Wednesday 8 May 2013
Essay almost there!
Tonight i have finished my draft of my essay, i just got a little excited so i thought i would share it with you all! I just need to now type it up and fingers crossed! X
Friday 3 May 2013
3c, Critical questions and issues that emerge
Here is an insight to my most current and top 5 most important sources of information.
All of these sources of information are a brilliant way of networking, and these help me daily to pursue and continue my love in my professional practise.
The web:
Technology is so advanced in this day and age and it makes you wonder how we could have ever lived with out it. I was unfortunate enough to have 2 laptops break within a matter of a week and i felt as though my left arm had been taken off me. I rely so heavily on the Webb, for information sources and so much more. The web is an amazing way of networking. Facebook, blogging, email, youtube, twitter these are all amazing sources that i use regularly to promote myself as a dancer/ performer. If i put myself out there then i have more opportunity of being noticed and so i can apply for more work. There also are websites out there such as dancers pro and spotlight that i am on. Yes you have to pay for these but jobs are posted hourly that you can apply to. Casting directors look on to these pages and there are more than enough ways of you putting your information out there so you can be contacted. I have had many jobs through this form of networking. I over the years have also sent thousands of emails, to choreographers, company to show my interest in their work, this shows that i am interested i have put myself out there. I can email over cover letters CV'S and showreels. This is a very fast way of networking and things can get done instantly.
Agents:
I feel that agents are most help full in this business. Once you audition for them and they know you as a persona and your talents they can then showcase you and try to help you get work. Agents are there to advise you, help with the auditions try and get you private ones but also know you as a person and help you develop. Agents offer feedback and should help you improve to the best of your ability. I myself have an agent and she has on many occasions offered me work that i wouldn't have know was out there, but because of her contacts she is that extra step ahead. That's where cooperation comes hugely into play, we help one another.
Phones/Laptops:
My iphone is always by my side, its something that is taken every where with me. Its such a handy gadget and with technology today they are just getting better and quicker. I constantly get emails and updates off websites like spotlight and As my iphone is always with me i can respond there and then quick enough. We have such easy access to the internet to source quick information to help us and apps that we can download if we are lost. With Laptops its very easy to attach pictures and CV's. There is no way now a days that people can not get in contact the technologies out there allows us to always be able to get in contact with people. Facebook and twitter can be downloaded onto your phones, so searching for people couldn't be any easier.
Friends, Word of mouth:
I feel these 2 sources of information fit hand in glove. Whilst you are out and about you are personally and unawaringly networking. You don't always know who you are talking to, that person on the bus could be a film director, so that is why i always have my Witt's about me and act professionally at all times. I feel word of mouth is a great source of information. The amount of times have stood In a que at an audition for hours on end, and you strike up conversation with the person next to you, whilst talking you are both extracting information for your own personal benefit, they are advising you, helping you, and hopefully you are doing the same for them. Perfect example i went to the wicked audition at pineapple last week and i stood in a que for hours on end, which resulted in 5 of us become good friends, we now have added each another on facebook and speak, chat discuss other auditions. If it wasn't for us networking, talking making friends and using the social networking of facebook then this wouldn't have happened. But you can also hear information off colleagues and friends that wish to help and advise you at the same time.
Classes / or an environment related to your professional practice:
Attending classes i feel is an amazing opportunity to learn and enjoy yourself anyway. But whilst you are there it is also a great opportunity to network, with other students/ dancers meet new choreographers. Attending classes i feel keeps you in the industry loop, you get to learn new techniques and repertoire, try new ideas and styles and only build upon your knowledge. There is no harm in adding another string to you bow. For all you know a choreographer may spot you in a class and a Job opportunity may arise. In classes you can make new friends and then discuss ways that they network, you get to learn so much by being in this environment. But i also feel that other than classes attending shows/ performances is also very very interesting. You get to expand your knowledge, go and watch something and enjoy yourself. Seeing a musical if your musical theatre trained may be that bit of inspiration you needed, i know when i come out of a show it inspires me even more to work harder to be on that stage. Its all about being involved in the communaties of practise. being surrounded by the people in your professional practice can only have a positive effect on you as a person.
So there i have highlighted my top 5 sources of information. I hope they help you too, and inspire you to look further than the average. From looking at my sources i feel very happy with them because there are live and virtual sources, i feel i try all options to help myself. I don't just put all my eggs into one basket and expect jobs to come to me, even though i do all this on a daily basis i still have to keep trying harder and networking constantly to be the best at my profession.
All of these sources of information are a brilliant way of networking, and these help me daily to pursue and continue my love in my professional practise.
The web:
Technology is so advanced in this day and age and it makes you wonder how we could have ever lived with out it. I was unfortunate enough to have 2 laptops break within a matter of a week and i felt as though my left arm had been taken off me. I rely so heavily on the Webb, for information sources and so much more. The web is an amazing way of networking. Facebook, blogging, email, youtube, twitter these are all amazing sources that i use regularly to promote myself as a dancer/ performer. If i put myself out there then i have more opportunity of being noticed and so i can apply for more work. There also are websites out there such as dancers pro and spotlight that i am on. Yes you have to pay for these but jobs are posted hourly that you can apply to. Casting directors look on to these pages and there are more than enough ways of you putting your information out there so you can be contacted. I have had many jobs through this form of networking. I over the years have also sent thousands of emails, to choreographers, company to show my interest in their work, this shows that i am interested i have put myself out there. I can email over cover letters CV'S and showreels. This is a very fast way of networking and things can get done instantly.
Agents:
I feel that agents are most help full in this business. Once you audition for them and they know you as a persona and your talents they can then showcase you and try to help you get work. Agents are there to advise you, help with the auditions try and get you private ones but also know you as a person and help you develop. Agents offer feedback and should help you improve to the best of your ability. I myself have an agent and she has on many occasions offered me work that i wouldn't have know was out there, but because of her contacts she is that extra step ahead. That's where cooperation comes hugely into play, we help one another.
Phones/Laptops:
My iphone is always by my side, its something that is taken every where with me. Its such a handy gadget and with technology today they are just getting better and quicker. I constantly get emails and updates off websites like spotlight and As my iphone is always with me i can respond there and then quick enough. We have such easy access to the internet to source quick information to help us and apps that we can download if we are lost. With Laptops its very easy to attach pictures and CV's. There is no way now a days that people can not get in contact the technologies out there allows us to always be able to get in contact with people. Facebook and twitter can be downloaded onto your phones, so searching for people couldn't be any easier.
Friends, Word of mouth:
I feel these 2 sources of information fit hand in glove. Whilst you are out and about you are personally and unawaringly networking. You don't always know who you are talking to, that person on the bus could be a film director, so that is why i always have my Witt's about me and act professionally at all times. I feel word of mouth is a great source of information. The amount of times have stood In a que at an audition for hours on end, and you strike up conversation with the person next to you, whilst talking you are both extracting information for your own personal benefit, they are advising you, helping you, and hopefully you are doing the same for them. Perfect example i went to the wicked audition at pineapple last week and i stood in a que for hours on end, which resulted in 5 of us become good friends, we now have added each another on facebook and speak, chat discuss other auditions. If it wasn't for us networking, talking making friends and using the social networking of facebook then this wouldn't have happened. But you can also hear information off colleagues and friends that wish to help and advise you at the same time.
Classes / or an environment related to your professional practice:
Attending classes i feel is an amazing opportunity to learn and enjoy yourself anyway. But whilst you are there it is also a great opportunity to network, with other students/ dancers meet new choreographers. Attending classes i feel keeps you in the industry loop, you get to learn new techniques and repertoire, try new ideas and styles and only build upon your knowledge. There is no harm in adding another string to you bow. For all you know a choreographer may spot you in a class and a Job opportunity may arise. In classes you can make new friends and then discuss ways that they network, you get to learn so much by being in this environment. But i also feel that other than classes attending shows/ performances is also very very interesting. You get to expand your knowledge, go and watch something and enjoy yourself. Seeing a musical if your musical theatre trained may be that bit of inspiration you needed, i know when i come out of a show it inspires me even more to work harder to be on that stage. Its all about being involved in the communaties of practise. being surrounded by the people in your professional practice can only have a positive effect on you as a person.
So there i have highlighted my top 5 sources of information. I hope they help you too, and inspire you to look further than the average. From looking at my sources i feel very happy with them because there are live and virtual sources, i feel i try all options to help myself. I don't just put all my eggs into one basket and expect jobs to come to me, even though i do all this on a daily basis i still have to keep trying harder and networking constantly to be the best at my profession.
3b, Theories relating to networking
In my professional practice these networks are valuable to me and i rely on them very much for my career.
No doubt in years to come there will be many more ways of networking, but as of yet there are a hell of a lot of tools already out there.
Some of these networks are free , such as facebook and bloggs but i feel that the more people use them, companies will latch onto people having to pay in society to continue networking.
Facebook, and bloggs are a brilliant way to promote yourself and a way for clients, agents and other professional people to find out about yourself. It's a network where you can be seen at any time.
i feel that i personally could use Flikr and youtube a little more. Before i started my BAPP course i had never used these before, youtube to search things but never to promote myself. I personally feel that both of these networking tools are very handy. I could use these a lot more to my advantage. I now have an account on flikr and i have only recently uploaded a video onto youtube for my first set of tasks. But for my professional practice if i had a show reel this could be put onto youtube to be seen by thousands more people, this can only be an advantage for myself. With Flikr, people can now see my professional pictures. It's a positive move for me to include theses into m networking tools. The other option i have thought about is setting up my very own website, to promote myself within the industry, many people have this, and i feel i could put all my links to flikr, youtube send people to my blogs. this could be so beneficial to me and its something i am currently look into.
The theories i have read through in great detail and i feel that each will some how suit every ones character and how they network. These networking tools defiantly come to light in these theories.
My professional practice is highly important to me so that is why i need to constantly maintain it, and networking is the main part of this game. The performing industry that i am in, is not always about what you know but who you know. Networking can open a whole can of worms, makes sure you work hard and maintain this. My professional networking does most defiantly has a huge impact on my career and success, promotion and development. By constantly networking this can lead to future work, achievements and an even more enjoyment to my professional practice. Hopefully by reading these theories will now give me a better understanding on how to use my professional networks more effectively.
Cooperation
I believe cooperation is a process where people/ organisations can work together to achieve the same end result. You work together in a process that helps one another.
I picked out of the reader , Out of the extract from Axelrod, R (1984) pages xi-xiv:
The term tit for tat is very apparent when it comes to cooperation. People always need to have some thing beneficial to them before they cooperate i think this is awful, that people are almost not nice enough to help out in a kind hearted way for the love of it unless it is beneficial to them.
But the question is where do you draw the line, how far do you go to help someone i know myself i always cooperate as i feel its the right way to look forward in life.
"The will and way to win" (Alan Durrant- From the Reader 3)
In my professional practice i feel that cooperation is key. No one would want to employ a dancer that did not cooperate, other wise you would be straight out of a job, hopefully the more you cooperate this is noted and works to your advantage.
Affiliation
Affiliation is related to social psychology. It uncovers as to why we associate ourselves with other people, and how and why we form relationships. It makes me realise how much we actually talk to other people. We socialise a hell of a lot, and its something that comes completely naturally for me. Affiliation is a social process but each person seeks a different amount of interaction. Everyone has their own preferred amount of interaction. O' Connor and Rosenblood (1996 pp267) believe that this may link to preferred levels of social stimulation. If the person hasn't had much contact with other people socially, then they won't want to interact as much as others would want to.
I also feel people in this industry do a lot of talking, meeting of new people is a huge way of networking, getting yourself out there showing your face interacting more within society can only be a positive. I feel i socialise with a lot of different people, and these can all have an influence on me as a person. By talking to people you can learn a hell of a lot, so if i was talking to a choreographer i could learn about their technique, where they are in the game of the industry, or simply knowing someone.
You could also look at this as people can talk to you via networks to get to know you, is this private or are they simply intrigued as to what you do.
From the extract from Crisp, J &Turner, R (2007), Pages 266-268;
According to physiologist we have a tendency to seek out others and form close relationships, its inherited and that's why we affiliate. This trait helps us to extract information, form relation ships, socialise more and also learn.
Social Constructinims
The way i read into this theory is that in this society we all have systems that we have engaged. Such as social structures that have been made and put into place. These social structure have rues but are only there to enhance you as a person of society. For example public schools are there and have been put into force for children to go to learn. Whereas in my profession people attend auditions, there are rules to follow and structures that have to be adhered to.
Connectivism
Connectivism i feel is all about the way we as individual connect to networks to learn and make our own choices. It's about learning influenced ideas. Our brain is a huge network, and we as individuals choose to put ourselves out there. We make choices on connection what ever our preference may be. I feel that learning networks benefit myself and my professional practice and helps me to move forward. I believe that all our networks are all inhabited with information from which we read, take in, process and learn, this can be done in an interactive way to learn.
In the extract from Siemens, G (2004)
Where it says "Learning is a continual process lasting for a lifetime. Learning and work related activities are no longer separate. In many situations they are the same"
I could not agree more with this statement. In the performing industry you are constantly learning, and its something that always stays with you. The activates are not separate i learn for my professional practice i network to learn and keep my practise up to date.
Driscoll (2000) also is interesting, that learning has a change on a human person's performance. We learn from our experiences and interaction with the worlds. Our experiences and knowledge from reflection on the experiences make us the people we are today.
Communities of Practice
This final theory i feel i can relate to very easily. Lave and Wenger, believe that people only understand your practise if they are involved in it. If they get the context of it they will agree. This is my field. I find as though i can connect to this, on many occasions when socialising and even talking to family members when i discuss the industry they can sometimes tend to disagree, and i feel this is because they are not part of the community of my practice. But this can also work to my advantage whilst attending auditions whilst i talk and socialise with other performers i can listen to those that are in this community of practise and learn, bounce of them for my own personal benefit. People come together because we all have a mutual interest, that is why i completely agree with Anna Timms, whilst reading her blog i feel for this theory to work comfortably you also need to incorporate cooperation, social interaction and connectivism.
These theories i feel can help many people in the same professional work co-operating together to succeed and move their professional practice forward. We are all there for the same reason, this binds us all together into a social entity.
No doubt in years to come there will be many more ways of networking, but as of yet there are a hell of a lot of tools already out there.
Some of these networks are free , such as facebook and bloggs but i feel that the more people use them, companies will latch onto people having to pay in society to continue networking.
Facebook, and bloggs are a brilliant way to promote yourself and a way for clients, agents and other professional people to find out about yourself. It's a network where you can be seen at any time.
i feel that i personally could use Flikr and youtube a little more. Before i started my BAPP course i had never used these before, youtube to search things but never to promote myself. I personally feel that both of these networking tools are very handy. I could use these a lot more to my advantage. I now have an account on flikr and i have only recently uploaded a video onto youtube for my first set of tasks. But for my professional practice if i had a show reel this could be put onto youtube to be seen by thousands more people, this can only be an advantage for myself. With Flikr, people can now see my professional pictures. It's a positive move for me to include theses into m networking tools. The other option i have thought about is setting up my very own website, to promote myself within the industry, many people have this, and i feel i could put all my links to flikr, youtube send people to my blogs. this could be so beneficial to me and its something i am currently look into.
The theories i have read through in great detail and i feel that each will some how suit every ones character and how they network. These networking tools defiantly come to light in these theories.
My professional practice is highly important to me so that is why i need to constantly maintain it, and networking is the main part of this game. The performing industry that i am in, is not always about what you know but who you know. Networking can open a whole can of worms, makes sure you work hard and maintain this. My professional networking does most defiantly has a huge impact on my career and success, promotion and development. By constantly networking this can lead to future work, achievements and an even more enjoyment to my professional practice. Hopefully by reading these theories will now give me a better understanding on how to use my professional networks more effectively.
Cooperation
I believe cooperation is a process where people/ organisations can work together to achieve the same end result. You work together in a process that helps one another.
However the Game theory believes that one player succeeded and another misses out. This i believe happens in everyday life but are we a selfish society, shouldn't we be helping one another out. However in this industry that i am in, its all about yourself. People choose to not cooperate as they believe this is helping others, they may be giving the game away and i think cooperation doesn't happen as much as it should.
People hold back on cooperating as they feel they need to benefit, have a reason to move forward whilst helping others. The game theory is interesting because it focuses on the decisions people make weather to cooperate or not, their strategy would they benefit from cooperating?.I picked out of the reader , Out of the extract from Axelrod, R (1984) pages xi-xiv:
The term tit for tat is very apparent when it comes to cooperation. People always need to have some thing beneficial to them before they cooperate i think this is awful, that people are almost not nice enough to help out in a kind hearted way for the love of it unless it is beneficial to them.
But the question is where do you draw the line, how far do you go to help someone i know myself i always cooperate as i feel its the right way to look forward in life.
"The will and way to win" (Alan Durrant- From the Reader 3)
This quote is associated with the game theory
In my professional practice i feel that cooperation is key. No one would want to employ a dancer that did not cooperate, other wise you would be straight out of a job, hopefully the more you cooperate this is noted and works to your advantage.
Affiliation
Affiliation is related to social psychology. It uncovers as to why we associate ourselves with other people, and how and why we form relationships. It makes me realise how much we actually talk to other people. We socialise a hell of a lot, and its something that comes completely naturally for me. Affiliation is a social process but each person seeks a different amount of interaction. Everyone has their own preferred amount of interaction. O' Connor and Rosenblood (1996 pp267) believe that this may link to preferred levels of social stimulation. If the person hasn't had much contact with other people socially, then they won't want to interact as much as others would want to.
I also feel people in this industry do a lot of talking, meeting of new people is a huge way of networking, getting yourself out there showing your face interacting more within society can only be a positive. I feel i socialise with a lot of different people, and these can all have an influence on me as a person. By talking to people you can learn a hell of a lot, so if i was talking to a choreographer i could learn about their technique, where they are in the game of the industry, or simply knowing someone.
You could also look at this as people can talk to you via networks to get to know you, is this private or are they simply intrigued as to what you do.
From the extract from Crisp, J &Turner, R (2007), Pages 266-268;
According to physiologist we have a tendency to seek out others and form close relationships, its inherited and that's why we affiliate. This trait helps us to extract information, form relation ships, socialise more and also learn.
Social Constructinims
The way i read into this theory is that in this society we all have systems that we have engaged. Such as social structures that have been made and put into place. These social structure have rues but are only there to enhance you as a person of society. For example public schools are there and have been put into force for children to go to learn. Whereas in my profession people attend auditions, there are rules to follow and structures that have to be adhered to.
Connectivism
Connectivism i feel is all about the way we as individual connect to networks to learn and make our own choices. It's about learning influenced ideas. Our brain is a huge network, and we as individuals choose to put ourselves out there. We make choices on connection what ever our preference may be. I feel that learning networks benefit myself and my professional practice and helps me to move forward. I believe that all our networks are all inhabited with information from which we read, take in, process and learn, this can be done in an interactive way to learn.
In the extract from Siemens, G (2004)
Where it says "Learning is a continual process lasting for a lifetime. Learning and work related activities are no longer separate. In many situations they are the same"
I could not agree more with this statement. In the performing industry you are constantly learning, and its something that always stays with you. The activates are not separate i learn for my professional practice i network to learn and keep my practise up to date.
Driscoll (2000) also is interesting, that learning has a change on a human person's performance. We learn from our experiences and interaction with the worlds. Our experiences and knowledge from reflection on the experiences make us the people we are today.
Communities of Practice
This final theory i feel i can relate to very easily. Lave and Wenger, believe that people only understand your practise if they are involved in it. If they get the context of it they will agree. This is my field. I find as though i can connect to this, on many occasions when socialising and even talking to family members when i discuss the industry they can sometimes tend to disagree, and i feel this is because they are not part of the community of my practice. But this can also work to my advantage whilst attending auditions whilst i talk and socialise with other performers i can listen to those that are in this community of practise and learn, bounce of them for my own personal benefit. People come together because we all have a mutual interest, that is why i completely agree with Anna Timms, whilst reading her blog i feel for this theory to work comfortably you also need to incorporate cooperation, social interaction and connectivism.
These theories i feel can help many people in the same professional work co-operating together to succeed and move their professional practice forward. We are all there for the same reason, this binds us all together into a social entity.
3a, Current Networks
Whilst coming to part 3 of the tasks i have never though to myself so much about my professional practise and the underlying network sources i use. How i use it and what tools i do use. Below i have highlighted what i feel i use very regularly to help me move forward and build upon my professional practice.
These are the networking tools i use in my professional practice. My list includes Virtual and live tools.
- Myself
- Phone
- Business cards/ CV/ Show reel
- Various websites
- Bloggs
- Flikr
- Youtube
Since starting the BAPP course i had never thought of or even used, Flikr, youtube or bloggs. But now that they are part of my tools, i couldn't go without them.
These networks have helped me become much more established in my professional practice. I myself have a huge engagement with these networking tools.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)