My Own Personal SIG!!!
Here is a link to my own SIG .....
Is the world of entertainment obsessed with a dancer's body image?
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=145821545478191&topic=78
Please take a look at it and I look forward to hearing your ideas, opinions and thoughts on this!!
Monday, 28 February 2011
Questions? Questions? And more Questions? Developing Inquiry...!?
“Questions are the creative acts of intelligence” – Author unknown
Thinking of lines of inquiry and questions I wanted to develop towards my award title which I was passionate and interested about, was linked to my professional practice and which I could use in relation to future career development I made notes in my journal on lots of different lines of inquiry and subjects that I have strong opinions about and I found these changed several times - but what would make a difference?
My head was spinning with prospective questions. One thing I was certain about was it would be linked in some way to dance. Dance is my passion and as Martha Graham said, “Dance is the hidden language of the soul” which I affirmatively believe. I have been dancing as long as I can remember and whatever else I tried as a child I always came back to dance as my means of escapism, the thing I built my dreams around.
Reflecting on some of the blogs in Module 1 I realised there was a recurring theme of interest for me around the body image of the dancer which was very closely connected to my personal interest in dance nutrition and fitness and how the science of dance can lead a dancer to achieve maximum performance.
My ultimate goal is to be the best performer I can be and achieve the most that I can achieve. I enjoy all different genres and styles of dance and I’ve always been intrigued and fascinated by the different body images that change with the different style of dance such as ballet and hip-hop – contrasting style of dance, contrasting body image.
I started to reflect on my professional practice and where I am at the moment. Reading others’ journeys to find their lines of enquiry I found I could empathise with Ross as I am too between employments. I have just finished my first professional contract in pantomime in the West End and now have a break until I join a dance troupe out in Corfu for a 6 month contract in the summer but I have some teaching with GCSE groups and some workshops with theatre groups to keep me going in-between. How would my lines of inquiry help me in my professional practice and be useful to me in the future?
I have changed my mind several times about lines of inquiry but on Saturday night I went to a party and I had a good old ‘chin wag’ with a good friend who is a fellow professional Musical Theatre performer. She’s just about to fly out to France
This made me think again about the seriousness of body image within the entertainment industry and how people try to reach this idea of ‘perfect’ But what is ‘perfect’?? We live in a world where ‘perfection’ is highly emphasised by the media and the desire for the perfect body has grown into an increasing problem among many women and in some cases even men. Negative body image contributes to under and over-eating issues and serious associated health issues. We have an unhealthy obsession with ‘beauty’.
Is it an unattainable and unrealistic view?
Is it an unattainable and unrealistic view?
As I reflected more and more on my conversation with my friend I realised this was something that has affected me since puberty and been an issue for me and is a common issue for many in this industry and I felt this was a line of inquiry that would link into my interest in health and fitness and dance science, that it was something that I have passionate opinions about and that would benefit me in my professional practice. The more I could learn about how the body works and how I can achieve optimum performance but in a way that is healthy for both my mind and body this would help me in my future ambitions and so it was time to put my developing ideas on paper or in this case fingers to keyboard. Ultimately I hope I could be fundamental in changing attitudes towards body image.
My mum always says to me, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and that everyone sees each other through different eyes. Another of her sayings is, "One man's trash is another man's treasure!"
Is this true for a casting director, choreographer, and director on an audition panel? Are they also influenced by the obsession with the perfect body image and so only choose to audition people who match what is perceived as the ‘perfect’ image in their dancers?I have seen so many audition adverts in the Stage and on Spotlight which are specific about height, weight, dress size.
Is this true for a casting director, choreographer, and director on an audition panel? Are they also influenced by the obsession with the perfect body image and so only choose to audition people who match what is perceived as the ‘perfect’ image in their dancers?I have seen so many audition adverts in the Stage and on Spotlight which are specific about height, weight, dress size.
During my 3 years at college it became an obsession particularly with the girls and I have witnessed everything from real tantrums and tears, expressions of doubt, fear, despair and self-disgust or alternatively, of contempt and self-righteous smugness in supposedly bodily superiority amongst students when the issue of the dancer's body arose, or when they faced the studio mirror. The forms of being bodily wrong that students despair over are endless and the increasing numbers who suffer from eating disorders is quite frightening.
We were constantly told that in the dance world it is more important how you look than how you dance and we all fretted whether we were too short, too tall, too fat, too thin, too flat-chested, too busty, disproportionate, too big in the hips, thighs or shoulders, too short in the neck, or too long in the torso relative to the legs. We were constantly told we needed to find “a look”. The number of times more talented students have been overlooked for someone who has the “right look” are more than I’ve had hot dinners. This only made things worse for those of us who felt it was their body shape or image that was wrong and not their technique or talent. The damage to self esteem and confidence is fundamental. The number of crash diets that began every Monday morning was staggering - I've known girls try to get through a 12 hour day of hard dance training on a bag of rice cakes and then wonder why they felt ill.
We were constantly told that in the dance world it is more important how you look than how you dance and we all fretted whether we were too short, too tall, too fat, too thin, too flat-chested, too busty, disproportionate, too big in the hips, thighs or shoulders, too short in the neck, or too long in the torso relative to the legs. We were constantly told we needed to find “a look”. The number of times more talented students have been overlooked for someone who has the “right look” are more than I’ve had hot dinners. This only made things worse for those of us who felt it was their body shape or image that was wrong and not their technique or talent. The damage to self esteem and confidence is fundamental. The number of crash diets that began every Monday morning was staggering - I've known girls try to get through a 12 hour day of hard dance training on a bag of rice cakes and then wonder why they felt ill.
The constant pressure society plays in the damage of self esteem is an important issue. Social contributors are everywhere – on TV, in magazines and online to name a few and Hollywood does not serve as a realistic model for a healthy body image either.Are there unrealistic expectations that the media has instilled in society’s mind?
Body image and weight management are national struggles in all walks of life and being uncomfortable in your own skin is really, really common. I can empathise with this as my own body played a role in choosing my career path, I trained as a ballet dancer and my dream was to go to ballet school and maybe join a ballet company but when I reached puberty my body image changed and then always let me down. I have always been slim but I developed curves (in the bust and bum department) and I was told by most of my teachers that I would never make it as ballet dancer because I was the wrong body type and shape. I therefore did not audition for ballet schools but I chose to follow my dance passion through a college that did all other forms of dance as well as ballet and musical theatre.
I always remember a line from Legally Blonde, “all people see when they look at me is blonde hair and big boobs!” and I can certainly relate to this. But what about my ability as a dancer? Doesn’t that count for anything?
I always remember a line from Legally Blonde, “all people see when they look at me is blonde hair and big boobs!” and I can certainly relate to this. But what about my ability as a dancer? Doesn’t that count for anything?
Images of female bodies are everywhere and they sell everything from cars to food. Film and television actresses become younger, taller and thinner. Women’s magazines are full of articles urging women to follow diets and if they lose the required amount of weight they will have it all – the perfect marriage, loving children, great sex and a rewarding career - which is just not the case.
Why are these standards of beauty imposed on women when the majority of whom are quite naturally larger than any of the models?
And where does that leave us as dancers if the 'perfect' dance body is unattainable for most?
Why should dance only be accessible as a career to the tall and thin?
And where does that leave us as dancers if the 'perfect' dance body is unattainable for most?
Why should dance only be accessible as a career to the tall and thin?
Movies reinforce the importance of a thin body as a measure of a women’s worth.
I watched the Oscar’s last night and I realised just how thin most of the actresses really are and I was appalled at the commentaries of the presenters about hair, make-up, body shape, dresses, jewellery. They were really quite personal and derogatory comments, actually really ‘bitchy’. My reaction? Aren’t they there to celebrate and honour the very best in the film industry and the very best performances of the year, what they have achieved as an actor/director etc? It seems the media were there to have a field day at 'dissing' anyone and everyone and of course particularly the women. What about their performances as actresses in the roles they were picked to play? That seemed to take a back seat. The papers this morning are full of pictures of Halle Berry in her gorgeous dress but she wasn't even nominated for an award!
I then thought about the current blockbuster film “Black Swan”. The ballerina body image as seen in the film raises concerns about the dangers of eating disorders and the culture increases the chance of young women developing problems with eating disorders.Isn’t this distorted body image again pressurising dancers to be thin?This culture can push dancers to their physical limit and increase the risk for body image issues and eating disorders and injury.
I actually didn’t particularly enjoy the film as I thought it wasn’t complimentary in its regard to dance and the dance world and I think it could do more harm than good to the ‘dance’ image although I have read varying reviews regarding the authenticity of the dance elements of the film and really it was intended to be more of a psychological thriller.
Arlene Phillips quoted in her review article for the Daily Mail on line ,
“Ballet is about perfection and if you’re not perfect you’re out. You can’t choose to be a ballerina because you want to, because it’s your passion or because you dance well – ballet has to choose you. Maybe your boobs have grown too big, your legs aren’t as long as they should be or your hips are too wide — then you are quickly discarded. There is nothing more depressing than being in dance studios where you see dancers still dreaming about becoming a ballerina."
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1349062/Black-Swan-Anorexia-dark-sexual-encounters-ballet-brutal-film-portrays-it.html#ixzz1FLeCU1CI
Why should that be? Why shouldn't ballet be accessible to all if technically as dancers they are good enough?
I actually didn’t particularly enjoy the film as I thought it wasn’t complimentary in its regard to dance and the dance world and I think it could do more harm than good to the ‘dance’ image although I have read varying reviews regarding the authenticity of the dance elements of the film and really it was intended to be more of a psychological thriller.
Arlene Phillips quoted in her review article for the Daily Mail on line ,
“Ballet is about perfection and if you’re not perfect you’re out. You can’t choose to be a ballerina because you want to, because it’s your passion or because you dance well – ballet has to choose you. Maybe your boobs have grown too big, your legs aren’t as long as they should be or your hips are too wide — then you are quickly discarded. There is nothing more depressing than being in dance studios where you see dancers still dreaming about becoming a ballerina."
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1349062/Black-Swan-Anorexia-dark-sexual-encounters-ballet-brutal-film-portrays-it.html#ixzz1FLeCU1CI
Why should that be? Why shouldn't ballet be accessible to all if technically as dancers they are good enough?
I was rather inspired that Arlene also had her dreams to be a ballet dancer thwarted when she reached puberty as she has made a successful career in dance despite that but I was horrified when she related a story of a friend of hers who had a bust reduction operation for that very reason. There was nothing she would not have done to become a ballerina. She was rejected from many dance companies but as soon as she had her small boobs she was taken on. Having a bust reduction operation did not make her a better dancer just altered her body shape and image!
I think the most extreme thing I have ever heard is a story about a girl who's mother was prepared to pay for her daughter to have an operation and treatment to make her neck longer in order for her to be a ballerina.
I think the most extreme thing I have ever heard is a story about a girl who's mother was prepared to pay for her daughter to have an operation and treatment to make her neck longer in order for her to be a ballerina.
Extreme weight loss in a dancer can lead to fatigue, difficulty concentrating and thinking, low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, seizures and stress fractures and hormonal imbalances can lead to hair loss, infertility and excess body hair. I think the body images portrayed in the ‘Black Swan’ should be used more to raise awareness of the dangers than to promote this as the perfect dancer body.
Shouldn’t dance companies and schools have counselling and educational sessions on healthy eating and exercise mandatory for students?
Shouldn’t stress reduction programmes such as yoga and pilates be encouraged into companies and colleges training programmes for all dancers?
Shouldn’t stress reduction programmes such as yoga and pilates be encouraged into companies and colleges training programmes for all dancers?
The painfully thin image of ballerinas in the ‘Black Swan’ portrayed by Natalie Portman, who lost 20lbs in order to play the role, brings focus to the negative side of dance and that can lead to nutritional deprivation and eating disorders and associated health risks. It’s worrying that young girls may try to achieve that image.
This lead me to an inquiry question to post as a SIG as a developing line of inquiry.........
Is the world of entertainment obsessed with a dancer’s body image?
Is the world of entertainment obsessed with a dancer’s body image?
Is the painfully thin image of ballerina’s as portrayed in the ‘Black Swan’ detrimental to the ‘normal’ dancer’s body image?
Should we in the dance industry be doing more to promote a healthy dancer and change attitudes towards body image?
I realised my developing questions were linking into education and training again and that they were important to me and to my development as a professional dancer to help me achieve my potential to be the best I can be and use dance science to help understand how to achieve that and use this knowledge to try and help encourage others to be healthy by promoting health and fitness in the dance world and hopefully be systematic in trying to change attitudes towards dancers and their body image.
Lots of developing inquiries then and more questions than answers. I have decided to contact some people connected to the world of dance and the world of health and fitness to help me develop my line of inquiry more.
I would appreciate your reactions, thoughts and opinions.
I would appreciate your reactions, thoughts and opinions.
References
BA Professional Practice WBS 3835 Module Handbook 2010/11
BA Professional Practice Course Reader 4 – Developing Lines of Professional Inquiry 2010/11
Blog Links Module 1 - Emily Rose Harris:
1. Inquiry Task, Dance Science.
2. Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall?
1. Inquiry Task, Dance Science.
2. Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall?
Mail Online – ‘Is the world of ballet as brutal as Black Swan portrays it?’ by Arlene Philips 21st January 2011
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1349062/Black-Swan-Anorexia-dark-sexual-encounters-ballet-brutal-film-portrays-it.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1349062/Black-Swan-Anorexia-dark-sexual-encounters-ballet-brutal-film-portrays-it.html
Thursday, 24 February 2011
Gettin' My Head Back In The Game.....
Just getting back into the swing of blogging and BAPPing for module 2. It's seems to have taken a while for me to get my head around the whole thing and I haven't posted much but I have been making notes in my journal about possible lines of inquiry and hopefully I will set up my own SIG very soon.
I've been spending time reading others questions and getting involved in the discussions. There seems to be lots of good discussions and it's very interesting to read and involve myself with what others have to say on all the different inquiry's.
There seems to be lots to read and take in on this module and as I was unable to go to the first 2 open days due to other commitments it all seems rather overwhelming but I'm ploughing through it all. Decided this week need to get started so look out for blogs and comments and SIGs happening!
I have been mainly trying to get work which has involved endless trips to the capital for auditions but I am pleased to say I have my next job and will be flying out to Corfu at the end of April to join a dance company for 6 months but have to learn 8 shows before then during April rehearsals.
Just a word to any doubters of how improtant face to face networking can be as we discussed in the last module - this contract came out of meeting someone at an audition who put me in touch with a dance company and choreographer and I was called to audition. Without that connection I would not have known about the company or the job. I was really thrilled and the credits and cv's of some of the other dancers left me in awe but not only am I to join the troupe but I have been given a lead role fronting one of the shows and I am currently learning the lyrics to 11 songs!
I will hopefully be at the next campus session on 17th March before I go but I am concious I need to get well on the way with this module and get my head back in the BAPP game.
Just getting back into the swing of blogging and BAPPing for module 2. It's seems to have taken a while for me to get my head around the whole thing and I haven't posted much but I have been making notes in my journal about possible lines of inquiry and hopefully I will set up my own SIG very soon.
I've been spending time reading others questions and getting involved in the discussions. There seems to be lots of good discussions and it's very interesting to read and involve myself with what others have to say on all the different inquiry's.
There seems to be lots to read and take in on this module and as I was unable to go to the first 2 open days due to other commitments it all seems rather overwhelming but I'm ploughing through it all. Decided this week need to get started so look out for blogs and comments and SIGs happening!
I have been mainly trying to get work which has involved endless trips to the capital for auditions but I am pleased to say I have my next job and will be flying out to Corfu at the end of April to join a dance company for 6 months but have to learn 8 shows before then during April rehearsals.
Just a word to any doubters of how improtant face to face networking can be as we discussed in the last module - this contract came out of meeting someone at an audition who put me in touch with a dance company and choreographer and I was called to audition. Without that connection I would not have known about the company or the job. I was really thrilled and the credits and cv's of some of the other dancers left me in awe but not only am I to join the troupe but I have been given a lead role fronting one of the shows and I am currently learning the lyrics to 11 songs!
I will hopefully be at the next campus session on 17th March before I go but I am concious I need to get well on the way with this module and get my head back in the BAPP game.
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