In relation to my previous bog, I have come up with the question that is most fitting with regards to my personal professional practise. As I have stated in a previous bog,
‘….My work has involved working as a performing Dancer on a Cruise liner (Silversea, a 6 star smaller, luxury line) through the agency Jean Ann Ryan Productions. For meAs I start to work through and explore important questions relating to our professional practice, it strikes me there are perhaps two broad types of questions.
Firstly, what type of inquiry will improve my performance to create, make, interpret or teach my art. This is for me a ‘disciplinary’ or ‘subject’ question. It is fundamentally about how I operate as not just a dancer but that bit extra as Dance Captain and Company Manager. An inquiry located here might give weight to disciplinary knowledge (the ways or conventions or literature that exists and created by exemplary practitioners or researchers). Or, like me, it might be practical in nature (the ways we do things and these extra higher-level skills that were required in my specific Professional Practise). My inquiry involves understanding something more effectively which in turn lead to a change or improvement in my experience and overall practice.
It is that bit of ‘extra knowledge’ required in a broad array of subject areas required to learn and adopt for the Dance Captain and Company Manager role that is really the key point to my personal practise. I have decided simply of developing a series of sub section under the question,
‘What Extra Skills are Required to successfully practise in the Dance Captain/Company Role’?
Although at first glance this may perhaps appear a very ‘bog standard’ question which lacks depth, but really looking into everything and reflecting on my various duties on a day to basis really covers a lot of possibly initially hidden forums. Please read on to see the approach I have taken, I am sure some of you have been or experienced a similar work practise.
1- Extra Knowledge on all choreography
- sound knowledge of every cast members tracking and steps, swell as my own, sense of providing trust within the group
- a possibly certain creative to flair to create new choreo, both in the case of re-blocks or need to change, but also in terms of wanted change for reasons of keeping shows fresh and up to date, preventing boredom to both dancers and audience.
2 - Understanding of various musical elements.
-understanding of musical timing, rhythms (able to communicate with band members also who work rhythmically very differently, need to read basic musical scores.
- understanding and definite clarity of knowledge of all entrances and exits for everyone’s, inevitably providing ability to swap and adjust the show in the case of re-blocks etc.
3 - Knowledge of basic Health, Nutrition, Mental and Social Well being
-all essential aspects of a well rounded, high performance cast.
- ensuring team are all at their best health for ultimately peak performances, maintaining these performances also.
- sense of awareness of any one member struggling, offering free and willing guidance, knowledge to give this guidance on whatever it may be
- being around at mealtimes to help, ensure correct nutrition for optimum performance. (must not be confused with ‘watching’ the cast’, merely being approachable should they choose to ask for my guidance.
- in the event of injury, knowledge of injury prevention, injury itself and of course recovery. Covers many areas, extending to possibly nutrition guidance, basic physiotherapy, possibly help with liaison with ships doctors, or even liaison with appointments made on land if necessary.
- general knowledge of promotion of sound health., a happy cast in every sense of the word is essential!
4 - Appreciation of differences in Social - Economic Backgrounds (combining with acquiring background knowledge of the countries we actually visit in three ways)
- before departure, offering info on required jabs, required action to getting visa’s/work permits, travel details, recommendations on effective travel to hotel upon arrival, currency info etc, depending on individuals nationality
- knowledge of the physical countries themselves, need to know when and where exactly I will have access to internet for example, access to resources (costumes replacement/refurbishment, any props shows etc, ability to lease with company to send essential reports, queries, info on any updates in the cast etc.) Related to this specific knowledge of particular docking ports in the event of needing parcels sent, both for cast members personal use (showing appreciation of the individuals needs, multi national cast brings some interesting and for agency/company related issues.
-appreciation/required learning of basic language skills (relating to ensuring the clearest communication), covering meaning to get the best performance to the extent of showing appreciation for different cultures, (personal approach to making them feel comfortable, introducing them to how we work as Brits, what is required/appropriate to wear to rehearsals, how to conduct yourselves effectively, general work ethic (for example a Ukrainian rehearsal schedule will be ran very differently to British one due to varying factors), setting clear and concise rehearsal times and structures. Moreover, introducing all cast members to how each nation works - all ultimately creating comfortable atmosphere were everyone’s traditions and needs are incorporated with and not always met exactly but a happy medium created) This leading again to most effective rehearsals with most beneficial results ultimately resulting in peak performance from all.
5 - Knowledge of Safety In The Workplace
This covers knowledge of use of technical equipment in rehearsal space. The stage we use has moving floors for example, training was required to be able to do this. Everyone then needs to be a wear of how it works and where emergency stop buttons are situated etc. Simple factors such as use of plugs for CD players, need to ensure safe practising as so many dancers choose to rehearse on their own whenever the space is free. Involves working closely with Stage Manager and his team, need to keep each other in the know all the time. Also, with being on a ship, safe practise involves being a wear of objects that may become hazardous doe to the ships movement. Specifically, in the fitness studio which we use to practise in, there is a bar attached to the wall however it is not always totally secure. When a lot of people are using it in bad weather, I often worry it may become loose. Dancers and singers have to be made a wear of the correct maintenance of their footwear too, it is essential to have rubbered shows for example. I simply will not allow a performer on stage unless they meet the requirements. Injury prevention is the main reason for all knowledge of safety in the workplace.
I’m sure the list could go on and on, when I really think in depth there are so many factors affecting my inquiry. I intend to monitor and bog how all these factors will develop, some I am expecting to perhaps come to a stop, almost where my interest stops. Others which I have stated (specifically knowledge of nutrition and promoting good health) I know I want to explore in much greater details.
Has anyone else had much luck with theirs?
Sunday 27 March 2011
Saturday 26 March 2011
Ideas for emerging lines of Professional Enquiry.
Ideas for emerging lines of Professional Enquiry.
For this task, I am really trying to focus on looking inward and how the different ideas and theories I have researched (Dewey, Schon, Kolb and Moon) on Reflection really relate to me and my professional practise. I have simply followed the points suggested on the Module Handbook to see where my research into emerging lines of professional enquiry takes me.
I have found I really am lucky to experience huge amounts of enthusiasm daily. I think waking up in a new city, or country even every morning keeps me on my toes- I love not knowing what t expect or what I will find once the ship is cleared and crew can get exploring. The inspiration I get from new cultures, sighs and surroundings is phenomenal. There is never a sense of the monotonous same old same old that so many people experience on a daily basis. This inevitably lifts my mood as soon as I wake so I am able to face the trials of my daily tasks as Dance Captain. I think you will agree, I cannot really complain about having to write the tediously long Dance Captain reports that are required at the end of every cruise whilst lying on a beautiful beach on the exclusive island of St Bart’s or whilst admiring the fantastic city skyline of New York’s busy Manhattan district.
I admire all my fellow cast who, like me, manage fantastically to set appropriate time for rehearsals, going to the gym, working on own personal corrections etc, yet balance this with creating time to explore these wonderful places. Both of these factors are very important in regards to our Professional Practise as I believe very strongly, like ‘Tharp’ and ‘Moon’, that to initiate instinctual sensory and response from the outside world can set our ‘creative juices’ flowing like nothing else. They key, I feel is to establish a real ‘work hard, play hard’ ethic from the very beginning.
The question ‘What do I love?’ got me thinking of a specific cast member who I have had the pleasure of working with. What I loved and admired, was witnessing the total focus he displayed 100% of the time. He conducted himself perfectly professionally without fail and was a fine example to everyone, including myself. Although he was technically far more experienced than I was, in the sense that he was much older and even has a Broadway credit to his name, he accepted that I was Dance Captain and was always offering positive encouragement to my developing leadership skills. I really admired his total dedication to his job as lead male singer on board, but also my admiration for him extended to witnessing how really very clever he has been to work extremely hard training in a forte he loves and therefore creating a situation where his will never dread going to work as soon many do these days. He has managed to make a sustainable living from his passion, this I feel is an extremely admirable quality. He is also a perfect example of someone who really was ‘born to perform’. This was just so evident from rehearsal day one. I can relate so well to him perhaps because I took feel this way!
Taking a slightly different approach now, the ideas upon what I perhaps struggle with or have a lack of understanding on in my Professional Practise. I have found I do not understand why I am not totally comfortable with delegating corrections to peers of my own age or older. I am assured in knowing I am a very fair person, who, according to my best judgement would never demand the unrealistic, this should then let me feel entirely ok tell fellow cast members what is expected of them in that particular moment. I am however definitely wear of a feeling of slight anxiety it is necessary to reprimand someone appropriately. For instance, being late to a set rehearsal, displaying inappropriate behaviour in or outside the rehearsal situation, perhaps even something like not wearing the correct uniform according to the ships policy etc. In conclusion, I admire all who are able to feel totally comfortable in knowing they handle the responsibilities in their specific role with complete contentment as a result of their required self-acceptance and satisfaction of its results. I am sure many of us have been in the position of feeling slightly unfairly done by when such roles are given to say a totally new member, or someone with seemingly little experience to their age, but what’s important is learning to develop a sense of acceptance that the role of Dance Captain is delegated based on shown promise of the relevant leadership skills. The face of age, sex and other similar factors are simply irrelevant in this situation.
Finally, and the one point suggested in the Module Handbook that I already knew the answer too was the question ’has an event or experience prompted questions that you would like to find out more about?’. Unfortunately, whilst on board, I have recently been helping to support a fellow dancer who is suffering from a developing eating disorder. Obviously, this issue is an extremely delicate one which affects the girl in question but all around her as well. Seeing such struggles stimulates me further to want to be able to offer advice and help in any way I can. Alas, my knowledge on this specify subject is not particularly sound so I feel almost helpless. Linking to this though, I already have an interest and thirst for knowledge on nutrition as I feel so strongly about promoting having good nutrition in order to maximise optimum performance for dancers. I have done some extra research as I feel so passionately about this, my most valuable findings were as follows. By simply typing in the Google toolbar ’The Definition of Health’ this is what I found:
‘Health is not merely the absence of disease, it is the balance of mind, body and soul’.
I found this really inspirational, what does any body else think?
For this task, I am really trying to focus on looking inward and how the different ideas and theories I have researched (Dewey, Schon, Kolb and Moon) on Reflection really relate to me and my professional practise. I have simply followed the points suggested on the Module Handbook to see where my research into emerging lines of professional enquiry takes me.
I have found I really am lucky to experience huge amounts of enthusiasm daily. I think waking up in a new city, or country even every morning keeps me on my toes- I love not knowing what t expect or what I will find once the ship is cleared and crew can get exploring. The inspiration I get from new cultures, sighs and surroundings is phenomenal. There is never a sense of the monotonous same old same old that so many people experience on a daily basis. This inevitably lifts my mood as soon as I wake so I am able to face the trials of my daily tasks as Dance Captain. I think you will agree, I cannot really complain about having to write the tediously long Dance Captain reports that are required at the end of every cruise whilst lying on a beautiful beach on the exclusive island of St Bart’s or whilst admiring the fantastic city skyline of New York’s busy Manhattan district.
I admire all my fellow cast who, like me, manage fantastically to set appropriate time for rehearsals, going to the gym, working on own personal corrections etc, yet balance this with creating time to explore these wonderful places. Both of these factors are very important in regards to our Professional Practise as I believe very strongly, like ‘Tharp’ and ‘Moon’, that to initiate instinctual sensory and response from the outside world can set our ‘creative juices’ flowing like nothing else. They key, I feel is to establish a real ‘work hard, play hard’ ethic from the very beginning.
The question ‘What do I love?’ got me thinking of a specific cast member who I have had the pleasure of working with. What I loved and admired, was witnessing the total focus he displayed 100% of the time. He conducted himself perfectly professionally without fail and was a fine example to everyone, including myself. Although he was technically far more experienced than I was, in the sense that he was much older and even has a Broadway credit to his name, he accepted that I was Dance Captain and was always offering positive encouragement to my developing leadership skills. I really admired his total dedication to his job as lead male singer on board, but also my admiration for him extended to witnessing how really very clever he has been to work extremely hard training in a forte he loves and therefore creating a situation where his will never dread going to work as soon many do these days. He has managed to make a sustainable living from his passion, this I feel is an extremely admirable quality. He is also a perfect example of someone who really was ‘born to perform’. This was just so evident from rehearsal day one. I can relate so well to him perhaps because I took feel this way!
Taking a slightly different approach now, the ideas upon what I perhaps struggle with or have a lack of understanding on in my Professional Practise. I have found I do not understand why I am not totally comfortable with delegating corrections to peers of my own age or older. I am assured in knowing I am a very fair person, who, according to my best judgement would never demand the unrealistic, this should then let me feel entirely ok tell fellow cast members what is expected of them in that particular moment. I am however definitely wear of a feeling of slight anxiety it is necessary to reprimand someone appropriately. For instance, being late to a set rehearsal, displaying inappropriate behaviour in or outside the rehearsal situation, perhaps even something like not wearing the correct uniform according to the ships policy etc. In conclusion, I admire all who are able to feel totally comfortable in knowing they handle the responsibilities in their specific role with complete contentment as a result of their required self-acceptance and satisfaction of its results. I am sure many of us have been in the position of feeling slightly unfairly done by when such roles are given to say a totally new member, or someone with seemingly little experience to their age, but what’s important is learning to develop a sense of acceptance that the role of Dance Captain is delegated based on shown promise of the relevant leadership skills. The face of age, sex and other similar factors are simply irrelevant in this situation.
Finally, and the one point suggested in the Module Handbook that I already knew the answer too was the question ’has an event or experience prompted questions that you would like to find out more about?’. Unfortunately, whilst on board, I have recently been helping to support a fellow dancer who is suffering from a developing eating disorder. Obviously, this issue is an extremely delicate one which affects the girl in question but all around her as well. Seeing such struggles stimulates me further to want to be able to offer advice and help in any way I can. Alas, my knowledge on this specify subject is not particularly sound so I feel almost helpless. Linking to this though, I already have an interest and thirst for knowledge on nutrition as I feel so strongly about promoting having good nutrition in order to maximise optimum performance for dancers. I have done some extra research as I feel so passionately about this, my most valuable findings were as follows. By simply typing in the Google toolbar ’The Definition of Health’ this is what I found:
‘Health is not merely the absence of disease, it is the balance of mind, body and soul’.
I found this really inspirational, what does any body else think?
Tuesday 22 March 2011
Journal Writing Experience
Hi Everyone!
So I have just finished task 2b of our module, the Reflective Writing, taking a day and reflecting upon it. I have discovered really how vast the number of different thoughts and views really are within my mind just on one day. Then of course, now that I have been introduced to the idea of coinciding these thoughts and views of another person or object too - that’s really a lot of thinking and reflection!
I decided to specify writing about one specific event during the day as it was such a major event to me in context with my Professional Practise. I have reflected upon the day when I audition for the company I work for, Jean Ann Ryan Productions. Although this specific audition day took place last year no, I can still so vividly remember all thoughts and feeling experiences. I felt this was a sign therefore that this day in particular could introduce some interesting reflection, rather than reflection upon just an average day in the life so me!
The recollection of the feelings and thoughts initially was a strange process actually, it almost felt like I was there reliving the nerves experienced pretty throughout the whole day!
What I found specifically interesting when I re-read through my reflections was the actual transitions between each new feeling. So, for example, how I felt in-between the initial pre -audition nerves and anticipation, into the sheer strength of concentration and complete focus on the task in hand mid audition into the final utter relief experienced at the end of a successful audition. The areas in-between I found were somewhat more difficult to write about, possibly because I was not actually thinking of anything other than what would be required of me next, and how I could show myself to the best of my ability in every way.
What was also very interesting is that I now notice there were great similarities between my thoughts and feelings and the thoughts and feeling of my Mum. (I chose to imagine she was there with me, experiencing things from a mother who has absolutely no dance experience what so ever!) Coincidently, I asked her what she would predict she would feel if she had have actually been there, it was pretty similar to what I had already written! (Trust me guys, mums really do get as nervous as we do!)
I also reflected upon the thoughts and views of a specific object, I chose my water bottle - a crucial ‘must have’ at any audition I think you will all agree! Although at first it seemed quite silly to be thinking from the mind of some plastic, but it turned out to be a really interesting and new way of thinking, literally thinking outside the box! It opened up a new way of reflecting on something which I now intend to do again with other experiences in my Professional Practise.
The main theme that came out of this task was really clear to me straight away. I now realise that the anticipation of the thoughts one may have on an event can actually have a negative effect on the person in that situation of experiencing the event. I realise that me as a person, I tend to get over anxious about a situation, such as an audition, I tell myself that it will be ridiculously tough and that I will be so very nervous so inevitably I end up being a total nervous wreck because I start to believe what I have conjured up in my mind! In reality, it probably was not as bad as I had expected. The theory, of even philosophy if you like behind my findings is really a great lesson in life, not just in my professional precise. This being that usually, anticipation of some things is usually worse than the actual event, so if we can, we should not try to predict how we will feel but rather to ‘go with the flow’, more often than not I think we will all be pleasantly surprised that things are never as bad as they seem. Moreover, as naïve as it may sound, I have come to realise the power of positive thinking. This rational, logical way of perceiving events can help determine their outcome, so keep up the positive vibes people!
How has everyone else found this task?
So I have just finished task 2b of our module, the Reflective Writing, taking a day and reflecting upon it. I have discovered really how vast the number of different thoughts and views really are within my mind just on one day. Then of course, now that I have been introduced to the idea of coinciding these thoughts and views of another person or object too - that’s really a lot of thinking and reflection!
I decided to specify writing about one specific event during the day as it was such a major event to me in context with my Professional Practise. I have reflected upon the day when I audition for the company I work for, Jean Ann Ryan Productions. Although this specific audition day took place last year no, I can still so vividly remember all thoughts and feeling experiences. I felt this was a sign therefore that this day in particular could introduce some interesting reflection, rather than reflection upon just an average day in the life so me!
The recollection of the feelings and thoughts initially was a strange process actually, it almost felt like I was there reliving the nerves experienced pretty throughout the whole day!
What I found specifically interesting when I re-read through my reflections was the actual transitions between each new feeling. So, for example, how I felt in-between the initial pre -audition nerves and anticipation, into the sheer strength of concentration and complete focus on the task in hand mid audition into the final utter relief experienced at the end of a successful audition. The areas in-between I found were somewhat more difficult to write about, possibly because I was not actually thinking of anything other than what would be required of me next, and how I could show myself to the best of my ability in every way.
What was also very interesting is that I now notice there were great similarities between my thoughts and feelings and the thoughts and feeling of my Mum. (I chose to imagine she was there with me, experiencing things from a mother who has absolutely no dance experience what so ever!) Coincidently, I asked her what she would predict she would feel if she had have actually been there, it was pretty similar to what I had already written! (Trust me guys, mums really do get as nervous as we do!)
I also reflected upon the thoughts and views of a specific object, I chose my water bottle - a crucial ‘must have’ at any audition I think you will all agree! Although at first it seemed quite silly to be thinking from the mind of some plastic, but it turned out to be a really interesting and new way of thinking, literally thinking outside the box! It opened up a new way of reflecting on something which I now intend to do again with other experiences in my Professional Practise.
The main theme that came out of this task was really clear to me straight away. I now realise that the anticipation of the thoughts one may have on an event can actually have a negative effect on the person in that situation of experiencing the event. I realise that me as a person, I tend to get over anxious about a situation, such as an audition, I tell myself that it will be ridiculously tough and that I will be so very nervous so inevitably I end up being a total nervous wreck because I start to believe what I have conjured up in my mind! In reality, it probably was not as bad as I had expected. The theory, of even philosophy if you like behind my findings is really a great lesson in life, not just in my professional precise. This being that usually, anticipation of some things is usually worse than the actual event, so if we can, we should not try to predict how we will feel but rather to ‘go with the flow’, more often than not I think we will all be pleasantly surprised that things are never as bad as they seem. Moreover, as naïve as it may sound, I have come to realise the power of positive thinking. This rational, logical way of perceiving events can help determine their outcome, so keep up the positive vibes people!
How has everyone else found this task?
Friday 18 March 2011
Inspiration from Current Affairs in my Professional Practise
Just following on from my previous blog, I am still in the process of creating a new piece based on a theme of todays current affairs. As I have stated the disaster in Japan is of particular interest to me as it is such a big story right now. I have used google to find you tube clips of the Tsunami itself, they are really helping to inspire new movements, feeling so creative! This Reflection process is really so useful, I would have never thought to watch a clip on an extreme weather condition could provide so many tools to help me think of new choreo. Below is just one example:
This particular video really expresses the drama of what it must be like to literally see this natural disaster approaching with no way of escaping it. Truly frightenening but it a strange way rather beautiful inspiration for new movemnts. What do you all think?
This particular video really expresses the drama of what it must be like to literally see this natural disaster approaching with no way of escaping it. Truly frightenening but it a strange way rather beautiful inspiration for new movemnts. What do you all think?
Wednesday 16 March 2011
Choreography Inspiration - Creating Dances
Good Morning Everyone!
Found this really interesting website, posted the link below. With scrap booking as my form of a new method of Reflection, I have got to a point where I am actually a little stuck for inspiration. I simply used google as a web tool and this is what I have found. It introduced the idea of looking at the news and current affairs for inspiration for new movements. This has got me thinking for my next project, and as a result, my new scrap booking project! The disaster in Japan is obviously all over every news channel there is at the moment, the devastation we are witnessing from seeing the documentaries and news reports have really opened my eyes. This is the direction I am going to head it, I'll let you know how it goes......
http://www.lubovitch.org/Educate/Resources/Creating_Dances/creating_dances.html
Found this really interesting website, posted the link below. With scrap booking as my form of a new method of Reflection, I have got to a point where I am actually a little stuck for inspiration. I simply used google as a web tool and this is what I have found. It introduced the idea of looking at the news and current affairs for inspiration for new movements. This has got me thinking for my next project, and as a result, my new scrap booking project! The disaster in Japan is obviously all over every news channel there is at the moment, the devastation we are witnessing from seeing the documentaries and news reports have really opened my eyes. This is the direction I am going to head it, I'll let you know how it goes......
http://www.lubovitch.org/Educate/Resources/Creating_Dances/creating_dances.html
Friday 11 March 2011
Reflection on what I am finding whilst Scrapbooking.
Hi everyone,
Seeking some advice this morning. I am well and truly involved with creating a scrapbook for my method of reflection. I am finding it is not only really fun, but a really effective way of creating an actually, tacile object that to me, is concise and logical. It has not only provided me with a way of expressing how I felt about a piece of choreography, but a way of creating so much inspiration for future pieces, or just simple more ways in which to improve and better pieces I have originally had ideas over. My issue however is more from a self-confidence point of view. I am anxious that although the scrapbook pages make perfect sens to me, as an individual, they may look just like a 'mish-mash' or newspaper cutting to anyone else. Is this a negative point of this particular method perhaps, in the sense of had I wanted to express my thoughts and ideas to someone else in the Professional Practise (perhaps a future employer for example), this may be a very difficult process as, have to be able and capable of translating what each article, colour, quote, movie actually means in terms of what I am scrap booking about. Has anyone else become a wear of this? Perhaps it will not be a problem, as long as I keep up to date with regular explanation pages that clearly state the analysis of each page.
Seeking some advice this morning. I am well and truly involved with creating a scrapbook for my method of reflection. I am finding it is not only really fun, but a really effective way of creating an actually, tacile object that to me, is concise and logical. It has not only provided me with a way of expressing how I felt about a piece of choreography, but a way of creating so much inspiration for future pieces, or just simple more ways in which to improve and better pieces I have originally had ideas over. My issue however is more from a self-confidence point of view. I am anxious that although the scrapbook pages make perfect sens to me, as an individual, they may look just like a 'mish-mash' or newspaper cutting to anyone else. Is this a negative point of this particular method perhaps, in the sense of had I wanted to express my thoughts and ideas to someone else in the Professional Practise (perhaps a future employer for example), this may be a very difficult process as, have to be able and capable of translating what each article, colour, quote, movie actually means in terms of what I am scrap booking about. Has anyone else become a wear of this? Perhaps it will not be a problem, as long as I keep up to date with regular explanation pages that clearly state the analysis of each page.
Monday 7 March 2011
Reflecting so far!
Morning everyone!
My reflection process is now well underway! Scrap booking is proving really fun, everyone should give it a go! Really finding that there are so many ways to translate movements into what I can find in magazines and newspapers. Use of colour, text, quotes from these reading materials not only looks kinda cool but I think really clearly demonstrates the messages that I want to get across about my reflections. I have found if you really 'think outside the box' so to speak, you can create a real masterpiece that not only helps with initial movements for example but then inspires for future choreo. Seeing certain colour schemes in particular had given me so many ideas for future dance pieces I would like to choreograph myself. The initial colours set the style, then I can start to piece together a number, adding in numbers of people, entrances and exits, scenery, lighting etc, based on this theme.
Anyone else having a go at scrapbooking?
My reflection process is now well underway! Scrap booking is proving really fun, everyone should give it a go! Really finding that there are so many ways to translate movements into what I can find in magazines and newspapers. Use of colour, text, quotes from these reading materials not only looks kinda cool but I think really clearly demonstrates the messages that I want to get across about my reflections. I have found if you really 'think outside the box' so to speak, you can create a real masterpiece that not only helps with initial movements for example but then inspires for future choreo. Seeing certain colour schemes in particular had given me so many ideas for future dance pieces I would like to choreograph myself. The initial colours set the style, then I can start to piece together a number, adding in numbers of people, entrances and exits, scenery, lighting etc, based on this theme.
Anyone else having a go at scrapbooking?
Saturday 5 March 2011
Spring Reflections!
Good Morning everyone!
Nice to see people have been giving some 'Spring cleaning' to their blogs!
I have decided to try out a new method of recording my reflections, scrapbooking! Currently surrounded by piles of magasines, newspapers, pens paper and glue! Always enjoyed getting creative but actually finding it quite difficult to translate my personal corrections and choreographic changes from my professional practise into words and pictures. Interesting though, I shall keep you all posted as to my progress!
Did anyone have any success writing a poem?
Nice to see people have been giving some 'Spring cleaning' to their blogs!
I have decided to try out a new method of recording my reflections, scrapbooking! Currently surrounded by piles of magasines, newspapers, pens paper and glue! Always enjoyed getting creative but actually finding it quite difficult to translate my personal corrections and choreographic changes from my professional practise into words and pictures. Interesting though, I shall keep you all posted as to my progress!
Did anyone have any success writing a poem?
Thursday 3 March 2011
Paula Notting left a very helpful comment on her opinions of my bog dating back to the 20th Feb. (How important is Self Image in Dance?’ She very helpfully suggested that academically, it would be beneficial for me, and others, for me to reflect back on this specific post and record more of my thoughts on the second article of which I was drawing everyone’s attention too.
Paula Notting left a very helpful comment on her opinions of my bog dating back to the 20th Feb. (How important is Self Image in Dance?’ She very helpfully suggested that academically, it would be beneficial for me, and others, for me to reflect back on this specific post and record more of my thoughts on the second article of which I was drawing everyone’s attention too.
I have decided to get it back out from the file from the ‘Feb’ section and post my reflective thoughts on it. I have realised how my reflection on something will actually change and ideally is a process which needs to be updated in accordance to everything that is going on around me.
On second reflection, the article really focuses on more of a more general spectrum of media, with the film the ‘Black Swan’, just being one specific film to be mentioned. He film itself then obviously provokes the debate of ‘self image’, and the possible obsession with it in the dance industry. In my bog I was expressing my anger at the fact that dancers can be stereotyped to become too obsessed with self image, and this portrayal of the idea that every dancer will be eventually affected by eating restrictions that lead to anorexia or bulimia etc of some form in their professional career. This stereotype, and the fact that this is what’s being shown in today’s media, made me really quite concerned. Coincidently, ting in to the studying we are doing on reflection at the moment, had I been experimenting with something creative such as a coloured painting, my page would have been smothered with the brightest red paint I cold find to signify m anger!
The article is really trying to express how, as a nation however, we must actually clearly get some form of twisted pleasure out of watching films that portray such issues. This however, does not actually prove anything with regards to the question I was initially proposing. My question refers specifically to the importance, or lack of importance as it may be, of self image in dance. Whets evident, and possibly the most important factor here, upon this second reflection of mine, is that why, as a nation, even in this economically difficult time, we will happily pay an average of £5 per ticket to go and watch a film that portrays a concept of eating disorders and self obsession of image goes hand in hand with having dance as your professional practise. We all know that this is simply just not the case, right?!
The articles’ headlining quote sums it up for me, although again I must admit, reading it again, my blood boils and I am desperate to stand up and fight to change this principle. ‘We’ do not ‘love the dark side’, and not all of us agree that ‘Natalie Portman’s demented dancer is an awards darling, but upbeat Julia Roberts doesn’t stand a chance’. I feel that, at a time when the media, and in particular the ‘Oscars’ have such power over the general public at the moment, they also have a responsibility. Films like this are simply irresponsible and unhealthy. There is actually no reason why Julia Roberts, in one of her many characters, be it movie stars in ‘Notting Hill’, a prostitute in ‘Pretty Woman’, or a woman’s rights leader and mother in ‘Erin Brokovitch’, could suffer from a mental health disorder.
I have decided to get it back out from the file from the ‘Feb’ section and post my reflective thoughts on it. I have realised how my reflection on something will actually change and ideally is a process which needs to be updated in accordance to everything that is going on around me.
On second reflection, the article really focuses on more of a more general spectrum of media, with the film the ‘Black Swan’, just being one specific film to be mentioned. He film itself then obviously provokes the debate of ‘self image’, and the possible obsession with it in the dance industry. In my bog I was expressing my anger at the fact that dancers can be stereotyped to become too obsessed with self image, and this portrayal of the idea that every dancer will be eventually affected by eating restrictions that lead to anorexia or bulimia etc of some form in their professional career. This stereotype, and the fact that this is what’s being shown in today’s media, made me really quite concerned. Coincidently, ting in to the studying we are doing on reflection at the moment, had I been experimenting with something creative such as a coloured painting, my page would have been smothered with the brightest red paint I cold find to signify m anger!
The article is really trying to express how, as a nation however, we must actually clearly get some form of twisted pleasure out of watching films that portray such issues. This however, does not actually prove anything with regards to the question I was initially proposing. My question refers specifically to the importance, or lack of importance as it may be, of self image in dance. Whets evident, and possibly the most important factor here, upon this second reflection of mine, is that why, as a nation, even in this economically difficult time, we will happily pay an average of £5 per ticket to go and watch a film that portrays a concept of eating disorders and self obsession of image goes hand in hand with having dance as your professional practise. We all know that this is simply just not the case, right?!
The articles’ headlining quote sums it up for me, although again I must admit, reading it again, my blood boils and I am desperate to stand up and fight to change this principle. ‘We’ do not ‘love the dark side’, and not all of us agree that ‘Natalie Portman’s demented dancer is an awards darling, but upbeat Julia Roberts doesn’t stand a chance’. I feel that, at a time when the media, and in particular the ‘Oscars’ have such power over the general public at the moment, they also have a responsibility. Films like this are simply irresponsible and unhealthy. There is actually no reason why Julia Roberts, in one of her many characters, be it movie stars in ‘Notting Hill’, a prostitute in ‘Pretty Woman’, or a woman’s rights leader and mother in ‘Erin Brokovitch’, could suffer from a mental health disorder.
Wednesday 2 March 2011
Youtube Video
Hello everyone,
Hows everyone getting on this week?
Just posted my new video below, let me know what you think.
Hows everyone reflective journals going?
Hows everyone getting on this week?
Just posted my new video below, let me know what you think.
Hows everyone reflective journals going?
Tuesday 1 March 2011
My current progress as we hit March....
Hello!
Just blogging with my progress on the course as today we hit the 1st March, Spring is officially approaching!
How is everyone getting on with their studies?
Currently, I am well underway with journal writing, finding having the time to be able to keep it regularly updated is tricky to juggle with my professional practise and general life, but so valuable when you come to an occasion where you need some notes to refer too.
May give writing a poem a try tonight too. Has anyone else?
My youtube clip is still a work in progress, found it pretty difficult to be honest. Has anyone else? Would be nice to know I'm not the only one out there having a bit of a struggle! But we shall see, hopefully be posting it very shortly.
Just as a final note, although we have temporarily moves on from Web 2.0 its self, I saw this article in the Times today and wanted to see what everyone thought. The smallest article I have ever seen, but valuable non the less, the world's first person christened their child 'Facebook' today. Guess what, it was an ex dancer from Egypt, made me smile a little I have to admit!
Just blogging with my progress on the course as today we hit the 1st March, Spring is officially approaching!
How is everyone getting on with their studies?
Currently, I am well underway with journal writing, finding having the time to be able to keep it regularly updated is tricky to juggle with my professional practise and general life, but so valuable when you come to an occasion where you need some notes to refer too.
May give writing a poem a try tonight too. Has anyone else?
My youtube clip is still a work in progress, found it pretty difficult to be honest. Has anyone else? Would be nice to know I'm not the only one out there having a bit of a struggle! But we shall see, hopefully be posting it very shortly.
Just as a final note, although we have temporarily moves on from Web 2.0 its self, I saw this article in the Times today and wanted to see what everyone thought. The smallest article I have ever seen, but valuable non the less, the world's first person christened their child 'Facebook' today. Guess what, it was an ex dancer from Egypt, made me smile a little I have to admit!
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