Skype Session 30/11/2017

Our final Skype session as a group of Module Twos came to an end today. I gathered from the Skype discussion the importance of using the words 'unbiased' and 'truth' carefully within our essays. An alternative view is that we can attempt to be reflective during our research and whilst carrying out our inquiries. To become too neutral is not realistic - evidently, as human beings, we have individual perspectives. Naturally, I don't always see the things I don't value or which don't relate to my professional practice. That is ok. My job as an academic is to attempt to be reflective about the opinions, developments and discoveries which crop up within my inquiry process.

Campus Session 07/11/17 - Inquiry Plan Analysis (6c)

Yesterday I attended the campus session at Middlesex Uni. It was a very small group which it made it an accessible session in terms of understanding certain aspects of the up and coming inquiry.
The main thing I took away from this campus session was right now for module 2 - the focus is on planning and analysis.
Any interviews or tools of inquiry we plan to proceed with - we need to have a clear idea on what we will do with the results. For fear of being biased with the results - it is generally recommended to base your analysis on a professional's work with a similar topic. That way you can outline your series of analysis and almost use a formula to make clear and unbiased observations on the results accumulated from the interviews.
It is acceptable to obtain a narrative form of data (where your analysis includes parallels between you and other people's analysis). However, for my interview process I think it will be wise and effective for me to analyse my results using literature and comparisons.
After the campus session, everything was entirely fresh in my mind and I went directly to the campus library in order to tie up a few strings which I had left loose prior to the session. I had a rough plan started - as well as a start on my critical reflection for module 2 - however I now had the tools to complete a first draft in order to gain feedback over the next few weeks. I know my first draft is not perfect - but I know the areas in which I need to concentrate on particularly.
It is an exciting notion to think I will be getting something from my study. The inquiry is so interrelated with my practice that it would be impossible for me to ignore the results and observations I make from it.
I have written in my inquiry plan what I want to get out of the process...

"Professionally, I plan to utilise the outcomes to potentially help the development of my acting career, by using any results to relate to my practice. I hope to use the discoveries within the inquiry to apply to my audition technique and emphasis I place on personal appearance in future experiences in order to achieve greater success in the acting industry. I plan to use the information from the possible outcomes to study my professional practice from an outsider's point of view. I also plan to question whether the outcomes fall in line with what I deem as morally acceptable."

6A - Planning Interviews

I have interviewed various actor friends of mine during the development of my module 2 studies. This was as much to further the clarification of my inquiry topic as anything. I found talking face to face really useful and airing my thoughts as well as hearing others' views on certain things opened a new element to my studies. These casual interviews were held in coffee shops and had a very personable atmosphere.
Thinking forward for my actual inquiry, I think perhaps I should opt for a different interview approach. This was not because the coffee shop interviews did not produce interesting ideas - but more so to create a style of interview that will bode well with my inquiry.
I plan to construct self-tape style interviews.

What is my relationship with the participant? I will use fellow actors, casting directors I have worked with as well as hopefully some other industry professionals.
How will I refer to them? I am toying with numbering the self-tapes in an audition style. i.e. Participant 1.
Type of interview I will hold? I plan to send out the questions via email the day before the interview, that way participants have a chance to read and prepare what they wish to share. The following day, they will send the self-tape to me via WeTransfer, or another appropriate file sharing forum.

A self-tape style interview may be beneficial and practical. Viewing the interview in the same seat as a casting director would view a self tape may give me insight into how focused an individual is on the appearance of the participant.
The questions will be the same for each participant, sent to them prior to the interview. The questions will be worded carefully so as not to sway the participant.
Organising a self tape style interview may prove more practical for people’s time schedules.
I should write up contracts for potential interviewees as well as an ETHIC RELEASE FORM

In this I will have to include a clause stating if the participant does not want their video being used within in the study, then can send an mp4 instead.

Likewise, I will state clearly that their image in the video will only be used for my inquiry only, it will not go public and it will be deleted off any devices once the study is complete.

Skype 31/10/2017 - Finding out what YOU want from it

The Skype last Tuesday with BAPP students from various modules and Adesola was a stepping stone on my journey towards constructing my submissions for module 2.
We discussed the importance of finding something out when it comes to the inquiry. It was stressed that the process was important, rather than the question. This opened my eyes up to what exactly it is I want to achieve - my objectives.
Prior to the Skype session I had begun a rough Inquiry Plan. Following the session, I was able to fill in more of the gaps - i.e. stronger objectives of what I want to find out and how I am going to go about finding them out.

Starting to plan my Inquiry - one step at a time!

I guess in 12 weeks I want to find out how other people have experienced the focus or lack of focus on personal appearance within the acting industry. Including how their headshots have affected the course of their career i.e. getting seen for certain auditions or new headshots affecting their path. The reason why I want to find this out (what I can gain from the inquiry):

• An insight into how much casting directors take appearance into consideration
• Potential functional use of my inquiry results which I can apply to my professional practice in order to promote myself in an appropriate manner which may lead to more auditions / success
• Tips from certain studies (i.e. pilot observations) which I can apply to my own promotion