Task 3a - Range and Value of Current Networks.

My Range and Value of Current Networks. 

I have a slight feeling we are in for another epic blog so bare with me my fellow BAPPs!!

There are so many ways that us "Performers" can create different networks. I am planning to break some of them down into several sections and explore all of their values.

Auditions - I personally feel this is a key aspect of our networks as we are getting out there and showing our faces. The more auditions you go to and end up in front of the same panel the more they will remember you and you can create a relationship with them. I found this out recently when I had been to several auditions with the same choreographer and in the last one I saw her in she approached me and said 'is your name Hannah, I thought I recognised you', I ended up doing really well and was really pleased my hard work in the other auditions had also paid off. Also sometimes you may not be right for the job your up for but they may know of another one suitable for you and pass your details on to somebody else.

Class - A great way for us to network is through doing classes. Weather is be in pineapple or dance attic there is always something going on. Class not only helps us stay in form but we can talk to peers and other industry professionals to find out whats going on. You always hear of at least one audition or upcoming show, so it just helps us stay 'in the loop'.

Friends - Friends are a great way to network! But with them its all about cooperation, you have to give and swap some of your own info in order to get some. There are so many ways our friends in the industry can help us, for example in Collage you would swap songs from your portfolio (some people more reluctantly than others! or you would never get your sheet music back) but in those cases it just makes you aware and you note to self not to help them again! Friends in the industry are also great to help you prepare for auditions, weather is be teaching you the routine as they were in the week before or just giving you general advice on what to expect. More over in years to come you never know what friend could end up casting in the west end or directing! So in my opinion its really important to keep your relationships strong with your network of professional friends!

People you have worked with - Its so important when in a job not to piss anyone off! You never know when you will come across them again, and you don't want it to effect the future. I think its vital to keep in touch with people you have worked with previously, from the director to the stage manager you never know how they may be able to help you. I have made sure I keep in touch with most people from jobs, sometimes its not possible to build a relationship with everyone but in my opinion you should try your best! This year I have been lucky enough to work with the same Panto company with the same choreographer...last year was great and I made so many friends and learn't so much, I am excited to see what this season brings!

Social networks - Social networks are a good way for us to network but I think to enable me to do this I would need to separate my personal social networks sites to my professional ones. At the moment I only have personal social network accounts, like Facebook and twitter. I think it would be inappropriate for casting directors and influential people checking our my status complaining about waiting in the rain for four hours for an open audition! I think for industry professionals I would like to have a website or perhaps another social network account to contact them through.

Agent - Our agents I feel are also another key aspect of our networking as they get us in to auditions and ultimately employment. They are an established network of casting directors and other influential people who will probably be the ones to give us jobs. Therefor I think its crucial to have a good relationship with your agent as at the end of the day that is how we get our main source of work.

Websites - Websites like Spotlight, Whats on Stage and The Stage are all places we get a lot of information from. We can read up on show reviews to make sure we are Theatre Savvy! They enable us to see what shows are coming up, therefor what auditions may arise. You can see certain auditions, The Stage will often have open auditions that we can attend. Spotlight enables casting directors to view our online CVs as well as giving us information and industry news! All very important things!

Blogs - As I have come to learn from starting this course blogging is a great way to get out there and network. Forums and Blogs have become huge and give us another platform for networking I am still coming to terms with blogging but I think it can be a great tool for us to show what we can do to the industry.

I think social media and networking over the internet is incredible and it has expanded so quickly over the last few years, just look at the phenomenon of twitter. But in my opinion I think nothing beats personal relationships built by face to face meetings and building a relationship over time and through experiences. Although it takes more time and effort I feel that that has more of an effect on someone than just being another friend on Facebook or a follower on twitter. By all means we can combine the two and for convenience but I don't want to be a figure of cyber space I want to be a real person in someones mind. Also with networking I think you need to strike a balance as you don't want to be perceived an 'nosey' and 'pushy' but you do need to an effort to start those relationships and find out whats going on with in the industry. I'd like to hope I have got the balance right but you can only learn from experiences and having only been out in the big bad world for about a year and a half I probably don't know as much as others but I am willing to listen and learn. So if you have anything to add please comment below!

Emerging lines of enquiry.

Through out blogs and my private journal themes have began emerging and thanks to Rosemary she brought these to my attention as they were particuarly dominant with task 2d....

I looked at them carefully and could see those themes also running with in my journal.

A few of them are -

Importance of parents in classroom behaviour

How to successfully engage students / learning

Teachers as role models

How to handle / learn from audition & rejection experience.

I wanted to blog these themes as I think during our second module they will be a good thing to refer to (I have had a cheeky look to see whats coming).

It's good to start seeing lines of enquiry emerging, all of the above are ideas I want to pursue and explore. Watch this space for more!

Campus Session 2....

For all of you who couldn't make it I thought I would blog about the campus session.

I will not bore you with another epic blog as we dished out blogging different subjects about today but I will give you the facts on mine!

Got a writing problem? Talk to Peter.... (or your academic adviser)

If in doubt with citing your work and worried about referencing or writing in general, you may wish to talk to Peter Thomas (who did the writing workshop) You can contact him on these emails, either to just ask him something or book a skype session or campus session to discuss any of the above issues.
His emails are - p.thomas@mdx.ac.uk and awl@mdx.ac.uk (best to email both)

Terms and conditions apply.....

Task 2c

After alot of writing and rewriting and staring at the screen I have decided to post my link to task 2c.
It may be altered again after the campus session tomorrow but I would be interested on your views so please comment below!

A Critical Reflection on Reflective Practice

Thanks,
Hannah x

Task 2d Inquiry

I am currently writing this blog offline and planning to upload it later as I am sat at Gatwick airport with no internet! If only I had an ipad! Anyway back to the task in hand which is 2d Inquiry. I found this task quite daunting as the questions we are asking ourselves are not ones we often think about, although we really should. I am going to answer the questions suggested to us in the module hand book to find what themes and lines of Inquiry relate to me. 

• 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?

Not being in an acting job at the moment to make ends meet I do a lot of teaching. Mainly with 4-8 year olds. I am very lucky that as well as having a passion for acting I also have a passion for teaching. I am very enthusiastic about it, especially when I see them reacting so well to me. The other week I was doing a drama workshop with a class of reception children after I finished the workshop the teacher approached me to have a chat. She told me that one of the boys who never really engages in class or joins in was giving 100% to me and getting very involved. It was great to hear such positive feedback and to know that I have helped that child. The teacher then said she was going to insist the parents took him to our classes as it will bring out his potential and help him improve at school with is concentration and social skills. 

I admire all teachers. Having found myself doing a lot of work in primary schools recently I have become to be in awe of some of the teachers. I think education is so important with not only young children but everyone. But to be a good teacher its not all about teaching maths and giving homework its about being a good role model as well. I think its vital if you are going to be a teacher you must be a good role model as you want your students to look up to you. My friend and I were chatting the other day as she has just completed her Zumba qualifications and she was saying not only is she having to learn all the routines etc she is having to go the gym and tone up as she felt that if she is going to teach a fitness class in order to get the most out of her clients she needs to look good so the aspire to be like her. I couldn’t agree more with her, from personal experience when I have been to a class at the gym and the instructor isn’t looking good you think to yourself is there any point doing this as its obviously not working to keep them looking good? Which is not how it should be in my opinion. 

I hope after the course that I will be able to complete a PGCE in Drama in secondary schools and if I do become a teacher I will not only aspire to be good at my job but also become a role model for my students. 

• What gets you angry or makes you sad? Who do you admire who shares your feelings or has found away to work around the sadness or anger?

Recently when teaching in schools I have become aware of problem children. Nothing makes me more angry when one naughty child has to spoil it for everyone else. What makes it worse for me is when teachers are sat in on my workshops and just turn a blind eye to it. When I am taking my own classes if there is a naughty child who starts with me with in the first few weeks the normally have calmed down and I have stamped this behavior out of them normally using a 3 strike and your out rule as its not acceptable to spoil other children's fun normally they soon understand its not as much fun sitting on the bench and in order to join in the must behave.  I think its quite sad when children are either naughty or have no manners as I believe it normally has something to do with the parents and it upsets me when these basic things haven’t been taught to a child, parents should know better. I understand in some circumstances it is harder as a child may have autism or adhd but even then basic manners don’t go a miss. Sometimes I feel parents just give up and use those things as an excuse.  

I admire Jo Frost, supper nanny is one of my favorite programs. She shows parents how to deal with their children and fix’s it no matter what! Normally all the children's issues lie with the parenting techniques used when they were younger so Jo shows the parents how to change their behavior and normally the child’s changes with that. Interestingly when you watch the show when the parents don’t stick to her rules and changes the child's behavior resorts back to how it was and only when the parents change so does the child. Which goes back to what I said earlier and I firmly believe its the parents that are to blame! Obviously I don’t have children myself and my opinion may change when I do but I would be interested to see if any of you have kids what your opinion on this matter is, so please leave a comment below! 

• 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?

This question I found quite hard to pinpoint. I think because I have always wanted to perform since I was younger is difficult to say exactly why but I think its lies with passion. Being able to enjoy and love what you do while getting paid is amazing. When I am in work the feeling of getting up do go and do two shows is hard to explain, but just elating and knowing you getting paid for it is the cherry on the cake. I don’t think that many people would be able to say they love their job as much as we do. I also think that when we do get ‘The Job’ we appreciate it so much more after doing mortal jobs. 

I admire everyone in our profession as its not an easy business. We get rejected so much but because of our love for it we keep going. The amount of people who get told no on the Xfactor then say I can’t deal with rejection Im giving up is ridiculous its only one no. I always want to tell them try being rejected 5 times a week and see how you feel? I think we all have such a strong mind and determination anyone who has stuck at it deserves a medal. Its very easy in our industry to get beaten down when you hear no after no and give up but you just need a little bit of luck and get that one yes to turn it all around. I feel that sometimes we do not get the appreciation from ‘normal people’ doing what we do, sometimes they think we just prance around all day or stand and look pretty, but this is not the case. The hard grind we go though to get we are now is definitely not easy and I admire anyone who has kept going and like most of us it just waiting for that YES! 

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

I think its very hard sometimes in our line of business to understand why did she get the job and not me? I wish I could just see in to the casting directors head to see what they were thinking and their reasoning behind it all. Even sometimes you wont get an audition and its hard to understand why you didn’t get one? Do you need to re do your headshots? Or should I have put 5,6 not 5,7. But I think with these things we will never really know. Its more a matter of acceptance than understanding. We need to learn to accept that we will not suit every job or maybe in some cases the other girl was just better than you. I find it quite hard sometimes to accept these things especially when you can’t even get seen for a job that you would either love to do or think your perfect for. How ever I believe that if we can’t except them then we can’t move. So as part and parcel of what we do you just need to suck it up and deal with it. On to the next as we all say! 

I admire my agent when it comes to this as he is always there to say something helpful. Weather its feedback from and audition or just a simple “don’t worry darling something will come up soon” it always seems to put my mind at rest. With out him when dealing with all these questions I think I might go slightly crazy! Also I find talking to my peers on this matter always helps as it re assures you that your not the only one!

I do apologize for yet another epic blog! I will try and make them shorter. Its funny as when I first started blogging and saw massive blogs I was so scared thinking mine will be about 4 lines, instead try 4 pages! Whoops...Please feel free to comment below...Enjoy! 

Task 2b...exploring different methods of journal writing

Having not written a proper journal before I wasn't sure how to begin. I started writing in my own natural style before looking into different methods. Funnily enough my natural writing fell into a few of the methods below. I decided to take the methods suggested in the module hand book as well as some others I came across and try a different one over 8 consecutive days.  I tried to stick to the specific method and not let myself combine others with it, so I can give an honest judgement of each one.

In this blog I am going to sum up how I felt about each method and conclude with what I think works best for me.

Descriptive - I felt restricted just describing my day. I felt myself wanting to evaluate what had happened and use initial reflection. I found it hard just to write the facts and not explore more. I think its a great way to start but to get the most out of your journal it needs combined with something else!

Initial Reflection - This method felt very natural to me, I could fully expand and explore what had happened during my day. Looking at both moods and thoughts through out events. Perhaps combined with descriptive I could have a winning combo?

List - Being a list maker I thought this could be the one. But after trying it I was left slightly dissapionted. I felt it was good to get down your initial thoughts and events but if I was to look back on that day it wouldn't really make to much sense as its just a long list of emotions, thoughts and events with no real link. I might try it again with different lists for different things but that could get a bit complicated! But I might explore it again on a rainy day!

Evaluation - I really enjoyed writing with this method, I felt is was also quite natural to me. I could expand on events and explore all angles of my day, it also helped me see what I had learnt that day. Which is key for a journal!

Graph/Chart/Diagram - I liked using spider grams to get my initial thoughts down and could group together thoughts and feelings relating to their event. So if I was to look back I would see what thoughts and emotions linked to what. But yet again was felt left wanting more. Its a good starting point but would need to throw in something like evaluation to fully appreciate and explore my day!

What If - I found this hard to do after a day. So decided to do it the night before the next day. I think the what if can help is get the best out of tomorrow and might be a nice way to end your journal after evaluating your day using other methods. But I don't think I could solely use this method to reflect properly.

Another view - I think so far I have found this method the most awkward to do. When re reading the journal I felt like I was being patronising to myself and it wasn't as raw and honest as other methods. I also didn't enjoy writing my journal in this method. I don't think this is one for me.

Poem - This was a method I had read about in other peoples blogs so thought I would give it a go. I found that I couldn't really focus on evaluating and reflecting on my day as I was more worried about the poem rhyming. It was a fun method to do but probably not a very effective one as the poem just ended up being silly!

Exploring different ways of writing a journal has been really interesting and important as we have to keep this going through out the course. Although it is a private journal we will be asked to share parts of it later on in the modules so its important to get the most out of it and get it right now!

To conclude I think a combination of methods will work for me. My favourites being Descriptive, Initial reflection, Evaluation and What if to help me get the best out of tomorrow!

Applying Boud's theories on reflection to my professional practice

At first when I saw the chapter of Boud's journal we had to read like most of us I started to panic! It just looked so long and confusing, but after stopping to think and reflecting on how I have tackled the previous Journals I got out my highlighter and pen and started taking notes!

Boud both reinforces and establishes that our personal journals are a form of reflective practice, they are veichals for acknowledging events an experiences in which we can extract meanings from and learn.

Throughout Boud's journal he focuses on three main occasions of reflection. Before, During and After.
I can apply these to many occasions with in my professional practice but the event of an audition is a good way for me to explain them.

BEFORE (Reflection in Anticipation of an event) - Before an audition we all apply the 'what if' theory, so many questions and thoughts based upon one event. Will I get this job? If so how would I feel? Excited? Nervous? Would it challenge me? Will I be disappointed if I don't get this job? How will that effect me? Will I be jealous? Upset? Thats only the start of it! We then start to plan and take every kind of shoe imaginable 'just in case' even though on the audition brief it only says bring Jazz shoes. Also a change of clothes incase plan A isn't suitable. Then you think what if the trains are late...I will go early! The list is endless.

DURING (Reflection in the Midst of Action) - As dancers and performers we tend to be very hand on people and live in the moment so I feel this type of reflection comes easy to us, although Boud says in his journal its the hardest to achieve but gives the best results! (that makes me feel very clever! next time someone looks to me like I am not the brightest button on the shelf because I am a dancer I will highlight this to them!)

In an audition scenario you might be doing a routine and then as the choreographer is teaching it to you, in your mind your thinking ok so hand is a first not splayed, or foot flexed not pointed on the kick. Then when it comes to doing the routine in groups your constantly analysing it while watching the others and making notes to yourselef. For example trying to portray different emotions and dynamics on certain moves and then immediately applying them to your own performance. In the worst case scenario if your shoe flies off or you fall over when your in the moment you get over it, just smile and grit those teeth!

AFTER (Reflection after Events)- For us its that crucial moment where you either get recalled or you get cut! Either way there is still a lot to reflect on. If you get cut you have to think about what went wrong? Is there anything you can do to improve next time so you get that recall? Was it my hair colour? Am I too small? If its the latter things you just say on to the next but if there was something that could have been done its important to pick up on those things and learn from your mistakes, as it being our profession it can make the difference to you being able to pay the bills! If you are recalled, you have to look at why you think that happened? What did I do differently? Was it my technique? Performance? Did I just have that right look? Reflecting on these things can help you in future auditions and knowing what you did right is just as helpful as knowing what you have done wrong. In both cases there can be great deal to reflect on and most importantly learn from!

When reflecting after an event Boud looks at different aspects. He looks at returning to an experience so that the learner can re live it and gain the full impact of what has happened. With out this Boud believes that further learning can be shut out forever. He then touches on attending to feelings, I agree with him that its important to focus on the feelings and emotions present in the event. I am interested to experiment in my own journal using colour as a tool for expression and highlighting different moods. Boud then talks about re-evalutaing an experience which lets us look at new and olds ideas and seeing a relationship between them. This helps us conclude our experiences and what we have learnt from them through reflecting. It is the end of one learning cycle and the beginning of a new one.

At the end of his journal Boud also looks at inhibiting reflection which I think is a very valid point! He looks at how people can limit their journal and not fully express themselves due to the fear that someone else may read their journal. I feel that its vital when keeping a private journal we keep it in a safe place so that its for our eyes only. But also we can if we feel it suitable to draw back on it and share our learning experiences with others.

After the initial scare factor I have really enjoyed reading a chapter of Boud's journal and felt his theories, thoughts and insights to reflection very interesting. Since starting theme 2 I have become a lot more aware of reflection with in our professional practice and this has just helped cement those thoughts and feelings even more! Thank you Boud and reader two!