Task 3a Current Netowrks

When looking at the current networks I use from day to day in my profession I realise that a lot of my networking is done through the use of web based technologies such as;

• Casting websites
• Email
• Theatre Websites
• Social Networks
• Personal professional website.

From discussing with others who also initially work in this way I realise it is simply because of ease of access and speed. It is much quicker to send someone an email or give someone a web address that leads them to a place where they can see all your details, CV and even a show reel or demo of you singing. This can sometimes even eliminate the need for audition, which as discussed previously during course lectures isn’t always a good thing as it takes away from the one to one contact in an audition situation so personality will not even come into consideration. However applying for work through such websites as catingcall.com and spotlight.co.uk allows you to see a more and apply to a lot more jobs than you possibly could through looking at magazines and writing letters and printing off countless letters and headshots to send to casting directors in the hope one might take an interest. It is not only quicker, it’s cheaper.

Social networks such as facebook which where initially created for social networking rather than for professional contacts are an excellent way of keeping up to date with others you have met through your profession. However I feel is very important to have two profiles on such websites; one for personal use and another for professional contacts. This not only makes it simpler to keep track of who is who in your daily life but you don’t run the risk of loosing contact with a potential employer because of someone for example putting a drunk picture of you up on your professional profile. I also and know many others who find it works to also have a personal and professional email account; simply because it makes it easier to organise your professional and personal life as two separate things.

I also find having a personal web space a great advantage when looking for work. It gives me the option of showing my web space to an employer if they are interested in seeing more of my work or more details. It is also something that is always there. A phone number on a piece of card somewhere can easily be lost but my website is always there at a click of a button which is not only less work for me but less work for the employer also.

Although I do mainly use web based technologies whilst networking in my professional life I also use hard copies such as the Contacts 2010 book or magazines such at The Stage and the Equity magazine. This opens up even more opportunities as some employers prefer and specify that actors send them hard copies of CV’s and headshots rather than an attachment in an email; and some in the Contacts 2010 book even say that is it is not sent in hardcopy but in email form they will not consider this candidate in the future.

I also find a lot of opportunities arise from the networks I build in my work or ones I have already formed from Drama School or even drama group in my teenage years. I have discovered companies that I had never heard of such as Chapter House who specialise in Shakespeare in the park and outdoor period drama through connections I have made in my current job. This is the type of work that really interests me and I may not have found out about the company if I hadn’t been successful in networking in my current job.  My first job after graduating was an internet commercial filmed with Hanover pictures who’s director taught me in Drama School.

When thinking about what my ideal network would be my initial response is to say to have everything in one place for ease of access much like web based networking works. However I realise that this is not the best way as you loose the option on finding work being partly based on whether a panel likes you personally or a decision being made partly through good word of mouth. An example of a director who uses very few actors but always the same ones because they work well together is Tim Burton’s relationship with Jonny Depp. I doubt that the same relationship could have been built through an email.  I realise that personally my ideal network is basically what I already do from day to day. Yes it is tiring and time consuming but I see no better way of working in such a fast moving profession as mine. The only way It can be made better is by self organisation and motivation. My ideal network is the way I already network but cleaner.

Ways in which I could realistically develop my network are;

·         Continuing to keep social and professional networks separate

·         Building networks with as many people as possible that I have met in jobs, auditions or during training.

·         Keeping in touch with professionals that I have already built a network and continuing to keep a strong professional relationship.

·         Research into the industry and how others network.

Please feel free to leave any comments on how you used networking in your profession. It will be interesting to see what similarities and differences we have.