Further to my comments on the power of the internet, and the ways in which we can use the internet to an advantage, I remembered this Google Crome advert which used Julie Deane (the creator of the cambridge satchel company) to highlight how effective web 2.0 can be as a marketing tool. This cross media convergence perfectly shows how an idea can progress through all forms of web 2.0.
Monday 29 February 2016
Task 1b: Open innovation...
When doing some further reading into the discourses listed in reader 1, I stumbled across some interviews and speeches of Tim O'Reilly's that I found particularly interesting. The reader briefly mentions 'Harnessing collective intelligence' and in the fore mentioned clips he divulges further into this, describing collective intelligence as a 'global brain' (Tim O'Reilly Keynote for 2011 NDIIPP/NDSA Partners Meeting).
In our last group chat we briefly touched on the subject of collective intelligence and the O'Reilly interviews added to this by suggesting that one persons thoughts can only go so far. He states that the idea of a 'global brain is based on a man/machine symbiosis' and even though he is discussing the world wide web, this does apply to our every day lives and even our learning. If we want to know something, we may ask whoever we are with, but if they don't know the answer, we ask google. If I want a recipe, I use google, which enlists thousands of other peoples to chose from. If i don't feel very well , I google my symptoms and thousands of other peoples opinions and similar circumstances appear in front of me (do not do this, no matter how trivial your symptoms are, google always says you are dying). People now work hand in hand with machine to develop web 2.0 based on machine data and human data. It sounds like a lot to get your head around, but when I buy something on ASOS and the website gives me suggestions on what else I might like, the similar alternatives are based on computer data of my most searched for items and what other people who looked at this item also looked at. (collective intelligence for dummies right there.)
The idea of a global brain is essentially, to a smaller scale, what we are doing on this course, as we work collectively to improve, reading and commenting on each others blogs, giving our opinions and potentially stimulating the writer to think outside their box or take a different route in their learning while learning ourselves.
In our last group chat we briefly touched on the subject of collective intelligence and the O'Reilly interviews added to this by suggesting that one persons thoughts can only go so far. He states that the idea of a 'global brain is based on a man/machine symbiosis' and even though he is discussing the world wide web, this does apply to our every day lives and even our learning. If we want to know something, we may ask whoever we are with, but if they don't know the answer, we ask google. If I want a recipe, I use google, which enlists thousands of other peoples to chose from. If i don't feel very well , I google my symptoms and thousands of other peoples opinions and similar circumstances appear in front of me (do not do this, no matter how trivial your symptoms are, google always says you are dying). People now work hand in hand with machine to develop web 2.0 based on machine data and human data. It sounds like a lot to get your head around, but when I buy something on ASOS and the website gives me suggestions on what else I might like, the similar alternatives are based on computer data of my most searched for items and what other people who looked at this item also looked at. (collective intelligence for dummies right there.)
The idea of a global brain is essentially, to a smaller scale, what we are doing on this course, as we work collectively to improve, reading and commenting on each others blogs, giving our opinions and potentially stimulating the writer to think outside their box or take a different route in their learning while learning ourselves.
Wednesday 24 February 2016
Task 1D: 2d images
As I already have a personal Instagram account which I use frequently I thought I would give Flickr A go for BAPP purposes, to upload any images or work that I find interesting and poignant while researching.
With sites such as Flickr and Instagram being more popular than ever, digital storytelling is a fantastic way to not only keep friends and family up to date with what you are up to but also allow contacts and/or the general public to take a look at your day to day life and get to see what you are like as a person, all based on what you chose to reveal. I blogged yesterday about the power of Facebook and for me, the use of images is just as influential. However I think the power of imagery can sometimes be even greater and sharing photos on the fore mentioned sites to me is a lot less risky than other forms of social media. Like Facebook, these image based sites all have privacy settings but in contrast I have found I have much more control on Instagram. I am solely in charge of what I upload on Instagram and even though people can leave comments, audience participation on these type of sites seems to be much more formal that on Facebook and a standard response to anything posted on Instagram is a 'like' rather than a comment. Similarly, Facebook allows people to tag you in images that you might not want on your wall, where as anything you are tagged in on Instagram goes into a separate album and is not visible on your picture wall, meaning when you search for me you are instantly greeted with images that I have chosen to represent me and not a photo that someone has picked for me.
So, my Flickr address... https://www.flickr.com/photos/laurenlaine25/
As always, feedback welcome!
LLx
With sites such as Flickr and Instagram being more popular than ever, digital storytelling is a fantastic way to not only keep friends and family up to date with what you are up to but also allow contacts and/or the general public to take a look at your day to day life and get to see what you are like as a person, all based on what you chose to reveal. I blogged yesterday about the power of Facebook and for me, the use of images is just as influential. However I think the power of imagery can sometimes be even greater and sharing photos on the fore mentioned sites to me is a lot less risky than other forms of social media. Like Facebook, these image based sites all have privacy settings but in contrast I have found I have much more control on Instagram. I am solely in charge of what I upload on Instagram and even though people can leave comments, audience participation on these type of sites seems to be much more formal that on Facebook and a standard response to anything posted on Instagram is a 'like' rather than a comment. Similarly, Facebook allows people to tag you in images that you might not want on your wall, where as anything you are tagged in on Instagram goes into a separate album and is not visible on your picture wall, meaning when you search for me you are instantly greeted with images that I have chosen to represent me and not a photo that someone has picked for me.
So, my Flickr address... https://www.flickr.com/photos/laurenlaine25/
As always, feedback welcome!
LLx
Tuesday 23 February 2016
Task 1b: The power of Facebook: Friend or foe?
With 37.4 million adults in the UK alone using Facebook, it is no wonder that the popular social networking site is used for much more now than its original purpose, a place for university students to gather on the web. In a group discussion on Monday I talked with other BAPP students briefly on the power Facebook has in our industry and the pro's and con's of being a member.
I have always viewed Facebook as an online diary. I think its wonderful to be able to document life and know that pictures, thoughts and important moments are logged forever. Gone are the days when you had to get all your photos printed and store them in numerous photo albums. Its all on your computer, laptop or phone, literally a few taps of a screen away and you can visit any year and recall and memory. When I was younger, as I have touched on in a previous post, I was an open book on Facebook. My profile was available for the world to see, I didn't care what pictures were posted of myself, and my statuses were whatever was going through my head at that time. There were no boundaries, no line between what was appropriate and what might not stand me in the best stead for the future, because who thinks (or cares) about that when they are 16?
As well as being able to document my life, Facebook opens up a multitude of possibilities when it comes to work. 'The Hustle', a popular page on Facebook for performers, is constantly being updated with different jobs as well as singing or dance classes and photographers advertising headshot packages. Its the go to page for any performer who wants to be in the know and is a very quick and hassle free way to gain contacts, information and work. I got my current teaching job through an advertisement on 'The Hustle' and I went for an interview today with another company which I heard about via the page as well.
Facebook also allows me to network and keep in touch with other professionals in the business. Graduates and teachers, as well as performers that I have had the pleasure of working with in a guest class or whilst training (Remember the proverb, its not what you know, but who you know), but before my friends list began to grow with potential employers, I had never considered the affect social media might have over my working life. In my interview today, it was openly admitted to me that the interviewer, my potential boss, had already 'stalked' my Facebook to see what I was like before she met me. Is this a fair perspective of someone and does my Facebook page show a true reflection of me? In my head I immediately ran through pictures I have recently posted (my profile is set to private so you can't see what i've written until a friend request is accepted) and began to panic about how far back through my Facebook history she had bothered to go. As a graduate taking my first steps into the performing arts world I am always aware that what I post can be seen and read by many and I aim now to keep everything as professional as possible while still allowing the page to be an honest journal of what i'm up to. Many of my friends have been through their Facebook profiles and deleted any old posts or pictures that they deemed inappropriate and I can completely understand why, however I made a concious decision quite a while ago now, to take the risk and leave my 18 year old self up on my page for my friends to see, if they can be bothered to scroll back that far! Why? Because I honestly believe there is more to life than monitoring your life. There is no way you'd catch me on the wild nights out now that I used to have, but I don't want to forget that that was a part of my life either and I dare say one day in the very, very far away future my grandchildren will take great pleasure in looking back at their crazy granny who definitely knew how to party when she was 18! Is this a true reflection of who I am now? No.
That being said, I know this is a minority opinion, and as always would love some feedback as I know many probably think mine is a very bold (yet stupid) view!
LL x
I have always viewed Facebook as an online diary. I think its wonderful to be able to document life and know that pictures, thoughts and important moments are logged forever. Gone are the days when you had to get all your photos printed and store them in numerous photo albums. Its all on your computer, laptop or phone, literally a few taps of a screen away and you can visit any year and recall and memory. When I was younger, as I have touched on in a previous post, I was an open book on Facebook. My profile was available for the world to see, I didn't care what pictures were posted of myself, and my statuses were whatever was going through my head at that time. There were no boundaries, no line between what was appropriate and what might not stand me in the best stead for the future, because who thinks (or cares) about that when they are 16?
As well as being able to document my life, Facebook opens up a multitude of possibilities when it comes to work. 'The Hustle', a popular page on Facebook for performers, is constantly being updated with different jobs as well as singing or dance classes and photographers advertising headshot packages. Its the go to page for any performer who wants to be in the know and is a very quick and hassle free way to gain contacts, information and work. I got my current teaching job through an advertisement on 'The Hustle' and I went for an interview today with another company which I heard about via the page as well.
Facebook also allows me to network and keep in touch with other professionals in the business. Graduates and teachers, as well as performers that I have had the pleasure of working with in a guest class or whilst training (Remember the proverb, its not what you know, but who you know), but before my friends list began to grow with potential employers, I had never considered the affect social media might have over my working life. In my interview today, it was openly admitted to me that the interviewer, my potential boss, had already 'stalked' my Facebook to see what I was like before she met me. Is this a fair perspective of someone and does my Facebook page show a true reflection of me? In my head I immediately ran through pictures I have recently posted (my profile is set to private so you can't see what i've written until a friend request is accepted) and began to panic about how far back through my Facebook history she had bothered to go. As a graduate taking my first steps into the performing arts world I am always aware that what I post can be seen and read by many and I aim now to keep everything as professional as possible while still allowing the page to be an honest journal of what i'm up to. Many of my friends have been through their Facebook profiles and deleted any old posts or pictures that they deemed inappropriate and I can completely understand why, however I made a concious decision quite a while ago now, to take the risk and leave my 18 year old self up on my page for my friends to see, if they can be bothered to scroll back that far! Why? Because I honestly believe there is more to life than monitoring your life. There is no way you'd catch me on the wild nights out now that I used to have, but I don't want to forget that that was a part of my life either and I dare say one day in the very, very far away future my grandchildren will take great pleasure in looking back at their crazy granny who definitely knew how to party when she was 18! Is this a true reflection of who I am now? No.
That being said, I know this is a minority opinion, and as always would love some feedback as I know many probably think mine is a very bold (yet stupid) view!
LL x
Wednesday 17 February 2016
Task 1a: Professional Profile
A CV is an absolutely vital element to anyone looking for work, whatever profession. In the performing industry however it plays an even more crutial role. If my agent wants to put me up for a private auditon my CV is looked at firstly to judge whether or not I am a suitable candidate and therefore worthy of a private slot. If not, my CV is on a table with the other hundred girls at the open audition, trying to get someone to notice it amongst the vast array of different formats and styles. So what works?
Firstly, a good headshot. Every potential employer asks for a headshot and if the panel get to look at this before they even meet you, then its not only an honest photo of what you look like, but also a first impression. Know the job you are going for and pick a headshot to fit. Auditioning for a serious acting role? chose a serious shot. Auditioning for an all singing all dancing musical? Have a smiley choice handy. When I had my first headshots taken I was advised to choose images that would fit different catagories; happy/smiley with teeth, smile with no teeth, and a straight face.
These are the three, after much deliberation, that I decided on. Although most if not all the jobs i've gone for since graduating have required a smile! (check out the sneaky top reversal...I took unsatisfactory neck line options with me...oops.)
Once they have decided whether or not your face fits, (say what you will, what you look like is 90% of getting the gig!) then you CV is observed and the questions begin! Are they represented by an agency? How tall are they? What previous experience do they have? What is their vocal range? Where did they train? The list goes on, and who knows what the right answer is and what they are looking for, all you can do is make your CV as informative and clear as it can be.
So I thought I would use my CV prior to signing with an agency and compare it to my current one as I have minimal say in the layout or content really!
So as you can see, the first CV is one I designed myself and the one following is my agency format. VERY DIFFERENT. The key things to identify as significant changes are firstly, the absence of a picture in my current CV. After auditioning for a few things with the first CV I figured one picture of my face was enough and was confident that the panel would turn the page over, therefore leaving my extra mini headshot on the front rather insignificant. (For my first audition I had my 'moody' shot on the front and a larger smiley photo stapled to the pack. THATS RIGHT GUYS, I CAN DO IT ALL. no Lauren.) Secondly, the agency layout is very straight to the point. The header at the top of the page is of my agents contact details rather than my own and my theatre credits in and out of college have been combined.
Web 2.0 has had a huge impact on the way performers can get their CV and themselves seen. 'Spotlight' is now deemed an industry standard with hundreds of actors, actresses and dancers signing up to the online CV website to get their face out there, as well as applying for auditions and castings, all from your computer. With professional communication technologies constantly growing and developing, there are many other casting websites that work the same way as Spotlight, such as casting call pro, starnow and talentpro to just name a few. All are just a quick google search away, gone are the days of the stage newpaper being the be all and end all!
Please feel free to leave feedback, its always appreciated!
LL x
Sunday 7 February 2016
Handbooks and Readers
Not knowing really what to expect or what this course will entail, the handbook, which I have just finished reading felt very indepth and to say I was some what daunted by all of the information presented to me in the reader would be an understatement BUT, I am very keen to begin work and therefore, having eliminated a lot of the tasks infront of me as simply unfathomable at this point in time (the course doesn't officially start until the 15th so I figure i'm good.) I decided I was more than capable of skipping ahead a little and setting up my own youtube channel in preparation for 1c which requires me to upload a clip on 'Starting out on BAPP Arts expressing your aspirations and intentions and how you might use the programme to support your developing professional practice'.
Having set up my youtube channel, which I will attach a link to in this post, I began to upload videos that have been previously obtainable via my facebook page, all of which relate to my profession in some way (some are more professional than others I might add, note the difference in choreograhy between class footage and my 21st Birthday 'cabaret show'). Professionalism and how I publically present myself using web 2.0 is definitely something I think I will take great interest in delving further into on this course. The reader touches on ethical considerations and I found the quotes included by Kuehn particularly interesting, I am constantly reminding my boyfriend not to post anything 'laddish' on my facebook wall as I have 'contacts' as friends. My mother also used to warn me, during one particularly rebellious summer having just turned 18, that photos posted on the internet are eternal and if my intention was to be forever remembered as a drunk mess of a teenager I was most definitely going the right way about it...my privacy settings changed rather quickly after that particular conversation!
As a 23 year old, trying to juggle a career and a life (I often feel that you are only allowed one of the two in this particular industry) I understand that professionalism is of the upmost importance. As singers and dancers we are always replaceable and with the many forms web 2.0 can take there are a multitude of ways for potential employers to check up on you. As a young teacher I know that being friends with students on any internet site is a strict no and I want to be able to keep my professional and personal life as seperate as they can be. My inital thoughts are that it is vital to make the platfroms categorised as 2.0 a help not a hinderance...and with that being said, maybe I shall be deleting the formentioned 21st birthday cabaret show...
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc2SvGqKpW6xvx1G0kx_NMQ
Friday 5 February 2016
Induction Inspiration
After introducing myself via skype to this years BAPP Arts applicants, through the medium of text I hasten to add (haven't quite worked out the audio set up yet) I felt compelled to take the plunge and write my first post to properly introduce myself and get the inital blogging jitters out of the way.
So! My name is Lauren Hoskins, although sadly when it came to spotlight and equity there was already a Lauren Hoskins so my stage name, after endless discussion and a family poll, is Lauren Laine, much to the amusement of my college friends who spent the remaining time leading up to our graduation calling me Betty. I did not think that one through.
I am 23 and graduated last year from Cambridge Performing Arts, which most people recognise as Bodywork, with a level 6 national diploma in Musical Theatre, something I am tremendously proud of as I found my three years of training incredibly hard at times.
Prior to Bodywork, like many of us, I was heavily involved with the amatuer dramatics circle, particularly back in Norfolk where my family are based. Coming from a very 'showbizzy' family with my step dad writing and directing as well as being the NODA rep for the area and my mum working behind the scenes with props and scenery, I have always been encouraged to follow this path and my family have shown me endless support in doing whatever it takes to make my dream a reality.
While at High school and sixth form, as well as performing in whatever musical the local societies were putting on at the time, and attending daily dance class, I taught singing in three local high schools as well as teaching privately and my teaching continued throughout my time at dance college as I took on to teach all three elements in various well known theatre school franchises as a saturday job.
Having graduated and moved to London, I now find that the majority of my time is spent queueing at Pineapple studios, and when i'm not waiting to sing my 16-32 bars (if i'm lucky), i'm either teaching or trying to focus myself at the gym in order to try and stay as fit and flexible as I was when I was dancing every day of the week. (Wondering how good I have to be all year before Santa finally grants me my wish of enviable flexibility.)
Gaining a Degree has always been something I have wanted to do and having enjoyed my schooling at Sixth Form and finishing three years physical training, I am really looking forward to re establishing my academic studies. I have to admit that I find the idea of this way of learning quite daunting but I was comforted to hear others with the same concerns in the group discussion and I look forward to working along side fellow performers, teachers and graduates, reading their blogs and supporting them through this process aswell.
All for now!
LL.
So! My name is Lauren Hoskins, although sadly when it came to spotlight and equity there was already a Lauren Hoskins so my stage name, after endless discussion and a family poll, is Lauren Laine, much to the amusement of my college friends who spent the remaining time leading up to our graduation calling me Betty. I did not think that one through.
I am 23 and graduated last year from Cambridge Performing Arts, which most people recognise as Bodywork, with a level 6 national diploma in Musical Theatre, something I am tremendously proud of as I found my three years of training incredibly hard at times.
Prior to Bodywork, like many of us, I was heavily involved with the amatuer dramatics circle, particularly back in Norfolk where my family are based. Coming from a very 'showbizzy' family with my step dad writing and directing as well as being the NODA rep for the area and my mum working behind the scenes with props and scenery, I have always been encouraged to follow this path and my family have shown me endless support in doing whatever it takes to make my dream a reality.
While at High school and sixth form, as well as performing in whatever musical the local societies were putting on at the time, and attending daily dance class, I taught singing in three local high schools as well as teaching privately and my teaching continued throughout my time at dance college as I took on to teach all three elements in various well known theatre school franchises as a saturday job.
Having graduated and moved to London, I now find that the majority of my time is spent queueing at Pineapple studios, and when i'm not waiting to sing my 16-32 bars (if i'm lucky), i'm either teaching or trying to focus myself at the gym in order to try and stay as fit and flexible as I was when I was dancing every day of the week. (Wondering how good I have to be all year before Santa finally grants me my wish of enviable flexibility.)
Gaining a Degree has always been something I have wanted to do and having enjoyed my schooling at Sixth Form and finishing three years physical training, I am really looking forward to re establishing my academic studies. I have to admit that I find the idea of this way of learning quite daunting but I was comforted to hear others with the same concerns in the group discussion and I look forward to working along side fellow performers, teachers and graduates, reading their blogs and supporting them through this process aswell.
All for now!
LL.
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