Critical
Reflection on Professional Practitioner Inquiry
This inquiry has been of great value
to me, enabling me to identify what I know, what I don't and what I want to
look further in to for the future of my performing career. From the beginning I
have been certain that I want to carry on auditioning as well as teaching. (Appendix
A)
However, I also want to become
successful as an actress, even though I teach and love dance. I wanted to just
focus on one of these elements of my career, so I wanted to develop my lines of
professional inquiry in this area as I wanted to become more knowledgeable on
the acting industry. (Appendix B)
I started talking to people in my SIG's on my
blog and in acting workshops, and was surprised at how many professional
associates had the same thoughts, equally passionate and asking the same
questions. “Jonathon Howard” replied to one of my posts which helped me develop
my questions and my professional line of inquiry. It also gave me an insight
into looking at different acting techniques.
He expressed that he was an actor and was glad he found me on the blogs
so that we could network and help each other with ideas. From this I also
completed his survey which I found very interesting relating to acting in
schools. (Appendix C)
Once I had "categorized" my
questions, as Jonathon Howard expressed his ideas, I realized they linked far
better than I thought they would and was able to define my question. (Appendix D) It was these comments that I felt I
knew what I wanted to base my line of professional Inquiry on as I knew I could
explore this inquiry and get the most out of it.
Doing ethical research was an
important step in my development and probably my most crucial discovery (Appendix
E) I now realize that ethics will be a hugely important factor in my inquiry in order for the
safety and well being of my interviewee’s, beliefs and opinions and how they
perceive the acting industry.
Using surveys has been a very valuable
discovery during this module. Having read 'Tools of Professional Inquiry' and
sending out a pilot survey with the site "Survey Monkey" to my fellow
BAPP students, I have now discovered that it is a useful tool to gain a wide
range of response and opinions from other performer/actors. I now understand
the better way to approach my inquiry to get the most beneficial, reliable and
valuable results. (Appendix F)
I also looked in to using focus groups
as a tool of inquiry because the group has the validity of understanding the
issue but I feel using an interview technique will be more appropriate for my
inquiry as it will allow for deeper discussions and opinions as shown in my
pilot interview a fellow actress who I trained with at vocational college, who
has made it into the industry successfully and has played various roles. (Appendix G)
This module has also made me realise
the importance of research. Once I started looking at other blogs and other
people’s thoughts I was intrigued and interested to see what other people had
written about and surprisingly inspired me to my particular line of inquiry. (Appendix H) Now I have learnt how to
find literature for research and how to find the important information from it,
I am confident that I will have enough information to conduct a full and rich
inquiry to gain the most relevant information possible. It will also be
extremely useful for the future.
Appendix
Appendix
B: http://islajane01.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/4a.html
Appendix
C: http://islajane01.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/4a.html
(Comments)
Appendix
E: http://islajane01.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/5d.html
Appendix
I (Attached below): Professional Inquiry plan
Professional Inquiry form (Appendix
I)
The award title I propose is a BA Honours in Professional Practice in
Performing Arts. The reason because of this, it is my strongest area and
performing has been my passion from a young age. I teach dance, as well as
perform on a daily bases. I also audition for acting roles, musical theatre and
dancing jobs in performing arts, so it is my job to keep up to date with any
new performing jobs or changes in the industry. Performing arts relates to all
the aspects in my profession, and I enjoy inspiring students studying
performing arts as well as other professionals in the industry. My future
desires are to perform, achieve acting roles and teach performing arts to all
ages, in order to fulfill my enjoyment and also encourage others.
The reason I believe a BA Honours in Professional Practice in Performing
Arts would be my award title is because I am very knowledgeable in this area
and hard working in what I do. Performing Arts is what I have trained in since
leaving school. I Attended the Brit School
from the age of fourteen and achieved a BTEC National Diploma in performing
Arts. From there I went on to Italia Conti vocational school, for three years
where I achieved a diploma in performing Arts. As well as this I achieved many
dance and teaching qualifications, and completed a PCE professional
certificate in education in order to teach dance to students from a young age
and students and adults in higher education.
I feel that this course has given me skills in networking and has taught me how to achieve the upmost out of my performing career. It has introduced me to new people and their opinions, and has given me knowledge that will help me develop further as a performer and teacher. I have realised that networking is a crucial part of performing in the industry, and feel this course has given me a greater insight into this.
I feel that this course has given me skills in networking and has taught me how to achieve the upmost out of my performing career. It has introduced me to new people and their opinions, and has given me knowledge that will help me develop further as a performer and teacher. I have realised that networking is a crucial part of performing in the industry, and feel this course has given me a greater insight into this.
My Award title in Performing Arts is my expertise and will enhance my
future career developments.
For my inquiry I plan to be ethical in order to do this I must consider
many different issues that may arise and I will follow principle in order to
make sure I am holding good practice in many aspects for e.g. safety and well
being for others that are involved in my inquiry. It is important to apply
theses when working with others in the same industry. When conducting my
inquiry I plan to use data protection. All the information I gain will only be
for the inquiry itself and nothing else on my behalf or others. The information
will be kept safe and will not be used for anything else and will be destroyed
after use. All the contact details of the interviewee’s will not be shared and
will be kept only between myself and them until the inquiry is over. I will not
share any personal information between anyone else.
Before the inquiry starts I will explain how the interview will run and
the purpose of it, in order for them to participate and understand fully. The
questions I ask my interviewee will only relate to my inquiry and will not be
relevant to anything else outside of the inquiry itself. All the questions I
ask will be reliable and valid to the inquiry. There will be no discrimination
or bias remarks made to any sex, age, religion, race, ethnicity or colour. I
will treat the interviewee with upmost respect and behave in a professional
manner throughout. Because of the use of Dictaphone and writing notes I will
ensure that I ask permission in regard to copyright of any recordings or
information. The inquiry will be safe and no harm will be caused to others
involved. This means making sure the area I use to interview the actor/actress
is well ventilated, clean and no obstruction in the way to cause any or harm. I
will be honest about the results of my inquiry and I will ensure that it is
completely accurate and reliable. Above all if my interviewee doesn't understand any questions or doesn't wish
to be asked something, I will be happy to spend the time explaining and go through anything misunderstood and I
will respect my interviewee’s wishes. Throughout the interview and in the contacting
process I will maintain professionalism throughout.
