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.
Saturday, 31 March 2012
Monday, 26 March 2012
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?
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
BA (HONS) - Performing Arts.
It's a simple one enabling the expansion in various subjects; Acting, Dance and singing.
Eithne x
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
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
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
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
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Task 4:C Developing my Inquiry
To help me develop my professional inquiry I asked my singing teacher Angharad Sanders and also my Agent Lexi at FLP. Hearing the views of a more experienced performer was really useful to know that she too used to be in my position.
Angharad:
1- Do we need qualifications to achieve the title of a professional performer?
"I don't think we do. I have a few friends that have worked on the Westend who haven't train...but they are boys."
2 - How can we maintain performance standards after training? Is it possible?
"Yes of course. Making sure you keep your voice active and your body challenged makes sure you maintain standards. You got muscle memory from college, you just need to make sure your body doesn't forget the placements."
3 - How long should we pursue our dream?
"Its your dream...for as long as you have it."
4 - Is it easier for men to get jobs over women?
"It's becoming harder for men also, but yes."
5 - Do we need an agent in order to gain paid work?
"Not necessarily, just make sure you get your face out there for people to recognise."
6 - How can we keep on top of money?
"If your passionate enough, you will find a way. Try and do little bits here and there."
Lexi:
1: "I think showing that you have trained shows commitment to your career, there are DADA's that people can get if they can't afford training. We will always take trained performers over non-trained performers."
2: "YESS!!!! Go to class, book singing lessons, do work shops, go to auditions..there is plenty out there if you look in the right places."
3: "As long as you want, noone can decide your future for you."
4: "In the past yes, but things are changing. It's not what you know, it's who !"
5: "Not all the time, but it helps to have us behind you. It looks better that I contact people on your behalf."
6: "There are lots of different jobs out there for performers. Spotlight always have opportunities. Keep your eyes open!"
Angharad:
1- Do we need qualifications to achieve the title of a professional performer?
"I don't think we do. I have a few friends that have worked on the Westend who haven't train...but they are boys."
2 - How can we maintain performance standards after training? Is it possible?
"Yes of course. Making sure you keep your voice active and your body challenged makes sure you maintain standards. You got muscle memory from college, you just need to make sure your body doesn't forget the placements."
3 - How long should we pursue our dream?
"Its your dream...for as long as you have it."
4 - Is it easier for men to get jobs over women?
"It's becoming harder for men also, but yes."
5 - Do we need an agent in order to gain paid work?
"Not necessarily, just make sure you get your face out there for people to recognise."
6 - How can we keep on top of money?
"If your passionate enough, you will find a way. Try and do little bits here and there."
Lexi:
1: "I think showing that you have trained shows commitment to your career, there are DADA's that people can get if they can't afford training. We will always take trained performers over non-trained performers."
2: "YESS!!!! Go to class, book singing lessons, do work shops, go to auditions..there is plenty out there if you look in the right places."
3: "As long as you want, noone can decide your future for you."
4: "In the past yes, but things are changing. It's not what you know, it's who !"
5: "Not all the time, but it helps to have us behind you. It looks better that I contact people on your behalf."
6: "There are lots of different jobs out there for performers. Spotlight always have opportunities. Keep your eyes open!"
Friday, 3 February 2012
Task 4a - Developing Lines of Inquiry
Task 4a; Developing Lines of Inquiry.
In Task 2d I stated:
‘One thing that really makes me angry in my profession is Untalented Celebrities. Just because they have a name and a face doesn’t mean that they have the talent to be the Lead in a show. When I have put so much time and effort into being the best performer I can be, seeing a celeb, who hasn’t had musical theatre training or any form of training, walks right on to stage is really upsetting.’
Continuing on with this theme in terms of Inquiry, these are some of the questions I have asked my self within the performing profession;
1- Do we need qualifications to achieve the title of a professional performer?
2 - How can we maintain performance standards after training? Is it possible?
3 - How long should we pursue our dream?
4 - Is it easier for men to get jobs over women?
5 - Do we need an agent in order to gain paid work?
6 - How can we keep on top of money?
Here are my views;
1 - For me, this can go either way. In some instances I know of people who haven’t trained but have become hugely successful within performing such as Ramin Karimloo. Although he always had a love for performing (within rock bands) he didn’t train at a ‘Performing Arts College.’ Therefore although he has had many Lead roles such as ‘The Phantom’ in ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ could we say he is a Professional or just lucky? Many ‘Professional’ performers who have spent years and money upon training never make it in this industry. I know that as a newly graduated performer it is so hard for casting directors to even give you an audition let alone a job. One thing that does annoy me in ‘Celebrities.’ People who go on reality TV shows such as The Only way is Essex and Big Brother seem to be able to gain performing jobs at the click of a finger. I understand that it is better for the theatre if they do this, as it will make more money, but for people such as me who have trained their whole live in order to be able to perform it is just not fair.
2 - I believe with enough hard work we can maintain our own performance levels and improve upon them. Alothugh I have only had a few jobs since leaving college in 2011, I can say that I am still as slim, as supple and I still have the confidence to perform a song upon request for an audition.
3 - I don’t think you can put a time upon your career, if you believe in yourself and can be patient enough to wait for that one person to give you a chance then you should.
4 - I think it is easier to men to get jobs. As there are less guys that train and pursue performing, there is a smaller ratio for men to jobs, whereas with girls there is probably 3 times as meny people as there is jobs.
5 - I don’t think we need an agent in able to get paid work these days. There are so many networking sites such as DanceCast, CastingCallPro and StarNow which allow us to contact Casting Directors personally in order to gain auditions and potentially gain work. Unfortunately for all these sites there is a fee in order to submit your CV.
6 - Money is a very touchy subject in the industry. First we train, which cost my parents £36,000 for my 3 years at Italia Conti, let alone the 13 years I did before attending that college. Now I have left I have to pay for my Spotlight £184, Casting Call Pro £22 a month, my travel £35 a week, my rent £400 a month, bills, clothes, food and things such as hair and makeup products to keep up my looks for auditions. Even after gaining a job there is insurance, equity and if you have one, an agent to pay. I get the best buzz from performing but when you break it down and think about how to survive in these ever increasing prices...it doesn't look too good for our careers.
In Task 2d I stated:
‘One thing that really makes me angry in my profession is Untalented Celebrities. Just because they have a name and a face doesn’t mean that they have the talent to be the Lead in a show. When I have put so much time and effort into being the best performer I can be, seeing a celeb, who hasn’t had musical theatre training or any form of training, walks right on to stage is really upsetting.’
Continuing on with this theme in terms of Inquiry, these are some of the questions I have asked my self within the performing profession;
1- Do we need qualifications to achieve the title of a professional performer?
2 - How can we maintain performance standards after training? Is it possible?
3 - How long should we pursue our dream?
4 - Is it easier for men to get jobs over women?
5 - Do we need an agent in order to gain paid work?
6 - How can we keep on top of money?
Here are my views;
1 - For me, this can go either way. In some instances I know of people who haven’t trained but have become hugely successful within performing such as Ramin Karimloo. Although he always had a love for performing (within rock bands) he didn’t train at a ‘Performing Arts College.’ Therefore although he has had many Lead roles such as ‘The Phantom’ in ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ could we say he is a Professional or just lucky? Many ‘Professional’ performers who have spent years and money upon training never make it in this industry. I know that as a newly graduated performer it is so hard for casting directors to even give you an audition let alone a job. One thing that does annoy me in ‘Celebrities.’ People who go on reality TV shows such as The Only way is Essex and Big Brother seem to be able to gain performing jobs at the click of a finger. I understand that it is better for the theatre if they do this, as it will make more money, but for people such as me who have trained their whole live in order to be able to perform it is just not fair.
2 - I believe with enough hard work we can maintain our own performance levels and improve upon them. Alothugh I have only had a few jobs since leaving college in 2011, I can say that I am still as slim, as supple and I still have the confidence to perform a song upon request for an audition.
3 - I don’t think you can put a time upon your career, if you believe in yourself and can be patient enough to wait for that one person to give you a chance then you should.
4 - I think it is easier to men to get jobs. As there are less guys that train and pursue performing, there is a smaller ratio for men to jobs, whereas with girls there is probably 3 times as meny people as there is jobs.
5 - I don’t think we need an agent in able to get paid work these days. There are so many networking sites such as DanceCast, CastingCallPro and StarNow which allow us to contact Casting Directors personally in order to gain auditions and potentially gain work. Unfortunately for all these sites there is a fee in order to submit your CV.
6 - Money is a very touchy subject in the industry. First we train, which cost my parents £36,000 for my 3 years at Italia Conti, let alone the 13 years I did before attending that college. Now I have left I have to pay for my Spotlight £184, Casting Call Pro £22 a month, my travel £35 a week, my rent £400 a month, bills, clothes, food and things such as hair and makeup products to keep up my looks for auditions. Even after gaining a job there is insurance, equity and if you have one, an agent to pay. I get the best buzz from performing but when you break it down and think about how to survive in these ever increasing prices...it doesn't look too good for our careers.
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