Task 5b/5c: Codes of Practice

In order to do this task, I typed into Google 'Code of practice within Performing Arts.' I stumbled upon this very interesting Document from The University of Winchester.
These are a few of the points:

1. Tutors who anticipate in stage combat should inform the Theatre Technicians that their students may require training in stage combat so that a suitable session can be arranged. In the case of the performance being independent of a supervisor, it is the responsibility of the individual to seek advice on suitable training.

2. Tutors who supervise students wishing to use physical theatre should take responsibility for the health and safety of their students and advise carefully in its use. If the tutor feels that the activity is beyond their area of expertise, then they should advise students to seek supervision from a suitably experienced tutor before pursuing any physical activity.

3. All performers must provide a detailed risk assessment of their activity to the Senior Theatre Technician prior to any hazardous activities taking place. The risk assessment must be approved by a full time member of the technical theatre staff in order for any devising, rehearsals, or performance involving risk to commence.

4. If weapons (any object used within a combat sequence or any item that may be perceived as a weapon) are required, then their use in combat sequences must be approved by a theatre technician. The use of the specific must be covered during the training session with the recognised stage combat tutor. All weapons must also be covered in the performers risk assessment with control measures relating specifically to section 16a of the firearms act.


These are only a few of the points made but I think they show how much detail must be given for a single performance. Without the right practice miscommunication and confusion can occur within a performance.

Another interesting site I came upoon was The Animal Consultants and Training Association. This is a website has the codes of practice for when an animal is used in production. These are:

ACTA Members:

a. Will provide a professional and comprehensive service in supplying
and training animals for film, television, advertising, theatre, stills photography
and natural history programmes.

b. Are committed to safeguarding at all times the welfare of the animals
they provide. Respect for and the wellbeing of those animals will always
be of paramount importance.

c. Will actively promote the policy of specialised veterinary involvement
in and supervision of animal welfare within the media industries.

d. Are committed to all aspects of Health and Safety in the working
environment.

The Association maintains the professional integrity of its members.

I thought this was quite interesting as I knew there is an 'Animal Welfare Act - 2006 (45)' but it didn't cross my mind that codes of practice within a performance would be any different.

Although these two examples are very different from the 'Audition Ethics' from task 5a. Ethics are obviously a key thing to uphold but I think common sense also links to this...if you do something bad to someone it is always going to come back around to you at some point, you just need to think about the conclusion of the actions you do.

Task 5A: Ethics

Thinking about the different situations I have found my self in within my 4 years of living in London (going to college, moving house, gaining work) a lot of the ethics I upheld can fit into different scenarios.

For example;

- Upholding my presentation

- Respect others time and efforts, by being punctual and remembering things asked for previously

- Treating others how I wished to be treated

All of these "rules" are for general life, College, my job and auditions.

As an auditioning performer, we can extend these into;

- Remembering all of your dance shoes, as you never know what your going to be asked for

- Keeping your CV and Headshot well updated as to not show false information

- Not wasting the casting directors time, by not fitting the brief


Even though most of these things are a 'known' to people brought up well, as our society is going down hill, many of these "rules" are also going.

Only a few months ago I was mugged outside of my house. Does this mean that I can go around mugging people?

In an audition, I was pushed out of the way so that the Girl could get her number first, does this mean that it's right for me to do it back to her?

Although many of the people I know uphold my 'general life' ethics, I think times are moving on which is causing less people to uphold these rules and they are thinking about them selfs over others. In some respects, this could be linked to the Photographer in Reader 5, was he thinking about himself when he left the little girl?

Task 4d: Rational - Take 2

I have decided to call my Award title:

BA (HONS) - Performing Arts.

It's a simple one enabling the expansion in various subjects; Acting, Dance and singing.

Eithne x

Task 4d: Rational

Thinking about everything I have learnt over my 3 years of learning at Italia Conti Performing arts college and then my 8 years at the Plymouth associate school, everything that we seem to learn in class in to prepare for our auditions.

Whenever we're in ballet we hear about technique, holding our posture performing to the 'good seats.' In jazz we're told to keep our faces active and go full out every time. Acting is forever changing and growing as we do...

but what is the point in having all these things if we don't hold our own in an Audition?

Thinking about Ideas for my award title, I was concidering something like...

BA Hons - Preparation and Stability

I would love to get some feedback on this as I am not too sure yet if this is correct.

ef x

My SIG Group...

After some helpful comments on my work I have now come to discover that I have lightly based my Inquiry on Life outside of College, aka Auditions so I have now set up my own SIG on Likedin to discuss this further...

My group is upon Performing Arts:

It's going to be quite an open group so that we can cover a lot of ground work.
I have already set up a few discussions.


Here's a link to my Group...

Performing Arts - Break Down


Looking forward to hearing from you all,

Eithne x