My Artefact...

I really struggled with best representing my inquiry in the artefact form. Getting the balance between a reflective and informational source together with it still being an extension of my inquiry was something I found to be a real challenge. This was because I explored vast areas which came to be of a personal experience to be shared with others for advice. I finally compiled a 'progress portfolio', depicting my journey in emails, applications, showreel and evidence of networking. Unfortunately I am unable to upload the entire project due to copyright and confidentiality reasons via public and internet access, but here is an example of the document:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B31PkyUSESe6ckVXOWRsaEZ4T2s/edit

Progress? Progressed? Progression...

While re-reading all that I have managed to fit into my written inquiry as part of my first draft so far, I was able to enjoy an element of accomplishment, feeling proud and astounded at what I have achieved from start to end (well nearly) of this course.
From the start of this course I was unsure of what direction I was heading, I new where I had come from and I new what I was interested in but lacked confidence and knowledge for the journey itself. Learning all we did in module 1 provided me with a base knowledge, allowing me to establish a more tactful and realistic route into the television world I am beginning to enter now. Module 2 saw me through actually planning to find out more, techniques to learn and discover from others and ultimately catapulting me into the position I am in now. At this stage the knowledge I had gained in module 1 combined with the focus module 2 provided allowed me to take control of the inquiry itself, not only producing valuable answers but helping me within my own transition in career. This kind of progress is ongoing, but it has been a really positive aspect to reflect on. I can imagine we are all the same, becoming wrapped up in writing, the task, the deadline that we forgot about the steps forward we have taken on a personal scale. This reflective moment has helped me take a deep breath and re-enter what is left to be refined and completed. This view on progression has also allowed me to begin piecing together my artefact, viewing it more as an element of progress as opposed to a separate objective within the inquiry. I am trying to remember that as educational as it is, it is also a personal growth all interlinked for a number of purposes...

Where to draw the line?

As we all endeavour to accomplish the completion of our inquiry write up, it occurred to me that the never ending experience of learning conveys a conflicted message to what we are trying to establish within the inquiries contextual purposes - an answer (of such). Though I am nearing the end of my 1st draft I am still finding more and more out each day relevant to the development of my inquiry, but when do we stop incorporating? This question is becoming ever more important to me, as the deadline draws nearer I am wondering how many drafts will be needed to produce the polished piece, to portray the best image of my learning experience.
I think that I have decided in setting 'sub-deadlines' for yourself the structure will set back in, and in actual fact will become grateful that you have 'drawn the line'. The challenge I guess now is in restoring the focus of the academic task, without inhibiting creative flair and work based learning as we near the final stretch of the BAPP course.

What a whirlwind of experience...

The past few weeks have been extremely busy for myself, though this is no excuse for my absence from the blogging world, I thought I would share an update of my progress to make up for it.
From the beginning of the year my inquiry has absorbed so many more discoveries and opportunities than I had ever of thought possible. Though this has been extremely fascinating and beneficial I have found at times my mind straying from the focus of my inquiry that I initially proposed in module 2. I found myself in this situation once more over the past weeks, not only setting me back on my final write up but also sending me into a bit of a melt down while I try and log back into the true focus of the written side to this course.
I recently posted about the prospects of a showreel not only for the use and exposure in commencing a career in presenting, but as an idea for my artefact. Following this, through the art of networking, I found myself sending emails back and forth to a producer for CBBC who was providing me advice in all those question I had originally asked about this very alien side of television. The knowledge he has provided me with is invaluable, giving me the confidence in understanding what goes on behind the scenes and what is expected within the showreel, often dependant on the audience you are presenting to.
Despite this newly established information I am struggling to incorporate this within my findings. As I am learning something new from a different person at a more frequent rate than I had ever dreamed, I am finding myself feeling and sounding overwhelmed within my write up. My challenge is combining my knowledge as a runner, of which I have learnt through my experiences on Soccer AM, together with the vast personal experiences I have gathered from others through the inquiry tool of interviewing, and now the advice from yet another angle within the industry, whilst also linking back to the similarities in my affirmed skills as a dancer - you can imagine how many re-drafts I have started over! Trying not to get too carried away or involved within the media side of my investigation is hard as this is where my journey is propelling me. For purpose of this inquiry as well as self evaluation and reflection, I must remember where I have come from and why and how my investigation started, to truly detail the extent of my findings while highlighting the practicality and usefulness of this course in establishing my professional practice...

Exploring media, I need your help!

In brainstorming my artefact, I have thought it to be very apt that it is presented or at least includes evidence of different media forms, for example; video and audio files. In this thinking I wanted to pilot creating my own 'showreel' as such, which I could use as a product to inform possible employers about myself for varying roles in media, but particularly presenting. This also comes at a time where I am finding opportunities arising for me to use this particular part of the project for employment purposes. After researching various established presenters I realise that for someone with little experience the compilation of a showreel will detail very differently in situations, knowledge and skills. It is this query that seems to be throwing a spanner in the works for me and, as it is my first time in creating a product like this I wanted to gain the opinions, experiences and advice from my SIG! I look forward to hearing from you all...

Campus session 2 - Progression...

Paula lead our second session on campus beginning with discussing where we were in terms of the challenge we face in this final module. I find these face-to-face discussions so helpful, as actually being able to say aloud brings a greater sense of reality to the BAPP course, as well as being incredibly interesting to listen to others discoveries. We then continued to tackle the sub-headings within the critical review, heres how they were best explained:

CRITICAL REVIEW

Introduction

• Context of inquiry
• Whats the question/questions
• Relevant to workplace
• Purpose - why?
• Background

Evaluation

• The process
• What you've done?
• Why you've done it?
• What changed? 
• Why did it change?
• Reference proposal

Analysis

• 'Quotes'
• Anonymous participants represented as - participant A (2013)
• Data explanation 

Critical Review

• YOUR review of learning
• Relevant to practice

We continued to further discuss the artefact establishing it as an extension of your own inquiry, representative of your journey. To provide us with some new thoughts on this part of the project Paula encouraged us to go out into the foyer to have a look at all the wonderful paintings for further inspiration. She asked us which picture best represented how we felt about our artefact, this was the image I choose:

I choose this picture because it detailed controversiality working to create a beautiful image. It combined two differing aspects to bring them as one within each image. This is how I feel about my artefact, by combining two different worlds of television and dance, I can create something beneficial truly depicting my learning throughout this inquiry. 

I was also able to share some information Adesola had provided me about the the term artefact, which has helped me greatly when affirming my thoughts throughout this experience. Heres what she said:

'You don't need to make a new thing up, you need to present your inquiry experience, you have to have most of the experience first to know what it is all about. You would be looking at the artefact being explaining what you did and what your interests are and what you question and found in a format that people at the television station would understand or people in the dance world would expect and understand. Just as the written paper is the format that university people understand. Each place has a slightly different language and different forms of presentation. The artefact shows us you know what these are in your field as well as how to write for the university setting (which is what the paper shows)...' Adesola (2013)

Yet again it was another completely invaluable session, filled with enlightening discussion and just a good catchup between us BAPP'ers!! 

Observing is learning...

After criticising the usefulness of the inquiry tool and technique of observation within my proposal, I can now see how effective and crucial it has actually become in implementing data gathering within my inquiry. When learning of this tool I was merely able to use it to analyse videos, rather than being involved in the actual situation, therefore evaluating it as unbeneficial to my inquiry process. However, due to a positive change in circumstance of which I can continue exploring my inquiry, I have been 'learning on the job', essentially observing, at every given opportunity. I have therefore been using this tool in two different situations to gain depth in knowledge and understanding between the similarities and differences between the two professions - dance and media (particularly television). Here is what I have observed and found so far:

Researcher Participant Observation -What I have learnt?
During my work experience week I was exposed to the 'office' and ideas side of what goes into a television show. Here I found my learnings to be more about the 'technicalities' and specialised skills. A lot of it was relative to thinking on your feet and adapting, a quality I am familiar with, however when it can to the skill of film making and editing I realised this was definitely something to be learned over time. Though irrelevant to dance, in terms of personal strengths audio editing is something I have previously been taught (still for purpose of dance), so could show a greater understanding to what I was being exposed to. Though interesting it did not fully prepare me for the fast paced atmosphere show day can provide. This feeling of anticipation and essentially nerves is very much what we as dancers experience before we step on stage either in a performance or audition situation, therefore being a feeling I was use to and could control. Since completing my work experience week I have worked on the live show every Saturday picking up what can essentially be entitled 'runners skills'. More than retrieving drinks and food orders I have gained the confidence to look after special guests, something I never envisioned having a problem with. Learning the 'ropes' in terms of how a studio is run - the hierarchy as such. What floor managers require, keeping out the way of cameras, ensuring accurate timings and always being on hand if a prop is missing. In reflecting upon these skills I can now see how apt in experience one of the article I previously reviewed revealed - 'The 'runner' behind the industry...'  The journey in myself is very evident in the way I can now operate with confidence and a great sense of direction. This observation takes place every week and is proving to be a key building block within my discoveries.

Covert Observation -What I can see/learn around me?
Being an onlooker throughout my time with the team has been incredible to learn from. It has enabled me to see all the specialised skills that, though learnable, are far more relevant and applicable to television. Taking one live show in isolation, I can watch the presenters identify their professionalism in camera techniques and dealing with a live audience, together with the thousands watching on the other side of 'the box'. Watching how it is all pieced together in the gallery is also truly fascinating. It is a process of which involves the producer, script writer and a few other technically minded 'job titled' others. I have learnt that the auto-cue is key in joining all these feature together. Without the accurate running of this, the programme timing falls to pieces, and the live show would not run. Another feature I can see is how the whole team interact and feature upon the show - however this is a skill I can very much relate to through performance work of my own. The bond between the team ensures the smooth and comedic value to the show, yet can prove to be very hard work.

I am lucky enough that I can continue these observations out each week, and by keeping a reflective record in my own journal, when my data comes to be fully analysed I have an invaluable journey to review. Though I know interpreting the method of observation in this way is not applicable to all situations, I am finding that my topic involving 'career transitions' is all about the process and learning over time. Therefore I feel if I can shed light on my own growth and research development, I will be able to provide a more informed response to what I am inquiring about, for both personal and shared beneficial advice.