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In the Business

So today I have been working on a new project. My professional practice covers many different aspects, but today was ony of my favourites; choreography. Today, I worked as the choreographer for a film.

It was great meeting the crew and cast and getting stuck into what I had prepared. After a quick warm up, we got into the routine. It is hard bringing work to a team when you haven't met them and don't know their abilities let alone what will look good on them choreographically, as I wasn't involved in the audition process.

It was great using my latest piece of equipment; my video recorder, which I used to record the choreography which I could then refer back to during the rehearsal. This meant if I had any major mind-blocks or forgot anything (which if you know me at all- I forget everything) I was quickly reminded. It was very useful. I also recorded them at the end, so I can make any adjustments tomorrow.

So the dancers were not the ability I expected, but more or less what I am used to teaching-wise with quite a mixture of ability. The part I found most challenging was being given the track to work to. In any other circumstance I can choose the music myself and I have particular types of music/dynamics that I am inspired by and am drawn to. I managed to finish it after two days, mainly working whilst sitting on a train, which meant when I came to try it out some parts didn't work as well, which I could then alter. However, when I teach choreography I am usually learning it myself too as I haven't really danced it myself yet.

It was a massive experience today, and I loved it!!! The production team loved my work which was encouraging. I did work the dancers hard, which hopefully they are used to being professionals.

It is also interesting working with adults rather than students as they have larger personalities and bigger characters, which can challenge and question ideas or concept, whereas students tend to just accept what they are given. They still got on with it though and eventually started to take shape. I was hoping to work at a faster pace than usual, but with the mixed ability and late comers it wasn't really possible. I did have some very hard workers, determined to pick it up and took their break (and mine) to go over sections. A long day, but a great experience. Tomorrow the filming begins.

February 2011

So the stress which has been, has definitely died down. It's crazy how quickly it can creep up on you, without even realising. The side effects have not been enjoyable.

So this week I have been a busy bee, filming the lead in a short film, which was shot in East London. It was great getting more camera experience. I absolutely loved it. In a month or so I should possibly be able to get some stills which I can post.

Now the degree work is behind me I can get working on my career and get to where I want to be. Above all though, I want to enjoy getting there. I've heard it said that the journey to the top is the best part, not the being there. So I want to carry on working hard and reflect on each achievement/challenge and not let life pass me by.

Career Career Career

Now my degree work is out of the way I am back on focusing on my career, which took a backseat for some of last year. I read in a free London paper in the week about how youngsters (i.e new graduates) are having to work in unpaid or volunteer jobs to get work remotely close to their chosen career. This is true for me. I have found this industry to be somewhat a viscious circle in the sense that no company will take you without experience, yet you can't get experience if no company will take you. So many are forced to grab any work they can, be it unpaid or what......!

The same is happening for every other industry it seems. My friend told me recently how she has given up her full time bar job to volunteer in a school (she's like to work with special needs) so she's given up money to do something closer to what makes her happy.

My view is if you never try, you'll never know. I don't want to regret never trying in my chosen career. I work hard, and hopefully good things come to those who work hard as well as wait!!

Changing Ways

It is really quite astonishing to see how much my research project has already influenced my professional practice. I have seemingly picked up these tried and tested ways to use teaching and choreography skills and applied them to my work.

I've noticed how I am now demonstrating what I want rather than constantly breaking it down. This helps the students and children to see what the choreography is supposed to look like. Also I am using filming to help improve my work, in terms of creating and remembering a dance as occasionally I have a lot to remember. Writing it down takes time, filming seems far more efficient. The senior girls have been filmed so they may watch themselves and see where they are not together in time. I have also appeared more confident with creating movements with the dancers if necessary, rather than beforehand. For example, I was teaching in another school today, the class got further than I had expected with a piece of jazz choreography for a show. So I used my initiative and continued the dance and noticed what looked good. Before, I was not very confident with this skill as I felt under pressure, but today we achieved quite a lot and the school Principal turned up and really loved the dance so far, so much that she would like to use it in a public show coming up! Good news!