Task 3D: Critical questions and issues that emerge

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

I feel like using social media sites to network is something i could do a lot more, everything is online now a days as it is very convenient. Instead of just checking Facebook or Twitter for social reason i can start to check for casting and ask questions, as thats why the different casting directors have there twitters and Facebook pages. For Performers like me to ask questions and get involved, They are there to help us out, an i should take full advantage of this. From my research i have also noticed i can create different profiles for my different disciplines and this will help the right people look at exactly what there looking for, for example Casting Call Pro would be for more acting, and Dancers Pro for dancers. I could be a lot more to get involved one of the first things is follow more people in the industry, this might include me having to make a professional profile as my social and professional sides should never mix.

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

Communicating is the best way i work. i think this comes from my dance and acting background. To execute corrections you need to be communicated with, Same way as when i teach, the best results are gained through communication. Communicating with others and sharing ideas expands my thinking. In regards to this blog, communicating with others on this course through this blog has really opened my mind to other ways i can expand and improve my craft. The helpful and constructive comments have opened my eyes to a lot more ideas.

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

Yes critical reflection does help me decide what really matters and what actions to take, Breaking down previously written work and analysing it is a very useful tool. Questioning experiences and analysing them i something i will take into my adult learning life.

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?

In Task 3B i chose to reflect on the theories that i felt i understood and could use the most, Affiliation is the one that would have most purpose for me. As i said in previous questions asked i need to network as much as i can, affiliation is the key. Crisp and Turners idea that we all engage in affiliation is something that everyone will agree with. This includes attending classes with them and meeting others they know, using social networking sites to there absolute maximum and taking full advantage of what they have to offer. Sometimes t is about who you know.

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

I feel like i have explored a lot in this module, Before i read the reader i made a post about my thoughts on what networking is, it was a very brief explanation. Reflecting on the different theories, my current sources of information and my own current networks opened my mind to the different ways i can expand on them. Going back to module 1 the use of WEB 2.0 will be very helpful to me. The different theories from the different practitioners are things that i use in everyday life and will continue to use. I never realised how much i already knew about The Networked Professional

  

Task 3c: Sources of Information

1. Google
2. YouTube
3. Social Media
4. Friends
5. Agents

1. Google runs over one million servers and processes over 1 billion search requests, From as far as i can remember, using this search engine has always been a comfort to me. I know i will get a choice of over 1 billion on whatever i am looking for. Most information you need can be found on the web, over the years the world wide web has expanded and search engines are the go to for any type of query. There is also a new feature called Google Alerts which alerts you when new information is posted. For example if i wanted  information on a celebrity i would sign up to have 'google alerts' alert me every time new information is posted about them. There are lots more product google has to offer. Google has helped me when i was preparing to go to performing arts college, it gave me a whole list of perspective colleges. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Google_products 

2. YouTube is a great way of sharing talents, views etc. It is great for posting show reels, monologues and dance videos. Videos on youtube spread so quickly with th help of social media. Posting the link to Facebook or Twitter spread the video worldwide and ion days it can have up thousands of views. It is great for sharing talent, there have been a lot of people who have gained careers from posting the talents up on youtube. West End shows and previews can also be found here, backing tracks and instrumentals for audition use are also posted here.    For me Youtube is a great way of networking as you can put information about yourself as well as videos and agents and casting directors can communicate with you via this.

http://www.youtube.com/user/LMELaura - here is the link to a dancer who really inspires me

3. Social Media and the use of facebook, casting call pro and other sites to keep up to date with auditions and whats is going on in the performing industry . Twitter is one of the biggest social networking sites with most casting directors on twitter now it is very easy to follow and hear about auditions. It allows you to keep in touch with peers and spread information. 

4. Friends are a great source of information as they are always around to help. In my last blog post i spoke about affiliation and feeling that network of support when we are in need. Friends will always no other who will no others. This is a great way of networking and meeting new people who can be of help in the industry, Friends are the most trustworthy people and would know what is best to help you.

5. Agents are another source of information. they have contacts all over and can put you up for roles best suited for you. I have classes with my agent every thursday, sometimes she has casting directors come into classes and so on. Agents know you ability and are the best people to network through.

Task 3b: Critical Reflection on Reader 3

'A work related community held together by either close working affiliation or more distant but common work interests or needs'


This is one if the definitions of a Professional Network from my reader, from further research here are some more definitions i have found.


“Professional networking” is networking conducted with a specific plan, or goal, in mind.  That plan, or goal, is specific to the individual doing the networking but will vary, depending on the nature of the networking event that is taking place."


http://www.networking-in-business.com/business-networking/professional-networking/


Here is a link to peoples personal views on what Professional Networking is:


http://www.linkedin.com/answers/professional-development/professional-networking/PRO_PNT/970489-10197795


Robert Axelrod (1984) When should a  person cooperate, and when should a person be selfish, in an ongoing interaction with another person? Should a friend keep providing favours to another friend who never reciprocates? 
Axelrod researched the 'Game Theory' 'succeeding at another's expense', 'cooperating till maximum benefit then to defect'. Cooperation is related to this, working with someone in the same business as you who could help you get to the next step. Most people would say they have worked with people who are only out for themselves, they will be nice as pie till they get what they want but if it was to be the other way round they may not help you. I definitely have encountered this many times especially in the business i am in. I feel cooperation is a key thing when networking as the saying goes 'If you scratch my back i'll scratch yours'


Affiliation ' A network of support that will help us when we are in need' (Crisp and Turner 2007)
Crisp and Turner's idea that we all engage in affiliation is very true. As a teenager i know i am very happy when i am with my friends who share the same interests as me, and these are the people who i would fall back on if i ever needed anything. Communicating with these people and others is the best way to achieve something when in need. 'According to evolutionary psychologists, our tendency to seek out others and form close relationships is an inherited trait that helps us survive and reproduce'. people and certainly young adults my age like to know they belong to something so this statement is something a lot of people can relate to. 


Affiliation can be defined as a positive, sometimes intimate, personal relationship 


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Need_for_affiliation


Affiliation is a very important part of networking and something we will use throughout our lives.

These are the two theories i understand best and use most when networking.

Is My Professional Career Finally Taking Flight?

So i got an email from my agent this week, and i had some great news. I will be performing in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics 2012. This was amazing news and i was so happy to hear it. I graduated in the summer of 2011, although i knew a job wouldn't come straight away i was getting a bit frustrated with going to audition after audition and hearing nothing back. Rehearsals start in June and i am so excited to learn and be part of this event. Hopefully this is the start of a long and fruitful career.

Task 3a

A few professional networks that i use are: Spotlight, Casting Call Pro and Star Now
http://www.spotlight.com/1899-1206-4283


http://www.castingcallpro.com/uk/view.php


From doing some more research i found a few more sights that can be used as tools for professional networking:

www.linkedin.co.uk

www.viadeo.com

www.mandy.com

www.xing.com

the web is a huge tool in which i and many others use to network, as well as some of these sites, social networking sites are also a huge help in networking. Facebook, Twitter, Youtube etc. These are great ways to interact with others in your chosen field if work to share ideas and expand relationships. One of the things i have noticed with others i know using some of these social networks is they tend to have more than one profile one for all there friends displaying the crazy things they do on weekends and one for professionals with all there c.v. work and head shots as it is very important to make the right impression as first impressions always count. I only have one Facebook account and have set some privacy settings as i would like to keep it for socialising purposes. If any casting agent or any professional would like to see what i am like out of the industry they wouldn't be able to although there is nothing really bad on my Facebook i just feel if they want to see what i am like they should stick to my professional profiles. I also have a twitter account where i follow many artists from all creative backgrounds. A lot of agencies and others have pages and they sometimes tweet about upcoming auditions and opportunities. Being able to directly message some of these people is also a big help. 


Networking in any industry is key, most of the time its not about what you know its about who you know. Networking gives others a chance to get notices and have as equal a chance to make something of themselves. Taking advantage of the use of web 2.0 and all the tools it has to offer is very important. Adding cast members and directors and producers on social networking sites can make you feel a little embarrassed as sometimes you feel like they won't accept you, but thats what it is all about, knocking on every door till someone opens. 


From some of the research i have done on professional Networks, i have come across the networking site www.linkedin.com. I think that the layout is very clean and easy to read, It''s no to much to read and gives you all the information you would need. This is what my ideal network would look like. 


http://ng.linkedin.com/pub/eku-edewor-thorley/28/b67/811

Making professional profiles besides casting call pro and spotlight would be a big start towards me networking further, also making a website with some type of showreel would be a good thing. 


Since learning about web 2.0 i am going to make use of it as much as possible as web is a big way of communications in this day and age. 

What I Think Networking Is?

Before i start with the tasks, i though would write my definition of what i think Networking is and involve's and see how my view has changed at the end of all the tasks.

I guess here we are talking about social networking, this is the relationships between those in a certain industry and them sharing there links and ideas.


http://www.whatissocialnetworking.com/

Task 2c: Reflective Theory

This is my reflective theory essay, feel free to comment as to what it is missing as i would like to keep editing and adding information.

Afi :)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rzq_YS_mfozXHy7pQmGJM3s1wHy3EiXG4oNgj6JrSoc/edit