Interviews

Interviews

Interviews are an individual way to get information from knowledgeable and experienced people. You can use their interpretations as data and evidence towards the performing Industry. It is a Qualitive method.

There are many different structures to holding an interview.

1.   Semi-structured interview which includes set questions or themes with the flexibility of following interesting or useful emerging issues is often most appropriate for the work-based researcher because of its inherent flexibility.

2.   non-directive or open interviews that allow the interviewee to talk about anything they like

3.   narrative inquiry (related to open) where the participants use a storytelling format 

4.   informal interviews which have an overall data gathering aim using an extremely non-structured approach

5.   Informal / guided interview which provides topic areas to cover but no set questions.

You do interview, face to face, over the telephone, individually or in a small group. Even though they take up a lot of time, it can be beneficial as you can get important information about motives and expectations. I have found that an interview is more like middle group between a focus group and a questionnaire. It is more personal than a survey but can be expanded like a focus group if the situation allows it.  

Skye is a great way to do interviews as the interviewee can be located anywhere and yet it is still a personal experience. It is great at fitting around busy schedules. It is vital that all ethical issues are thought of and data protection is in place. Variable factors like gender, ethnicity and age can affect the answers and data.

I have conducted a semi-structured interview to allow for expansion and to gain a variety of information. These are the questions I asked.

 Interview

‘With the economic climate in its current state, what will a new production company within the performing arts Industry, need to take into consideration to develop? I am going to ask you some questions about your work within the Industry and how you have developed your skills to keep working.

All the Information given will be confidential under the data protection act 1998. Any recording or quote used within my Inquiry will be with your permission only and you have the right to withdraw anything said. (human rights act).

1.   What field of work are you in? have there been any cuts in your industry? has that affected you?

2.   How did you get to where you are now? Training? Own company? contacts? agent? Do you think it is essential to be multidisciplined?

3.   What brought you to London? Do you think location is important?

4.   In your experience, has sword fighting benefited your career?

5.   Can something so specific to theatre be used in an educational environment? How can you transform stage combat for TIE purposes? can they learn anything from it?

6.   What would you say the pros and cons of teaching stage combat to learners? do you think learning through theatre is an important part of education?

7.   have you faced any ethical issues whilst performing or working in education?

8.   What are your views on social networking within the performing industry?
How do you advertise yourself? In your experience, what can having your own business offer you?

9.   If you had a company what would you see as the most important thing to consider? Can a company be created from just sword fighting alone or should all aspects of performing be considered?

10. What can having stage combat on your cv lead onto? What have you done with the skill?

11. Where can you see the stage combat industry heading in the next few years?

12.   Have you started up your own business to create more work? what is it?

From conducting these interviews I can see how presenting and Public speaking can assist with this type of skill within an interview. if i had not had this training then i would find it difficult to let the conversation expand but still be able to bring it back to topic and also find it difficult to listen whilst concentrating on the next question. I have developed the skill from using an earpiece, so that I can listen to what others are saying whilst concentrating on something else, in the case the next question. 

I feel that this was a great way of sourcing information as it is very individual to the interviewee and gives them a chance to say their opinions. However, it is extremely time consuming and difficult to find a quite mutual place to conduct it. Therefore I feel Skype may be more beneficial next time. Here is some information on Interviews that I found very interesting and helpful towards conducting my own.

 http://www.public.asu.edu/~kroel/www500/Interview%20Fri.pdf

Surveys

Surveys

Surveys are a great way of getting a wide range of data form a number of sources. As there is a lot of data it is vital to be able to group the data to secure accurate findings, i.e. age or gender. It is one of the easiest forms of research as it can be done quickly and in their own time. However, whether these surveys are done online or by hand out can affect the results as to whether you get all the responses back or as to whether they have access to the internet.

Closed questions can give you a quicker idea of the data you have collected but can doesn’t give you the full opinion of the person doing the survey.

When sending out a survey by email or post it is vital to accompany it with a cover letter that states the research purposes of the survey, and that all information is protected under the data protect act 1998. It gives the reader an understanding of what they are answering question on.

You only have a limited number of questions so it is vital to make sure each question is valid. if the gender in important, you have to ask it, but if location doesn’t matter then do not ask the question. I think with questionnaires they need to be quick and easy to fill out and easily accessible. Once all the data is gathered, the process of summarising and grouping of the results starts.  

From doing a survey, I have noticed that it is difficult to get a fair result as not everyone you ask does the survey, therefore I had more women than men taking the survey. However, I had the most responses from doing a survey as it was quick an easy for others to fill out. It is also online which means that is open to a variety of different people and more accessible. I will definitely be using a survey in my Inquiry as it has given me results quickly. However, it can be less knowledgeable as you don’t get the persons full opinion and passion, you just get a snapshot view.

I completely agree with Jess Hay’s break down of a survey and it is very quantitative and is limited and is difficult to go into depth about the chosen subject.

Here is my survey again for anyone to fill out

http://www.surveymonkey.com/MySurvey_EditorFull.aspx?sm=dvYLnpGigI%2bINpdAyU74FHDhyjSBnoKR%2fqEKfUPSgU0%3d

Observations

Observations

We are constantly observing things, but how we take this observation and use it as a research method can change the way we perceive things. What you are observing needs to be recorded in some way, whether that is through notes or film and the observer can join in. It can be helpful to have a grid or framework to follow to record observations. This can be a great way to see behaviour patterns, however, it can be a long process.

When observing all confidentiality agreements must be signed and issues of ethics and permission must be adhered to.

For an observation to be beneficial, you need to understand what and why you are observing to then be able to form a data grid to analyse the data with a neutral understanding.

A pilot observation on a Kung Fu Class.  How a martial art can improve your skills as a performer. I will attend a martial arts class for the first time to see how it will affect my performing and combat skills.

Kung Fu

It was a very challenging class and I was shocked at how much energy and fitness was needed at the beginning of the class. When I walked in all that I was aware of was the fact that there were 3 black belts and 1 blue. I was the newbie. The training was tough yet exhilarating. After almost fainting of exhaustion we moved onto the pads where we had to kick and hit each other. It was brilliant and I found a love for the sport. We then moved onto learning the forms, I only learnt the first one but it gave me understanding why each move is important. For me, I have the flexibility but lack the control and strength.

These are my observations

·         Everyone there was equal, even though we were all at different levels there was no completion to be better that you already were.

·         It gives you the confidence to be who you are

·         The understanding of authority and respect you should have for your seniors

·         The body control the others had. It was not about destroying the other person it was about you staying grounded and keeping alert.

·         The calm that kept them all in control. It was not just about fighting

·         The collaborative understanding of each other

·         The understanding of the art

·         Everyone has Individual strengths

·         Use Kung fu as an outlet

Everyone at this lesson looked like they were enjoying it, even the challenging sections. I believe it helps towards training in any aspect of the performing industry because it helps you understand self control. It can help improve your flexibility, strength, mental attitude and your calm side.

 

‘If you learn a martial art you are less aggressive, you are trained to fight’ Phillip Stafford – Fight Director

Divian Ladwa - a black belt in Kung Fu feels that it is very beneficial to understand the combat and reasoning behind your moves and parries. 

Thinking

I've have had an idea about my Inquiry. Let me know what you think!

http://lisawhyte-inquiry.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/idea.html

Pilot survey

Trying to be as open as I can with my questions I have written a pilot survey. I believe that some of the questions asked will help me with my inquiry line. I would love you to spend a few minutes answering these questions

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MRPSGHD

Cheers

P & P

After looking at my Award title, Phil pointed out that I never said why I chose to get rid of presenting over production. Well, I have a passion for presenting I will not deny that, but I feel that presenting can come under the title of performing because you are still on stage and giving a performance to people. Having my own company has always been a dream and I feel that having a degree in production will give me the opportunity to prove that I am capable of having the mind set of running my own company. That is why I have chosen to have the title of Performing and Production as I feel that it is specific enough to what I wish to discover and proceed in yet gives the freedom to expand.

The award title I seek as a result of doing this programme is a BA (Hons) Professional Practice in Performance and Production

LinkedIn

Hey, Just stared a new discussion on LinkedIn!
Have some new ideas towards my Inquiry

Cheers