Interviews & campus session 2 (module 3)

I have been reflecting on the two interviews that have so far been done and thinking back, I am not sure that they now went the best that they could have. The information I did gain was very useful, however as I did not tape record this, it will be slightly more difficult when it comes to analysing data. I did manage to bring someone along with me to take notes but still, I have learnt that this is not the best option.

Voice recording my upcoming interviews will mean I will be able to analyse and compare my data in more detail. 3 more interviews have been lined up for me to do, but this is taking a while as they all have very very busy schedules so I am having to work around them.

Campus session 2 made me think more about the way I will be writing. In pairs, we were given the task to say out loud to each other the introduction of what we will be writing. This was to identify how precise we were and how well explained we were, as our partner had to note down their understanding of what exactly our inquiry was because it would be for the general public.

What I took away most from this session was when we discussed that it is important not to think about finding our answers before going about the actual inquiry. It is most likely that during our research and findings of literature, we will naturally find out more as we go along.

Continuing to discuss my Inquiry

It is confirmed that my inquiry is based on what experienced practitioners say about promoting and advertising their careers- and what they believe was their most successful advertising strategy.

Now, it has proven that I have been getting mostly similar answers from the experienced people I have managed to interview so far. Also, just in general conversation with others; the same answers have been said.

The main thing I am worried about is how I am going to make this simple answer of what I was looking for, into creating an inquiry.

It would  be great to hear any ideas you may have.

Thank you.

X

August Update!

Hello all,

I have been meaning to blog for the longest amount of time but I cannot express to you how busy my performing schedule has been.

As you are aware I am a part of a female dance troupe; during the past few months we have been asked to do numerous of shows/taking part at events, non stop! It has been great, but rehearsals have been majorly intense. Doing this, along with my normal receptionist job has been very time consuming which is the main reason is to why you have not seen me blog atall.

The most challenging thing I had to recently do was create a 7 minute piece for my dance group, plus be a part of a two minute duet and a two minute solo- having just under two weeks to do this as it was given to me at short notice. But it was successful and the show was just this weekend gone. It was an honour to be part of a great event. A friend of mine put on a charity event in the name of his sister who is currently battling cancer. All money raised was to clic sargent.

More news is that I am jetting off to Singapore in the next 2 weeks to dance in Singapore, it is for a project happening out there and I will be a part of a series of flashmobs. I am very much looking forward to this as it is my 1st paid job performing abroad.

I am looking forward to working on Module 3 and also looking forward to the 1st campus session next term.

I hope you are all well and hope you're enjoying your summer.

I am continuing to network, especially trying to find more people I can potentially interview for my inquiry.

I will try to blog more regularly but it may have to possibly be when I return from the job in Singapore!

See you all next term.

X

Professional Ethics

My personal thought:

Ethical practice is a very important subject as it is involving other humans/ people you have responsibility for.

These are some of the pinciples I am aware of:

• Codes of practice- some people do not follow, sometimes because of their status and different relationships with people

• Time consumption/equality (mainly regarding auditions/interviews)

• Personal and professional codes of practice: you know what is supposed to happen but may not follow

• Expectations (professionally & personally)

• Different standards of what really happens

 

• Do what is asked/ be polite as it works in your favour- generally with performers (personally)

• Be considerate towards others/ during interviews etc/ accomodate others nervousness (professionally)

• Be prepared, whatever your status is / do your research (personally)

• Use your initiative (personally)

• Show a keen interest (personally)

• Training (personally & professionally)

• Organisation (personally & professionally

• Respect (personally)

• Create a professional environment (personally)

• Need to follow rules (personally)

I believe that when interviewing people, it is best to remain in the Adult status (A=A)
                                                                                  (ADULT TO ADULT)


The main keyword here is: Professionalism

Inquiry and Award Title

After some thought about my question on inquiry, I think I have now come to a final decision of what I would like mine to be. I have very much narrowed it down to one key issue within creating your performing arts business.
Please do tell me what you think:


'What are the essential advertising strategies to starting your Performing Arts business?'


I believe the advertising/marketing side of a businessis very important so this is why my inquiry will be based on it.
My inquiry will be about the different ways of advertising and how to go about it etc.




Here are also a couple of potential options for my award title:

•  BA (Hons) Professional Practice in Performing Arts

•  BA (Hons) Profressional Practice in Arts Management

Please let me know your opinions.


Thank you and I look forward to hearing what you think.

MODULE 2

6th of Feb was the 1st campus session of 2012. Not many people turned up but those who were there got a rough idea of what was expected from this upcoming module.

Personally I do not fully understand it which is why I am arranging a tutorial with my academic adviser for some help and support before I start to panic.

I can't seem to find the right question to use for my inquiry but I do definiately know that I want it to be based around Arts Management. I am keen to hear your ideas:
- what are the key things to starting up a successful business?
- what not to do so you do not go wrong in the process?
- how much planning time is needed?

Those are key issues to address in my question of inquiry but I am finding it hard to know where to start and how to sum up these key issues into one question.

UPDATE

Hello everybody, massive massive appologies for not posting as often.

Here is an update of what has been keeping me so busy.

Last weekend, my dance group and I performed at The ExCel at a fitness convention called B-Fit. As you may have read, at the end of 2011 I performed at the NEC in Birmingham at The Clothes Show. It was the same organisation who asked us to do that, asked us again to do something similar but at a different location. We were only told about 3 weeks before the performance weekend that we would be doing this; extra rehearsal space was booked immediately for this!

It went great, I thoroughly enjoyed it; the vibe was amazing and we had all types of people at this event approaching us asking where we are based and where we train and if we have open classes for people to join. We were the only street dance group at this exhibition. An extreme amount of networking was done at this weekend, various people have asked us to be a part of similar events coming up in the next few months which I am very much looking forward to.

What was so amazing about the vibe at this weekender was that not only did we perform but did a street dance workshop where all different styles of dancers got involved and really enjoyed it as we made it very fun.

As there were huge gaps between the times of our performance slots through out the two days; it gave us time for ourselves to go around, network and take part in other workshops. I took part in a series of fitness workshops including Zumba, latin aerobics, kick aerobics, trampolining and more. This was very very tiring but very enjoyable. We also used the spare time to network as a group.
It was safe to say that after this weekender I was EXHAUSTED! But I would definately do it all again as it was a fantastic experience.

I am sure some of you will know a programme on Sky 1 on a sunday called Got To Dance which has now begun its series 3. On top of everything else I am also doing PA work for dance crew finalists on the show 'Boadicea'. They are very dear friends of mine who I work and socialise closely with.

I hope you can all check them out as they are hugely talented ladies.

Check out their audition piece: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dDIt4ZSSxw

Also, if any supporters would like to become a part of our 'Boadicea' street team, record a short video clip on you thoughts of their audition piece and send it to boadicealadies@gmail.com

Tonight: SUNDAY 5TH FEB they will be competing in the live semi finals of Got To Dance Sky1 at 6pm for a place in the Finals to win a quarter of a million pounds!

Please vote and support if you like what you see!
Follow on Twitter: @BoadiceaCrew
and the street team @Boadicea_Army

Facebook: Boadicea Ladies

Youtube: Boadiceacrew

:-)