3d. Critical questions and Issues that emerge

Do some very specific ideas emerge about your networking and sources?  Does your engagements to date seem appropriate?  Limited?  Focused?  Planned?  Unplanned?

I have always known networking in our industry is extremely important and it is a word I hear often. However, this task has opened my eyes to the different ways in which it can be done.

At the moment I feel my networking is sufficient, as I will always engage with people in a professional environment.  I don't set out to speak to people with networking in mind, however as conversation flows it tends to lead down that path.  I have never been one to "suck up to people" to get what I want, as I feel awkward doing it, so when something comes out of a natural conversation it is a bonus.

I feel the network with my group of friends is very appropriate.  Naturally, we want to help one another and we regularly see each other and share gossip or information we may have about the industry and life in general.  Linking this with the previous blog, this group of friends could be classed as a community.  We all have the same Domain, which is to help each other achieve their dreams and goals and we put this into practice by sharing the information we find out and also by critiquing their work in order to make them aware of their strengths and what they could have done better in order to improve and further their career.

Although I have a wide network of other performers, after doing this module I feel I have been made aware my network of choreographers and casting directors is fairly limited.  Therefore,  I will now make a conscious effort to attend more classes, workshops and auditions in order to "get my face seen" and hopefully begin to build up this network.
 

Are your ideas, positions or concerns shared by others within and/or beyond your professional area of work?

It has been intriguing to read the other students blogs and encouraging to see a lot of our views are the same.  It has also been interesting to see the ideas that other students feel passionate about and have suggested as possible inquiries for later modules.  This has opened my eyes to some of the other important issues in the industry which I had never thought about before.  It was also encouraging to hear some positive feedback from a couple of students regarding my idea for my Inquiry and was comforting that they shared the same views.

Does sharing ideas and communicating with others shift your thinking, planning or practice?

I feel sharing ideas and communicating with others is very beneficial.  When choreographing a workshop or a show I often share my choreography ideas with others and as mentioned in the previous blog on social constructionism, people interpret things differently depending on their background and previous experiences.  So when I play the music to a friend they may interpret it differently, resulting in different movements and by watching them it might inspire me to develop alternative movements from their ideas and vice versa.

Not only does it shift thinking, it is also comforting psychologically.  I have known my group of friends for a long time now, so we obviously speak on a personal level as well as a professional level. Sometimes, if we have an issue about an audition or something we are working on we will share it. Often, they will have the same view and it is comforting to know others are feeling the same way.


Does critical reflection help you decide what really matters and the actions to take?

I feel critical reflection doesn't necessarily help me decide what really "matters" as I think everything should matter, but I feel it has given me a pathway to help me realise what needs improving.  I found the module on reflection very interesting and as I mentioned in the module I use a reflection-in-action approach subconsciously.  However by keeping a journal and using a reflection-on-action approach, it has allowed me to reflect on things that I might have missed at the time.

I feel by using a structure to follow e.g. Gibbs reflective cycle, it allows me to recognise what needs improving and what the next step is in order to improve it.  I will definitely be using this in the future as it gives me a starting point in which to expand on.


To what extent do concepts and theories assist you in thinking about your professional networking in different ways?  And do these different ways of thinking have some purpose for you?

I found the module on networking very informative.  It has educated me in the different theories behind networking that I had not been aware of before.  I  had never looked at my group of friends or cast members as a community before but the module has opened my eyes to realise we are.  Affiliation was another theory I am glad I have been introduced to, as it is something we do naturally, but I have now been made aware of "why" we affiliate and also to be careful as a selfless act may still have intentions behind it.

Are you left thinking differently prior to this part of the module?  And if so, how?

Yes, I am definitely thinking differently as I have never been made aware of all the parts in the module before.  Even though I have been doing a lot of the theories spoken about subconsciously such as Affiliation, reflection-in-action, cooperation and been part of a community in practice, this module has made me aware of the "hows" and "whys" behind the theories. Therefore, this module has allowed me to think about exploring new theories such as "Gibbs reflective cycle", helped me to identify my learning style using Kolb's learning cycle along with many others, as well as going into more depth on the ones I already use.

It has been very interesting reading all the different theories produced by Gibbs, Dewey and Kolb, Honey and Mumford etc as it has made me aware of a sequence I can follow in order to take my reflection step by step so I am able to think about it in more depth.

It was also brought to my attention during this task that a lot of my sources are internet based.  So, I am also now going to make more of a conscious effort to find more books I can read about the industry.

In conclusion, this module has been very effective in many ways, showing me technologies, theories and opinions I had not experienced prior to doing this course.  Now I have been made aware of them and know how to use them effectively, I will continue to use them throughout my professional  practice in the hope it will help me to further and develop my career.