Inquiry update

Well, I've finally handed in a copy of my intro, evaluation, analysis and artifact. (Though having now proof read it, I've seen typos and oversights).
How do I feel about this body of work?
To be honest, I'm not sure. Probably apprehensive. I seem to have research material left over. Plus,  every now and then I will come up with something that I think should have been included. But that would mean omitting something else.
Have I done the right thing?
I think at the moment I'm too close to the material. I need to take a breath and then review.

Evaluation and Literature.

Just finished my evaluation and Literature review. It was interesting to look back on the process which, if I'm to be honest, didn't go as smoothly as I would have liked. Interviews had to be cancelled and rearranged and then cancelled again with alarming regularity. But we got there in the end. I have also found that some of my literature sources have been abandoned, whilst other have been moved lower down the ranks of importance/relevance. I suppose it's better to have too many sources than not enough.

Now to look at the ethics.

We are Detective

I have found that by applying an acting strategy to my research I am able to glean more from the literature.
Let me explain.
When given a script we are taught to take a methodical approach.
First read the script for what it is - a story.
Read it again. Picking up on neuonses.
Read again looking at your character. What people say about him/her and what they say about themselves.

There are more steps to this process,  but I think this highlights the approach I am taking to my literature. Even if it's one paragraph, one quote, be a detective.
In quotes sometimes people tell you more about themselves, their approach,  their craft -  if you read between the lines. Of course, once you've done this you must find more evidence to substantiate your claim.
But finding evidence is what a good detective does.

Full steam ahead

So, today's campus tutorial was interesting, and helped clarify some of the concerns of how I go about my Inquiry.
We had an overview of philosophical view points and our own positionality in relation to our investigation within our chosen profession.
What really struck home was the time frame we are working to. Now's the time. I need to start drawing the threads of my inquiry together and produce a coherent and logically plotted piece of investigative writing.

Literature review

Currently, I am working my way through Acting theory and Sports psychology, and finding similarities in their strategies for success (by success, I mean a successful endeavour not monetary gain)
Interestingly, it appears, on the face of it, that musicians and sportsmen work harder in their alone - time than actors. Is this really the case?
I will put this to my SIG (British Actors Network) on Facebook, and observe the feedback.

The first acting strategy

Recently, an actor, friend of mine recounted a performance of his on stage in the West End of London. He described how, for a moment, he became aware of where he was performing, the history, the magnitude of it all. He snapped straight back into the performance. But, now he was thinking " did the audience notice" and "am I repeating the same line." He, of course,  continued on through, regardless of the doubt in his mind. He continued on through because the story had to be told: the show must go on.
The show must go on.
Ever since those words (some credit them to P T Barnum, others, Noel Coward) were uttered, they have become a dictum, a rallying cry to the performer. For, within those words can be found not just a simple instruction, but, a performance strategy. The show must go on : no matter what else occurs, it is your duty, in that moment, to draw strength and inspiration, to find it within yourself to rise above the circumstance, and tell the story.
Here endith the lesson. Here endith the first principal of performance : the first acting strategy.

Strategy for Acting. Strategy for Life.

Most people lead two lives. One personal, the other professional. Performers are no different. In fact I would say they juggle with a slightly more complex dynamic: the personal life, and two professional lives. The career we strive for, and the job we do to support our ambitions.
We are often faced with social and work place politics. Situations that draw on our precious time. It is at these times we need a strategy, a way of keeping us on track.
Recently, I had situations arise at work and where I am currently living. These both took up a considerable amount of my time and focus. The problem was that most of that time was not spent on dealing with said situations but obsessing about them.
In the end I employed a self reflective approach. I established my priorities and began to let go of the things that did not pertain to those priorities.
My current study is a priority. My continuing development as a professional performer is a priority. What "he said, she said" is not.
If I aim to fulfil my ambition, I must focus. A reflective process, a mental priority planner, a perspective lense. These are all parts of my strategy to maintain life as a professional performer.