Module 2: One.
As explained in my previous post I will be blogging about questions that have often come up in discussions with people in my professional community (colleagues, friends, teachers, employers..ect..).
The main topic that has come up during this process was actually far more clear than I ever imagined it would be. Every one of the conversations I had touched on and around longevity of skills learned whilst training, keeping up to date with technique, keeping the fresh image and not letting the "survival work" take away the love for performing. No only was this clear for me to see amongst all the interviews, it was also something I jotted down in my original notes about how I would answer questions if they were given to me. As the module guide said "this is only step one" so I'm going to approach the next task with the intention to find the literacy on keeping on top of everything necessary to be a top class performer as well as juggling a "normal" job and see if that unearths grounds for my inquiry.
Summarised into questions below are the points of wonder from my collection of data which resonated with everyone that took part:
- How to keep all areas of performing active when predominately using a handful?
Having worked in all parts of performing perviously, I understand the worry of this question greatly and I'm sure all other all rounders can too. For example completing 2 dance contracts back to back may leave your acting technique lacking as it hasn't been used for a few months. Therefore when you go back into an acting casting, are you at a disadvantage to the others who have worked solidly in acting? Are you then stuck in a string of dance contracts? To ensure this doesn't happen what needs to be done to ensure all areas are kept at the top level you're capable of?
- How to maintain actively "busy" when not being "performing busy"?
When I write the term "actively busy" it's not intended to mean in everyday life, as of course we ALL have busy lives and "muggle jobs" and things we need to do, I mean it as keeping in touch with the happenings of the ever changing industry. It is so fast paced and changes at the drop of a hat and so maintaining involved when not working can be difficult.
- Re-taining & Developing Skills.
This one is actually quite self explanatory and overlaps in my opinion to the other points I have made already (as many of them do, which is kind of the point to be fair). Although not forgetting what you have learned and developed in training can be hard. What is the best way to ensure this doesn't happen? Classes? Research? Watching theatre?
- What can be done to remain west end or T.V standard level when going through a long period with no performing work?
This next point again is to do with upkeep of skills and maintenance of yourself. It can be so hard to stay at that level! By that I am not only talking about performing skills. There is so much more than that such as fitness, physique, mentality, focus, image, wardrobe, self care all of which take time and money and when out of performing work and trying to keep up with 3 jobs to pay London rent and living costs.
There are in fact still a few notes in my notepad which I had every intention of adding to this blog, but as I have been writing these points (in particularly the last one) it dawned on my a focus which I think is far more important. The nutrition necessary for a career in performing arts. This covers all the points I've mentioned plus so many more and having friends who have suffered with ill-health both physically and mentally I'm passionate about discovering and understating more about the issues and how to overcome them. Not only to develop my career further, but to gain an understanding I can share with colleagues and friends to ensure they have the best tools available for the profession.
H x
