Trish is back! My good friend and classmate Trish has been in Germany most of the year working for the Hamburg Ballet. This past week she returned to London and we were happily reunited. Trish and I are not only close friends but we work very well together. This makes us excellent study buddies who can keep each other on task (most of the time). For a portion of the week, we set up shop in the library at Central and focused in on our case studies which are due at the end of May. It was lovely to get out of my room, be social and get some work done. We are on track, with a session at the writing centre and a lecture on our papers coming up at the end of the week.
On Tuesday morning I attended a breakfast networking event for producers. I went to this same event a couple of months ago, and although it is an early start, it is a wonderful opportunity to meet others in the industry and get an update on all that is happening around town.
On Wednesday I was back at my beloved ITC for another workshop. This time on fundraising. The focus was on applying to government funders, like Arts Council England, and trusts and foundations. Raising investment from private individuals or acquiring corporate sponsorships are other avenues but detailed strategy on those resources will have to wait for another workshop. The instructor was an excellent teacher and taught from practical experience gained over thirty years in the industry. I have never been disappointed with an ITC workshop and look forward to the next one I can attend!
This week I am pushing to finish my first draft of the case study so I have plenty of time for revision and edits. We have class on Friday, so that should give me more insight. What else will the week bring? Who knows, but I'm up for more networking, more learning, more walks in the park and more of fabulous London!
Take care!
-m
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Sunday, April 23, 2017
Back and Busy
Last week was Easter and I was wrapped up in all sorts of activities mainly to do with school and career. I'm afraid the blog was abandoned for the day, but, we are back this week and busy.
I have been working on my assignments and attending meetings. Some of the meetings are about particular projects and some are simply getting-to-know-you meets or catch ups with existing friends and colleagues. Talking to people, building relationships, and finding out what is happening around town to a crucial part of building my place in the industry.
The weather has been amazing and today I did spend some time at Hampstead Heath enjoying the sunshine and spring blooms. Coming up this week I have a workshop at ITC, more meetings and writing and research days scheduled.
I am hoping to go to the theatre this week but the first draft of my case study is the priority. There is not much else to report. I'll check in next week to let you know how it goes.
Take care!
-m
I have been working on my assignments and attending meetings. Some of the meetings are about particular projects and some are simply getting-to-know-you meets or catch ups with existing friends and colleagues. Talking to people, building relationships, and finding out what is happening around town to a crucial part of building my place in the industry.
The weather has been amazing and today I did spend some time at Hampstead Heath enjoying the sunshine and spring blooms. Coming up this week I have a workshop at ITC, more meetings and writing and research days scheduled.
I am hoping to go to the theatre this week but the first draft of my case study is the priority. There is not much else to report. I'll check in next week to let you know how it goes.
Take care!
-m
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Brilliant Pitches and Market Stalls
This past week's highlight was a workshop on how to deliver brilliant business pitches. I ventured to East London on Friday to attend the workshop at an organization called General Assembly. GA is not arts or theatre based. Their focus is tech innovation. They offer workshops on coding and design as well as product management, social media marketing and search engine optimization. This is fantastic for me because it helps me diversify my sources of information and acquire business training from other sectors.
The workshop was a wonderful education. The instructor explained about the psychology of the pitching process and how to use that to our advantage. He also went through how to best structure the presentation. It was a new angle on the pitching process that I hadn't really heard about before. However, it was interesting because there were similar ideas to those I was taught when training for auditions as a performer. What is a pitch but an audition? It is an opportunity to convince someone that you, your team and/or your product can solve their problem and are right for the job. As I broaden my knowledge about business, finance, marketing, and technology, I find that the various sectors and career paths have much more in common than we probably think when we are focused on our own worlds.
The weather in London has been fantastic of late and Friday was no exception. After the seminar, I had the chance to meander through Spitalfields Market. Spitalfields is a marketplace that is a collection of market stalls and small shops where independent retailers and artists sell their wares. Spitalfields is open daily and has some unique merchandise options. It also boasts fantastic street food vendors with flavors from all around the world. If you are in East London, make sure to check out Spitalfields.
Coming up this week I continue my research for my second case study and have some meetings set up to network with emerging artists that may be interested in partnering with a producer.
Until next week...
Take care!
-m
The workshop was a wonderful education. The instructor explained about the psychology of the pitching process and how to use that to our advantage. He also went through how to best structure the presentation. It was a new angle on the pitching process that I hadn't really heard about before. However, it was interesting because there were similar ideas to those I was taught when training for auditions as a performer. What is a pitch but an audition? It is an opportunity to convince someone that you, your team and/or your product can solve their problem and are right for the job. As I broaden my knowledge about business, finance, marketing, and technology, I find that the various sectors and career paths have much more in common than we probably think when we are focused on our own worlds.
The weather in London has been fantastic of late and Friday was no exception. After the seminar, I had the chance to meander through Spitalfields Market. Spitalfields is a marketplace that is a collection of market stalls and small shops where independent retailers and artists sell their wares. Spitalfields is open daily and has some unique merchandise options. It also boasts fantastic street food vendors with flavors from all around the world. If you are in East London, make sure to check out Spitalfields.
Coming up this week I continue my research for my second case study and have some meetings set up to network with emerging artists that may be interested in partnering with a producer.
Until next week...
Take care!
-m
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Cancellations, Cathedrals and Cinemas
Saturday Remi and I attempted to go to a show. I had been wanting to see The Wild Party since I first saw the advert some months ago. I booked tickets for the second to last performance, the Saturday matinee, this past April Fool's Day. Turns out, the joke was on us. Remi and I met, grabbed lunch and headed to the theatre only to see a slew of patrons in the lobby filling out forms. I figured it was some kind of survey and proceeded to the box office. Alas, I was also handed a form. Turns out one to the performers was ill and they had to cancel. There was an evening performance but didn't have any seats left. The form was so I could receive a refund for the tickets. It was a disappointment but that's how it goes with live theatre. I hope the performer recovers soon.
Remi and I decided to see a film. However, we had some time to kill between the ticket refund form and the film we wanted to see. We decided to have a look inside Westminister Cathedral, which was on the way to the cinema. Westminister Cathedral should not be confused with Westminister Abby. The Abby is near the Houses of Parliment/Big Ben and is where the monarchs of the UK have their coronation ceremonies. The Abby is part of the Chuch of England. Westminister Cathedral is a Catholic church. It was built between 1895 and 1903 and is absolutely breathtaking to behold. The exterior is unique in that it is striped with grey stone and red brick. The interior does not have any stained glass windows but the gilded mosaic tile work in each of the side chapels is truly stunning. The architect, John Francis Bentley, designed the building in the Neo-Byzantine style. In all my touring around Europe, I have never seen a Cathedral like this one. If you are ever in London, do visit and see the wonder for yourself.
Next, we to headed to the cinema. Remi had heard wonderful things about a film out of Romania called Graduation. The beauty of living in large metropolitan cities is that seeing a foreign film in the cinema is really no problem at all. Off we went to see the film. It was very good. It was a crime drama wrapped in a domestic drama about a girl on the brink of high school graduation who gets attacked just outside of her school on the first day of a very important series of final exams. If she does well on the exams, she is guaranteed a place, on scholarship, at Cambridge University in England. This opportunity would allow her to get away from her small Romanian town and make a better life for herself abroad. Her father, a local doctor, wants this for her more than anything but sees his daughter struggling to regain her equilibrium after the attack. He sets out to make sure his daughter gets the chance he never had. The film was well done and I won't be surprised if we see it nominated for a foreign language film Oscar at next year's Academy Awards.
After the film, Remi and I walked around town, discussed the film and slowly made our way to some dinner. During our stroll, we found ourselves just outside of Houses of Parliment/Big Ben. There, at a crosswalk, waiting for the light to change, Remi struck up a conversation with a group of three Americans. As it turns out, one of the ladies is from Spartanburg, SC (as am I, if you don't know)! What a small world!
We didn't get to see the show, but all and all, it turned out to be an interesting and wonderful day in London!
Coming up this week: more research and academic writing. I'll let you know if I make it to a show this week. Or, if I meet anyone from my hometown!
Take care!
-m
Remi and I decided to see a film. However, we had some time to kill between the ticket refund form and the film we wanted to see. We decided to have a look inside Westminister Cathedral, which was on the way to the cinema. Westminister Cathedral should not be confused with Westminister Abby. The Abby is near the Houses of Parliment/Big Ben and is where the monarchs of the UK have their coronation ceremonies. The Abby is part of the Chuch of England. Westminister Cathedral is a Catholic church. It was built between 1895 and 1903 and is absolutely breathtaking to behold. The exterior is unique in that it is striped with grey stone and red brick. The interior does not have any stained glass windows but the gilded mosaic tile work in each of the side chapels is truly stunning. The architect, John Francis Bentley, designed the building in the Neo-Byzantine style. In all my touring around Europe, I have never seen a Cathedral like this one. If you are ever in London, do visit and see the wonder for yourself.
Next, we to headed to the cinema. Remi had heard wonderful things about a film out of Romania called Graduation. The beauty of living in large metropolitan cities is that seeing a foreign film in the cinema is really no problem at all. Off we went to see the film. It was very good. It was a crime drama wrapped in a domestic drama about a girl on the brink of high school graduation who gets attacked just outside of her school on the first day of a very important series of final exams. If she does well on the exams, she is guaranteed a place, on scholarship, at Cambridge University in England. This opportunity would allow her to get away from her small Romanian town and make a better life for herself abroad. Her father, a local doctor, wants this for her more than anything but sees his daughter struggling to regain her equilibrium after the attack. He sets out to make sure his daughter gets the chance he never had. The film was well done and I won't be surprised if we see it nominated for a foreign language film Oscar at next year's Academy Awards.
After the film, Remi and I walked around town, discussed the film and slowly made our way to some dinner. During our stroll, we found ourselves just outside of Houses of Parliment/Big Ben. There, at a crosswalk, waiting for the light to change, Remi struck up a conversation with a group of three Americans. As it turns out, one of the ladies is from Spartanburg, SC (as am I, if you don't know)! What a small world!
We didn't get to see the show, but all and all, it turned out to be an interesting and wonderful day in London!
Coming up this week: more research and academic writing. I'll let you know if I make it to a show this week. Or, if I meet anyone from my hometown!
Take care!
-m
Westminister Cathedral - photo credit Panoramio.com
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