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!
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