Task 6B: Tools For Inquiry

Survey and Questionnaires
I have decided to use Survey and Questionnaires as I could gather a greater range of data. I could therefore ask a variety of different people about who they are and what they think. I did however find it difficult in asking questions as I feel I could have got a lot more information from people by how I was asking them.  I felt that my design of questions did not provide the information I need and this affected my analysis. I have also set my survey so that if any participant finds a question uncomfortable they are not obliged to answer. 

Focus Group
“focus groups are more likely to include members who either have similar characteristics or experience... or are known to have a professional concern about and knowledge of the issues involved.” (2005, p. 162).
Focus Groups are less time consuming for me as I can gather information in one go and the members may also be less pressured as there is more than one of them.  This maybe hard to manage as the conversation can go off topic so I will need to make sure that I channel topic related questions so that I do not waste any time. I must also be aware that strong personalities may influence the group and make it harder to some participants to speak.

Insider- Researcher 
The benefits of insider - researcher is that I know the context and I am familiar with the workplace, however I maybe biased about some issues I already have.  I also need to clarify that I am the researcher and that the information I am trying to find out from my participants is for my degree and nothing else.  I have recorded relevant information in my journal which I will now use for this research process. 

Interview
I have used interviews to find out information about a particular type of individual. My questions would therefore be very specific depending on what I want to find out.  A good thing about interviews is that they can be conducted in a variety of ways e.g. phone, Skype, face to face, with an individual or group of people, using a structured list of questions or a more informal method of interaction. I could then give this option to the participant and see which way they would prefer to be interviewed.  Although interviews can be time consuming it may help me to uncover unexpected data.

Observation
I didn't use Observation as it wouldn't be possible to gather a lot of information in a short period of time.  I did consider observing an audition but I felt that this was not very accurate and would be very difficult to analyse.  With observing there are many ethical issues to consider as I would need to get permission from all involved and must make all the participants aware that it is confidential.

Task 6A: Informal Trial - Survey

I decided to do a survey as my informal trail as I felt this was the easiest and efficient way to collect information.  From doing a survey I was able to remain fair as I collected information anonymously.
The information that I collected from the survey has proven very interesting. Most of the answers were very similar but from doing this survey I have found out more about auditions, agents and showreels. 

Auditions
From producing this survey I have found new casting sites which I have never encountered before but have seem to be great for finding out about auditions.  Casting Call Pro, Singers Pro and Talent Cast were mentioned to find auditions. I am now looking into joining these sites as they offer a free sign up so that I can decide if it is useful to me or not.

Agents
One of my questions is about agents and although most of the participants of my survey did not have an agent, a high percentage said that it is worth getting one.  As I am currently in the process of getting more information about agents and which agents to apply to.  I am finding it quite challenging as I am currently not in a show and haven't got a showreel to send them. 

Showreel
Everyone who I asked that had a showreel said that it was beneficial to them.  I have always wanted to make a showreel for myself but I unfortunately do not have a variety of content to put in it and I wouldn't know where to start.  I therefore made a youtube channel but I fear that because they are self tape videos they aren't very professional and I have no yet come across and alternative.


Things that I want to look into further 

• It is better to send hard copies or email my CV and headshot to agents?
• Would I need to write a cover letter? What to include in it?
• How will I find content for a showreel? How to make it look professional?

Q & A with Casting Directors

I have found this very useful as it covers a lot of content about showreels and what casting directors are looking for.

http://spotlightuk.podomatic.com/entry/2014-11-18T08_11_13-08_00

Task 5D: Ethical Dimensions of My Inquiry

My Inquiry Title: 

How can performers secure professional work in the industry?

Briefly state why your inquiry is important and who will benefit

I have decided to base my inquiry on myself as I am currently at a stage where I am finding hard to find professional work. From researching and gathering information I hope to broaden my knowledge of the industry and hopefully gain more professional connections. I feel that it will beneficial to me and may also help other people who are in my situation.

How you will ensure participant wellbeing?

• I will inform my participants about the subject I will be talking about and why I have asked them to be involved
• I will be clear what I want them to do and inform them of the benefits it will have on being involved in the group
• Make sure they are aware that anyone can withdraw from the group at any time and that no risk of harm or prejudice will happen to them
• Have a form of agreement which outlines that any information obtained by them will not be displayed publicly if they have not given permission (they have the option to remain anonymous) 
• To ensure safety of my participants I will keep their contact details safe so that only I have access to them.

Task 5C: Professional Ethics

From reading reader 5 I had a lot to think about my approach to professional ethics.  Reader 5 explains that 

"Ethics is frequently not a case of black and white – where an action is either right or wrong. Often, it is rather a grey area where there is uncertainty and where other issues and considerations can affect outcomes."  

I found this interesting as everyone has different views of situations and that there can be many outcomes to a particular topic.

I recently read an article on how artists make a living. This explained that bills need to be paid so performers have to find a way to make ends meat even though the job has nothing to do with performing. 

I have got a job in retail on a zero hour contract.  Its good for auditions as I can book days off without any fuss but some weeks I don't get any work.  This is annoying for me as a performer as I need to earn to pay bills and pay for travel which costs me between £20-£30 just to get into London.  The only other option I can think of is to move to London, but with the cost of housing and food I think I will struggle to live.  I am finding it hard to find work that has the hours that I want and will allow me to have the flexible to attend auditions with such short notice.

I think that teachers/tutors should give advice to their students about ethics in the industry. I have never done any unpaid or low paid work, mainly as I don't really trust them and was afraid that it would damage my career.  I found that in my time at college although I learnt a lot about my craft, I wasn't aware of these opportunities and wether they would be beneficial to me or not.  I would really like to gain experience where ever I can but is unpaid work going to get me where I want to be?

Check list for auditions:

• What time is the audition?
• Where is the audition taking place and what sort of venue is it? 
• What is the casting agent's name and telephone number/s? 
• What am I going to eat/drink before I go?
• What am I going to wear? 
• How much time do I need to hair and make-up?
• How much time do I need to warm-up?
• How long do I need to travel to my destination?
• What will I do if I have travel delays?
• What do I need to take with me and in what bag?
• Do I have my up-to-date CVs and Headshots ready?
• What music do I need?
• Is my music marked properly and clearly for the audition pianist?
• How will I quickly and efficiently the audition pianist in tempo and cuts?
• Am I bringing dance shoes or extra clothing?
• If the audition lasts all day, what am I going to eat?
• What am I going to do to warm-up and stay loose right before I go in?
• How am I going to handle speaking to those registering me for the audition?
• How am I going to juggle running into fellow competitors, friends and adversaries?

Task 5B: Codes of Practice and Ethics Linking to my Practice and Inquiry

It is very important to take ethics seriously as this could damage your career in the future. Here are some ethics to consider.

• When finding out information about an audition, check all the details and make sure that it is from a reliable source.
• Make sure you know who you are auditioning for e.g. casting director, producer before attending the audition.  It will be embarrassing if you have met before and can't remember the panels names.
• When you arrive at the casting ask any questions you might have about the contract.
• Make sure you read your contract thoroughly before you sign just in case you don't agree with something. You are not obliged to sign.
• If someone is filming you, they need to get permission from you first.
• You only need to do what is written in your contract. If they ask you to do extra work make sure you have written evidence that you have agreed to.
• Always keep a spare copy of your contract, it is a good resource and should have everything you need on them.

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.