Task 1b

As I'm sure everyone is aware the aim for this task it to read and evaluate Reader 1. This immediately got me thinking, define evaluate. The word evaluate can be used in so many different circumstances: mathematical, scientific, literal etc. but what did it actually mean? Well by definition of the
dictionary:

 ( http://www.dictionary.com/browse/evaluated )

I found that in this circumstance number two was the most useful. Therefore my personal aim for this task is to read and asses how useful reader 1 was for me, what questions it brought up and what i discovered from reading it.

As a beginner on the course it can all seem a bit overwhelming to begin with - a baptism of fire if you will, with many things to read, sign up to and digest. For me seeing Web 2.0 written everywhere was a bit intimidating (I didn't really know what they meant by it!) but the reader quickly cleared this up for me. It also mentions Web 3.0 and 4.0 and I couldn't leave this stone unturned so decided to clear this up for my own learning. I found some really useful graphs that helped me to understand:

The article I found these on is absolutely brilliant to read and is so easy to understand, if you fancy a browse take a look here: https://flatworldbusiness.wordpress.com/flat-education/previously/web-1-0-vs-web-2-0-vs-web-3-0-a-bird-eye-on-the-definition/

The world wide web is such a vast space and with so many people online or having access to the Internet, is Web 2.0 a good thing? This question sprung to mind when reading about the blurring of lines between the producer and the consumer. My reasons for questioning this are many, for example:

Ethical consideration - not a lot of people are aware of how the web works or how what they put out for the world to see can affect people. Do you know what comes up when you Google your name? I myself have tried to keep my personal and professional online presence completely separate. My main reason for this is it keeps things simple. Everything for both categories is in separate places and easy to keep a track of, the line rarely blurs and I'm quite old fashioned in a way that I like simplicity (If I could do things on a type writer I probably would!). Anyone can anything at anytime and not give you credit, this begs the question, can they take it if it belongs to you or does it belong to what I call 'the free space' of the Internet? I found an interesting article from the BBC about the boundaries between private and public property.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theeditors/2008/01/private_or_public_pictures.html

Social interaction - communication is so easy which is wonderful because it allows us to talk to others through Facebook, Twitter and other platforms at ease without a second thought. But what about face to face conversations? Yes of course people will still meet up and talk but social interaction is literally in the palm of our hands. With access to the latest smart phones and tablets do we forget about those who do not have this ability? However, the article and the research it talks about below would argue otherwise:

http://www.washington.edu/news/2013/07/10/global-study-stresses-importance-of-public-internet-access/

I often forget the benefits of Web 2.0 when it comes to learning and developing skills, knowledge and ability. Being able to see the other side of the argument has opened my eyes into how beneficial it can be. I am writing a blog for others to read and comment on after all! I certainly can't deny how useful being able to read other people's blogs and opinions has helped and broadened my knowledge on things. 

Expectation - online the world is seen through completely different eyes. If we think honestly about what is shared, is it aways honest? Tabloids have a reputation of bending the truth, magazines for photoshopping. How can humans in the real world live up to the expectations if they aren't real to begin with. This is an issue that has been spoken about many times and there are many discussions to watch and read available. Is something where the truth is so easily bent a good thing? As the reader discusses emancipatory practice, how do we know that everyone using Web 2.0 is suitable and able to use correctly and not for wrong doing such as cyber bullying, shaming.

The reader certainly raised a lot of questions for me, while it paints Web 2.0 in (my opinion) in a positive light, does it fully consider the negative effects it could have? Do the positive outweigh the negative when it comes to Web 2.0? There is a plethora of research to support both arguments, will we ever truly know the answer? The reader is thought provoking and give insight into theories I hadn't previously considered, because of this it has given me the opportunity to research further and analyse my own professional communication which is been very helpful. Overall I'd say that the reader helped me immensely to begin thinking 'outside of the box' on this topic and it did answer a lot of questions I had before reading. 

Task 1a - Continued

To follow on from my previous post, my professional performing CV was the next one I looked at. I have not long graduated from drama school and therefore haven't had a great amount of opportunities to see how my CV is perceived. Nevertheless here is is:

The basic advice we were given was to show what the director/casting director/agency would be interested in. Basic facts such as height, race, age etc. They need to see what your castablity is and how you would fit into the role you're applying for. This is one reason for the headshot on the CV. I would never send out an application for an audition or turn up to an audition without a headshot.

During my research, I found some useful hints and tips on the Equity website (http://www.equity.org.uk/documents/cv-template/)
 


Something that I found useful from their website is that it says ' DON'T worry about not having enough to put on your CV. Employers are professional CV readers and are looking for quality not quantity' I think this is a point which is relevant for this task specifically. Both for my own profile and my CVs. The performing world is fast paced and time is short, so being able to be concise and clear on a CV is something that I will take into consideration for future developments.

Task 1a

For this task we have been asked to rewrite our current CV as a profile. To begin this task I started by looking at my current CVs and how they would be perceived.

As a performer and someone who has worked in other roles such as retail and administration, I have more than one CV. At drama school we were given a very basic outline to what our profession (performing) CV should look like; this is also the same for when I first built my 'normal' CV.

After school I pretty much went straight into full time work with the CV I had, therefore it has been a while since I have updated it. Whilst I have had other jobs since then and during my time at drama school, it has always served me well. Below you can see what my 'normal' CV looked like before editing it:





This was a template given to me while at school and when it came to editing my CV the first thing I noticed immediately when I came to edit it, is that it looks very dated. Its all in black and while and if I'm honest, a little boring to look at. Colour can attract the eye to the most important part of a document, so by incorporating some colour it can liven up what your CV looks like. As for the work history section, it was very brief and didn't really describe what the roles involved. By doing some research I found that a brief but precise description is best. As the website https://www.cv-library.co.uk/career-advice/cv/how-to-write-a-cv-tips-for-2017/ clearly states here:

One positive aspect of my old CV is that all the information is sectioned into certain groups, main git easy to read and simple for an employer to see things such as grades, education and contact information. This is an aspect I've tried to keep in my new CV. 

Below is the new, updated version of my CV. In this format it is now the current version I use:

                     

I feel that this CV looks more professional and is clearer for any prospective employer to look at. By placing my contact details on the left hand side of the document it saves spaces and allows for more information to be given within the main frame of the document.

NB: All personal details such as contact information and address have been removed for the purpose of this blog. 

To Begin at the Beggining - of BAPP

A few days ago I embarked on my adventure to higher education. Taking part in my first skype call as a student of Middlesex University on their BA (Hons) Professional Practice in Arts. While sat armed with pen in hand ready to take as many notes as possible and ears open ready to absorb all the information, I couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed by the vast amounts of information I needed to take in. However, whilst I felt nervous and a bit confused at times, the skype call was unbelievably helpful and I'm sure I'm not the first (and not the last) person to feel this way. Both of the module leaders were so helpful and helped me to turn the nerves into excitement for what lies ahead. Along with the talk with the tutors and the other students, I have printed off and began to read through the handbook for module 1 and the reader. Whilst this has consisted of having to re-read in several places, I have found that making notes and jotting down ideas as I go, has helped me to understand more and encouraged me to start the first module since the skype session.

Blogging isn't necessarily new to me. I had to have several blogs for my media A Level but in a much different format. However I believe the intentions behind this blog and my previous ones are the same - to discover, reflect and share my thoughts and work.

So that is my first blog and I'm sure there will be many more to follow! I look forward to reading about everyone else's and sharing our experience of the course.