Progress, help and assistance

Hey all!

How are we?

I'd just like to see what point you're all up to, if anyone needs any assistance or things answering for their inquiry, and any ideas that you have for the professional artefact. Have we thought about how were going to present it?

Just a little on my topic:

I am a dancer onboard Carnival cruse lines, I'm very interested in finding out a universal opinion on producing the best performance. This is to help myself and my cast onboard the cruise ship, and anyone else interested on bettering their own performance. I want to produce the best shows we can so that the audience receives a fantastic experience and so that we ourselves develop and become the best we can be.

I've already started getting together my research, I'm asking passengers sailing what they think makes a great show, why they come to a show, what the best part of a show is.

I'm also putting together a focus group that involves very cast member and my dance captain, to discuss opinions on who they admire as dancers, what they think produces the best shows, what they push for in a show.

I'd like to open up the discussion to you guys also if you'd be willing to help, as a dancer, actor, musician, teacher, whatever field you're in, or your interests, I'd like to know what you think creates a great show.

Thank you in advance and I hope you'll be able to assist me, likewise I'm more than willing to help every one of you in any way I can.

Literature struggle

Hey bloggers

Discovering that my next step with my module 3 work is to gather some rich literature that I can use and gain some serious knowledge from, I've been trying to research my literature examples.

I'm finding this a tough process, however, I may have sussed the root of my problem, I keep typing into google what my inquiry question is, this as I've found out is serving me no purpose, I'm trying to find information that will ASSIST me with my research inquiry, I'm not trying to find the answer as it won't really be found, hence the purpose of an inquiry. I'm researching into something that is extremely opinionated. Once realising this, this afternoon I decided to put into the search engine:

'Greatest dance performances of all time'

This helped me far better than just merely researching others opinions, I've actually got some information on what these professionals did that created the greatest performance..

Here for you to check out is the website: http://listverse.com/2013/05/12/10-greatest-dancers-of-the-twentieth-century/

It's a very interesting article. I think this is helpful to all aspiring artists.

If anyone could assist me further with any literature examples they would deem useful, be sure to lend a helping hand :)

Hope you're all doing well with your studies so far!

Peace and love

Start Up for Module 3 and Skype with Adesola

Hey all

I hope you're all well and had a relaxing, enjoyable summer break from Uni work!

Sorry for the delayed update on blogging, I haven't had the smoothest of start ups for Module 3 due to being extremely busy...

Before my Skype session today with Adesola I felt very uneasy and overwhelmed as to where to begin with Module 3, as we all know its our final module and requires the most work. However, having now spoken to Adesola and got to grips with what my proposal for the next three weeks are, I now have some aims and targets to focus on and achieve.

It's pretty simple, I have to now get on with my proposed inquiry, carry out all my intentions and inquiry plan and from there on I can start to analyse and really sift through all my collected info and begin to create my work for Module 3.

I think the best thing is to stop shying away from this, as Adesola said to me today 'you just need to get on ASAP with your inquiry. To be honest I struggle to find the motivation at first to start it all as I find this daunting if I'm not on a roll, know what I'm doing and feel confident with how I'm going to achieve it all.. It's hard and I wonder if anyone else feels the same? As we all do so much with our lives its easy to forget and push things to the side, but I'm sure once I get going and schedule my uni work into my working week its going to be achievable and even enjoyable!

Just to let you all know of my inquiry question/interest:

I am going to focus on finding out producing the best performance you can create for yourself....

I am going to source opinions and ideas from both a professional cast, a dance captain, guests/audience from the shows I perform on my current cruise contract..

Any additional help and assistance or point of views on this subject would be greatly appreciated!!

Likewise, I will happily return the favour :).

Critical Reflection on Professional Practitioner Inquiry

Module 2 has taken me on a completely different path than what I first proposed. My initial thought for my topic was Yoga; as this was a keen interest of mine and something that I thought I’d like to integrate into my learning and development as a dancer. However, due to my work based learning environment, I naturally stubbled across an area of study which I thought was important and interesting to follow through; bettering performance. 

My first blog ‘Initial ideas for Part 4’ expresses some of my earlier ideas and also an experience during my first week onboard where I noticed a shift in my thought process. A couple of other blogs followed, again expressing some experiences I’d had onboard which sparked an inquiry topic: ‘Ideas from audience viewing’. It had all started piecing itself together and led to my collection for lines of inquiry, I decided to blog post my own thoughts on “what makes a show successful?” this post was named ‘Reaching out to you’ as I wanted to target my fellow BAPP arts students and see what their view was. 

As the module continued I began to search for literature examples, articles and extracts where I could start to learn a bit more about performance and your role as a performer. The following blog talks about my personal transition from my first to my second/current contract, and the literature example which helped me to understand how working as a team is vital in performing: ‘WBL experience and lines of inquiry’.

Once proceeding onto Part 5 of the module, I posted a blog which set about explaining what I do on the ship and in the shows that conforms to ethical standards. I also talked about what I’d noticed in the shows which made the audience react differently depending on race: ‘WBL experience of Ethics’. I also posted a blog which set about showing the ethical standards noted in my contract: ‘Contractual agreements’. Shortly after this experience, I began to research into ethics in theatre. I came across an article from theguardian.co.uk which set about explaining the coming of the revolution and the acceptance of non caucasian performers on stage, you can view the article in my blog ‘Article on the coming of the revolution’.

Sticking to my line of inquiry I decided to research further into performance and how we as artists can better ourselves on stage. Here are some blogs that I thought to post to aid the help of other performers wanting to improve and develop their performance: 

‘How can we better our performance?’

‘Tips for performance’

‘Tips continued’

Entering into Part 6 made me realise the importance of my inquiry, it was not just about me and conducting this inquiry solely for the purpose of helping my own performance. This inquiry proposal is going to benefit my colleagues within the BAPP network and my cast members. Included in this blog is my proposal for the inquiry and the finalised plan: ‘Benefits for others and ideas for proposal’.

For my last blog I decided to share my pilot interview. This formulated my definite thoughts on conducting the research across a varied, multiple source of participants and how I discovered after reflecting back, how I shouldn’t reserve judgement or try to guess the response from one interviewee to the next: ‘Recent observation’.

As you can see my proposal plan has come together at a steady pace and once establishing where my inquiry was heading it began to piece together. This inquiry topic is a general interest of mine and it has been a pleasure to learn and develop throughout this module. 

Part 5 Ethics

I would describe ethics as what is seen as right and what is seen as wrong. It is our behaviour towards our values. The importance of implementing ethical considerations aims to treat the people with whom I am affiliating with in a moral, equal and fair way.

Some ideas I've put together are as follows during rehearsal times:

To listen, respect, apply corrections, attention to detail and others, attention to space/setting and application of health and safety procedures, being helpful and working as a team, engaging and giving time to each member of your team. Keeping dignity in your workplace, a sign of respect for your working environment, job, colleagues and yourself. Taking care of your body and your colleagues as these are whom we work with and are affiliated with, this is our support system so we must pay attention to them, look after and include them, they are so important to us.

This raises thoughts for me, to think about composing ourselves, we should always be mindful and aware of others and ourselves.. Be careful what we say, and what we do= this always has a reaction and consequence.

When conducting my inquiry there is a lot to think of in terms of my responsibility as a researcher. Thinking in terms of ethical considerations, I would have to let the guests know why I'm conducting this research, ensure their confidentiality and validity, choose a range of people to conduct my research on by using a varied, random pick of participants. Allow the participants freedom of speech, do not interrupt, try to manipulate answers or show reaction to answers given.

Some points to remember from Reader 5:

-Plagiarism. Honesty and working within the law when presenting ideas. Do not use others work and pass it off as your own.

-Only ask questions relevant to your inquiry. You must validate reasons for questioning anything other than your inquiry.

-Covert-vs-Overt. Do people know your observing them? What are the risks? Will it change their behaviour/relationship with you?

-Make sure I present ALL data, don't cherry pick to support my preferred notion.

-Let everyone know why your conducting the research this includes participants and professional bodies within your place of work. Remember to get permission from a parent/guardian if participant is under 18 years of age.

WHEN INTERVIEWING:

-Respect every participant and treat fairly and equally.

-Do not go off course, stay within the topic and keep within boundaries of research. 

-Let participants know how to contact you if needs be.

-Give participants the option to leave/abandon the interview.

-Report any project related problems to appropriate body.

-Provide accurate, truthful and complete reports on conducted research. 

-Uphold confidentiality.

-Enusure that I collect, store and present both positive and negative statements given.

Recent observation

I would like to share a recent experience that occurred last cruise whereby I compared this occurrence  to another that was presented to me when I had first started the shows onboard my current contract.

Myself and the cast onboard the 'Carnival Paradise' have now been performing the shows for 4 weeks, we do approximately 8 shows a week. A while back, just as we had opened our shows I'd asked a guest who was in her early twenties, white, american and single about her reaction to the previous nights performance. I'd gotten my hopes up for a complimentary, enthusiastic reply as myself and the cast felt we had done a good job. To my dismay her reaction was quite timid and unenthusiastic, her choice of words being: 'Yeah it was nice'. Although a little disappointed at her reaction, I told myself that everyone is entitled to their opinion and findings. It may have been that I set my reaction too high, she may have been tired, caught off guard or perhaps her mind was elsewhere. Whatever the resigning behind her response, I still have to take this as a valid source for research.

In contrast, to my pleasured surprise, last cruise I was waiting in line to get served food, my body language was more closed than usual as I was very hungry and tired from the days rehearsals and duties, I didn't feel like socialising and interacting with guests until my mood had been lightened somewhat. A guest that was also waiting in line had sparked conversation with me, when she saw from my name tag that I was a dancer her eyes widened and she immediately started praising me and the rest of the cast on the 'awesome, broadway style shows we always give'. She told me it was the reason why she and her friends come and cruised, it was her favourite event on the ship and she comes to every show when she cruises. This lady was a mid twenties, african american single who enlightened my mood more than sleep or a full stomach could have done that afternoon.

It brought to my attention how people show and formulate different findings and views of performance. There is no right or wrong, good or bad, its all perception. Reflecting back on these cases, it raises my questioning of whether the data I collect will be valid and mutual... Is there going to be a definite formula for a great performance or is it matter of opinion? Perhaps I shouldn't try to predict this or force a more likened response, I have to conduct my inquiry and utilise my research whatever my results may be.

Part 6 Benefits for others and ideas for proposal

I believe my inquiry will not only benefit myself but also my work colleagues and fellow BAPP arts students who are performers themselves. I will do this by researching, identifying and providing knowledge and information on how to become a successful performer, how to develop yourself and also provide entertaining and memorable shows/performances for an audience.

I have noticed within my WBL corporation that we as performers on the cruise are frequently reminded of our job as 'entertainers', our job is to entertain the guests. Since cruise ships is a vacation industry. we have to provide broadway style shows and make sure the guests feel like they are enjoying themselves.

During my inquiry, I aim to research and respond to my findings, my goal is to better myself and my cast onboard the Carnival Paradise if I can accomplish it, set up investigating and find a successful formula for creating memorable performances. I hope to develop good practice by carrying out my investigation and also hope to empower and give suggestions and inspiration to my colleagues and associates. I hope to build a shared vision of great performance and entertainment to my cast onboard my ship.

The ideas for conducting my inquiry are as follows:

Using my hosting qualities that are encouraged within my workplace, I would like to follow through with some Qs and As to guests pre watching our shows then follow up afterward. I would like to conduct informal interviews and ask them:

-What makes a show entertaining for you?
-What draws the most attention to you when watching a performer?
-What makes the show most enjoyable for you and your family?
-Why do you come to shows?

After watching the shows I would like to follow up with them and ask what they though, what entertained them the most, who they watched the most, what drew attention and what their overall experience was like.

My inquiry is a genuine area of interest, it is real and it is sustainable. I may not be able to get a right or wrong answer, or something that is definite or mutually felt/agreed upon. I believe that this is going to be an extensive research programme, and a lifetime inquiry, for me, I will never stop learning and growing as a performer. I will seek to continue learning and researching on this line of inquiry throughout my career as a performer.

I plan to conduct my research by capturing evidence and being stimulated within my workplace. I will plan to build/utilise real life ongoing activity and experience whilst conducting it in an ethical way. This will act to inform my professional practice.

Reading through the material for part 6 I believe my research will be conducted in a more qualitative sense. It will be 'interpretivistic' in its nature and be led by social and individual perspectives. Although my research is being situated as it is specifically going to be monitored in my place of work (onboard a cruise ship) I hope that this will not hinder my results or limit them in any way. I do not intend to create a hypothesis and determine an answer or theory; my research will be non bias and free in its nature. I do not intend to prove or predict a theory.

During my research I will use observational methods that will involve me being a participant of the event being studied but I will also act as an outsider and be a freestanding/sideline viewer. I will be observing and collecting my research by noting reactions given by the audience during our shows, both collecting reactions that are verbal and non verbal. I will not only be asking them physically face to face their views and opinions but also observing their reactions and behaviour during the performances themselves.

Its important to note the diversity of age, culture, religion, values and group types of both crew and passengers. This is a widely diverse ship that welcomes and supports many different backgrounds and ethnicity's. This is good for my research as I can work with a very broad array of people that can assist greatly in my results being not only fair, but perplexing and interesting due to the diverse sourcing.

I would like to direct my interviews formulating a mix of techniques using:
-a semi structured interview
-informal interviews

I would like to conduct open questions and also topic questions giving my participants a wide scope for response and opinion. Towards the end of the interview I would like however, to pose a leading question to connect to my main line of inquiry.

I would like my questions to be quite open to allow the opportunity for interviewees to speak on behalf of their own free will, although directed by myself, I would not want my participants to feel as if they can only give me a closed response. I would casually introduce them to the topic of the shows and then direct some questions on performance and entertainment in an informal way this is so that my participants do not feel any pressure or under any stress to give an answer they may think I want to hear as a researcher.

I will take written notes afterwards so that my interviewees do not feel under pressure to create an exact response or formal answer. I would also conduct my interviews face to face as I like to take a personal approach.

I will make sure I draft and send an email of my intent and purpose of my inquiry to my department head which is my Cruise Director, I will ask him to sign in agreement and ensure I am under the supervision and permission of a professional body.

As well as interviewing the guests onboard and conducting face to face informal questioning and observation, I would like to construct a focus group utilising my cast members for further development and research into my line of inquiry. I would set up a specific seating plan and will want my focus group to be organised in a formal way which will differ from the informal questioning posed to the guests. Questions will be answered individually, one at a time by each and every member of the group. This would be formal, specific and the terminology used to pose the questions will be relevant to our professional practice. I would have both myself and my dance captain record all responses. I would like all cast members to introduce themselves, their role, age and experience before answering the questions. The focus group will be monitored and managed by both myself and the dance captain to ensure the validity and control of the group.