Online+Portfolio

//Welcome to my online portfolio - an inquiry into **'Privilege vs. Passion'** within the performing Arts industry.// //I have created this site as part of module WBS3835 of the BA (Hons) Professional Practice course at Middlesex university.//

 There have been three major stepping stones in my progression through this module; Developing Lines of professional Inquiry, Professional Ethics and Tools of Professional Inquiry, each of which have provided me with valuable knowledge and insight into the research i intend to embark upon next term. Below is a brief insight into some of the many ways i have developed my ideas throughout the past few months...

**__Developing Lines of professional Inquiry:__**

In task 2d of the first module we completed last term I stated the following: “In order to develop as an actress I need to keep up to date with the ever changing trends of the industry and it makes me angry that this is not always an option due to insufficient funds. I think that more support should be given to young people going into the performing arts industry by the government but instead they are taking it away. I think every young person trying to get a break in this industry will feel the financial strain, it is hard to hold down a job whilst auditioning as things come up to quickly and time off cant always be planned.”  Looking back on that comment has bought all kinds of questions to mind and has given me a great starting point for my inquiry. Below are just a few of the questions I have started to think about :
 * **Do you have to train in order to make it as a performer? **
 * **Does it matter where you train if you have talent? **
 * **What is the key to staying motivated? **
 * **How should you go about preparing for an audition? **
 * **What benefits come from being well networked? **
 * **How do you stay motivated after rejection? **
 * **How do you fund training whilst unemployed? **
 * **Why is it important to look good as well as perform well? **
 * **Why are time management skills so important? **
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Should you give yourself a deadline in which to succeed? **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Here are my views on the above questions posed; <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">After a while I think everybody starts to question whether they are good enough to make a living out of performing and some people do feel like if after a certain period of time they haven’t made it they should look for something else, but at the moment this isn't something I can see myself doing. I have worked to hard to be where I am today and have already given so much of myself to this industry that even if I haven’t made it in the next 10 years I still think I would need it in my life.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">I personally don’t think you need to train, in fact some of the best performers didn’t. Although it helps to go through a performing arts school I still believe that if you are talented and determined you can make it on your own. Will Ferrell for example graduated with a degree in sports information he never trained formally and look where he is today.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">This question although similar to the previous one has sparked a completely new chain of thought for me. Once you have decided whether or not to train you then have the mammoth task of deciding where to train! Some schools have a better reputation than others and this is what people pay attention but again I believe that talent can shine through. If you cant afford to go to one of the ‘top’ schools I don’t think it matters. I’m not denying that it would probably be easier should you attend such a school but that is not to say it isn’t possible without their support.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Self-motivation is so hard for me and I believe for a lot of others in this industry. It is so full of uncertainty and is a constant emotional roller coaster. The best way I’ve found to stay motivated is to surround yourself with positive people and always take a moment to think about why you love the industry so much. Everybody gets down every now and then but its whether or not you have the strength to pick yourself back up that separates you from the rest.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Audition preparation is paramount, it is the difference between getting considered for the job and not. I find the best audition preparation is a early night. Make sure you are well prepared both physically and mentally, if the audition is somewhere new to you make sure you have planned your route and booked tickets in advance. Don’t count on others to help you, at the end of the day in an audition situation everyone is out for themselves so the more preparation you can do before the day the better.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Networking is a massive part of this profession, I am a huge believer in the saying “its not what you know but who you know”. Take Jonny Depp for example, he had no ambition to be an actor but when his wife introduced him to Nicholas cage the rest was history. Or Dione Bromfield, if she wasn’t Amy Winehouses goddaughter would she be this successful at the age of 15? Another example is Kate Hudson, would she have been as successful if her mother wasn’t Goldie Horn? Everybody you know can help you in some way you just have to be around to discover how. Communication is massive and with technology as advanced as it is now there is no excuse not to keep in touch.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Rejection is never easy in any aspect of life, but in order to handle it in my career I always think ‘when one door closes another one opens’. Obviously continuous rejection is tough but it’s not a reason to quit!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Whilst not working in the industry I work in a restaurant, although the money isn’t very good it is flexible and doesn’t require much thought so I can focus on my career and auditioning whilst still earning a living.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Performance means nothing if you don’t look right for a part. There is nothing you can do but try and look the best you can every time a casting director sees you. At least then you’ll know that they are rejecting you because you aren’t right for the part not because you looked scruffy.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Good time management is imperative in order to succeed in any business. Time is money and if you are lazy and unmotivated other people will simply sail past you no matter how talented you are.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Once discovering how I felt in response to my questions I then posed them to a fellow performer (Ellie Robertson) who gave me the following answers: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> Ellie trained at Arts Educational school in London and graduated in 2008.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Although I didn't get answers to all my question due to lack of time I found that just talking them through with someone else in the same situation as me has proved very beneficial.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Training is not essential to be a performer - some people get work through people they know or through open auditions. However college training has many benefits including showcase opportunities to try and get an agent.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">At the end of the day your performance in the audition is what counts but if it ends up being between you and someone else the panel will be more likely to side with the person with well known training and work ethic. Good colleges also have good connections and provide opportunities to meet people from the business whilst your training, building up your contacts.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Once you know what the audition is, you should research the piece and find appropriate songs if necessary. Material can be gone through with a singing teacher. Or if you know what dance style it will be, try to do some classes beforehand. On the day make sure you look nice, are warmed up and early not late.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">To stay motivated I would recommend always working on your technique at home and going to class. Make sure you're going to the theatre regularly and setting yourself mini goals along the way.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Benefits to being well networked...you're more likely to be seen to audition, you're more likely to get the job as the panel know and like you so want to work with you over someone they don't know.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">You've not got to take rejection personally. Remember the most important thing is to do the audition well rather than your success in getting the job.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">To fund training I work at Jamie's Italian restaurant in Shepherds Bush
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">A lot of the time what you look like is equally as important as your performance...if not more...you sort of sell yourself as a product.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> In order to further develop my lines of inquiry and broaden my outlook on the situation I have decided to get the views of professional associates in the form of Noreen Banks (Ballet Teacher) and Victoria Evaristo (Actress, and Drama Teacher). Although I found the views of colleagues such as Ellie to be very useful I felt that in order to further develop my research it was essential to get the views of some colleagues who had been in the industry a lot longer than myself and therefore had a whole different perspective on the way things are done, here is what i found...

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> Victoria: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Noreen: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">I found that having been in the industry longer the answers were a lot more direct and to the point, they know how to achieve their goals and this is what I am aiming for. It is interesting to see the contrast between myself and Ellie's answers being relitivly new to the industry and Noreen and Victorias who have been 'treading the boards' so to speak for many years.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">No you don't have to train.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">If YOU are going to train its best to go to one of the top three institutions because the same tutors/directors/ singing teachers etc freelance at the top places.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">SELF BELIEF!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">It depends on what the audition is, as to how you prepare for it.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The benefits of being well connected and networked are boundless.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">SELF BELIEF AGAIN!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">YOU DON'T STAY UNEMPLOYED YOU GET A JOB!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">IF YOU LOOK GOOD, YOU FEEL GOOD, THEN YOUR MORE CONFIDENT ITS A SELF FULFILLING PROPHECY.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Because time is money!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Not sure about deadlines but you definitely need contingency plans.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">You dont have to train but is advisable to learn technique and to extend ability to become more versatile.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">If training, it ideally has to be where the training meets the needs of the performer/ideal destination of performer. A reputable college with good destination data, with possibility of funding if reqiured and various skills learnt.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">If the student has the passion motitvation will rarely be a problem.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Learning to accept positive critiscism and learning how to improve technical ability, to improve technique in general, ensuring the course chosen is the correct one for the student in question.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Audition technique classes, asking relative questions if possible about the job in question. If auditioning through an agent ensuring you are fully informed about the job spec. technically staying in shape and looking the part!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">you never know who might be looking for who and when!! very important to network as some jobs are through word of mouth could be the chance of a job or being unemployed!

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> The next step for me was to develop a SIG (Subject Interest Group) in order to get further feedback on my inquiry questions. Unfortunately I found this very challenging as I am not very technically minded and find it easier to communicate on a face to face basis. Because of this a tended not to get involved in the BAPP Facebook page and instead spent my time interviewing many of my peers and colleagues and gaining a deeper knowledge through talking to people and reading their body language.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">I then had the task of trying to collaborate what I had found and what I wished to research further into an appropriate award title. After a lot of deliberation **<span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">(*Please see page entitled 'Rationale for Award Title'*) ** I have come up with the following award title:  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">**BA (Hons) Professional Practice (Performance Welfare)**   <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Money makes the world go around, there is no avoiding that fact and I want to look into the effects and links money can have on raw talent and subsequently success. <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">**__Professional Ethics:__**  <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">As I am still auditioning I decided to look at the ethics within an audition situation: the obvious ones which spring to mind are those of discrimination; be it racial/sexual/ age or disability, none should be tolerated! As in any job, the performance industry has to be open to everyone. Although on occasion in order to make something real a part may have to be played by a person of a certain age or race. In such situations it must be stipulated before the audition commences and valid reasoning must be provided on request. Unfortunately in the performance industry with so many young girls with big dreams out there some producers/directors may see them as an opportunity to take advantage, this is not right and such people need to be removed from the industry. No matter how much you want a job if you feel uncomfortable at any point you should leave. There are many codes of conduct which apply to an audition environment such as: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">I would consider most of the above to be transdisciplinary as they can be applied to various auditions. Although I trained in musical theatre and this is ideally what I want to do I also occasionally attend straight acting auditions or pure singing auditions. The general codes can still be applied but just tailored towards each individual audition. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> I have scoured the web in order to find what the codes of practice/regulations and ethical frameworks actually are within the theatre and audition environments and here is what I found: There were several websites which I found really useful firstly was [] which gave the following interesting section on conduct within an audition… // 1. In preparing for and conducting auditions, all participants should be aware of policies and procedures governing those auditions, including this code. // // 2. Although the existence and composition of an audition committee and the nature // // and extent of its participation in auditioning and hiring is determined locally, musicians' involvement should at least include the initial screening of applicants. // // 3. Applicants should not be disqualified from auditioning on the basis of information about them obtained from current or previous employers or from other institutions to which they have applied. // // 4. Auditionees should be given sufficient time and, to the extent possible, adequate private facilities in which to warm up and practice. // // 5. Parts supplied by the orchestra for auditions should be in good condition, legible, and clearly marked as intended to be played at the audition. // // 6. There should be no discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, creed, national origin, religion, or sexual preference; steps ensuring this should exist in all phases of the audition process. // // 7. There should be reasonable accommodation for the handicapped. // // 8. Auditionees should be given opportunity and encouragement to comment, anonymously if desired, to the audition committee and management about the audition process. // // 9. Auditionees should be notified of their status in the audition process immediately upon such determination. Candidates under active consideration after auditions are completed should be so notified and given an estimated time of final decision. // // 10. Auditionees should be informed prior to auditions of the orchestra's policy regarding reimbursement of auditionees' expenses for additional stay or travel incurred at the request of management. // The second website I found of use was audition criteria for a theatre school [] // All candidates for Acting courses will be offered an audition, provided they meet the following criteria: // // All candidates must complete an application form, including a written statement, a photograph, and payment of the required audition fee. //// The candidate must meet the age requirements of their course at the start of their first year of study. //// Applications must be received by the deadline; this is usually 31 //// st //// March for a September intake, although this may be later for some courses. // // Candidates are invited to disclose any access or learning requirements on their application form, so that any reasonable adjustments to the audition or interview process can be made. //// In order to ensure that … can offer as much support as possible, candidates are invited to disclose any long term health issues on their application form so that these may be discussed at the interview stage of the audition. // // The School of Acting does not discriminate on grounds of age, background, race, colour, disability, family circumstances, gender, nationality, political beliefs or party membership, religion, sexual orientation, trade union membership or on any other grounds deemed to be irrelevant to participation in the course. // // … is committed to providing access to our courses to as wide a range of ethnic and social groups as possible. Auditions take place at … from October to June, and our Outreach teams work with youth groups around the country to encourage talented candidates from under-represented groups to apply for auditions // // … offers Foundation Courses for young people interested in preparing for a full-time training course in acting or musical theatre. Successful students are offered a free audition for either the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre or BA (Hons) Acting courses. // Finally [] came up with the following… <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">// PRECEPT ONE: A school undertakes to consider all applications //// PRECEPT TWO: A school undertakes to provide candidates with the necessary information //// before and at the selection process //// PRECEPT THREE: A school undertakes to provide information on the availability of and criteria //// for the allocation of public funding //// PRECEPT FOUR: A school undertakes to give candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their //// potential to fulfil the aims of the course //// PRECEPT FIVE: A school undertakes to ensure that the decision making process is fair and //// transparent //// PRECEPT SIX: A school undertakes to ensure that candidates are informed of the outcome of // // an audition / interview // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">Although not all of these apply when auditioning for a job and not a school, I think the backbones are the same. In reference to task 5a where I listed what I thought the codes of conduct for the profession were I don’t think I have found that many differences. It is all about knowing where you stand and being treated fairly in all audition situations. The official codes of conduct go into a lot more detail and would have legal stature should problems arise which is very important. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Whilst looking into the professional ethics and codes of conduct that surround my industry I have found that perhaps I already knew more than I first thought. True I may not have known the theory behind it or why we behave in such a way, but I do know how to behave in a professional environment. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">I have found the many theories I have studied to be useful in various ways, but each have now been joined together in order to form the rounded view I now believe I have. I think that my personal ethics have a large impact on the way I approach my professional ethics. Although I am not necessarily religious or particularly set on a certain way of beliefs, I think that this only enhances my ability to encompass other peoples views into my own. I am always looking to broaden my outlook on life and I am more than willing to listen to others speak and take from it what I find valuable and leave the rest without discrimination. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The times where personal beliefs contradict with professional ones can be impossible to handle for example; I don’t believe that the way you look makes you a better person or performer, but it is so important to the Performing Arts industry that I have to conform. I also don’t believe that dressing provocatively will make you a better dancer but I can see why it could help you look more confident and therefore more likely to get a job! <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">As I am not overly religious I tend to use the law as a basis for my ethics. I think this fits in with the consequentialist way of thinking and J.S. Mills theory of ‘the greater good’ for example; cutting funding to a small school with a poor success rate and splitting it between children in a better school with more prospects would be fair under the view of consequentialism. Unfortunately it’s a dog eat dog world out there and I believe that mob mentality will always prevail. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The case study into the ethics on photography where Carter left a child to die is very poignant. I think it’s such strong evidence that you can only follow professional ethics as far as your conscience will allow you. Had he have been able to live with his decision nobody could have really questioned his code of conduct as a photographer, he was after all only there to observe. But as a human being he knew personal ethics should have taken over and the fact that they didn’t led him to take his own life. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">I have found that during my research I am now able to separate personal and professional ethics if. I know I won’t be able to sleep a night because of a professional decision I’ve made then I wont take that route in the first place. Have found this way of thinking very much supported by theoretical normative ethics, what is morally acceptable to you should be able to influence professional decisions. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The question “who stands to benefit most from your research?” is one that I intend to keep close to mind when carrying out my inquiry. I want to prove to people that by making the rich richer they are in turn making the poor poorer. I am aware that there are always anomalies with any set of results and I wont be afraid to publish these. The main aim of my research will be to help the talented performers of tomorrow to get the funding they deserve in order to keep their dream alive without discrimination. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">I think that the codes of conduct put forward by the British Educational Research Association to be very valid and I shall definitely be following them throughout my inquiry. I shall also work closely with the Data Protection/Human Rights/Children’s and Equality Acts and hope that all these combined with my own personal and professional ethics should help me to conclude a fair and detailed inquiry which leads to valuable data being produced. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">I have decided not to work with anybody under the age of 16 as i don't feel it is necessary for my investigation and would not like to be held accountable for the safety of minors. My inquiry is into young performers entering college and as this doesn't happen until at least 16 and usually 18 I feel that I am justified in my decision. I shall make sure that the adults I work with are consenting and are briefed and debriefed each time i work with them. Although my inquiry provides highly minimal risk of harm it is always important to keep the safety of your participants at the forefront of your mind. If I feel that my participants are distressed or unhappy with proceedings at any time I will not sacrifice them in order to get the results I want. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">I have decided that all the research I carry out will be overt, this is because I have no need for it not to be. My research is into the effects of money on talent so it is essential that I establish the participants financial background before I view their talents. I am aware that people may not like disclosing financial assets which is why I shall keep my questions very broad. I will never ask specifically what somebody earns I shall simply ask if they could realistically afford to continue with there dreams without financial support. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">As well as the ethical issues involved with working with people and carrying out observations etc. I also need to be aware of the codes of conduct associated with using other people research. I can guarantee that I shall not present anybody else's work as my own and I shall always list in a bibliography any body else's work which i may have referenced.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Never be late
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Always be prepared
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Be appropriately dressed/well presented
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Never speak out of term/be respectful
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Only go if you fit the brief
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Don’t waste their time
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Ensure you are warmed up previously and able to cool down after
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Make sure that sheet music is taped together correctly
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Make sure you have correct dance shoes required
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Always bring an up to date C.V and headshot

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;">**__Tools of Professional Inquiry:__**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">There are many tools I wish to use when carrying out my inquiry these include; interviews, Surveys, Focus Groups and Observations. I have carried out some pilot research through triangulation which included trials of all of the above, I felt this necessary in order to ensure I know how to go about them in a correct manor. Here is what I found out about each on my trial run:

__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Interviews: __ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">I carried out several interviews on some of my peers who wish to remain unnamed. I asked them semi structured questions so i was able to obtain the information i needed but my participants still had some freedom to put their views across. I chose to use a variety of open and closed questions, this was because again I felt it helped me to achieve the data I required without my participants feeling restricted. I was lucky enough to be able to carry out all of my interviews face to face and felt that this was to my advantage as I was able to read peoples body language and see whether they found certain questions inappropriate or leading but didn't necessarily want to tell me verbally. I met participants individually at a local coffee shop to put them at ease. As I already knew the interviewees it was a very relaxed atmosphere and although I was recording the conversation for data protection and ethical reasons it felt more like an informal chat. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Before I started my interviews I gave each participant a preliminary information sheet so they were fully aware as to why I was carrying out the interviews and what the results would be used for. I also gave a quick debrief at the end to ensure they had the opportunity to put across and queries or concerns they may have.

__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Surveys and questionnaires: __ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">As with the SIG I decided not to carry out my survey online but instead to go to a dance school with hard copies and ask students to fill them out. I really am more of a hands on kind of person when it comes to learning and I find it much easier to process research if I actually have it in my hands. This is not to say that in the future I wont be tempted with sites such as surveymonkey.com but for now I didn't feel it would be beneficial. I ensured my participants were over the age of 16 and happy to fill out the surveys before I handed them out. As I handed them out in a dance school I knew that I would get answers relevant to what i was researching and this was a great help.

__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Focus Group: __ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">I decided to hold my focus group at my house and invited 4 of my old college friends around to participate. I chose Purposive candidates and not representative ones as I felt it would be more beneficial to my inquiry. Each member is now working in different areas of the industry and found their views to be extremely valuable. As we have known each other for several years I found they were all very willing to open up about their financial situations and whether or not they would be where they are today without the financial backing they received. Every time I steered the conversation in a certain direction they were very quick to follow, although it was a relaxed environment everybody knew there was a purpose behind our meeting and they were more than willing to contribute. Again I recorded the meeting for reference, as I knew the participants so well I didn't make them identify themselves each time they spoke. At the beginning of the meeting I asked everyones names and occupations and from then on I was simply able to identify them by the sound of their voice. I didn't think it was necessary to have a gate keeper as i wasn't having a discussion with a specific group of people or minors. The group didn't represent anything as a whole it was simply 4 individuals putting across their views on a particular topic and although they didn't i knew they would have said had they thought any of the questions to be inappropriate or unnecessary.

__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Observation: __ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">I found that this method alone was of no use to me. In order to establish the help they had received to get where they are today I had to give each person I observed a questionnaire to fill out. I carried out my observation at my old dance school back in my home town, it was a group of 16 and 17 year old dancers all considering whether to attend University or Performing Arts College. Whilst watching them dance I made brief notes on their capabilities but in all honesty wanted to get them in a focus group and talk about their experiences thus far. Once I could see that they could all dance to a high standard I had no further reason to observe them and because of this I carried out minimal observation. Instead I convinced them to be part of a small focus group which I held in the corridor of the dance school with their teacher as the gatekeeper. This 5 minutes I spent talking to them was far more valuable to my research than the hour I spent watching them dance.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Throughout my pilot studies I have found all tools to have their benefits and limits... <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Interviews and focus groups for example "constructing or documenting a version of what you think the data means or represents or what you think you can infer from them." (Mason) As it is qualitative data the analysis of it is only ever going to be your view and this can be detrimental to your research. It is important to be able to step away and look at your results through someone else's eyes. The good thing is though that you can get ore in depth answers to your questions as people feel they are able to open up and talk to you. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Surveys and questionnaires are useful in that qualitative date can be transcribed into quantitative data. Pie charts and graphs can be produced in order to represent your findings which i found very beneficial as visual aids sometimes have more power than literary ones. I found this tool to also be limiting as people are not always keep to partake as it can be time consuming they may also not give subsequent answers are in fact not answer certain questions at all which again an impede your research process. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Out of all of the above methods I found there wasn't one in particular that stood out to me instead I found that them all working together and intelinking formed the best set of results. In future I think that I shall use several different groups of people but use all four different tools to analyze them. That way if I don't get the answers I need from one tool I still have the others to back it up.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">I found that my research all turned out to be qualitative and found Mason Bradley's description of the term to be most useful. I think in my next lot of research I need to collect more data in order to be able to turn it into numeric quantitive data. Statistics are always a good way of getting a point across and although words may mean more to an individual, numbers and figures get the message across quicker and easier. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">As I am an 'insider-researcher' I think I had access to a better set of results simply because I knew the best questions to ask in order to get what I wanted. "The research questions arise out of that practice and are fed back into it" (Chouliaraki and Fairclough). My research has begun because I was already part of the industry and their were still questions that for me were left unanswered. Although I have found it to be a advantage being an insider researcher I also need to be aware of the fact that it might impair my judgement. I need to always remember my involvement in the research process whilst I am carrying it research and it is fundamental to be able to then critically reflect on the level of my involvement. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">As my current industry is auditioning I felt it appropriate to have my support form signed by my agent. I felt that with him being responsible for what I do and the way i believe at auditions it was important for him to be aware of the research I was intending to carry out. I have found is help and advice very useful throughout my pilot research and am sure it will continue to be so next term.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">I also reviewed a lot of literature for my pilot investigation and chose to do so using the questions laid out in Course Reader 6: "Reading with the purpose of reviewing is very different from reading for pleasure. Reading to review has the goal of producing a product: an analytical evaluation of the research on your topic" (Hart)
 * Who is the author?
 * What is their position and what is its significance?
 * What are their biases - political, personal?
 * Where and when was the document produced and what are the implications of this historical perspective?
 * Why was the document produced?
 * How was he document produced?
 * In what context was the document produced and is your analysis of the context similar or different to that of the other relevance persons?
 * What are its underlying assumptions?
 * What does the document say and not say and why is it presented in this manner?
 * How is the document presented?
 * How well supported and convincing is its argument?
 * How does this document relate to previous ones?
 * What do other sources have to say about it?
 * Who is the intended (official) audience?
 * What is the ethical and/or value basis of the document?

I found that by using the above method and quote I was able to successfully analyze the literature i found and use it to my advantage. i was able to use it to the best of my ability by identifying its floors as well as it benefits. I don't want to spend my time trying to eliminate bias and prejudice instead i want to be able to incorporate it and acknowledge its involvement in all research proceedings!

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Throughout all of my pilot research I have found the site 'Delicious' ( []) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">to be most useful, here are just a few of the sites I have found a bookmarked in order to aid me in the future:


 * [|The Stage / Advice] //**[|SAVE]** **| [|SHARE]**//
 * ===== [|DADA discussion] //**[|SAVE]** **| [|SHARE]**// =====
 * [|Dance & Drama Awards (DADA)] //**[|SAVE]** **| [|SHARE]**//
 * [|Pixie Lott contributes to stage school scholarship fund | The ...] //**[|SAVE]** **| [|SHARE]**//
 * [|Actor Fights For Underprivileged Children To Go To Drama School.] //**[|SAVE]** **| [|SHARE]**//
 * [|Arts Council funding decision day: as it happened | Culture ...] //**[|SAVE]** **| [|SHARE]**//
 * [|Performing arts budget to be cut] //**[|SAVE]** **| [|SHARE]**//
 * [|The directors' debate: Are arts funding cuts a good idea ...] //**[|SAVE]** **| [|SHARE]**//
 * [|The Stage / News / Arts face funding cuts of 'as much as 20 ...] //**[|SAVE]** **| [|SHARE]**//
 * [|Equity calls for an arts summit - Equity] //**[|SAVE]** **| [|SHARE]**//

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 19px;"> Based on all of the above I now believe that I am ready to embark on my research inquiry into the effects emotional and financial support can have on success in the Performing Arts industry. I aim to carry out an ethical and successful piece of research which could help lead to positive changes being made in the way funding is allocated to young performers. In Clarification the Award I seek to achieve is BA (Hons) Professional Practice (Performance Welfare) and the title of my inquiry is to be Passion Vs. Privilege. //