https://youtu.be/HyN-3FSU-aQ
Thanks Everyone
Me, Myself and I
- Anthony Gifford
- Hi, I am a professional dancer with big ambitions and dreams... I have danced from the age of 6 but my real training began when I was 16 at the Northern Ballet School in Manchester! There I trained for 3 years, achieving not only my Trinity Lv 6 Diploma but my Advanced 2 & DDI in Tap and my Advanced 1 in RAD Ballet! I have accepted my first professional contract and will soon start rehearsals to dance on Fred Olsen's Balmoral on a world cruise and I have also just enrolled on my BAPP course which will lead on to hopefully achieving a BA Hons Degree in Professional Practice! It will certainly be a wild ride (hopefully) so check back on my blog regularly to see what I am doing and hopefully help me with my discussions as I provide evidence and work for my degree! Keep Smiling!
Friday, 8 May 2015
My New Showreel: What do you think?
Hey, so I have recently updated my showreel! Let me know if you have any feedback!
https://youtu.be/HyN-3FSU-aQ
https://youtu.be/HyN-3FSU-aQ
Wednesday, 6 May 2015
Critical Reflection Portfolio: Blog Style
Looking back over module 2 while sat on wifi in Norway (Finally connection to the real world), I have realised that my understanding has developed so much more in terms of asking the questions of work and not just working work! I started asking questions that were relevant to me and luckily being in the situation where I literally live in work (on a ship) I was very lucky to be surrounded by a vast wealth of knowledge and people and this inspired me to choose my chosen topic:
It was not always easy though, despite my work place being so advantageous to my research, the fact I was often at sea, cut off from land and also more detrimentally, cut off from internet. Luckily after a comforting e-mail off my tutor, I realised that a work based learning degree is designed to work around work... Therefore it was a case of finding out a method that suited me: Appendix A.
In terms of discovering my research proposal idea, from observing my work place surroundings I soon found out that I wanted to study the behaviour and relationships of people within the industry I am so passionate about. However, I always find that I have too many questions I want to answer and this can cloud my thought and judgement, it was not until I managed to have a Skype session (while sat in a Japanese Ship Terminal) I was calmed by my colleagues and we discussed that we shouldn't panic and that we need to find questions that help us learn, not necessarily ones with a YES or NO answer: Appendix B. It was here I made the realisation that discussion in a group of people, much like a Socratic Circle, really helps develop ideas and helps un-cloud my judgment because I have to stop and consider another perspective without speaking. This was so beneficial as it made me aware of the use of narrative research, and seeing as I am going to be studying people, I decided that I would pilot the use of narrative research with an interview style inquiry with fellow colleagues.
The piloting of my research methods then started to shape my inquiry proposal. Again, as I didn't have access to the internet I did initially struggle but then I had to be resourceful with what I did have. The module handbooks are excellent as they guide you without the need of a tutor or colleague. This allowed me to write a rough draft of my proposal essay (the main chunk of this module) Appendix C. I found this more useful that blogging my ideas bit by bit, as it allowed me to modify my inquiry as a whole in one go and not amalgamate several blog posts. This was obviously more beneficial for me as being at sea meant that more independent work was required.
Overall, I found this module hard at times because I often doubted my ability and work as I was sometimes so detached from everyone else. However with the little bit of contact I did have and the resources given to me, I found that I managed my time well and produced the work to the best of my ability while juggling a full time dance job on board a ship.
Appendix A:
What affects the behaviour and
relationships between professionals working within the same industry?
In terms of discovering my research proposal idea, from observing my work place surroundings I soon found out that I wanted to study the behaviour and relationships of people within the industry I am so passionate about. However, I always find that I have too many questions I want to answer and this can cloud my thought and judgement, it was not until I managed to have a Skype session (while sat in a Japanese Ship Terminal) I was calmed by my colleagues and we discussed that we shouldn't panic and that we need to find questions that help us learn, not necessarily ones with a YES or NO answer: Appendix B. It was here I made the realisation that discussion in a group of people, much like a Socratic Circle, really helps develop ideas and helps un-cloud my judgment because I have to stop and consider another perspective without speaking. This was so beneficial as it made me aware of the use of narrative research, and seeing as I am going to be studying people, I decided that I would pilot the use of narrative research with an interview style inquiry with fellow colleagues.
The piloting of my research methods then started to shape my inquiry proposal. Again, as I didn't have access to the internet I did initially struggle but then I had to be resourceful with what I did have. The module handbooks are excellent as they guide you without the need of a tutor or colleague. This allowed me to write a rough draft of my proposal essay (the main chunk of this module) Appendix C. I found this more useful that blogging my ideas bit by bit, as it allowed me to modify my inquiry as a whole in one go and not amalgamate several blog posts. This was obviously more beneficial for me as being at sea meant that more independent work was required.
Overall, I found this module hard at times because I often doubted my ability and work as I was sometimes so detached from everyone else. However with the little bit of contact I did have and the resources given to me, I found that I managed my time well and produced the work to the best of my ability while juggling a full time dance job on board a ship.
Appendix A:
Appendix B: http://antgifford.blogspot.no/2015/03/pm-skype-session-write-up-socratic-skype.html
Appendix C: http://antgifford.blogspot.no/2015/05/planning-my-inquiry-wifi-less-world-is.html
Planning my inquiry: A wifi-less world is a hard one!!
So, I am just coming to the end of my module 2 work and due to my work situation, wifi has been so hard to come by I had to do a lot of my work without internet which did pose some troubles! Upon reflection, I felt that this did have an impact on the way I worked but didnt stop me. For example, it just meant I had to really plan my work then communicated with my tutor via email! I did this when planning my inquiry. Im not sure if it helped anyone else but did anyone do a plan of a plan so to speak:
THIS IS MY INQUIRY PLAN:
Introduction -
Explain and inform the reader of my topic: questioning the “standard” behaviours between individuals working within the arts: specifically professional dance. How does it compare and contrast to other industries both similar and opposite i.e. teaching the arts, professional sports, medical based work. The social trends within the industry and more specifically have things such as Web 2.0 (especially Facebook, twitter and so on) affected the industry in any ways. The ethical code of conduct: where was it taught if it even is taught, is it common knowledge, does it affect your ability to work in the industry and finally the psychological aspects of the industry: are there any psychological studies done with how people respond in certain situations i.e. auditions, the work place, class!
What is known already
In this section I will first describe my basic knowledge, my ideas and thoughts due to the training I have received. I can then compare and contrast as to whether my opinions have changed.
Literature wise: I will research books on the industry but also blurring the lines with psychology a little bit as I want to find out about studies on behavioural patterns and see how it compares to people within the industry and also how it may differ to “standard” industries.
Enquiry tools - Even though my research isn't on any one too specific, it is essentially on people, so my first and prominent line of enquiry will be of people within the industry and out of it. More specifically I am lucky to a. be part of a working team of dancers and singers so i already have 8 other individuals of different social and training backgrounds which I can anonymously compare and contrast (with their permission) but I can also discuss matters with a wide range of guest artists, from musicians to magicians. The one thing they all have in common is that they are currently working on ships also.
Blogs and SIG - I can discuss the topic with my co students, I am planning on creating or going a SIG based on working dancers and their experiences. There is a lot of focus on the education system and teaching of the arts so I want to come away from that and be a bit more individual focussed, how personally as a professional do people behave and react, not necessarily how they would teach it. I will also try and blog as much as possible continuously as my research goes ahed. There are mini sub topics within my enquiry that will amalgamate so hopefully it will give me some great discussion opportunities.
I have already started piloting my tools - for example i discussed with a guest entertainer who had transferred from west end to ships about his experiences within the west end and how he came to do ships and the challenges faced within the industry. I can then go on to evaluate how this is a good way of expanding not only my knowledge but inspiring my own professional practise too!
Ethical Practice-
Part of my question is about ethics themselves - and how we are experienced by other individuals. Therefore I will have to be very ethical and liberal with my opinions as I shouldn't make blanket rules but at the same time, behavioural patterns have trends so I will be discussing a stronger trend over a weaker trend. It will be in my wording however, that stops me sounding bigotry or insulting. My study is of people working in a very intense and theatrical industry so big personalities will be amongst them and lots of people from all walks of training after the same overall goal and that is to perform professionally, therefore complete non biased opinions will be made and there will be 100% anonymity when referring to interviews or information gained from specific people.
Conclusion-
This is to essentially wrap up all the loose ends, I will bring myself back to the original question at hand as it will be easy to get side tracked into many sub divisions of enquiry. There are many branches to my study but they should be of the same tree therefore I will always relate my research and findings back to the original question at hand, I just feel it is important that for me personally I can explore as much as possible as it is a topic that interests me greatly and also blurs the line across many areas of study i.e. psychology, sociology, eduction and teaching and business.Which essentially could be argued that these components make up a professional especially one within the industry of dance.
I found this so helpful and it also helped communicate my ideas all in one go as opposed to regular blog updates! How did other people plan their plan?????
THIS IS MY INQUIRY PLAN:
Introduction -
Explain and inform the reader of my topic: questioning the “standard” behaviours between individuals working within the arts: specifically professional dance. How does it compare and contrast to other industries both similar and opposite i.e. teaching the arts, professional sports, medical based work. The social trends within the industry and more specifically have things such as Web 2.0 (especially Facebook, twitter and so on) affected the industry in any ways. The ethical code of conduct: where was it taught if it even is taught, is it common knowledge, does it affect your ability to work in the industry and finally the psychological aspects of the industry: are there any psychological studies done with how people respond in certain situations i.e. auditions, the work place, class!
What is known already
In this section I will first describe my basic knowledge, my ideas and thoughts due to the training I have received. I can then compare and contrast as to whether my opinions have changed.
Literature wise: I will research books on the industry but also blurring the lines with psychology a little bit as I want to find out about studies on behavioural patterns and see how it compares to people within the industry and also how it may differ to “standard” industries.
Enquiry tools - Even though my research isn't on any one too specific, it is essentially on people, so my first and prominent line of enquiry will be of people within the industry and out of it. More specifically I am lucky to a. be part of a working team of dancers and singers so i already have 8 other individuals of different social and training backgrounds which I can anonymously compare and contrast (with their permission) but I can also discuss matters with a wide range of guest artists, from musicians to magicians. The one thing they all have in common is that they are currently working on ships also.
Blogs and SIG - I can discuss the topic with my co students, I am planning on creating or going a SIG based on working dancers and their experiences. There is a lot of focus on the education system and teaching of the arts so I want to come away from that and be a bit more individual focussed, how personally as a professional do people behave and react, not necessarily how they would teach it. I will also try and blog as much as possible continuously as my research goes ahed. There are mini sub topics within my enquiry that will amalgamate so hopefully it will give me some great discussion opportunities.
I have already started piloting my tools - for example i discussed with a guest entertainer who had transferred from west end to ships about his experiences within the west end and how he came to do ships and the challenges faced within the industry. I can then go on to evaluate how this is a good way of expanding not only my knowledge but inspiring my own professional practise too!
Ethical Practice-
Part of my question is about ethics themselves - and how we are experienced by other individuals. Therefore I will have to be very ethical and liberal with my opinions as I shouldn't make blanket rules but at the same time, behavioural patterns have trends so I will be discussing a stronger trend over a weaker trend. It will be in my wording however, that stops me sounding bigotry or insulting. My study is of people working in a very intense and theatrical industry so big personalities will be amongst them and lots of people from all walks of training after the same overall goal and that is to perform professionally, therefore complete non biased opinions will be made and there will be 100% anonymity when referring to interviews or information gained from specific people.
Conclusion-
This is to essentially wrap up all the loose ends, I will bring myself back to the original question at hand as it will be easy to get side tracked into many sub divisions of enquiry. There are many branches to my study but they should be of the same tree therefore I will always relate my research and findings back to the original question at hand, I just feel it is important that for me personally I can explore as much as possible as it is a topic that interests me greatly and also blurs the line across many areas of study i.e. psychology, sociology, eduction and teaching and business.Which essentially could be argued that these components make up a professional especially one within the industry of dance.
I found this so helpful and it also helped communicate my ideas all in one go as opposed to regular blog updates! How did other people plan their plan?????
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