Data Collecting Tools- Pilot Survey Review

I created my survey on BREAKING INTO A NEW AREA? around 3 weeks ago and was pleasantly suprised to find how easy it was to do. I used Survey Monkey as advised and found it to be a very good means of collecting data. Once I knew which questions I wanted to ask it took no time at all to create. I then posted it on the facebook page as well as on my professional profile and awaited the responces. On reflection I feel I should have posted this sooner in order to give people sufficient time to take the survey as I did not get as many responces as I'd hoped. However the resonces I did get were very helpfull as not may questions were skipped and most people filled in the comment boxes which has allowed me to gather sufficient information for my inquiry.

Here are the results.

1. What area were you trained in?

Acting - 0.0%

Musical Theatre - 69.2%

Dance - 30.8%

Other, Please Specify - Teaching 7.7%

I was not suprised that the majority of the people who completed my survey were trained in Musical Theatre as I know this is a background a lot of people have on this course and also this is where most of the individuals I know prior to the course have started out. I was however suprised that noone taking the survey trained specifically in acting! Could this be a reason why some are finding it difficult to break into something new?

2. Are you currently working in that area?

Yes - 50.0%

No - 16.7%

I have in the past, but am not currently - 16.7%

Im trying to break into a new area - 16.7%

Other, Please specify. - 0.0%

I was happy to find that 50% of the individuals who answered the survey were currently woking in the area that they trained in and are clearly happy with their choice. However it was interesting to discover a significant number of people were either not any more, had never and were trying to break into something new. This supports my theory that a large number of performers change their direction after their specific training as it makes them realise that what they trained in isn't exactly what they want to pursue as a career.

3. If you're trying to break into a new area, which one?

The responces were either Television or Solo Singing. As television os something I am also trying to break into after having trained in Musical Theatre this beggs the question; is this a popular choice?

4. What do you find are the main obsticles when trying to break into a new area?

Contacts - 66.7%

Showreels - 33.3%

Lack of a good agent - 33.3%

Not knowing where to start - 66.7%

As I assumed most individuals find the lack of having the right contacts within the industry your trying to break into to be one of the main obsicles. This backs up the saying 'it's not what you know, but who you know' which has proven to be very true when disscusing the performing profession. A large amount also have the dilemma of not knowing where to start and I believe this is something that deters a lot of performers from trying out something new. This is an obstacle that I have overcome with persistance and advice from idividuals who have been working as performers or directors for many years. Having a good agent is very important and research is essential. However there are a lot out there who may look fantastic but actually end up getting the performer little if no audtitions. This is something i feel that is slightly trail and error based as well as researching as much as you can. A lack of a showreel is something that has been a huge obstacle for me with trying to break into television and film but also with research this is something I have found a solution to.

4. (sub question) What measures have you taken to tackle this?

networking, courses, reseearching agents

4/20/11 8:04PM

I am trying to get an agent but its proving difficult as not many open their books more than once a year and the ones that do may not be suitable for me.I've just had a new showreel made so I'm hoping this might prove useful.

4/20/11 5:43PM

Build and wait

4/13/11 7:35AM

Trying to make contacts

4/13/11 1:24AM

Using contacts for advice, Forming a step-bystep plan

4/11/11 7:02PM

Talking to friends

4/8/11 2:10AM

Trying to get hold of footage to put together a showreel myself, asking others in that area

4/7/11 11:40PM

I was happy to see that some of the idividuals facing these obsticles are biting the bullet and taking measures to overcome these obsitcles. Persistance, dedication and self motivation are essential in going after your dreams and I hope they are successful in the measures they have taken.

5. Has this been a succesfull process?

Yes - 57.1%

No - 42.9%

Please comment.

successful so far but work in progress!

4/20/11 8:04PM

I've had a few enquiries and auditions but nothing that has led to a job ofer yet but I still feel it is a positive step in the right direction.

4/20/11 5:43PM

If you are good enough and confident contacts will grow eventually. Just be patient!

4/13/11 7:35AM

Little response, and none positive

4/13/11 1:24AM

I am still too reliant on others, I need to find away to get somewhere souly by myself.

4/11/11 7:02PM

I was happy that the persentage of people who had found this a successfull process was higher than those who hadn't. However peristance is key and was pleased to see some who responded realise this and patience is also important. I am also happy that those who have not yet been sucessfull are begining to realise what they need to work on to change this.

Overall I found this tool extremely usefull and it is one I will use throughout my inquiry as it enables me to collect a number of resonces in a quick and east way and I was pleased that people commented when asked as this gave more insight into their answers. As stated above in future I will aim to give more time for people to respond however, a very sucessfull process that I have learnt a lot from!

Literature Review: Actors' Handbook

A piece of literature I have chosen to review is the Actors' Handbook, casting call pro. This is a piece of literature offering advice to actors throughout their career, from choosing and preparing for drama school, agents and then 'getting work'.

This piece of literature has an interesting section on Showreels not only re-instating the importance of having one in our modern age of technology but also advice on how to put one together.

'With broadband connection speeds improving and DVDs cheap to reproduce, showreels have become an increasigly important way to market yourself. A showreel provides "moving image evidence" of what you are like as a performer. Without it, a casting director or agent can only assess you on the strength of your CV and photograph, which by their two-dimentional nature can only provide part of the picture.'

The piece states how a traditional showreel is made of work one has already done and advises on how to choose the best of your work when building a showreel. The piece basically re-instates what we are all taught at drama school which of course is to showcase our best work possible.

'You're looking for clips which best show you off.'

This section also provides advice to those who do not have sufficient showreel material and how a showreel can also be made of a collection of original scenes specifically created for ones showreel.

'Many leading showreel companies now offer 'shoot from scratch' services in which they'll work with you and shoot your scenes.'

This is information that some actors may not have and is very useful solution for those who are constrantly hit with the dilemma of being asked for a showreel in order to 'get work' without having done the sufficient work to put a traditional showreel together. Knowlege of this information enabled me to research into having this done and I am now glad to say I have booked my filming day for my showreel and the scripts are being specifically written for me as we speak.

'The advantage here is that the scenes are being shot specially for you, the focus of any scene will be on you.'

However, the handbook also advises actors to combine these with some 'actual past work' when possible in order to give your showreel more structure.

This handbook is an excellent guide to any performer trying to break into the industry; what it may lack in depth it makes up for in focusing on getting to the point and offering clean cut advice. It is a great basis for a performer to begin researching and pursuing a career in what is a very difficult area to become a success. Not only does the handbook provide advice but also advertises serivces for headshots and other tools that are important for an actor. This is a great way of finding these services if one is clueless of where to begin.

A good read for a performer starting out in pursuing their dreams!

References

Actors' Handbook 2009-10 Your guide to getting work and getting noticed, Casting call pro
Actor's One-Stop Shop, http://www.actorsonestopshop.com/

Rationale for Award title

The award I seek as a result of doing this programme is BA (Hons) Professional Practice (Performing Arts).

After a lot of thought into what I want my award title to show I have decided on this title which not only relates to my previous study but also to other areas I wish to break into of performance. This titles shows where my skills and knowledge lie without limiting me to specialise in one area or another. My research has shown how common it is for performers to make transitions between one area and another and how something as simple as an award title can affect this; therefore this has proven to be the most logical choice for my award title in helping me pursue a career in performance.

Prior to studying my degree at Middlesex University I trained for two years under the title Musical Theatre towards a Trinity Diploma. Although the course was titled as Musical Theatre the training it provided was specifically focused on preparing performers for all areas of the performing profession. It had the three main elements of a Musical Theatre course; dance, singing and acting but also focused on classical text, acting for camera contextual studies. This was an intensive training course running on a minimum of 37 hours a week which helped me develop the skills to pursue a career in performance in a variety of areas of the industry

From a young age I have always been involved in performance both in my education and as extra curricular training. At the age of sixteen I enrolled into a BTEC National Diploma course in Performing Arts achieving the grade of triple Distinction as well as studying towards a BTEC National Music Award achieving a Distinction and a BTEC National Technical Award achieving the grade of Merit. During this time I also trained outside my education towards my grade 6 LAMDA, grade 6 Singing and Intermediate and Advanced grades in various areas of dance. This gave me not only the opportunity to perform in various areas of amateur performance but also the means to work professionally for the Welsh television channel S4C as a guest actor and extra and for Ballet Russe as a lady in waiting for their local performance of Swan Lake. This not only helped towards supporting my main study but also to the beginning of a career in performance.

As well as having performed in many amateur performances both within and outside my education I have been successful in gaining professional experience playing the lead in a road safety tour for Health Challenge Wales, lead roles in theatre productions in all areas, lead and supporting roles in short films and television, modelling work in an advert as well as touring pantomime and performing in musical festivals.

Since completing my training I have continued to perform professionally in all areas. I have been successful in gaining an agent and promoting myself as a professional performer as part of my professional practice. I regularly travel across the country to auditions for both paid and unpaid work creating networks with industry professionals such as production companies, directors and other performers. I not only do this through my agency but also independently. This has resulted in gaining successful connections with many professionals whilst pursuing a career in Performing Arts.

Working towards my degree at Middlesex University has been beneficial to my professional practice in many ways not only helping me develop new skills in the way I conduct myself in the professional world but also by helping me use the skills I have already gained in a more academic and sufficient way. It has enabled me to promote myself professionally by using the experiences of others as well as my own. It has given me the information I need to showcase my skills academically whilst promoting my transferable skills as a performer.

My short-term goals have been to use my previous training in the Performing Arts to gain employment in a variety of areas and make connections within the industry. I have succeeded in doing this and will continue to pursue these goals throughout my career because of my love for performance. I now aim to focus on certain areas of Performing Arts separately enabling me to solidify my connections and establish myself as a performer without limiting myself to one area or another. I will not only be able to use the skills learnt whilst studying my degree at present but it will give me the academic back up and knowledge to branch into the areas of the performing industry I desire and long to be a part of.  

In conclusion; I have chosen the award title of BA (Hons) Professional Practice (Performing Arts) because it represents the vast amount of previous training I have gained as an amateur and professional performer in the industry. A career as a multi-skilled performer is one I intend to continue pursuing as I have a love and passion for many areas of the Performing Arts and want my award title to represent this.

BA (Hons) Professional Practice (Performing Arts)

I've finally chosen my award title! BA (Hons) Professional Practice (Performing Arts).

I've spent ages trying to think of the right award title. Althought I trained in Musical Theatre I didn't want to limit myself to just this and have recently been following more of an acting based career. There is a huge stereotype in the industry against people who trianed in Musical Theatre who are trying to break into 'serious acting' as it is assumed they are not as capable as one specifically trained in Acting. However I also felt I didn't want to limit myself to just acting either. At the moment I am mainly focusing on the acting side of the industry but also want to leave myself open to the possibility of working in Musical Theatre. As you can imagine choosing my award title became quite the dilemma!

I eventually decided on the title Performing Arts as this covers both area's but does not limit to one or the other. This will allow me to enter into both without any stereotying or pre-consceptions  professionals may have.

I always remmember a question and aswer session I was involved in with a director of a Shakespeare play. Someone asked;

What do you look for when auditioning an actor?

His answer was simply that first he would look at where they trained and secondly what they trained in, and if one was trained in Musical Theatre he would not consider them for audition. Although this view isn't necessairily right but the cold hard truth is that this is the way the industry works and something as simple as an award title can have a huge affect on peoples opinions of a performer without even having seen them perform!

Delicious Page

I've just set up my delicious account. This was so quick and completley fool proof! This is a very good way of keeping track of the different web based tools I use from day to day as well as a good source of gathering data from websites others who have accounts use!

http://www.delicious.com/ceri_morgan/Bookmarks_Menu

Pilot Survey

I posted my Pilot Survey on the facebook page around a week ago and so far only have 8 responses! Please take the survey!



http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JVTFMLM

Ethics and codes of conduct in my profession.

As a performer when thinking of ethics my first thought is the ethical treatment of a performer by whoever their employer may be.

On receiving a new contract from either an agency or performance company my first thought after looking through the document is equity. Equity is a trade union for performers that ensures that performers are treated in an ethical way and paid an agreed amount for their work.

Every contract I have been sent since graduating from drama school whether is be from an agent, modelling agency or a possible employer I have sent to equity for advice on whether it is within their regulations, needs to be negotiated or even discarded all together.

Equity is always my first calling point when considering taking on work or an opportunity as it is there to help support those working within the arts, much like other trade unions from other professions do.

On their sight they give an overview of what it is they do as well as it nut shelled in a set of bullet points:

• Negotiates
• Organises
• Campaigns and lobbies
• Supports
• Protects
• Influences
• Provides Services
• Listens
• Advises
• Takes action
• Is a community

http://www.equity.org.uk/about-us/what-do-we-do/

Equity is not swayed by any particular political party and is solely there to protect its members.

After looking through equity’s codes of conduct I realised that although they are my first point of support and I have used their services in the past I was not fully aware of all my rights as a performer. Knowledge of this is essential as of course if I do not fully know what the regulations are on how I as a performer should be treated how would I know if I am being treated in an ethical way according to the rules that are there to protect me?

This is something that is not only essential when discussing ethics in my personal profession but also essential in life. If we expect to be treated in an ethical way we must first have knowledge of what this means both in our personal and professional lives; and of course knowledge is power!

What does the word Ethics mean to me?

In the dictionary the definition for the word ethic is,

‘ethic n. moral principal or frame work; (ethics) moral principles; the discussion of these.’

This led me onto the definition of the world moral;

‘moral adj. concerned with right and wrong conduct; virtuous.’

Therefore the discussion of ethical issues is basically the discussion of what is right and what is wrong.

Childhood

The notion of right and wrong is something that is taught from childhood. As children we are taught that lying, cheating and disobeying our parents is wrong and that telling the truth, good manners and doing as we are told is right. This is something that is then reflected in our adult lives and in how we conduct ourselves both professionally and socially.

Religion

Although I am not a particularly religious person myself I found myself thinking of how right and wrong is in fact related and perhaps based on religion. In most religions we are taught that if we do not adhere to the rules set down by that particular religion or commit sin we will then pay for it in the afterlife.

I have always been interested in the idea of karma. This is a Buddhist belief that;

‘The total effect of a person's actions and conduct during the successive phases of the person's existence, regarded as determining the person's destiny.’

This is basically the notion that if we do something that is seen as wrong or immoral then we will pay for it in the course of our lives. This is something that is determined by destiny rather than a physical occurrence.

Law

In law if we do something wrong we then have to pay for what we have done and the punishment is decided on how heinous the crime in question is in accordance to the country’s law. This is not however decided by a higher entity but rather our peers.

Business

In business and politics right and wrong and what is considered to be ethical is often put second to personal gain and greed which are two things that are seen as sin when referring to the holy book but in business are seen as doing whatever it takes for the good of a company and personal and financial success. An example of where this has happened in modern society is where two big name retailers where pinpointed in recent years for having ‘sweat shops’ in foreign counties to cut back on costs. This is something that is seen as completely unethical when thinking of human rights and yet was happening nevertheless. This is just one example of when the notion of morals and ethics become somewhat cloudy.

Personal

When thinking of right and wrong in a more personal sense I feel it is very much down to personal belief and upbringing. This is something that sometimes can conflict with social or professional conduct and is very much a judge of ones personal character.

A Little Welsh Girl Goes To L.A!

Well I never imagined where my inquiry would take me!

After deciding on my award title;

 HOW DO YOU BREAK INTO A NEW AREA OF THE INDUSTRY

 I then went on to research and network with professionals in the industry to try and further my inquiry. I had decided that there where two main areas of the industry that I have a real passion for and long to work within. These were Shakespeare and The Television/Film Industry. Naturally I found my inquiry veered towards the Television/Film industry and decided to ‘go with it’.

I realised that the main thing holding me back in breaking into this area was that I don’t have an actor’s show reel. Most companies ask for a show reel before auditioning, but to have a show reel you need to have done a sufficient amount of acting work; therefore as you see this caused a bit of a dilemma for me.

My first thought was to look to the Facebook SIG’s for advice. I joined Hayley Jane Bence’s SIG Showreels. Here I found that the discussion was more around dancer’s show reels rather than actors but decided to post and see if anyone could help. Hayley replied with some suggestions but I wasn’t able to further my search.

I then went on to contact my acting for camera tutor from drama school Paul Dudbridge whose production company Hanover pictures I had worked for as a model in an internet commercial. 

http://www.hanoverpictures.co.uk/warren.html

I emailed asking for advice and whether he had any footage from short films and classes at drama school. He responded promptly and offered to put a few clips together from a short film where I played the main character. This was an amazing development and I now felt like I could further my inquiry. He also advised me on getting work and assured me that I was on the right path in applying for as much filming work as I could both paid and non-paid. He advised me to keep using a website that I’m a part of ;

http://www.shootingpeople.com

This is a website where mainly independent film companies post job’s for actors. Most of the work is only expenses paid but you usually get a copy of the work included hence material for a show reel!

Whilst on the sight searching and applying for jobs I came across a post from a company asking for head shot’s and CV’s to be sent of actor’s interested in breaking into the television and film industry in LA. I thought why not give it a try and proceeded to send off a few headshots, CV and a cover letter. A few days later I was pleasantly surprised to find the company had contacted me expressing their interest and offering me a place on a Networking Week in LA! Of course my fist instinct was that this was an amazing opportunity. After the initial excitement I went on to do my research on the company and was very happy to discover everything was completely legitimate and above board!

I am now booked to go to LA from 14^th- 24^th of May. For the first seven days I will be meeting agents, manager’s, casting directors and big production companies such as Paramount, MGM and Warner Brothers! I am then staying on for 3days in case any opportunities come from my meetings and readings. This truly is a fantastic opportunity and if nothing else a huge learning experience; however there is a LOT of work to do before flying out as I want to make all I possibly can of this opportunity! Although this week will be happening after the module ends I’ll be sure to blog and tell everyone about it!

The name of the company is Industry Hollywood and it is run by Richard Burke:

http://www.industryhollywood.com

Richard has also helped me further my inquiry further, not only will I be getting to meet fantastic people but he has also put me in touch with a company that will be filming a show reel for me whilst out there!

http://www.relentlessfilmworks.com/

This is a company called Relentless Film Works. The write scenes specifically for and actor and also film and edit the work. This is a fantastic service for actor’s who don’t have enough material for a regular show reel and the quality is amazing!

I went on to contact the company, and set up a Skype meeting with Steve Whelan who run’s the process. We discussed what I wanted to show in my show reel and started brainstorming landing on three basic idea’s for my three one minute scenes. The next step is communicating with the writer’s to develop the scenes so they are exactly right for me. I will be filming in LA on the 24^th of May so this is a huge step in BREAKING INTO A NEW AREA OF THE INDUSTRY!