Reflecting on My experience- Casting Day

Rereading my experience on my Casting day throughly I came across many aspects of the day I missed out. As I said I had many friends at the casting and also met new people I was networking well.
Having said this, I befriended them on Facebook and began chatting about Dance life and the industry. One of the friends- Victoria Jenkins introduced me into another aspect of teaching. She suggested that I start to take Hen Party classes. When I first heard this I did slightly turn my nose up, with my first judgement being it would just be just a rowdy bunch on woman wanting to dance away. Then she went on to explain that it was good as the woman are there to have fun, learn and have a memorable day and also the money was good.

Later that day I emailed an agency called Magic Steps and sent them my CV and Photo, I got contacted back and was told that if anything came up in Manchester then I would be suitable.
Presumably I thought that it was just one of those things that would be every now and again, nothing to sit and wait for.
To my astonishment, an email came through the next day asking me to do a 14 people hen party in Manchester with the theme of Glee for £45.

On Saturday I went to teach the class and loved it. I have now been lined up to do two more this weekend in Liverpool for more money.

Therefore being unsuccessful with the Fashion Shows as of my height, but by attending and meeting new people I have come across more work. The fashion shows were the work I wanted and they are all year round so my agent may still call me but for the current period I need work which I found in another way.

Attending my Casting made me learn that even if I may not get the job there is always other opportunities out there. You never know who may see you or pick you up for something else. My theory is now to attend everything everywhere and just get my face seen. However, the cost will be massive but if I am working with my teaching I can still fund the journeys.

It does make me question what I could get out of the other friends and what lies ahead...

One step back can be another forward....

Journal Writing Experience-Casting Day

On Wednesday 23rd March a casting for various fashion shows and music videos took place in the heart of Manchester. It was an audition with JK Productions, one of my agents for Northern based dancers. It was held at "The Zion Centre" Manchester at 10.00am. As it was a commercial audition however, learning three different routines- Commercial, Hip-Hop and Lyrical I wore Cropped Harem Pants and a Green printed top all 'glammed' up.

In the morning, I had breakfast at 7.30 got ready, fresh and ready to go, as I was driving it did come to my mind that if I was already on her books then surely she should know whether she would like me for her clients or not. This did irritate me slightly as it just seemed pointless and felt like an audition again for something I already had. Anyway, I picked up my friend- Natalie and  we went together, during the car ride we both discussed the same matter as Natalie was on her books also and felt the same feeling as me. This triggered to me that I should maybe discuss it with Julie- owner of JK productions. Other than that I was ready and raring to do an audition and kill it.

When I arrived I was asked to go and hand in my CV, Picture and fill in a form- This is also something I felt very pointless as JK Productions already had my CV, Picture and all my contact details. Scouting the room seeing many different dancers I knew settled me knowing I wasn't the only one doing the casting that was already on the books. I stood and observe for a minute to see what people were wearing and whether any of them would be good. Most dancers do this so its very normal to try and scoop people out. 

Julie then gave a short pep talk of what was going to happen, Learn three different styles and then perform them in groups of five and get cut. Standing in the centre at the front they begun teaching us a short routine to Kesha- Animal, by this time it was about 11.30am and I felt my mind was still on the ball and concentrating well. By noon, we were having a short break until the next Hip-Hop routine was thrown at us.

I was stood at the back drinking some water when the routine began, I felt a rush of panic come over me as the choreographer was out of sight covered by 100 dancers. Luckily I managed to get to the second line where I could see slightly and picked the choreography quicker than ever. As Hip-Hop is not to numbers or counts it alot harder to take in and I felt I really had to keep my mind on the dance than elsewhere and observing whats around me. 

By 1.30pm my mind was defiantly thinking about food, having my breakfast so early and then dancing without lunch I was going off track. I realised I was looking about, trying to find my friends and not concentrating as much. As it was warm on that day the room was getting more and more humid and sweaty and you could see everyone getting tired and agitated.

We then had a short 15 minute break to drink, eat and go to the bathroom. It was then on to the Lyrical piece. As soon as they mentioned lyrical I got slightly frightened, I have no reason to be as I was trained in Ballet, it should be fine but as I have been slacking on the technically side of dance it made me conscious. It was a short piece to Kelly Clarkson- Because of you, not that tatting on the brain. Finding myself stood at the back for this was abit strange, usually I am always at the front and in the centre, however I knew I was losing concentration and getting tired so I found myself taking a step back.

By 2.30pm they had starting doing the groups of five and cutting people- I was up soon and my body was numb and very lethargic. Knowing that I am a dancer I should of been fine-but it was the lack of food in me that was making me feel very tired and achy.

I performed the three combinations one after the other and did the best I could, knowing that I was going to get kept my number got called and I was asked to stay. It did make me not try as hard which I know is very unprofessional. The reason I knew I was going to get kept was I knew Julie already, having done various jobs for her in the past. This is when again it came to my attention that doing all this work was very pointless. 

Most of the days events went well, when performing the routines in front of the panel I didn't loose concentration or forget anything but did had to watch out for the girl next to me as I didn't want to bump into her. Other than me being slightly irritated about coming to the casting in the first place like many others, the day felt like three different classes and gave me an amazing work out. 

Wishfully thinking-Julie could have taken all the dancers she knew and asked them to do a less than the dancers she didn't know. Or she could have just given us the job there and then- BUT that doesn't happen in this industry all the time. That what would of made my day defiantly.

The final event was all the girls that were kept had to line up in height order. As most of the jobs were fashion shows they needed taller girls. It came to my attention that they had got all the 5ft 6 girls to stand to one side and the smaller girls other. Getting more frustrated that I was in the smaller side it was said that we had to take our headshots and we could go and the others had to walk. I was furious as I wanted to walk, this had just put everything into perspective or what i was annoyed about in the first place. If they wanted taller girls they should of put this on the brief. Holding my fury in I watched with my friend and then left. We both just kept saying that we could have done that and how does she know that we weren't better than them. Thinking about what I had just said I knew it sounded awful but it was just plain unfair, especially when she knew us already.

Literally I was analysing, reflecting and being critical all day. It just comes naturally and thats how I adjust my dance technique and my attitude towards the events taking place.

Looking at the day from another point of view, I predict it would of been quite intimidating and scary. The choreographers routines were advanced and having to perform them aswell were demanding after a quick rehearsal. Usually in most auditions you learn one routine and perform, but as this was three and all completely different it was crucial to nail all three. As I was observing, it looked as if most of the dancers were fresh out of college  so not experienced enough to know what commercial agents of clients want. 

Most of the dancers that I knew agree with what I felt, however coming from an agents point they might of just wanted to see us again. Dancers are always changing looks and physique so being an agent or client it defiantly helps to always see your dancers in person before choosing whether they want you.

Knowing that throughout the day I was very hungry and thirsty- I value my food and drink the most. Having no energy and dancing for 5 hours with a 15 minute break, effects your motivation and stamina. Every dancer knows this, thats why I always think it so important to be healthy and maintain a good diet. In the end I was happy I went to the casting as I said it felt like a work out and they are always good for dancers. It is always a learning step for me- dancers are always learning and observing other dancers. Therefore,I know every time I go to a casting or audition I am constantly getting better and better and more confident. Alot of commercial work is based on confidence and that comes from experience, knowing I having only been in this industry for a few months I am still growing and becoming better. The day just fitted into my week perfect, it being in Manchester instead of London was even better.

The questions raised was- Who got the jobs in the end? Am I getting a call soon? What will the jobs be like? Will I see any of these dancers again? Should next time I just be more positive? If I had eaten more and taken food-would I have been more energetic and maybe got to walk??

All these questions are always stuck in my head-But you just never know what my happen.

Los Angeles*- My Future Home & India*- My Heritage

Inspiration comes from watching others and enhancing your own ideas. One of my very many hobbies is to travel and I thought why not use this as an inspiration. The two countries that inspire me the most with the culture and exciting adventure are Los Angeles, California and India.
Firstly Los Angeles, California is where I want to be based. I would like to eventually move there in a few years. Especially the whole hustle and bustle with the numerous beaches, sun and the beautiful scenery. USA is a place I have always wanted to be and to move there with dance would be my dream.
Secondly- India is the country my grandparents were born and raised. As I have a western life and my parents are western, going back to my routes is very interesting and educating for me. The Indian life is very different to mine and the cities are very busy having the whole hustle and bustle there too.
Therefore, I found some photos of the Sunset Strip and Bombay/Mumbai and thought there were very appropriate to the creative side of dance. They contain different people, colours, lights all sorts. Take a look and see if it gives you any inspiration about looking at your favourite place.

Reflective Graph

Collecting all my information together whilst my class was taking place, I created this Diagram for my reflection. This day was at the beginning of my new professional practice- Teaching.

The process consisted of writing all my thoughts down as the class was taking place and then expanding this into a graph whilst questioning how I could change my ways in teaching. I drew up more diagrams throughout the day as my sessions didn't end until 4pm that day. 

Noticing that a lot of my thoughts were similar, they all seemed to consist of the Time, Dance choreography, Children and Next Classes. By creating this diagram, it has helped my reflective thoughts effectively. I now notice when my mind is going else where and what I should be thinking about. This was really good for me to write all my thoughts down as I said it is not normal for me to do that. When doubting my teaching skills it has also enhanced that and I have gained more self confidence. 

However, currently I am doing a Video Diary and I have started a collage to create a new dance piece for my children which is well under way.

This is just one of my very first diagrams-

Something I found- Going through movements...

Just browsing through the net and found this..

You could look at it being art, movement in dance, brain storming for a choreography piece, a way of thinking...What you think? Can you see it also?

Sunny Spring Reflections...And Starting New

So far whilst teaching and dancing I am progressing on my reflections, and I believe I am learning positively. Regularly going back to Kolb's cycle trying to use this and start at different stages. This is defiant trial and error progress.

Most of the other students are using video diaries and images such as collages. this is my next step to try and work on a collage using magazines, fashion and newspapers. As I work as a professional dancer in London also, I am constantly observing the commercial industry such as classes and other teachers. It  is very colourful and loud business. Dancers can be all shapes, looks and personalities. This all reflects on their own personal style and clothing.
Using my observations and notes this will on enhance my professional practice as I am looking more in depth with the whole idea of learning. This collage that Sophie has started seems like a creative and effective way of advancing ideas and choreography.
The Fashion industry using Images and "Mashed up like photos" to put together model portfolios and magazine articles. Interpreting this could be really fun and exciting, endless ideas come to mind with this idea-such as papers, colours, shades boxes, black and whites, cutting images into shapes etc.
I am curious to see where this takes me? Will this help my self confidence in dance and teaching? and Will other people understand it?

Reflecting on Howard Gardner's VAK theory, this is what I have basically been going through. Everything I do is my comfort zone so altering my norm and using different ways is hard but could always be efficient. Whilst teaching one night the students were not getting certain movements and I couldn't improve them. I became self conscience about my professional practice that- Maybe I am not showing them right? How can they not see what I am doing and copy? Am I wrong? Is the move to hard?
Being a Dancer I admit I do forget that others don't always learn like this. Many of the students are not dancers so they ask questions and listen to my metaphors when explaining the moves. eg. Simple arm movements-lifting your arms and bending your knees the same time- I said- try thinking your pulling a rope but its stuck your shoes. The students are listening to what I'm saying and not visually learning. This is getting better with more experience but if anyone is new to teaching try this.. It helps...And then let me know how you get on!

All this is underway- Let me know what you think... Im just trying loads of things to get the best results....

Reflecting on My Reflective Journal....

Questioning my practice is defiantly what I have been thinking about recently. I am reading through all the theories and the attention of Tufnell, Tharp and Moon's words explaining that not all reflective processes have to use text for critical reflection. They say that many professional people have been using poems, drawings and stretches.

During my reflection I have read Sophie's blog on photographic reflection. I realised that I have used this already, this is a theory I have used for many years and the norm for me it completely didn't cross my mind. Flow charts and graphs used in Maths is what has summed up my own professional practice, starting with where I start, What I could change and the outcome. Like I said I have never had to record my own practice before so it was difficult to start of with but as I am processing more of my thoughts and actions its becoming easier for me to critic.

This is my quality of learning and I am developing a questioning attitude from reading through all the theories. Kottcamp's feeling on Dancers being Kinetic learners has made me think- Is this how I learn? I am a dancer and we are all doing and visual learners.
Reflecting on my journal, I have noted explaining what my body is doing whilst teaching is a challenge for me. Being a visual learner from day one as a dancer and now my practice being teaching more, writing my thoughts and feelings about explaining to non-dancers is I defiant learning process for me.

Alot of the time I say "I don't know how to explain, its just like this"-
Critical thought- Looking back on this for me is very unprofessional. A dance teacher should always be able to explain how a movement should be obtained.

Therefore, I have been asking myself- How can I develop my knowledge on speaking the movements? Where could this take me with my future? How good could this make my professional practice?
Let me know what you think....