Task 1D: 2D Images

After doing a bit of research, I decided to create a Flickr account which I will use solely for my work and professional photos. I have been using Instagram for a few years so I thought I would challenge myself by using a different platform for my professional photos. Flickr is a large image and video hosting website with over 4 million photos being uploaded daily. Instagram and Flickr are similar but Flickr seems to have a few more options, such as connecting with other users that have similar interests and a Flickr blog. At the moment I am still trying to learn how to use Flickr properly so I am looking forward to experimenting more with my photo uploads to Flickr both on my laptop and on the app.

As a performer, Flickr will allow me to upload videos and photos which relate to my current work in the industry, connecting with other users all over the world who also work in the industry or may have a keen interest in theatre. The Arts relies heavily on social media as it allows us to self promote and may even help in gaining an audition, securing a performing job or by making a first impression on someone important in the industry. Uploading photos and videos to Flickr which are relevant to my career will allow my followers to keep up to date with my recent work and projects. 

This task has helped me to understand just how important social media is within my industry. I am going to continue to upload professional pictures to my Flickr account as I progress through the BAPP Course and this will hopefully help my self promotion skills and social networking.

My Flickr account: https://www.flickr.com/photos/145024029@N04/

Task 1C: Audio-Visual

YouTube was created by three former Paypal employees in February 2005 and is a free video sharing website which makes it easy to watch videos online. It is one of the most popular websites with users watching around 6 billion hours of video footage every month.

Anyone can video blog (also known as 'vlog') as long as they have an internet connection, a camera and an interesting and relatable topic to start a discussion. Top vloggers can earn thousands of pounds just by mentioning a product to their millions of fans or followers. Many vloggers quit their jobs to have careers from home and have never looked back. The information below shows just how vloggers can make a living by working from home.

How much can top Vloggers charge?

• Up to £20,000/month for banners and 'skins' around edges of web pages.
• Up to £4000 per mention of a product.
• Up to £4000 per Instagram/Twitter post featuring product.
• Up to £10,000 per personal appearance.

Source: eight&four Digital Marketing & BBC Newsbeat

In my industry more and more castings, especially the first round of auditions for a film or TV job, are now done by a self-tape submission as it saves the casting director time and money on hiring out a space for a day to see actors audition in person. They normally receive hundreds of submissions for each role, so it is much easier for them to see actors initially via self-tape, which they can watch in the comfort of their own home at their leisure. This is helpful for casting directors as it allows them to watch the self-tape videos a few times if they are not sure and means that actors can also submit self-tapes from overseas, for example, without having to pay travel expenses. Self-tapes also have their disadvantages too as you will never actually know if the casting director has even watched your tape.

As a performer, I understand the advantages and importance of self-taping but because I wasn't acting this time, I decided to do things a bit differently... I created my video by using the programme Sony Vegas Pro 13 using a set of images and text along with a clip of music. I thought that this would be more visual for my audience and a bit more interesting than me speaking to my iPhone camera! This also helped me gain new skills in media and editing which I hope to use again as I get further into the course.

So here is the link to my first ever YouTube upload... hope you enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C02gS_pwk0U

Task 1B: Professional Communication Technologies

When it comes to technology, I am a complete novice, instantly panicking and calling my younger brother (who is a complete whizz at technology) for help as soon as something goes wrong! It did worry me at first when I was enrolling onto the BAPP Course that it would be mostly all online... Since beginning the course I already feel that my skills have improved, from using Skype to writing a blog. Special thanks must go to the online help provided by Middlesex Uni especially the handbook on how to use Adobe Connect, which I finally managed to master when chatting to Paula last week.

Naturally, I received Reader 1 and had absolutely no idea what Web 2.0 was. I thought it was something I had to download or a programme I had to use in order to carry out my course studies. How wrong...

Web 2.0 is the current state of online technology in comparison to the early days of the internet. It is the second-generation of web-based communities including social networking sites like Facebook. It is the internet that we all know and use daily. Web 1.0 was a way of using one-way communications, but Web 2.0 lets the reader and creator interact. It allows users to collaborate and share information online.

Social media has a huge impact on the way we live (sad, I know) and I think it has very positive uses in my industry. There are many groups on Facebook which allow me to find out about auditions, up-coming opportunities and events in the industry. This can be useful if you haven't had many recent auditions or if you see a job that you know you are suited to. There are even a few sites on Facebook which give details of jobs for actors out of work, such as promo work or events employment, which is helpful in earning extra cash for a few hours work. I try to 'self-promote' on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and follow others within the industry, as I know how important it is to make contacts within the business. It is a great way of staying connected with others by posting updates, for example, if you've had an interesting job.

Social networking sites do have some negatives, however. Sometimes a casting director may go straight to your Facebook/Twitter page before even seeing you at audition, and if they do not like what they see, then there's a high chance that you won't be chosen to be seen. Casting directors have to know that they are working with a reliable and hard-working actor and if they see your social media full of partying every night, chances are they might not get the best impression. It is very easy to upload a lot of your personal data to social networking sites and you have to be careful with how much information you are willing to share. Uploading headshots can be great to get opinions from others about which is best to use, but you never know where your pictures are going to end up, and with a click of a button these pictures can easily be shared with anyone. This could also work in your favour if a director is casting a show and you are exactly what he had in mind.

I think I am very sensible when it comes to using social networking. I try not to be overly vocal about issues which could maybe provoke an argument or irritate others and I don't share too much of my personal information. I do think that as an actress I need to 'self-promote' a bit more and now that I am out of full-time training, I am going to make it my aim to continue to post as frequently as I can in order to keep my profile interesting!

Social media can be a great tool in the industry as long as we all play by the rules.

 

Task 1A: Professional Profile

CV stands for Curriculum Vitae, the Latin translation meaning 'course of life'. It is a summary of your experience, skills and education.

As a performer, having a good CV is crucial. Many casting directors will look at your CV and headshot and then decide whether or not to invite you along to audition. It is so important that my CV works as hard as it can to market my expertise as it is my one chance to try and secure an audition. The hardest part about creating my CV in my final year of training was knowing which experience was relevant to me as a performer now. I soon realised that no one wants to know about an amateur dramatics performance I took part in over 10 years ago and that less was more.

Throughout my training I was always told how important it was to keep my CV up to date as you never know when you're going to need it. I only just realised the other day that my Spotlight PIN and Equity Membership numbers weren't on my CV and these are pretty important when working in the industry. I know my CV is still quite long but it contains the exact same information that I have on my Spotlight page which my agent uses to submit me for auditions.

So, with all the above in mind, here is the link to my CV. Any thoughts or constructive criticism appreciated!

CV: Shanna Logan CV

(Please note: I have removed the majority of my personal data from this CV for security as it is appearing on my public blog.)

Shanna x