Sources of Information Task 3c

The Internet

For me the Internet is my most essential source of gaining information. It is so readily accessible to me with several sites of great assistance. I use the Internet on a daily basis to communicate and interact to seek further knowledge and expand my professional networks.

Below are the main sites that I take advantage of:

• Facebook is my main connection to all my friends and professionals colleagues which I have constant access to via my Blackberry. I receive daily auditions in my inbox and can search other pages to find up and coming auditions. For me this is a vital process because the sooner I get the details the more chance I stand of being seen for an audition.
• Email-I have two email addresses one personal and one professional both of which I have access to via my blackberry. On a daily basis I find having my emails ready to open in my hand so conveniently without the need for personal interaction all factual information that is needed is sent direct allowing me to view straight away. The need for two email addresses aids my need for organisation not allowing my professional networks to become cluttered.
• Youtube- My show reel is uploaded on youtube with a link that I often send out to potential employers. This for me is important to have as it gives employers a better understanding of me as a performer and shows of my strengths.  I also use you tube when I need to research a part or learn a new song. It’s an ideal way to see different interpretations of a part and give me a deeper insight into the character. Since leaving college I haven’t always had someone who could give me critical feedback or discuss in length my staging and performance. This technique is something I have learnt to develop on my own with the use of youtube and other web based technologies and I feel has greatly enhanced my audition preparation skills.
• Google search engine-For me google is extremely valuable to aid my continual search for knowledge. I like to research potential employers and see their website to gain a greater idea of how they work and what contracts they have performers in currently. I feel the more I know about a company the more prepared I am when I meet with them knowing what style they are looking for and what impression I should give. The more prepared I am the less nervous I am and I can stay more focused.

• Blogging- Since starting this BAPP course I have been amazed at the amount of insight all users have brought. It is so reassuring to hear other professionals on the same path as me still passionate as ever to keep on striving. This really has given me a huge boost of confidence and reassurance that I am going in the right direction and being guided along the way.
• Blackberry- I have already explained how valuable having my Blackberry is to me having so many uses. I’ve had my blackberry for about eighteen months now during which time my professional networks have more than doubled in productivity. I don’t know how I managed to keep on top of the information and auditions being published before. I feel connected within the industry because I can receive information direct which helps me stay positive in my search for further employment.
• Ameritz-For those of you who aren’t aware of the website Ameritz google it. I am forever accessing this website buying the latest backing tracks and researching their whole library of Musicals. This is my first point of contact when I have an audition coming up which requires me to sing. I have many vocal scores but nowadays many auditions are requesting backing tracks so I must move with the times and take full advantage of this great site. If they don’t have a particular song I am looking for or I need it in a different key they are happy to take requests and try to fulfil them. When I purchase a track I can automatically download it which is so convenient and has proved very useful when I’m teaching as well.  This service gives me immediate assistance and speeds up learning new material. Before these sorts of websites were available I would have less variety in song choices and relied on vocal scores more. Using a score requires having a pianist to play for me so again more time and money to rehearse now this process has been removed and makes it more realistic to afford. Ameritz is definitely a useful source of information for me and I have used tracks for auditions where I have been offered contracts so is vital for my professional practice.

Before this task I hadn’t realised how significant the internet truly was to my professional practices. Having taken the time to analyse the different ways I utilise the internet I realise Stacey’s Wilson comment that “I can confidently say the Internet is a fabulous tool and we would be restricted without this resource” I too would be lost without it. I definitely have a greater appreciation for web 2.0 technologies seeing that they are necessary for my career to survive.

People

• Face to face interaction As Pearl Scott mentioned when referring to meeting people face-to-face for the first time “It is also good to put a face to name if you have only been communicating on the internet.” I think when meeting a potential new agent for the first time can be a great way to really make a true judgement on their professionalism and personality. Often interacting just via the internet can be cold and impersonal so not always the best reference for making accurate opinions.

Often as Pearl again mentions a downside to making new contacts meeting face-to-face is the time and money that is required to actually do this.” Disadvantages are it is more time consuming, can be expensive if you have to travel to meet up with people and I am finding getting people’s diaries to match can be a challenge”. I am at least thankful for the invention of railcards which has assisted me many times to travel down to London and back. On reflection I can see the potential positives that are to be gained from having contacts in London and by making an effort I stand to gain a lot more than I loose.

No matter whom I meet face-to-face for the first time I am glad of the connection whether it be merely just to share stories and socialise or trade details in the hope of securing further opportunities.

• Word of Mouth from fellow performers- In past auditions I have crossed paths with previous college friends where we’ve shared our different experiences and swapped advice on who may be hiring and contact details. For me it is a really good source of information because I have trained with them and know that I can trust their judgement about any recommendations they may make. I do rely a lot on peoples opinions because I have had trouble with a previous employer and wouldn’t to go down that path again if I can help it. That doesn’t mean to say I am against applying to new companies that I haven’t heard of I’m just more cautious now.
• Past choreographers- I have been fortunate to be contacted by previous choreographers that I’ve worked with for because we kept in contact and worked well together. This contact has given me further experience therefore proving to be a very significant source of information.

• Previous Employers- I have always tried to keep in contact with previous employers because I have enjoyed working with them and have made close friendships with. Through this connection they have since offered me further work which again proves to be a great source of information which I intend to continue with.

It’s great to see that keeping contact with previous employers can benefit other people as well as me. In Jessica Hunt’s blog she mentions “ A friend of mine recently was just offered a job because the choreographer needed an extra dancer, and because that girl made a lasting impression on her, she phoned her up”. This reaffirms my opinion that if we maintain professionalism our lasting reputation can create future opportunities.

Live Performances

• Theatre performances-For me watching a live performance is a great way to fully engage with the experience. Being surrounded by amazing sounds and performers provides my critical eye with information and my creative side with inspiration. Just when I feel I have seen everything I watch a performance just two weeks ago We Will Rock You which absolutely blew me away. The main character was played by Noel who used to be in the band Hearsay. I thought he was going to be good but I was amazed at how fantastic he was. Every part of his character was believable he had me laughing then almost in tears and his vocal ability was stunning. I really had underestimated him and I love the fact that even now two weeks on his performance still is at the forefront of my mind. This experience is important to me as it helps me to focus and make me question what more can I bring to my performance to possible to stay in at least one audience members memory like Noel did in mine.

It was nice to read Cerys Dixie’s take on how she finds watching Live performances “I also enjoy watching dance performances as it re-energises me, gives me inspiration and new ideas that I can then take back and develop in my class or choreography” I find this comment so true when I watch a new creation it inspires me to create myself in turn giving me new ideas to experiment with when I teach and choreograph. There will never come a time where I don’t want to see new performances I feel it is a continual learning platform for me and I love to be inspired.

Television

There are many types of programmes and shows that I find interesting from reality television  shows to theatre performances:

• The Royal variety performance-I love to watch this show every year seeing the best entertainment Britain has to offer. Only the top professionals in the industry get to perform on The Royal Variety performance and seeing them at their best motivates me to be the best I can be.
• Britain’s got talent- I like this show because it gives some people who are truly talented the chance to shine who without this show maybe might not have got the chance.  I think the idea of finding raw hidden talent is very inspiring and keeps me positive in my quest for success.
• X Factor- I like watching the dancers on the show and seeing their rehearsals with the main artist and choreographer. Seeing the whole process right up to the end result when they perform live is fun hoping that I might get the opportunity to appear there on day also.

Literature

• The stage news paper-For me reading the reviews on the latest shows out there is so interesting seeing what the critics think and then if I’m able to go and see a show for myself and see if I come to the same conclusion they did. I guess this is my way of forming critical reflection with a comparison opinion. I have always enjoyed talking in depth about a performance looking at every aspect from the costumes and scenery to the choreography which is why I enjoy reading the reviews because they often look at the bigger picture too. I would say this is important for me to continue questioning and forming new opinions as the industry changes so do I whether I realise it or not I must adapt.
• Programmes-When ever I visit the theatre I always purchase a programme. I find it a fascinating source of information seeing the journey of the cast. I like to see where each performer trained and see what experience their training has given them. A few times I have stumbled across performers who trained at the same college I did whether I knew them or not. This spurs me on giving me the belief that just because I trained in The North west it doesn’t mean I am not good enough to work In London!

• Contacts- The contacts book has been very helpful when needing to find certain contact details or addresses if I’m unable to access the Internet. Also I believe it shows professionalism if a company advertises in contacts giving them more substance. It’s not always easy to tell if some companies are legitimate ones and this is a book that has a very professional reputation therefore trustworthy to me.

Joanna Adeyinka-Burford mentions that she found benefits from using the Contacts book saying” I often use this is a starting point and then take it to the Internet do dig deeper”. When I first started out in the industry before I had a blackberry my first point of reference was the contacts book. Being able to research agents by their location and then post my CV out to them was the original way I applied for work. Through the use of contacts I then went on the use their websites eventually realising the Internet was a quicker resource but remembering that the contacts book was my first point of reference for me when looking for professionals such a casting directors or photographers. I haven’t used contacts in a while I guess I forgot about it but I intend to use the benefits I once found in the future.

  

References 

Stacey Wilson Blog http://staceywilson1.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-sources-of-information.html Accessed 4/01/11

Pearl Scott Blog http://pearllinnascott.blogspot.com/2010/12/task-3c-sources-of-information.html Accessed 4/01/11

Jessica Hunt’s Blog http://jessicalouisehunt.blogspot.com/2010/12/task-3c-sources-of-information_4634.html Accessed 4/02/11

Cerys Dixie Blog http://cerysdixie.blogspot.com/2010/12/sources-of-information-task-3c.html Accessed 04/01/11 

Joanna Adeyinka-Burford Blog http://joanna-adeyinka.blogspot.com/2010/12/sources-of-information.html Accessed 04/01/11