3D

3D - Critical Questions

I have read through these questions in the module handbook, and believe answering some of these will really get my head ready for writing my critical reflection! 

Here goes...

Do some very specific ideas emerge about your networking and sources? Does your engagement to date seem appropriate? Limited etc?

I didn’t realise until writing in my journal how unseparated my social and professional lives are. I check facebook (don’t judge me!) probably about 5 times a day (due to it being on my iPhone!) and constantly on there, there are jobs from ‘Dance Cast’, ‘Casting Now’ and ‘Debbie O’Brien’ advertising opportunities. Although, on one hand this is great, and before starting this course didn’t phase me at all, thinking about it now makes me ask the question; in this generation do we ever take time out from our busy professional lives? 

There are so many ways to access these sources with iPhones, Blackberry’s, computers etc that even though it is brilliant that I will never miss an opportunity, is it good for me to be constantly thinking about my career? 

I think to improve my professional network I should tweet and follow people in our industry a lot more, to gain a rapport with them and this will make me stand out and this would improve my engagement with people. I think I have quite a big network, however if I compared it to someone who has been in the industry for over ten years, it is tiny! However, this will only get bigger with experience!

To what extent do concepts and theories assist you in thinking about your professional networking in different ways? And do these different ways of thinking have some purpose for you?

The theory of affiliation has really made me think about the way I use my professional network. I thought for a while about O’Connor and Rosenblood’s concept of everyone having a preferred level of interaction, and thought about how I interact with various groups of people.

I came to the conclusion that I need to make more of an effort with my professional network. When it comes to my ‘downtime’ I use that time to spend with friends who aren’t really part of my preferred career choice, and maybe subconsciously, this is to get away from the stress of auditions etc! When maybe, to relieve that stress, I should talk about my worries to the people who will understand it. According to Crisp and Turner, I have this network to ‘provide me with a network of support that will help me when I am in need’ . This is definitely a way forward for me, as sometimes I can feel like I don’t spend enough time with my college friends, especially when they like to see each other very frequently, and this is probably down to my own desire to seek out affiliation. I am going to make a bigger effort to keep in contact with these people, most likely on my most important sources - facebook, twitter etc. 

Are you left thinking differently prior to this part of the module? And if so, how?

I didn’t realise how big my network would be until drawing a mind map of all the people I am connected with! It gave me a confidence boost knowing that I have all these professionals in my life, who I am in someway connected with. Be it a small connection, or large, it is still in some way part of how I am as a professional. I really took a lot of time over thinking about ‘Tit for Tat’ and cooperation by Axelrod, and it made me feel like I am a valued member of other peoples network. It is important to know the boundaries of helping someone and I am glad that this theory was part of the reader as I believe it is an important one. 

3C - sources of information

3C Sources of Information

My biggest sources of information are:

1. Google
2. Friends and word of mouth
3. Social sites
4. Notice Boards
5. Youtube

Google has changed the way that we research and learn in this day and age. I am lucky enough to remember (just!) life before the internet, and appreciate how easy it is to look something up now. When I was at primary school and had to create projects I had to take trips to the library to find the information I needed. It was time consuming and something that didn’t necessarily even come out with the desired knowledge. Now, I can look anything up, and even ask it questions! It’s great when you want to research directors and people who you are auditioning for, as you can get a feel for what they are looking for!

A real benefit to me on my iPhone and iPad is street view that google provides. It is amazing for finding buildings where auditions are, so no more worrying about if I’m going to get lost! 

Friends are an amazing source of information, as it gives you access to other peoples networks. A friend hears that another friend has an audition that would be perfect for you, and then you can take action when they tell you! Friends also have different experiences that they can share, and this is brilliant for learning. So, for example, a friend auditioned at college and said that they sang a Jason Robert-Brown song in front of our MD, which didn’t go down well. I was going to sing a JRB song too, and quickly changed my choice so that I didn’t make the same mistake. They can give you advice as they know you the best. It is a difficult source as well, as a lot can be gossip and isn’t 100% trustworthy!

I use facebook, casting call pro and other sites to keep up to date with auditions and whats is going on in the musical theatre industry. I particularly like ‘The Stage’ as not only has it got auditions, but it has advice and the latest news updates. It has everything that a performer needs, with access to blogs and even to ask a question for ‘John’ in his ‘Dear John’ section! In terms of networking, it now even has a dating section!! (Not something that appeals to me, but talk of being an extroverted networker!) On its forums, it even has links to other sites which may help you. 

On facebook and twitter I follow Debbie O’Brien, who casts Thriller, Starlight Express etc and she frequently posts when the lastest auditions are around. Unfortunately, at the moment, they only want male singers!!

When going to dance classes and the gym I check the notice board to see if there are any updates or opportunities. Often, there are model jobs, or cruise liner open calls, which is great to get audition experience! It makes my network completely open, and gives me the decision whether I want to go or not. It also gives me the opportunity to give back to my network. If I see something that would suit someone else, I am more than happy to pass on the details. This worked well for me and Nick, when he saw a panto audition for females, he passed on the audition times etc and when I saw a tap call for men, I put him forward!

Youtube is my last source of information which I believe changes how I work as a performer. It is hard to imagine what I would have done without it! I always check out the latest show online, and like to listen to soundtracks which I haven’t heard much about before. I think a good example of this is ‘Legally Blonde’. It was out on Broadway way before the West End, and when auditions came round for it, I had already watched pretty much the whole show, so knew a lot of the choreography! It also helped me so much at college with difficult, unknown music that we were expected to learn in a short amount of time. 

Some questions I would like to raise and would love to know your response, are; do you think youtube and the internet has affected our imagination and creativity? Having the tools to see someone else perform something, does it affect how we interpret our art form?

I will blog my opinion on this later, as I am interested to see how other people feel about this! 

To go back...

After speaking to Hannah on the phone, she directed me to Sarah Pearson's blog and told me to take the test that shows what kind of learner you are. Here is the link again:

which learner are you?

It turns out I am more of an audio learner! Which would make sense, as I am a very musical person. But I always just read the reader...and maybe I should try and listen to it! (It might save me reading it 5 times before I really understand it!)

It's something I would definitely recommend as you might be able to save yourself a lot of time!!

Thanks Hannah and Sarah!

3B, Networking Theories

Here is the link to google docs:

networking theories

This task look quite a while, but was very interesting to see how I fit in with all these theories!

3A, a networked professional

Networking, I believe is a key way to gain a good reputation and open doors to jobs which normally wouldn’t become available. Especially being a graduate it is vital I gain all the connections I can get as this will (hopefully!) give me a long lasting career.
I have been repeatedly told, whist training at Urdang, that it is vital you ‘‘network’’ with other performers, casting directors etc. We were told to always make an effort to socialise with those you are working with, be it at the pub or going to get a coffee in your rehearsal break.

A story that has stuck with me from training is about a visitor we had come to take us for a workshop. She was called Rosie and had done lots of performances with RSC. When we asked her how she got her audition she said she went to see a preview of one of their plays and hung around the pub after, where she knew they would celebrate the preview, and started a conversation with the director. The next day she sent a postcard to his contact details and he invited her to come along to a casting.
This for me is very brave, and I probably wouldn’t have the confidence to do this! I am an outgoing person, and love meeting new people, but I would be worried that they wouldn’t want to socialise with someone, who effectively is wanting a job!

I didn’t think I would have a big professional network, but thinking about it, I do! Just training at Urdang has made me have a huge network! Not only the students, but teachers and guests to the college. Friends who are starting to get high-end jobs are definitely people who are part of my professional network, even though they are just friends to me! I have friends who are in ‘Thriller’, ‘Ghost’ and other touring jobs and this is a good bonus, because if they need someone who matches my description, hopefully they would suggest me, or at least introduce me to the casting team.

The work from task 1 comes into this section alot, as web 2.0 has really influenced my professional network. ‘Casting Call Pro’,‘Spotlight’ and ‘The Stage’ are all platforms for networking. They each have forums which you can talk to others on, or look up various people you want to stay in contact with. These sites are purely professional and the image of you can stay that way!
Another way of creating a network is via social tools such as ‘facebook’. I have an account for facebook, but would like it to stay social and not professional as my profile has pictures from my day to day life which maybe a potential employer wouldn’t be too impressed with! (i.e night out on the town!) I think its important to have separate profiles as you can have the ‘downtime’ that is needed and can say what you want to your friends!

I also have a twitter account, which I use to follow directors and choreographers who I have worked with in the past, and ones I admire. I also follow ‘Debbie O’Brien’ who is a casting director to see where the latest auditions are. It is rare I tweet, and if I do, it is professionally, so I would say this is a tool I use to gain a stronger professional network. I tweeted ‘Nikolai Foster’ who directed ‘Songs for a New World’ at college when I was watching ‘Footloose’ which I knew he had directed. It turned out he was at the theatre so we met and caught up! This was a great way for him to remember me and get more links.

To conclude, I believe that web 2.0 has improved the way performers network but it never beats actually making those connections by face to face interactions!

2D

What in your daily practice gets you really enthusiastic to find out more about? Who do you admire who also works with what makes you enthusiastic?
Music is a huge passion of mine, and it is definitely something that makes me enthusiastic. Everyday I have to listen to my iPod, and if I loose my headphones and have to travel it’s a nightmare. I have quite an active imagination, and when I am listening to my music, I always have a routine or something staged for that song! What really inspires me at the moment is the soundtrack to ‘Ghost’. I think the music is beautiful and I’m worried when I go to see it it’s going to be completely different to how I imagine it to be!
Someone who inspires me musically is Adele. Not only does her music inspire me, but she writes so much of it, you can really tell she means every word. I am quite a graceful dancer, so her music really suits my style of choreography.

What gets you angry or makes you sad? Who do you admire who shares your feelings or as found away to work around the sadness or anger?
Being a recent graduate and having a lot of opportunities whilst being at college, as teachers and students know your strengths to cast you for your ‘perfect’ roles it’s hard to come out into the real world and be turned down for auditions when you know you could play that role. It’s a mixture of anger, sadness and disappointment as it is easy to get frustrated with yourself. You have to be prepared for criticism and feedback, but when you receive none, and you just get a ‘no’ you have to take the responsibility to reflect for yourself, which is why I have loved journal writing. It is something that will become easier with time, when you learn more about yourself as a performer too.
I really admire Nick (who is also on the BAPP course!) and his perspective on auditions and how to not feel as angry with himself if you don’t get a recall etc. He doesn’t dwell on the audition, and learns from each experience by analysing the other performers in the audition, seeing how they dance and picking up hints to use for himself at the next audition he goes to. This helps keep a positive attitude when you get rejected!

What do you love about what you do? Who do you admire who also seems to love this or is an example of what you love?
From reading (and listening!) to my journals, I think it became clear that I love teaching and passing on advice.
The most recent project at the Garrick, was a difficult number, as not only did we have professional dancers but performers who had a basic level of dance training. Doing Fosse choreography is so intricate so having the patience to teach all the details was a challenge but the overall result just makes everything so worthwhile! The adrenaline of making, not only the audience but the performers, happy with ‘All That Jazz’ just makes me smile!
I admire an old dance teacher of mine called Carl Parris who helped with the recent Garrick project. He clearly has the same passion as me and has been teaching for years. He has experience in the West End and I aspire to be like him. He always has time for everyone and will give specific feedback to each person which means you can work on something for the next class or rehearsal. His energy is always so upbeat and its infectious, there’s a lot to learn from him!!

What do you feel you don’t understand? Who do you admire who does seem to understand it or who has found a way of making not understanding it interesting or beautiful, or has asked the same questions as you?
I don’t know if I do understand this or not, but I am not sure why I love dancing or why I chose to do it as a profession! Obviously it is something I cannot control and nothing beats the feeling I get when I perform and thats the reason why, but sometimes I feel crazy for going into such a competitive and insecure career! Contracts are so short, and the pay can not be lets say the best, but yet, it is such a competitive industry and it’s all for the love and passion of our profession.
This question is often raised when talking to out of work performers, and every time the same answer prevails; you can’t help what you love doing! So I accept just being crazy and just loving what I do!

The Garrick Theatre

So last night we performed 'All That Jazz' at the Garrick Theatre for an Apple corporate event.

I can honestly say it was the most amazing feeling, although I didn't realise how nervous I would get!!

Being backstage made me really remember why I love performing and the adrenaline was pumping!

I will upload some pictures when I get them!

2b....journal writing experience!

Starting a new job, and having to learn from scratch about pretty much every single detail has been a pretty interesting time for me to write a journal. It ties in nicely with my development at work and just shows me how much I have taken on over this past month or so! I am juggling between working at Apple, doing auditions and also being a key part of our ‘Stage Team’ at work. It has been the most stressful time for me post college as I want to do well in everything I do!

I am performing at the Garrick Theatre next Sunday for an Apple corporate event which I am dead excited about. We are doing ‘All That Jazz’ (obviously...as Chicago has just moved to the Garrick, how could we not?!) in which I am Velma. (Yay! Life long dream!) Whilst in rehearsals for this, I have found journal writing to be very interesting. I am also assisting the choreographer on this, so I get to teach and clean as well as be a part of the final piece.

I has been really rewarding learning from my own mistakes and reflecting on them, and actually enforcing my learns the next day! I mainly used the description and reflection method of writing, which really helped with the teaching and choreographing side of things. I learnt from my experiences with the first couple of days of rehearsal that I needed to be more patient and I got this from writing in my journal that the cast hadn't picked up the routine as quickly as I had expected and that had frustrated me. But on reflection, I realised just because I knew the routine from years before, not everyone would, and I had to break it down and teach it at a slower pace.

I have used most of the 9 ways to write a journal from the reader now; the only one I haven’t tried is the graph. For me, I don’t think this would be effective, as I prefer writing things down. (Although one day I did record myself speak on my phone, that was strange!)
The last one I tried, and the one I am going to talk about most in this blog, is writing from ‘another view’. I was dubious about using this method, but after reading Phil’s blog I decided to give it ago the next night. I decided to write as if I was my iPhone. I chose this because it’s always on me!

I was finding myself with the other methods of reflection, getting similar learns, and reflecting from the same perspective. I was however, amazed at how different I saw my day. I was telling someone else’s story and I think I found it easier to pull out something different, to lets say, the list format. Plus, I was surprised how into it I got!
For future journal writing I will definitely use ‘another view’ for another perspective, but I don’t think I will do it too often as I don’t think it would have as much of an impact as it did for me first time round!

WOW, time does fly by so quickly!!! (my thoughts and a little bit of task 2a)

So, even though I have been doing my uni work with journals etc...I seem to not have put any of my thoughts on my blog.
I know the reason for this is because I am writing all my thoughts on a regular basis as part of section 2, and assuming that everyone knows this!! (fail!)
I think blogging and my journal writing will become so much easier now to maintain as I am writing this blog to you all on my new shiny macbook pro :) it's such a joy to use, that I will want to be on it all the time, so never fear....my blogs shall be a lot more frequent from this day forward!
I also have downloaded the 'blogger' app for my iPhone, so blogging on the go will be so easy too!
It's something I would recommend to all smart phone users as I know I'm not the only one (from reading all your lovely blogs today) that is busy and finds it difficult to keep up to date!
The only annoying thing is that it will let you write a blog, but not see what other's have written...so good for keeping your own page up and running, but not so good for commenting!

Anyway...back to the task at hand, and I am actually really enjoying writing about my day. I have still only stuck to my format, and haven't tried other frameworks that are in the reader. At first, I found it difficult to convey what I had actually done in my day that was of any interest, but now with practice it has become so much easier. I've found I have created almost a check list throughout the day that I add to when I know I want to put something in my blog so I remember what I have done. (As often one day merges into another!) and already it has helped me and my organisation skills!! (bonus!)

I shall write another blog tomorrow as I am off to see some fireworks!! :D

CV (task 1a)

When opening my CV file up, I realised I hadn't updated it for over 6 months! I think this is the main thing to remember with a CV...that you must keep it organised and up to date. It is the first thing that a casting director will see, and to not be up to date can reflect badly on you as a performer but it can also be frustrating for the director as they cannot gather the information they need.
I am not sure whether to have my address and phone number on my CV as I would like to be contacted by email as my primary source, so any thoughts on if I should include this would be very helpful!

Here is a link to my CV on google docs:

CV

Photos (task 1d)

I had my head shots taken almost a year ago and when going back through them all, I have found pictures that did not reflect me as a performer back then and that I discarded, now suit me better!
I have uploaded onto flickr 3 head shots and a couple of on stage photos that show what I did at college. The link is here:

Emma's Flickr Account

I am going to add a gadget so the link will be easily accessible. I am surprised at how easy Flickr is to use as I haven't used this web page before. I particularly liked how I could create a set of photos so I can organise my photos.

I shall give you a sneek preview of my flickr album on here!

Web 2.0 and the effects it has in the workplace (task 1b)

Web 2.0 is a creation which has revolutionised the way the musical theatre and the dance industry works. Not only does it let us directly be in contact with casting agents and other performers but it saves a lot of time and money which performers tend not to have either of! Of course any aid can come with it's downfalls which I would like to discuss here as well but there is no doubt that it has completely changed the way we work.

Many things sprung to mind when web 2.0 was raised in our lecture. I know I use Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and other websites every day for long periods of time for social use, but as graduation drew closer I found myself using these websites for my career too. One example I would like to use is 'dance cast'. Dance cast is a Facebook group which you can be asked to join for upcoming auditions for not only dance jobs, but the look for singers, actors and extras too. The beauty of this is that the jobs on the page are not just for the UK but for all over the world, giving you sometimes details of the casting director, choreographer, producer which is amazing as it completely broadens the amount of jobs available to performers. Even better that it is all free and on a website I use everyday to chat to my friends and check out photos.

This however, does raise the point that can we now ever separate work life from home life? Everyone needs their 'downtime' and with auditions at the tip of our fingers can we ever relax? It's a hard enough industry when you are in class, and when you are at auditions, do we need to be reminded of it so frequently? Especially if we have a smartphone...which brings me nicely onto my next point. Accessibility.

With web 2.0 and smartphones you are constantly connected to these networking sites. This has a massive impact on the way we live, especially as a performer auditioning. We can be emailed/text/tweeted/skyped...or even be rung by someone(!) to find out about a casting. But it's not just getting a job that web 2.0 can help us with, it's also keeping that job and being organised. Rehearsal schedules, social meets, reviews and promotion for a show all use Facebook and twitter. Creating event pages and groups is an amazing way for everyone to keep in contact with each other in one communal place, which is the whole allure of web 2.0 that Tim O'Reilly shows in the reader; "The users add content to the site, and the more the users access the site and add data the better the site becomes." Saying that the more we add to a site, the greater the appeal to it as we can have an influence on how a page works.

I think that web 2.0 is a brilliant tool for performers, casting directors, agents etc as it gives us all a wider variety of jobs and clients in an effective way. Not only is it instant but it is free and quick to use! For me, the benefits outweigh any problem, as I would like to have as many opportunities as possible!

Phew!

Well.....it's taken me a while to get here, but YAY! Finally my first post!
I think I have looked through every template and picture to find one I do really like, so now that I am happy (apart from making my picture a little bigger!) I can begin!
Tomorrow is our first module meeting and I am rather excited to see everyone and start some work, so adios for now and see you all tomorrow!!