Communication is Community

Web 2.0 how it has changed practices forever...

On first thought I wouldn’t consider that I use Web 2.0 a huge amount in my professional practice, I see it as more old fashioned, and from speaking to colleagues not a lot has changed from ore and post the internet and Web 2.0.

In actual fact I considered my use of Web 2.0 as a completely external thing to my practise, using it purely for social and personal times. However on deeper reflection I can see now that I actually use Web 2.0 a surprising amount in what I think is a fairly historically unchanged profession.

Using Web 2.0 in my practice specifically

• Facebook Group, I use it everyday as it is where my company communicates our weekly schedules and updated information we need to know.

This is by far the most convenient way to communicate as the whole group can see the information and anyone can ask questions or respond, and then everyone else can see that and any subsequent information relayed. This means that the community of our company is always connected, this is important for us as we are a touring company we don't always have access to computers, also when we arrive at a venue we can all go off and need to be able to contact everyone easily, so a way to instantly interact is essential.

• Social Media Posts, I use different forms of social media to share any advertising or marketing posts that the company puts out.

This means the reach of the content is maximised as each company member will have different groups and communities they are involved with, so by they are sharing beyond where the company could reach alone. This also means we can interact directly with those that will hopefully be coming to watch, or other within our field, and can communicate with them to promote and share the performances we are performing.

• Online Videos, I watch various videos of some of the leaders within my field that others share or I seek out myself.

This is something I really didn't think about as being a part of my practice, I see now that it is intact a big part of it. By watching the videos of the leading dancers, I see how they perform on stage, what steps they are doing, a look at their rehearsal process and see leaders from related fields that aren't necessarily the same as mine. This all helps to inform and improve my practice, and I do this without think about it. My colleagues and I often try out things that I have seen in the videos, imitating the things we see and finding out how to achieve a similar result. I will also watch multiple videos of say, a solo that I will be dancing, and see how different people perform it, I then take my favourite parts from what I have seen and try to apply it when performing the solo.

“People can use the Internet to create and share knowledge and develop new ways of teaching and learning that captivate and stimulate students’ imagination at any time, anywhere, using any device.” (Dentzel, 2013, p.244)

Use if web 2.0 within my field

I think that the use of Web 2.0 and the internet, like most industries, has become more and more prevalent within the general field of my practice. 

Audition/Casting Networks

I have used Online networks and platforms throughout my time training and auditioning, and even though i'm not active on any at the moment I still receive updates, meaning if I come to a point when I want to look for different work I am still involved in the communities.

These I think are great innovation to my field as the mean it is far easier to see what jobs are out there and removes much of the guess work. Also having profiles on these networks you are able to link videos and photos of yourself meaning others can also find you, meaning you don't have to limit yourself to a geographical area when looking jobs, the Internet frees us from geographical fetters (Dentzel, 2013).

Self Promotion

This is something that I am not actually very good at. In this ever arts competitive industry there is increasing need to publicise oneself, the more of a public (online) profile you have means increased opportunity or others to see what you can offer and gives a chance to interact with you directly. Even if you aren’t freelance there is still benefits from promoting your company/or projects through your profile, any raised awareness will benefit you either directly /indirectly, wether it be through approaches for future work or increased sales to performances.

This could also be a negative way, as the nature of Web 2.0 sites means there is a openness to interactions, there is space fo anyone to contribute what they like, this could be negative comments, or bad reviews. This can equally effect our professional practices, potentially leading to ill effect to mental state, or even to poor sales due to feedback.

There are of course pros and cons to all changes to industry and the internet and especially Web 2.0 is a change that has affected all industries and continues to do so, wether it be for good and or bad it has the power to greatly effect our professional lives.

Dentzel, Z. (2013) ‘How the Internet Has Changed Everyday Life’. Ch@nge:19 Key Essays on How Internet is Changing our Lives. Spain: BBVA