I've actually started!... Module One

Helloooo, It's that time again to update my weekly Blog. 

So this week I have made reasonable progress in terms of actually starting some of the Module one 'Tasks' and official work. I have created my Essay Cover page (which really isn’t much of an achievement but having it written in a saved document feels really reassuring), Re-written my CV as a Programme Bio, and begun to list everything in or related to ‘My practise’ to try and understand the ‘Diagram’/ Mapping element a bit more.

I really don’t need to go into detail about the ‘Essay cover page’, so I shall start with my findings/evaluation of the task to re-write the Cv into a Bio for a Programme:

Programme Bio:

Lorien made her professional debut as an actor in the ‘Uk Touring Consortiums’ production of ‘To Sir With Love’ in 2013. Following this she trained in Musical Theatre at the Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama from 2015-2018 and The Actors Workshop Nottingham for Film and TV (2018).

Lorien is a ‘Triple Threat’ Performer who specialises in Acting. She is also an accomplished Saxophonist. Upon graduating Lorien has engaged in multiple roles and has just finished filming for a BBC short film- ‘Searching For Cowardice’ (2019), due to be released in the New year. Some other credits include; voice over work for Feature Film ‘How to Build a Girl’ (2019); ‘Ensemble’ in Birminghams’ first ‘Warner Brothers’ production of ‘The Polar Express’ (2018), which she will be returning to for this upcoming Christmas Period; and ‘Choir member’ for ‘Kerry Ellis’ 20^th Anniversary Tour’ (2018).

Blog Profile Bio:

My name is Lorien Tear. I trained in Musical Theatre at Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama, and attained a Level 6 Diploma in 2018. I am also a grade 8 Saxophonist. I am currently undertaking the BA Professional Practice at Middlesex University, a level 2 qualification in Gym Instructing and a Zumba instructors qualification. Along side performing I have my own business producing and selling artwork which currently runs through Facebook and social media, but I am soon to launch my business website.

So this was a really beneficial task (I felt) in terms of trying to view your practice as a ‘thing’/ ‘Object’ away from ‘you’. I think the necessity for formality in the writing really takes any personal attachments out of it, therefore forcing you to view it as a ‘record’ or list of employment, rather than a set of achievements or projects that I would rank differently according to how emotionally attached to (proud of) the role you are. For example if someone asked me what I am most proud of? I would probably say the ‘BBC Short Film, However in this listing It felt more appropriate to start with the factual professional Debut, rather than start with my ‘favourite achievement!’.

I wrote my Blog Bio when I first opened an account not realising it would be a task so in hindsight if I were to re-write it now relating more to my CV it would probably be a little different. However I do not wish to re-write it as I actually feel that the Blog Bio is a more accurate representation of ‘My Practice’ right now. This is because I’m starting to view my practice/ My job as being ‘Proactive’ rather than being a ‘dancer’ ‘actor’ singer’ ‘musician’ ‘performer’. What can I work on to improve either my quality of work or the position I’m currently in? And that’s why I have found it so hard to separate my practice from me, because sometimes what you immediately ‘Need’ to improve may not seem like a direct link….

I’ve been graduated just over a year now and during that year I’ve found my feet and had relative success at being employed. (after finally doing my taxes last night) I’m actually really pleased to say that the money I’ve earnt matches or exceeds the money I have directly put in to ‘My Practice’. I mean of course I WANT it to exceed but for a first year, to match, I’m not disappointed! Anyway the point I’m trying to make is employment is by no means constant! And to ‘Put yourself out there’ is by no means ‘Cheap’!

So: 

What do I NEED to keep on ‘Putting myself out there’?

Right now, I NEED more income and flexibility; to fund auditions; to fund classes; to fund clothing expenses; to fund updating.

Can I do this with something relevant to me?

Well I go to the Gym pretty much daily again because its proactive, but also because mentally it puts me in a good place…

So what about instructing a gym class?…

Gym instructing: Freelance, 0 hours, You get a workout whilst instructing and access to the gym area, the course itself will educate me in how my body works and how to train effectively meaning I can make my sessions more effective, and I will regularly practice standing in-front of an audience and interacting with people.… 2 birds, one stone, I can be paid to improve myself, and that is why I chose to be a Gym instructor too.

Can I make it any more specific?

Zumba?- The cheapest course to train on, I practice some dance/movement, I practice choreography, I practice performing, I will grow in confidence.

 So for me I spend a lot of time trying to connect everything I engage in with ‘My Practice’. I know Zumba isn’t necessarily the most technique driven style of ‘dance’ but as someone who definitely can dance, but really struggles with confidence in that I think this could be an excellent way to break down that barrier in a relatively safe, non-judgmental (away from the ‘profession’) way and I absolutely see these steps it as part of my practice so therefore my practice IS Me and grows WITH ME.

But if I had to separate my practice into a formal list then then yes a CV and Programme Bio can achieve this…But I really believe my practice is way more than a short written list on a piece of paper, which unfortunately is how the majority will view it......I'm not going to go into it right now but I think there is a strong link here to the web and web 2.0 as so much of that is about being 'viewed'. One thing that I know often plays on my mind is wanting people to see that there is more to this than the 'yes' to a role, and even though it might not be obvious that there is always 'background work' going on, even when you don't post about it every day. But also why do I care, isn't that a direct effect of Web 2.0 and actually I choose not to post regular updates so again, why do I care!?