Task 5A: Ethics in My Work Place

Auditions

• What I have noticed about auditions is that everyone has different opinions of how the audition went and how it was for them.  I have therefore come to the conclusion that just because someone didn't like the audition wether it be about the panel judging or the structure you have to make your mind up yourself.  I might really enjoy an audition and someone else may hate it.

• Be considerate to other dancers - have your own space and make sure that you are aware of other dancers.

• Sometimes auditions do not go as well as you would like, you therefore have to be positive and sincere until you leave the room, you don't want to embarrass yourself

• Be well prepared - if your not sure what the audition is about, bring everything sheet music, dance wear shoes therefore nothing can go wrong.

• Take note of the audition criteria - don't go to an audition that asks for 5ft 7in blonde when you are 5ft 3in - theres a reason for this and it is a wast of yours and their time.

Promotion

• Showreels - This can be quite tricky depending on your content of your showreel and if it was filmed by a company.  If it is you then have to ask permission to use the content as you don't want to be sued for copyright.

Agents

• Always be polite - your agent is probably doing the best for you, if they are putting you up for jobs you don't want, ask them in a polite manner, they want you to get a job as much as you want.

How Artists Make a living

Don't give up the day job!

I have found this article about artists making a living and how essential a part time job is in this industry.

http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2010/jan/24/artists-day-jobs

Task 4C: Survey, how to find work in the industry

If anyone has an agent and/or auditioning could you help me out by answering some questions for me, thanks.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YFXBD5V

Task 4B: Special Interest Group

This is the group I have created if anyone else is interested in Professional Work.
Feel free to add yourself or anyone who is interested.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/774545982622403/

Task 4A: Questions on my Professional Inquiry

How to secure professional work

Agents

I am very interested if anyone has an agent as there are a few questions I would like to ask.

1. What is your relationship like with your agent?
2. Does your agent get you the auditions/work that you want to do?
3. How often do you communicate with your agent? is it in person? email? phone? or a bit of everything?
4. How many auditions do you get on average in a week?

Auditions

I have been really picky with auditions but I have recently noticed that there are periods where there are loads of auditions and then a month later theres nothing.  I do have spotlight but although I have applied to various jobs only a handful have got back to me to ask me to audition for them.

1. Are there other people looking for professional work having the same problem?
2. If you don't have an agent, where is your main source for getting auditions?
3. Have you managed to find work flexible enough for you to attend auditions?

Self Promotion

As mentioned in my previous post I have started to post videos on my youtube channel www.youtube.com/hollydanielsuk but I have a few questions about promoting myself.

1. Do casting directors watch the whole video or just maybe 30 seconds?
2. Is is worth having a showreel?
3. Are there other ways that I can promote myself other than with photos and videos?

I find myself stuck with this as I can't seem to find other ways to get myself more known.  If anyone has any ideas feel free to post in the comment box below as I really am stuck on ideas.

Inquiry: Auditions, Agents and Self-Promotion

I have decided to change my inquiry as I feel that I want to focus more on performing.  I want to focus on different ways of getting a professional job and making myself more known.

Auditions

Auditions are the only way of getting work in this industry.  They can showcase your talent and hopefully secure you a job.
I have decided to do a mind map with questions of what I want to find out about auditions.

How do I hear about auditions?
I am trying to find out more ways to find out about auditions.  I will be looking at agents later on as I think that is a big way to find out information. 

What the company are looking for?
Most companies know the kind of people they want to hire, whether it be tall/short, blonde/brunette etc. Unfortunately these characteristics the performer cannot change and I feel that castings should include these characteristics in there briefing as it would then eliminate performers who don't fit into that category.
Talent is also very important in this industry but if you do not look the part they wont hire you.  This is also linked to Feedback.

Feedback
In auditions it may well be that you do not look the part but it maybe something your doing that the casting directors do not like.  It could be technical like a triple pirouette was messy.  If castings could tell us what they didn't like the performers could then improve on a particular move or style of dance.  I do understand however that casting directors must see thousands of applicants for one job and they are far to busy to give everyone individual feedback.

Pre-audition 
Some auditions are very last minute and sometimes only give you a day or less to prepare. This makes everything rushed as I have to make sure that I have packed all my dance shoes and made sure that the songs I am taking are well rehearsed. I have learnt now to leave all my relevant shoes in the same bag and have all my songs that I know very well in a folder so that if this does occur then it wont be such an issue.

Agents

How do I get an agent?
I have found that people with agents have invited to them to a showcase and have got an agent from there.  I however am currently not in a show and I have no idea how to proceed to get one.  I unfortunately do not have enough content to make a showreel as I know that some agents view them and then offer representation.

Which agents are good?
I have recently bought a copy of contacts, which has listed agents/photographers etc.  It is useful as I have researched a few agencies and seen what sort of people are on their books.  I didn't realise however that there were so many and am a bit lost of who to apply to.

How much do you give your agent?
I know that this varies a lot but I am trying to figure out if it is worth getting an agent.  I know that I would get more auditions but if I then got a job and had to pay a lot to my agent Im not sure if its worth it.

On average how many auditions should they give you?
I know that this can very a lot as it depends on what jobs are available.  I didn't get along with my previous agent as they didn't give me auditions that I wanted to do so I therefore dropped them.  I don't really want this to happen again as I feel there need to be more communication with client and agent to ensure that everyone is happy.

Is it worth getting an agent?
My aim is to perform in musicals but I have found that most west end auditions are run through an agent and are not open.  I am therefore considering getting an agent again as this is the field of work that I want to get myself into.

Self-Promotion

As I am trying to get into the business I thought that self-promotion would be a great way to make myself more know.

YouTube

I have recently created a youtube account: www.youtube.com/hollydanielsuk to help promote myself. I am hoping to post more stuff up but am currently not used to editing videos so it may take a while.

Soundcloud

I have found this the easiest to use as I can just record myself on my laptop and then post it online there and then. Unfortunately it is not as well know as youtube but I seem to have a lot of views so hopefully it will be beneficial time. www.soundcloud.com/holly_daniels

Advertising

I do think this is a great way of informing people where you are informing and along with Youtube could be a way of promoting myself.  Although I do think it is hard as I am not performing in the same venue for a long time and it also costs to get posters/cards printed.

I have recently created a linkedin account: uk.linkedin.com/in/hollydanielsuk as I have heard various people get work from it.

Reality TV

TV is a great way to get yourself noticed. This way is a bit of a short cut as you only have to sing one song and millions of people are watching you.  I wish that shows like 'I'd do anything' and 'over the rainbow' were coming back as that is the sort of thing I want to get into.