Sources of information

This task really got me thinking, what are my sources of information? It got me thinking am I taking for granted how easy I have it to access some of the information that I need.
So after long deliberation my 5 sources of information are;

Internet
I thought I'd start with the most obvious of sources. Could you imagine life without the internet, well i certainly would not be blogging now if that was the case. The internet plays a big role in my life. I remember when I changed internet provider, I had no internet for 3 days whilst the change over was made. Well I can honestly say I thought my arms and legs had been cut off, I didn't know what to do with myself or my time. The internet is a brilliant way of keeping update with information and keeping in touch with people. The internet keeps me updated with information, ideas, music, e-mail's, events and jobs. Through the internet i use websites such as Facebook, Dancers pro,You Tube, Star Now and The stage to keep me in the loop and see whats out there in the big world of performing arts. Although Facebook is brilliant for keeping in touch with friends, it also allows me to be part of groups and events which can lead to work.
I also dont know where I would be without Google. Google is like my best friend, if i ever need help, Google is there for me. I use Google for research of plays, directors, choreographers, producers its also brilliant for directions and maps.
After reading Jessica Hunt's blog, I realised I also use the Internet for music, whether its buying or downloading. I had never thought of this as I always use I-tunes and i had never thought of this as the internet, just as the place where I get my music from.

Blackberry/ I-pod Touch
I am very anti touch screen phones, so I have a Blackberry as my phone an Ipod touch for my music. I use both for the internet. They both have easy access to the internet, sometimes one is faster than the other. They are great for getting back to people, as all y e-mails come straight to my phone. Before i had my smartphone I missed out many of time on jobs as I hadn't been on my laptop to check my e-mails. I feel since having my smartphone I am more update with whats going on the Dance world and feel I have   had more opportunities open up for me.
I also use my Blackberry for video and recording my work. I teach 16 different classes a week i find it hard to remember what I did or where we got up to, so I am always recording the end of my classes to help me with this problem. Sometimes an idea just pops into my head and I have to record it there and then and then when I have the time I'll look back at my idea and then adapt it for my lessons. I also love to look back at what i choreographed and see if it works and ask others what they think.

Talking to people
Although the internet is brilliant. I dont think you can beat a good old chat with someone. The majority of my friends are in the business. We are always talking about auditions, castings and jobs that are around. In this business you can get people that dont like to share or dont like helping someone out. But I am a great believer in things definitely happen for a reason. I love talking to people and asking there opinion. As Jessica Hunt said in her blog "If we cooperate with each other, in sharing information about auditions, offering accommodation, etc, in turn we can each gain beneficially from the situation."




Colleagues
As I teach in primary/secondary and private dance schools, I have different types of colleagues. In the dance school I teach at I interact with other teachers like me that have been to Performing Arts college and are still auditioning or want to go into more teaching. We share ideas and help each other with any problems we have within the school or general teaching.  At the primary and secondary schools i teach at, I have more of a formal relationship with my colleagues. I tend to fill inferior around them. This is something I feel this course will help to overcome and become more confident in my teaching.


Agent
Where would I be without my agent? Properly working in Burger King (although there is nothing wrong with working in Burger King)
When I left college my agent was my life line and got me many auditions and from the auditions I have had many contracts. As well as getting me auditions, she gives me feedback when she can and also guides me to courses/ workshops that might help me in my career. My agent has guided me to new adventures that i never thought I would be able to do. My agent has opened many doors for me. Although my agent only gets me closed auditions she often informs me of open auditions too, I know some people prefer one or the other  (open or closed auditions). I actually dont mind either, I try to make to best out of every situation. I always think it could be worse there could be another 50 people here or i'm lucky that I actually got the audition. 


So there they are my 5 main sources of information. Whilst writing this i have realised that I make more of an effort in easy situations and sit back where im less comfortable. So this is something I am going to try and work on, push my self in less comfortable situations.