Module Two - One: Finding a Focus

 Firstly, I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that I've found it incredibly difficult to get back into the swing of using my brain in this way after a summer of just going to work! 

Narrowing down my focus into a 'little wonder' to investigate has proved difficult, as lots of my module one investigation swayed towards bigger questions. I spent a lot of time focussing on why I had chosen to steer away from a musical theatre career and more towards one in acting, and settled upon the idea that it was due to the portrayal I had been given of the industry during my time training. This led me to bigger ethical questions about the casting industry and how much someone's body image should be considered when discussing their eligibility for a role. This was far too big of an area to use for my 12-week module three investigation, so I came to a bit of a wall in terms of ideas. 

I currently teach over 100 different children during the course of a week, whether that's in acting or dance. A discussion with my supervisor made me consider focussing on how language in education has an effect on students, and my responsibility to not pass that on to the students I teach now. As much as this is important and a part of my current practice, I wanted to make my focus something that really excites me. 

I had a brief education in screen acting as part of my study at college, but it was never something taught in any great detail. It has always seemed to me that casting is more diverse in terms of body image in the world of TV and film, so it has seemed the most viable career option for me. Once again, while talking to my supervisor he noted that he thought stage acting was far more diverse in it's casting. 

This led me to the question I am currently using to focus my investigation: 

Does screen acting offer a more diverse range of roles for performers? Why? 

Below is the mind map I created while trying to map areas of my practice that interest me. Different colours link similar or connected ideas.