IDEAS

From my initial pilot questions, Michelle talks about how dancing gave her something to ‘channel her energy’, I started to think about how I channel my energy into dancing and performing  and the confidence I have gained from the training I have had. However when I think back to embarking on a musical theatre course I was far from confident and this lack of confidence restricted my training as I was very self-conscious in class and would rarely ‘go for it’ for worry that I would embarrass myself. I had an awful first year due to being slightly ‘bigger’ than my peers, this was something that massively affected my confidence. I think that weight, fitness and nutrition has always interested me and the idea that they are linked to confidence is something that I would like to explore further and also how important is self-confidence within performing arts? Is it something that is hugely necessary? If you have any ideas please comment!

After speaking to my Dad he gave me the idea of conflict within the workplace:

The purpose would be to explore

how common is conflict within teams

how different individuals see conflict

when individuals address conflict

what personal tools individuals use to tolerate or even overcome conflict

what tools are employed in groups to overcome conflict e,g Myers Briggs, mediation.

This is something I am also very interested in but at this stage I am just exploring my ideas and what I would like to do my inquiry on. 

Basic Rules for Good Research

These past couple of days the time I have allocated for my BAPP degree work has mainly consisted of reading through various books on starting a research project. 

In Martyn Denscombe's 'Ground Rules for Good Research', I discovered the relationship between social research and scientific research and how useful scientific tools can be when embarking on a social research project. For example some key tools that I will be using are 

• Measurement: Once something has been 'measured' it can be analysed and tested
• Research instruments: What resources do I have and can I use? e.g. internet, libraries etc
• Precision: Information that is acquired needs to be detailed and precise. 
• Observation: Acquiring facts and data through meticulous observation

He also talks about controlling variables and factors that may alter a sequence of events, although I can see how this works in science I am not convinced it works with the type of project that we are involved in, although please discuss if you think otherwise. 

I feel more secure in my knowledge of the positivist approach to research and how it uses the science research model to explain the social world. Although I can see that this approach is useful in some ways I like that Martyn Denscombe also explains the negatives of this approach by saying 'A scientific researcher can do things to chemicals and plants that cannot be contemplated with fellow human beings' (M.Denscombe, 2002)

In my personal opinion I feel that the interpretivist ideals are more realistic when studying the way that people behave or social phenomena. 

'Interpretivists tend to focus their attention on the way people make sense of the world and how they create their social world through their actions and interpretations of the world whereas positivism focuses on the way that social reality exists externally to people, acting as a constraining force on values and behaviour, interpretivist approaches stress the way that people shape society' (M.Denscombe 2002)

This makes a lot of sense to me, I started thinking about how as humans when we are told we are being observed or watch we instantly act differently, I'm not sure why this is? If anyone has any ideas please let me know. At work I find my manager has heightened levels of stress when he knows one of the 'big bosses' is coming in, obviously this roots from the fact that he wants to impress them and be praised for doing a good job, however if he didnt know that he was being observed he might work better without the stress or worse without the added pressure. 

Purpose

A running theme within the information I have read about research topics is the idea of Purpose.

When initiating a research project it is ideal to consider who will my topic benefit? Has this topic been investigated before? If so how can I develop that information? At the start of my research project it is essential that what I am trying to achieve is clearly stated. 

Blaxter and Hughes and Tight: How to Research (2001)

After reading chapter 2 'Getting Started', I noted down some key points that will help me to start my inquiry,

• Find out what is expected from you and from your research: This, I need to discuss with my tutor as well as with other BAPP Arts students, its something I will be doing in this next week and hopefully will have enough information to blog for you all later. There's also information in my Module 2 Handbook about what is needed to succeed in this module (see Module 2 Handbook BAPP Arts, WBS 3630)
• Consider the size of your topic, ensuring its not too big, not too small but do-able within the time, space and resources available. (Goldilocks Theory)
• Enough time needs to be given to reflect and analyse the data collected.
• Support; Blaxter, Hughes and Tight explain that when embarking on a research project it is essential to have support around you, luckily I have a very willing boyfriend who makes a mean cup of coffee and two hugely supportive parents just at the other end of the phone.
• Access: Do you have access to resources (including people) that can help you? 

My next step is to take some time talking to various people both involved in the performance industry but also who are within other industries, I'm going to put together the information from my first set of pilot questions and analyse those next to the ideas I have myself and from others to start thinking about what I would like to research and what really gets me fired up. I am hoping I am on the right tracks but please do comment below as I value all contact with my fellow BAPPers :D

Jumping The Gun!!

I was in a such a rush to start my pilot questions and get started with this module that I hadn't even taken the time to read through the suggested books on 'Getting Started' with a research project. This is something I have come to discover with being a part of a work based learning course. At school you were always told exactly where, how and when assignments/tasks needed to be handed in BUT with a WBL course the timing is all down to you (most of it anyway!). I'm going to count those first pilot questions as practice questions as now I have studied more on preparing for a research project I feel ready to start asking questions that can be relevant to what I would like to research in the long run. 

Competences and Capabilities Part 2

I think I have worked out the difference between competences and capabilities. I have come to understand that competences are the skills you already have which make you capable to do the job you are currently in, however capabilities are the skills you can develop and progress. 

I looked through my assessment notes from when I was at college and found some confidence boosting comments from previous tutors: 

Regarding my jazz assessment 'Diversity of style is developing and your attention to detail helps you get into the style far better. More physicality and power will help you refine some diversity. Professional conduct is very good, Lizzie. You work tirelessly and have done a lot of work in preparing, this year.' Sue Brice 2012. 

This comment is very constructive as it lets me know the skills I have acquired as well as what I need to work on and what I am capable of developing.

These are the competences I believe to have acquired over the past few years of dance training

• Flexible 
• High Fitness
• Dynamic Performer
• Energetic
• Technique in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Commercial

All of these skills have the potential to develop.

Interview with company choreographer

Interview with Michelle Upton, Dancer, Live Act and Choreographer for Parkdean Holidays:

Do you believe dancing influenced your personality?

I definitely do, I think dancing as a whole gives you more confidence and you can express yourself more. The reason why I got into dancing was due to having too much energy, so I was taken to the doctors as I was always crying and running all over the place. The doctor actually said that I needed to take up some kind of physical sport, whether it be karate, swimming, dancing or something in that field. I needed something to channel my energy. So I was taken to dance classes, and ever since then I was a much happier child and it gave me something to work towards. Nowadays it has built my confidence and taught me different skills in how to teach people choreography etc.

Discuss the idea ‘Dancers are not made, they are born’, Do you believe dance is a natural instinct that cannot be taught or something that can be nurtured?

I believe real good, outstanding dancers are born. However I do think that you can teach everybody to dance, whether it is just how to hold themselves or keeping in time with the music. However the dancer that is born to dance is the one who has that extra flair. It is more about the passion and feeling that you are born with, that’s something you can’t teach you have to be born with.

Discuss your thoughts on the term ‘A Triple Threat’, can all trades be mastered or are you setting yourself up to be the ‘jack of all trades but the master of none?’

I think to be good at all three things or to at least give them a go is a great thing. You will get a lot further with all three disciplines than with just one. It’s good to have your passion, for example dancing is my passion however within this job I have had to sing and have had to push myself in order to further my career.

In your opinion how easy is it for a performer to begin working in a new medium?

The skills you acquire as a performer e.g. confidence, people skills, being able to interact with people and having a hard working attitude, sets you up in good stead for any job.

What are the key skills required to make the transition from dancer to choreographer?

No formal educational requirements to become a choreographer, there is no certificate that you get to say ‘I am a choreographer’. However most choreographers have been dancers. I am a big believer in the proof is in the pudding, if someone came to audition for me if they were a phenomenal dancer I might not even look at their CV. So it is more about experience and being able to express your ideas through dance and translate that to a group of people. I have always kind of fallen in to it because people liked what I had to offer and I like that what I see in my head I can translate onto the stage, it is very satisfying. A lot of choreography is down to the way that you teach it and how you get it across to your dancers, as well as being creative and having new ideas.

Is finding multiple forms of expression the key to creative fulfilment and career longevity?

For me and the shows that I produce, the more creative ideas and things that I can get help to keep things fresh. I always use different props and styles. I’d like to think within choreography my body will allow me to do it for a few more years. I can’t imagine myself doing another job but with the skills I have got from this job I’d like to think I could go into something like teaching or possibly being an agent etc.

In a performance job that requires multiple skills e.g. holiday park; working with children alongside performing. Quantify the relationship between the skills required for daytime duties compared to the skills required for performance work.

There are a lot of skills that you need for both. For both you need energy, passion, enthusiasm, creative, team work, confidence. When I first started the holiday park experience I didn’t ever see myself enjoying the kids work, I came to perform however I had to do both so I started to see the daytime duties as a ‘show’ so if I gave the same amount of energy to the kids as I do in a show then they will benefit from that. A lot of the skills I think are integrated however with dance you do need the training and the technique. 

Task 4a

BAPP Arts Degree in Work Based Learning

Lizzie Martin

Pilot Interview questions:

Do you believe dancing influenced your personality?

Discuss the idea ‘Dancers are not made, they are born’, Do you believe dance is a natural instinct that cannot be taught or something that can be nurtured?

Discuss your thoughts on the term ‘A Triple Threat’, can all trades be mastered or are you setting yourself up to be the ‘jack of all trades but the master of none?’

In your opinion how easy is it for a performer to begin working in a new medium?

What are the key skills required to make the transition from dancer to choreographer?

Is finding multiple forms of expression the key to creative fulfilment and career longevity?

In a performance job that requires multiple skills e.g. holiday park; working with children alongside performing. Quantify the relationship between the skills required for daytime duties compared to the skills required for performance work.

competences and capabilities

Taking a browse through reader 4, I have decided that the job I am in currently requires the employee have a 'transdisiplinary' approach to the job. Here are the skills I believe are needed to work on a show time park with Parkdean:

Skills in Dance                                                             Skills in Compering   

• Flexibility                                                      Improvisation
• Fitness                                                                  Diction
• Technique                                                             Confidence
• Dynamics                                                              Ability to interact with audience
• Strong Body and Core
• Performance skills and expression                

Skills in running daytime activites

• Organised
• Communicating with all ages
• Energetic 
• Reading the room (is everyone getting involved? Is it enjoyable etc?)

Skills in the DJ Box

• Knowing what lights to use and when
• Being able to create an atmosphere with the tools you have (music, lights, smoke)
• Volume Control
• Ability to ride the fader
• Focused 

Skills in Choreography 

• Imagination
• Creating pieces appropriate to ability 
• Interpreting music 

All these skills are required for the job that I am currently in. A lot of these skills do cross over into different sectors so for example you would need to have some level of dance ability to be able to choreograph. 

Where have I got my information from? 

Mainly the ideas I have about the skills required have come from my dance training that I have been receiving from a young age. A lot of information has also come from the company choreographer and teachers that I had at college. As well as being taught alot of this information I also found my information has been acquired from watching alot of dance performances and dance tv programs, for example So You Think You Can Dance, is an American TV show where contestants dance different styles infront of various judges who then critique the dancers, here is a snippet of one of my favorite episodes. 

http://youtu.be/Gd5tkT8EVx4   

Learning Organisation

http://www.infed.org/thinkers/senge.htm  

After reading the link above (Provided in Reader 4), I started to think about the learning organisations that I have been involved in. At college I was surrounded by very experienced teachers who all had incredible amounts of information regarding dance and musical theatre. Although during class they would share this knowledge, I now look back and realise that I could have used their knowledge to enhance my own. As Senge mentions 'As people talk, the vision grows clearer', the more I communicated with my teachers the clearer my vision of being a performer would have been. 

Reflecting back on my college days has now made me more determined to use the knowledge of others to further my own capabilities. I am also happy to share my knowledge with others as discussing thoughts helps to grow and develop new ideas. 

Developing lines of professional inquiry

I have come up with some bullet points on developing lines of Professional Inquiry: As a learner I find it quite difficult to digest large amounts of information that are presented in long paragraphs. So I decided to note down the key points and add to them for my understanding. 

• The main outcome of a professional inquiry is so you can further investigate, research, analyse and understand your professional workplace and the people within it. 
• A professional inquiry is based upon the information and the experiences that I have now, in my place of work. 
• Developing lines of professional inquiry within the BAPP arts module extends and relates to the learning we received in module 1
• Helps to identify your specific learning needs (What are my specific learning needs, how will identifying them help me further my career and become more practiced within the job I have now?)
• Research and knowledge is key to developing your professional inquiry.
• A way to learn about what you are doing whilst you are doing it. (Critical reflection is a big part of this.)      

I have started thinking about my workplace and what aspects I would like to research and develop my knowledge on.                                                                     

Module 2!

Feels like ages since I have blogged on here! Had a hugely busy peak season down here in Devon so I'm glad we had a break from this Degree work! However it is now time to crack on and open up module 2! Good Luck everybody :D xxxxx

Task 3d: Critical questions and issues that emerge

A very specific idea that has emerged from studying this course reader is how important my professional networks are. I have always known that networking is key to success within the performing arts industry, I thought that I was good at networking, but from working on this module I have found that I need to be more organised with my networks and use them fully. Reflecting on my engagement with my networks has shown me that I need to cooperate more fully to gain useful information that will further my career. 

Beginning to use critical reflection within my every day working life has proved to be quite difficult. It has taken a lot of time for me to really think about my day and what actions were helpful and which actions could have prevented stress. 

Since embarking on this module, I have found that I take much more of a back seat at work and observe situations more thoroughly before jumping straight in to try and fix things which I do not have the ability or authority to fix.