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.
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
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!!
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!
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!
Thursday, 6 January 2011
Happy New Year!!
A (slightly late) Happy New Year to everyone. I think after that module, we all deserve a good 2011. :) xx
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Critical reflection on Learning Throughout the BAPP Course
Since starting the BAPP course back in September 2009, I have learnt so many ways to progress, explore and reflect upon my own professional practice. The course has taught me skills, which will stay with me throughout my career.
I have been opened up to a whole new world of networking and blogging. I would never have even considered a blog if it wasn't for this course. Now I am considering starting new blogs for other areas of my life as well.
Delicious, Google Docs and Skype are further ways of networking recently brought to my attention which I didn't use before the course. Delicious has been great for bookmarking websites and viewing websites others have saved. Google Docs has allowed me to back up my work and share documents with my work colleagues. Skype has enabled me to keep in contact with friends and peers, when nowadays most of us don't have time to meet up frequently.
When reflecting on the tasks I have completed, they have taught me a lot about myself and my practice. We were asked back at the start, to look at our backgrounds, education and training and see where it has led us today. We created a CV for our blogs and looked at different writing styles. We looked at the Kolb cycle and learned how to apply it to previous experiences.
The skills I learned allowed me to achieve things I never thought I was capable of. For example I organised and helped create the website for one of the schools I teach for. This is the school in which I conducted my research for 3861. The website took several months to complete but is up and running today. I also ran my own Musical Theatre Easter and Summer schools and blogged the journey of these online. Running my own business was hard work, but the reflective skills I have gained allowed me to improve for the next time. I shall hopefully be running another one this Easter. Finally, I ran a field trip to London for my students, organising every detail, including meals, a class and a show. I also organised two extra speciality classes during the holidays, none of which I feel I could have done without the skills gained through this course. It has made me think more logically and academically when considering my practice.
On reflection of all the modules, this last module has by far been the hardest, yet definitely the most exciting. I was able to incorporate a huge amount of my practice into my work. When we were told last term we would have to write 12,000 it seemed like a distant dream and not a reality. I don't think I realised back then, how much work that would entail, especially considering all the set backs I endured since. It was also made much harder when working full time across nine jobs.
Reading published texts throughout the literature review made me aware how much information is out there. It really is finding the time to have a look which is the problem. There is so much out there to read. Some that I found to be very influencing, such as “paying attention to what one is doing” having sensory awareness, “and then reflecting on what one notices” (Stinston via Hanna, 1994:1). After certain classes, it would be helpful to see what worked and what didn't and be able to try new things. Working this way is guaranteed to improve one's practice.
Generally in life, I noticed I can be easily persuaded. This degree course has opened my eyes to questioning rather than accepting, though it has possibly got me into trouble already I wish to continue thinking this way. I have grown and become more open and assertive in my relationships, which I am sure can develop further. Looking back to how I was at college, I was often very closed. If I were to complete my diploma again, there would be certain things I would change and do differently. Having said that, I certainly have no regrets.
Lastly, I think when I started this course I didn't have a clue what it would involve or how much of an effect it would have over me and my career. It's a great course, but not easy. I hope it continues to affect my practice and life for the better, helping me to achieve where I want to go.
I have been opened up to a whole new world of networking and blogging. I would never have even considered a blog if it wasn't for this course. Now I am considering starting new blogs for other areas of my life as well.
Delicious, Google Docs and Skype are further ways of networking recently brought to my attention which I didn't use before the course. Delicious has been great for bookmarking websites and viewing websites others have saved. Google Docs has allowed me to back up my work and share documents with my work colleagues. Skype has enabled me to keep in contact with friends and peers, when nowadays most of us don't have time to meet up frequently.
When reflecting on the tasks I have completed, they have taught me a lot about myself and my practice. We were asked back at the start, to look at our backgrounds, education and training and see where it has led us today. We created a CV for our blogs and looked at different writing styles. We looked at the Kolb cycle and learned how to apply it to previous experiences.
The skills I learned allowed me to achieve things I never thought I was capable of. For example I organised and helped create the website for one of the schools I teach for. This is the school in which I conducted my research for 3861. The website took several months to complete but is up and running today. I also ran my own Musical Theatre Easter and Summer schools and blogged the journey of these online. Running my own business was hard work, but the reflective skills I have gained allowed me to improve for the next time. I shall hopefully be running another one this Easter. Finally, I ran a field trip to London for my students, organising every detail, including meals, a class and a show. I also organised two extra speciality classes during the holidays, none of which I feel I could have done without the skills gained through this course. It has made me think more logically and academically when considering my practice.
On reflection of all the modules, this last module has by far been the hardest, yet definitely the most exciting. I was able to incorporate a huge amount of my practice into my work. When we were told last term we would have to write 12,000 it seemed like a distant dream and not a reality. I don't think I realised back then, how much work that would entail, especially considering all the set backs I endured since. It was also made much harder when working full time across nine jobs.
Reading published texts throughout the literature review made me aware how much information is out there. It really is finding the time to have a look which is the problem. There is so much out there to read. Some that I found to be very influencing, such as “paying attention to what one is doing” having sensory awareness, “and then reflecting on what one notices” (Stinston via Hanna, 1994:1). After certain classes, it would be helpful to see what worked and what didn't and be able to try new things. Working this way is guaranteed to improve one's practice.
Generally in life, I noticed I can be easily persuaded. This degree course has opened my eyes to questioning rather than accepting, though it has possibly got me into trouble already I wish to continue thinking this way. I have grown and become more open and assertive in my relationships, which I am sure can develop further. Looking back to how I was at college, I was often very closed. If I were to complete my diploma again, there would be certain things I would change and do differently. Having said that, I certainly have no regrets.
Lastly, I think when I started this course I didn't have a clue what it would involve or how much of an effect it would have over me and my career. It's a great course, but not easy. I hope it continues to affect my practice and life for the better, helping me to achieve where I want to go.
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
Main Project Findings
Through my exploration of approaches in teaching/learning dance choreography I found:
1. The "order a dance is taught" showed contradictory survey results on professional dancers. During the experiment, students struggled to remember each section.
2. Imagery and improvisation showed diverse responses from professionals, yet literature supported the idea of imagery to be beneficial. The more experienced students enjoyed the improvisation but felt practise was needed.
3. Counts were mostly rated "extremely important". Some students struggled without counts, whereas others didn't notice.
The main benefit was to incorporate improvisation into my teaching to develop the students into more rounded, intelligent dancers.
1. The "order a dance is taught" showed contradictory survey results on professional dancers. During the experiment, students struggled to remember each section.
2. Imagery and improvisation showed diverse responses from professionals, yet literature supported the idea of imagery to be beneficial. The more experienced students enjoyed the improvisation but felt practise was needed.
3. Counts were mostly rated "extremely important". Some students struggled without counts, whereas others didn't notice.
The main benefit was to incorporate improvisation into my teaching to develop the students into more rounded, intelligent dancers.
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