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Many of my fellow students were basing theirs on teaching in the education system (something I have no experience of). So, instead I chose a topic that affected me in my professional life, and was also something that would resonated with fellow performers : nerves and anxiety. I had read an interview with an established actor, who upon winning a film role, suddenly felt he had no idea how to play the role. This strange juxtaposition of confidence and doubt was the bases for my original set of questions. I posted these on my blog and the answers I got back were varied and interesting. What soon became apparent was that though my questions were aimed at actors, they also spoke to dancers, visual artists, etc. I dispensed with questions on professionalism as a method of good practice, and the state of "being in the moment". Instead I expanded the questions that addressed fear as a social science within the acting community. This I found more compellingly, as without confidence, professionalism nor the state of being, .could be achieved .
I put my questions up on Facebook, but I received not one reply. Instead I was approached by actors individually - unwilling to answer the questions in a public forum, but more than happy to answer them in a one on one interview.
I tried my questions out on one actor, with interesting results. What did become apparent was how actors not only viewed punctuality and voice work as good professional practice, but also as a means to controlling nerves.
Upon receiving feedback on my proposal plan, I decided to also include the topic of Fear as a cultural phenomenon in my Inquiry.
Before I looked at Ethics, I had taken it as a given that I would be courteous and trustworthy in my conducted. However, the Reader brought home the fact that these concepts served no purpose ruminating in my mind, but had to be written down as a contract of assurances for all to see. It also made me realise that recording peoples views and feelings meant I would be dealing with material of a sensitive nature, and would need be stored and later disposed of in an orderly and secure fashion.
Once again, I took it as a given that I would be ethical throughout my Inquiry. I imagine people tailor the facts to their own ends because they are aiming at a predetermined conclusion. However, my Inquiry is more organic. It's outcome being as much a mystery to me at this stage as it will be for the reader. Only upon applying my findings can I hope to give a satisfy conclusion.
When I considered the right Tools of Inquiry for my proposal, I had to factor in logistical considerations. The idea of securing a group of actors for a group discussion proved troublesome. Also, Observation was ruled out, because of the nature of my questions - I'm not recording the external indicators, but instead asking my subjects to be introspective/reflective. The fact that actors had been unwilling to answer these questions in a forum, but willing to do so over a coffee, made me realise one on one interviews were the way to go.
I felt a semi structured approach would help create a more conducive environment, and allow my interview subjects to open up.
