Friday 21 December 2012

3b Professional Networking


Having read the professional networking section of the Reader several times, I found it difficult to understand. I therefore decided that it would be easier for me if I broke it down into manageable sections which I could easily digest.

Cooperation

Cooperation is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as 'to assist someone or comply with their requests', I think most people would agree that this is a fairly accurate definition of the word.  In the Reader, however, we are introduced to the notion of cooperation being closely associated with the Game theory and defined as 'the will and way to win'.  This concept is further endorsed by Robert Axelrod, cited in the Reader, who has researched extensively into human behaviour, networking and cooperation.  His theory, asserting that cooperation is based solely on reciprocity, seems selfish and manipulative to me.  The Reader cites the game 'The Prisoners' Dilemma' as researched evidence into the psychology of human nature. In this game, one player succeeds at another's expense with participants cooperating until they reach a certain point and then defecting in order to win. In the game, the object is to win as many coins as possible. Playing the game, I tried the following strategies:

Compete - when I competed I won the game, but I didn't get that many coins
Cooperation - we both got the same amount of coins. Although we got more coins than when I competed, the game was a draw.
Strategically - to win the game and get the most coins, you should cooperate for as long as possible and then - right at the last minute - compete to win the game.  Therefore, one player succeeds at another's expense.

This theory is reinforced by Axelrod, who poses the question: 'in real life would people only co-operate if they were going to gain from it'?  Initially, I strongly disagreed with this theory. However, as I reflected I realised, as Axelrod believed, that it is part of our human nature to compet -, a survival of the fittest mechanism. I believe this is especially true in the entertainment business, where jobs are scarce and friendships can be fickle. 

Whilst at College, I shared a flat with two musical theatre students. Although we were close friends, I can recall numerous occasions where an audition came up and they kept this secret from me to ensure they had a better chance of success. Although the friendship remained, I was left hurt at their actions.

Axelrod's theory made me question myself: would I act in a similar way for personal or professional gain? I'd rather not tell you my answer!! I must admit that there have been times where, although I have collaborated and cooperated with certain individuals during events, I have ditched them as soon as I got what I wanted.  There have been choreographers and colleagues that I have befriended and co-operated with for the sake of the performance, but only until the final curtain came down.

However, having examined the concept of cooperation I can also see that there are times when true relationships are forged following on from initial cooperation. These friendships are founded by an inner respect for each other and a true wish to help each other.

Affiliation

As human beings we have a social need to affiliate with other human beings.  Our personalities are all different and we are drawn to, and respond, to certain characters in others that often mirror our own belief system.  We can all be accused of networking by affiliation - it is human nature to attach yourself to people who you admire or who share the same life experiences as you.  I have close affiliations with people from my old dance school, as we shared some of the most significant moments in our dancing lives and have formed strong, lasting bonds.  Some of these friends now form a large part of my professional network as they are teachers, choreographers and dance agents which can be a distinct advantage to me as a performer.

Crisp, J. & Turner, R (2007), believe that our upbringing and culture influence our desire to affiliate.  I believe I am a sociable person, I like to fit in and to belong. Perhaps this comes from being part of a large family as I am used to feeling involved and this in-turn feeds my desire to affiliate and socialise with others.

There are, however, those people who affiliate with others just to see what they can get from them and, sadly, in this industry there are many prepared to do this.

Connectivism

My main sources of connection are the internet and my iPhone.  I recently had my phone stolen and I was devastated. I realised how much I depend on it - I felt like I'd lost a friend and became disconnected from the outside world.

Undertaking the BAPP course shows how advanced the use of technology in teaching has become. This course can be accessed from anywhere in the world, as long as the student has access to the internet.  We are learning through blogs, YouTube, Wiki's and interaction with each other. We are taking control of our own learning, moving away from the traditional educational methods.  Personally, I do believe that there is still a place for a 'teacher' in the traditional sense, as some students may not be capable of being self-directed and autonomous and may feel threatened by the use of new technology.  It can be difficult for me at times to feel connected and I wonder whether I would feel more comfortable in a classroom being afforded face to face teaching as the responsibility for my learning would then be shared.  But we are, as Laura Weir in her blog points out 'Students of connectivism',  and this, it seems, is the future.

Monday 10 December 2012

3a Networking

I find it's always useful for me to start a task with a definition and I thought the following definition was particularly apt for a professional artist. Networking is defined in the BusinessDictionary.com as 'creating...a group of acquaintances and associates and keeping it active through regular communication for mutual benefit'.
 
One of the main sources of networking for me is through my computer as this gives me online access to prospective employers through a variety of mediums.  I have a Facebook account that I use for social networking, but it is also an excellent networking tool as I am able to view dance agencies and companies that advertise castings and auditions on their Facebook pages.  I am also able to check out the companies by viewing information about them, and then - if I'm interested - private message my details directly to them.

I have my show reel on YouTube which is useful as I can send emails with links to this, making me immediately visible to employers; I can also private message my show reel links on Facebook.

I now have this blog, which is my newest networking tool and can be accessed by other professionals.

I am registered on 'Spotlight', which is well known throughout the industry as the main professional casting agency for actors, singers and dancers.  Spotlight promotes their clients  through an individual web page that contains a C.V., professional photographs, and even voice and dance clips. Employers can view the profiles of clients and express an interest in them. Equally, it allows me as a client to view current auditions and put myself forward via a networking link for any I think I am suitable for.

I have also joined 'Dancers Pro' and 'Singers Pro'. These are companies who charge a monthly subscription fee and, in return, they promote me as a performer. On these website, I have a profile page which includes my C.V., photographs, show reels, singing clips etc. It is quite expensive, but has proved to be invaluable as I have been offered contracts through both companies, and enjoyed a variety of work because of these websites.

My phone is proving to be a surprisingly valuable networking asset. I have managed to link my phone to the Dancers Pro and Singers Pro websites and I now receive instant alerts when new adverts come up that match my profile. Because of this, I am ahead of the game and can register my interest immediately.

I have an agent who contacts me by email, informing me of any auditions she thinks I might be suitable for.  I have recently changed my agent as my previous agent charged 12.5% commission for all work, including those contracts I had found myself. I really didn't think this was fair as the last 4 contracts I had I'd found myself through successful networking.  My new agent only takes commission on work she gets me, which I feel is a much better - and fairer - arrangement.

My most successful networking by far is through the contacts I have made in my career.  My last three contracts have come from recommendations by a choreographer I worked with on one of my first dancing jobs.  I do believe that if you work hard and don't let people down you get a reputation for being someone who is reliable and hardworking and you reap the rewards.  I am also very fortunate in having built good relationships with my past employers, some of whom have offered me further contracts. I always find recommendations extremely flattering and I am glad that I managed to make an impression on those people I have worked with in the past.

During my career I have made strong and lasting relationships with some of the people I have worked with and we often contact each other when we see auditions and castings which we feel would be suitable for one another.  I have been very fortunate in having met some wonderful, kind people who have become lifelong friends.

I admire those professionals who are relentless in their pursuit of work; I wish I could have their drive and determination.  I send out my C.V.'s and do try to regularly update my contact details on my web pages, but I think I am lazy when it comes to actively pursuing companies that I'd like to work with. Whilst working on the ship,  there were a couple of dancers who spent their spare time emailing employers and if they didn't get a reply they just kept emailing until they did.  If I hadn't heard after a couple of emails I would have given up assuming that they weren't interested and concerned that they'd consider me a nuisance. One dancer in particular was relentless in his pursuit of work - he had even worked out the best days and times to email companies! It certainly seemed to work for him though, his calendar was always full.

Throughout module one, we have been asked to reflect back on our current practice and to move forward from where we are. Schon asks us to reflect on our ongoing experience and learn from it.  I realise that in order to progress I need to change some of the ways I use my networking tools:

I spend a great deal of time reading other students' blogs, but I have lacked the confidence to comment, fearing scrutiny and criticism. On reflection I realise that this is a pre-requisite of the course and I aim in future to actively engage with my fellow bloggers by commenting on those blogs that I feel I could constructively contribute to.

I need to become more assertive in my pursuit of work and, reflecting back, see that the dancer who vigorously and relentlessly pursued employment was deemed as passionate by employers rather than a nuisance. I'm still not convinced that multiple emails would work for me, but in hindsight perhaps I do give up too easily and I will try to be more proactive in the future and aim to contact prospective employers regularly.

I have thought about having a separate Facebook account as this seems to be something that a lot of fellow bloggers recommend, but, on reflection, I like that people can see the real me, including my hobbies and interests. However, I can see both sides of the argument and this is something I will consider further.

I read in Kelly Everitt's blog that she found that the casting agency 'StarNow' was a particularly good agency for those dancers looking for teaching positions.  As I am hoping to find teaching work, I intend to look at this site and see if it is worth me subscribing too.

I have found this task quite revealing. It has made me look at the effectiveness of my current networking strategies and emphasised the importance of keeping up to date with all that is available to us in order to market ourselves in the best way possible.

Please feel free to comment.  

Betty x

   

Monday 3 December 2012

2d Inquiry

What in your daily practise gets you really enthusiastic to find out more about?

I have just started a contract as a dance captain, this is a new role for me and I am really enjoying the challenge.  I'm particularly enjoying working with the children. Each evening I plan out the warm up sessions for the team and try to rise to the challenge of making them innovative and exciting, as well as ensuring that the routines correctly stretch and warm the muscles preparing the team for the show.  I've enjoyed selecting the music and working out little routines.  I'm finding that working with children is such a positive and rewarding experience and I find their enthusiasm infectious.  Feedback from children is usually instant and honest and I like that.  I am doing this course to hopefully make me employable as a dance teacher and this experience has reaffirmed my belief that I'm on the right path with the BAPP course.

Who do you admire who also works with what makes you feel enthusiastic?

This is really easy for me. I admire my old dance teacher Miss Caroline Wright, Principal of Centrepointe Dance School and College: http://www.centre-pointe.co.uk 


Miss Wright had a massive influence on me.  I first met her when I auditioned for an associate place with Northern Ballet. I wasn't the best dancer in the room, not by a long shot: I had rubbish turn-out, rubbish feet and I was competing against some amazing dancers, but she said after that she saw something in me that reminded her of herself at my age.  To this day I am so grateful for her decision to choose me.  She is a strict and hard task master and extremely determined to get the best from every pupil. She expects respect and gets it, working relentlessly and always perfecting, correcting, challenging and encouraging. She is always honest, yet never judgmental.  

Miss Wright started a small dance school in an empty room above a motorbike shop in a rough area of Manchester. She had trained at Royal Ballet herself and had been a ballet dancer. She began teaching associate classes in her spare time and soon realised that she had a natural aptitude for it so she took the brave decision to turn her back on her performing career and dedicate her time to teaching young dancers. However, her vision was not only to have a school that offered lessons in all the major dance disciplines, but also a vocational dance college. Four years ago she realised her ambition. I admire Miss Wright and hope that, if I can show the same ambition and belief as her, I may one day emulate her success and help teach the dancers of tomorrow.  

What gets you angry or makes you sad?

I get frustrated with some of the arrogant, self-obsessed and false people that you meet in this industry.  Although I realise that the industry is seen as a 'cut-throat' profession and people are encouraged to have a 'dog eat dog' mentality in order to survive, I believe that we are all professionals who have trained so hard to get where we are. Due to these shared life experiences, we should have a mutual respect for each other knowing that we share some of those experiences and have an awareness of the self sacrifices each other has had to make to be where we are.  I've attended countless auditions where dancers will physically push you out of the way to get to the front, without any shame.  Surely we should all be given the same chance and then be judged on our talent and our suitability for the role? 

Who do you admire who shares your feelings or has found a way to work around the sadness or anger?

As I previously mentioned, my old dance teacher Miss Caroline Wright is someone who shared her passion for dance with me. She lives and breathes dancing.  Whilst establishing her dance school she was treated so badly by other dance professionals who accused her, unjustly, of poaching pupils from their dance schools.  This was totally unfounded; it was her absolute passion for dance and her exciting innovative teaching methods that attracted pupils. With great dignity, she ignored the accusations and allegations and put the matter in the hands of lawyers. The story even made the local T.V. and needless to say she came out of it with her head held high and all allegations dropped.  Six years on and her dance  school has gone from strength to strength, she now has a College alongside her school that rivals even the major London dance establishments. Royal Ballet have chosen to run their associate programme at her school and it is recognised for its amazing dance training.

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?

'Then come the lights shining on you from above. You are a performer. You forget all
you've learnt, the process of technique, the fear, the pain, you even forget who you are, you become one with the music, the lights, indeed one with the dance' - Shirley MacLaine.

I just love to dance, plain and simple, I feel I was born to be a dancer.  A quote by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche sums it up perfectly 'We should consider everyday lost on which we have not danced at least once'.

When I dance I feel complete, whole.  I dance purely for selfish reasons and hope that the audience can see and feel the passion I have.  I am basically a shy person but, when I'm on the stage, I feel liberated, confident and alive.  Martha Graham once said 'The body says what the words cannot'. I love this quote as dance to me is my own private language.  Hans Bos also puts it beautifully: 'Whilst I dance, I cannot judge, I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from life, I can only be joyful and whole, this is why I dance'.

I admire great dancers, who feel as I do, the following quotes express my own thoughts:

'If I could have said it, I shouldn't have had to dance it' - Anna Pavlova
'Dance is music made visible' - George Balanchine
'The body says what words cannot' - Martha Graham
'If I could tell you what it meant, there would be no point in dancing it' - Isadora Duncan

What do you feel you don't understand? Who do you admire who does seem to understand it or has found a way of making not understanding it interesting or beautiful, or has asked the same questions as you?

I don't understand why as dancers/performers we seem to have such a low profile in the public eye.  Everyday, it seems to me that another so-called reality 'star' has got a starring role in a panto or even West End, without any training. This feels insulting and  humiliating and I wonder why the public are so fickle.  A Premier League football team wouldn't put an untrained footballer onto the pitch and expect the team to rally round and support them. Is it fair that dance professionals have to? I understand that it is entertainment and the so-called 'celebrities' draw in the crowds, but at what cost to those of us in the industry who are just trying to get a break and trying to earn a living?  

I am fortunate to be employed in panto by a Company who has chosen not to use celebrities. They have instead chosen to use talented actors, singers and dancers for their show.  They held auditions and chose the best people for the roles, rather than those who have recently been on 'Big Brother'. The pay is excellent because they aren't having to pay celebrity wages.  I admire their courage. 
 
I read, with great interest, Michelle's blog and completely agree with her ideas: as artists we are treated badly. A few months ago I attended an audition for a West End show and it cost me £50 to travel from Manchester to London. I was thrilled to get recalled several times throughout the day and I gave it my absolute all. At the end of the day, we were cut down to a final 6. The choreographer thanked us all for coming and we left.  I never heard from them again. I asked for feedback from my agent and was told that they didn't give feedback. Had I instead applied for a job at McDonalds, I would have at least been given feedback. I was one of the lucky ones - at least I got the opportunity to perform. One girl in particular had traveled overnight from Scotland, sang 16 bars and was immediately cut. With all that money and time wasted, it must have been a very depressing journey home.  I appreciate that it is how it works in the industry, but it seems - at times - frustrating and unjust.

Carrying out this task has given me plenty to consider with regards to my inquiry, but, I am still not sure what direction to take. I am, however, looking forward to exploring further some of the issues I have raised in this task. 






  










Sunday 2 December 2012

2c Reflective Theory



Please follow the link below to find my writing task for 2c Reflective Theory. Feel free to share any comments.


https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B-MK96Kq-QcwZVZDcmtGR1EyS3c


Betty x