FREELANCE (Marketing plan and Forecast timeline)

How many hours am i going to spend on my career?


During my current performing arts course i spend a minimum of 16 hours per week in classes related to the performing arts industry, this includes dance, singing and dance. However when i move on to higher education this will increase to a minimum of 20 hours working practically on my performance on top of theoretical lessons learning about how a dancers body works etc. However outside of this i am going to spend 2/3 hours a week marketing, this could be anything from getting new headshots, looking for open auditions, updating my cv and developing my social media platforms.


What kind of training is expected of me?

To be able to have a career in this industry i am expected have dance, singing and acting training. For dance i need to have a developed ballet technique that is the basis of all movement, a growing knowledge of contemporary and jazz technique. If I am going to a musical theatre audition I my need at least a basic tap knowledge, in addition to this I need a developing singing and acting technique. Some jobs may require a further and higher education qualification in the arts.

For the last 3 years i have been doing a full time performing arts course studying acting, singing and dance. However in my next stage of education i want to specialise more into dance as although i think i have skills in these areas, dance is the area that i have gained the most from. Throughout my time here i found that this is my passion and i wish to develop this further. I have had the chance to choreograph and plan dances for my A Level as well as given the opportunity to direct and choreograph scenes and dances for musicals and performances. From this i have decided that this is something i have chosen to do.

How am i going to market myself now?

• Instagram - I have set up a professional Instagram, this is private to my personal Instagram (i have changed the name of this so that if someone searched my name this is the other account that would come up). This account is only for pictures and videos of anything associated with performing arts and developing my career. I upload pictures and videos from rehearsals and productions which i have been in. They include all aspects of my current training which helps me build up an appropriate social media presence, and an image of what i am like to industry people. On this account i follow other actors, singer and dancers, those who are just starting out as well as others who are more established, as well as this i follow dance and theatre companies that specialise in areas i am interested. For example i have a heavy interest in inclusive dance and performance therefore i have followed companies such as "StopGap" and "ChickenShed", this allows me to keep up to date with their work, this is helpful to me as i can see what is currently popular within the industry and i can work towards those goals. On my account i have clearly given my full name and contact details, areas of interest and playing age and using my headshot as my profile picture, this is so it is clear who i am from an initial look at my account. 

 

 

 

Open Auditions - I think open auditions are a great way of seeing the level of talent that is required at jobs currently, this is because you get to see what level other performers that are the same age as you and have similar characteristics. This is important because these people are likely to be cast in the same sort of roles as you and therefore it is good to know the standard you should be working at. In addition to this, as part of open auditions workshops will be taught by industry professionals and therefore you will be able to gain knowledge from experienced performers, choreographers and directors which allows you to develop your skills further. This is also a good way to get used the audition process and gain confidence so that going to auditions becomes part of a normal part of your career.

Actors CV - This is something that i have included in my posts, however it needs to be something that i added to after each performance you do, this is because it shows industry professionals an example of the type of performances and roles you have been in, this helps with casting as they can see which roles would suit you best and me be able to give you an audition.

Headshots - Headshots are the first impression of you that an agent or casting director is going to receive, therefore it is very important that your headshot is of a good quality. One way of doing this is to send one black and white picture and then on a website have additional colour phots, this is so, if somebody is interested they can look through other photos without having to make a decision on just one picture.

Career Timeline

• September 2017 - Start a dance degree at either Middlesex or Roehampton University, during my time here I want to develop my ballet and contemporary dance technique, work on my audition technique and improve my overall performance skills. In my contemporary classes I am going to be working on Graham, Cunningham, Limon and release technique, however outside of my scheduled classes I am going to join the dance society which allows me to take classes in a range of other styles and genres that I am less experienced in. For example i would like to take a regular tap class, so that I have more chance in musical theatre auditions for shows like 42nd Street, Cabaret, Anything Goes and Thoroughly Modern Millie.
• Summer 2021 - During my time at University and after I am going to be auditioning for freelance jobs as well as applying to contemporary (mainstream and inclusive) companies.
• During this time I would like to be signed with an agent and doing a range of jobs in different areas of the industry, I plan on taking all opportunities I can including those in dance, singing and musical theatre.
• I would also like to spend time working with adults and children - mainstream, physical disabilities and learning disabilities, performing, teaching and choreographing, I think this will help me gain knowledge and experience in many different things, I am interested to see how the arts affect different people. For example I want to explore the advantages of performing arts to different groups of people.
• I would also like to take job opportunities in different countries', this is so I can have the chance to experience arts in a range of cultures.
• As well as attending lots of auditions, I am going to take lots of classes in disciplines that I have studied as well as some that I haven't so that I am continuing to develop my skills after education, I want to be suitable for as many performing jobs as possible so that I have a greater chance of employment. In addition to this I enjoy learning new skills and feel that I will really benefit from this. 
• By 2030 - I would have liked to start up my own inclusive dance company, this is going to start with a small group of dancers, and other industry professionals that I have met through other work. To be able to do this I need to make sure that I create my own contacts book and keep a record of everyone I meet though jobs etc.
• By 2035 - I would have liked this company to have grown considerably, ideally be more recognised and begin nationally touring, drawing in a wide variety of audience. After this time I would like to begin leading workshops that we can provide to schools and other education facilities as well as private workshops for artists.
• By 2040 - By this time my company will have a larger amount of dancers/performers, touring internationally, performing in festivals and performances around the world.
• By 2045 - As my company has obtained recognition nationally and internationally, I would like to develop an education outreach program to be able to reach lots of people, and provide opportunities and classes to children and adults who are serious about dance but may not be able to afford expensive dance classes, so that many more people can have the chance to dance instead of those in richer families.
• By 2055 - In this 10 years I would have likes to expand the education outreach program to other parts of the country and start considering expanding to other countries, to expand my brand further.