculums can be pretty restrictive, but a Foundation Course is designed to expose you to many different ways of working, giving you a real taste of what type of training might be right for you.
3. Experience What Drama School Is Really Like
Many people apply to drama school without fully knowing what it involves day-to-day.
A foundation course gives you insight into the pace, expectations, and level of commitment required, so you can make a more informed decision about your next step.
A Foundation Course will also give you insight into where you might want to train. No two drama schools are the same; they all offer different approaches and environments. Part of the OSD Foundation Course has always been about educating you on these differences so that you’re prepared to make the best decision for your future.
4. Prepare Properly for Auditions
Auditioning for drama school is a skill in itself. OSD Foundation Courses have Audition Rep classes throughout the 6 months, giving you a chance to test out speeches and develop your audition skills alongside your acting skills.
With guidance, feedback, and practice, you’ll be in a much stronger position to approach auditions with clarity and confidence.
5. Give Yourself Time to Grow
Not everyone is ready for conservatoire training straight away, and that’s completely normal.
A foundation course gives you space to develop at your own pace, both as an actor and as a person. Whether you’re leaving school for the first time, returning to performing after a different career path, or beginning to take acting seriously for the first time in your life, foundation courses are there to support you in reaching your next step.
6. Take a Thoughtful First Step into the Industry
Actors like Aimee Lou Wood and Nicola Coughlan both began their journeys on the Foundation Course at OSD before going on to train at leading drama schools.
Every path is different, but starting with focused, practical training can help you move forward with purpose.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re thinking about drama school but want to build your skills and confidence first, this is your moment.
Applications for the Foundation Course in Acting are still open, and we still have spaces at our forthcoming recall audition days. If you’re serious about training, this course offers a focused, supportive environment to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Find out more and apply here:
https://oxforddrama.ac.uk/courses/acting-foundation-course/
Take the step. Do the work. Give yourself the time to grow.
And in the meantime, we’ll be cheering Aimee Lou Wood on at the BAFTAs. What an incredible achievement!