Lecture on Tech Spec & Black Toffee Theatre Company Talk.

Today's lecture was on the tech spec form which needs submitting to our main technician. It wasn't actually necessarily relevant for me as I am writing and producing a radio drama, but I felt it was important I knew how to write one for when I graduate from University. It included everything from lighting you were wanting to use, to all the health and safety aspects of the performance.

On the afternoon we had a talk with Laura Lyndsey and Peter Carruthers who run both Black Toffee and Peter Carruthers productions. I have actually been observing Black Toffee's most recent rehearsals for there performance 'Parallel' which is being performed at Harrogate before a national tour in Autumn 2016. There approach to work, care shown for one another and level of talent within the rehearsal process is phenomenal; not forgetting the amount of fun and laughter everyone seems to have! I was therefore very excited about this talk into there knowledge of the industry.

I got lots of extremely important notes which covered everything from funding, how they got to where they are and that actually it is possible to get yourself out there and be professional. After previous weeks I had felt completely lost within the arts world and so it was wonderful to have my zest for life and performance thrown back at me! I also thought it was extremely interesting that Peter Carruthers had actually done a short film to help improve awareness of PTSD which is actually now used by the NHS. A similar aim to mine it was great to know that someone had took on something similar and had actually been successful! This is something I hope to achieve with the piece of radio drama I produce so that I can use it as a professional platform to propel my career.

A recurring theme that keeps cropping up within these professional practice meetings is also that people actually get their out there, are polite, reliable and don't give up trying. I think having confidence in your ability and work appears to be the majority of the battle within the industry! Although it is not in my nature to be like this, my drive to make a change and be within the arts is stronger than the insecure voice in my head. It is a burning passion to bring about change for not only myself, but others. I believe drama has the ability to do that. 

Bibliography 

• Canary in a Coal Mine, 2013. Canary in a Coal Mine - Trailer [online]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J5CRGPvgl4 [Accessed November 20, 2015].
• Change4MEAustralia's channel, 2012. I remember ME (full length version) [online]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=401--WCB5dc [Accessed October 25, 2015].
• Cooper, P. 2012. M.E Awareness [online]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5tX_RbFjvo [Accessed October 20, 2015].
• Crook, T. 1999. International radio drama. London: Routledge.
• Hickman, K. 2015. Illness: Psychosomatic and Physical. Start the Week [online]. Available from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05xd449 [Accessed June 8, 2015].
• Larvin, M. 2016. Home - LARVIN.ORG. Larvin.org [online]. Available from: http://www.larvin.org/ [Accessed January 30, 2016].
• PaithanNL, 2011. Trailer docu CVS ME CFS Voices from the Shadows 2011.mp4 [online]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiuqTx0u-Yw [Accessed November 20, 2015].
• Schechner, R. 2002. Performance Studies: An introduction 3rd ed. Oxon: Routledge.
• Ul.ie, 2016. Prof Michael Larvin | ul medical. [online]. Available from: http://www.ul.ie/gems/staff/prof-michael-larvin [Accessed January 30, 2016].
• The RSA, (2013) Brené Brown on Empathy. Available from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw> [Accessed 14 February 2016].
• WCC Learning Technologies, 2015. ME Awareness Week at West Cheshire College [online]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqFe53xuTho [Accessed November 20, 2015].
• White, P. 2015. Wolfson Institute - Pace Trial | Wolfson Institute. Wolfson.qmul.ac.uk [online]. Available from: http://www.wolfson.qmul.ac.uk/current-projects/pace-trial [Accessed November 10, 2015].
• Wojcik, W. et al. 2011. ‘84% of British neurologists don’t view CFS as a neurological illness’ – survey results discussed. ME Association [online]. Available from: http://www.meassociation.org.uk/2011/04/84-of-british-neurologists-dont-view-cfs-as-a-neurological-illness-survey-results-discussed/ [Accessed October 20, 2015].

Discussion with a friend that was maybe slightly intoxicated. (13th Feb)

Well this was a very interesting and nice talk with my friend Jack whom also studies art! I got some great idea's on how to approach empathy from a both a creative basis and a scientific pragmatic basis. I am so grateful to Jack for sharing some of his knowledge or idea's on the subject as he has helped me greatly in knowing what to look at; there was also a lot of discussion over our enthusiasm of podcasts! As you can tell, he is very brainy. 

I found it interesting that Jack brought up Ted Talks as it is actually the inspiration behind exploring empathy within my PRP. I stumbled across this video whilst watching 'Brene Brown' do a talk about 'Vulnerability'. The beautiful speech alongside intricate animation really touched me. The key pointers that pin point the differences between empathy and sympathy is definitely something I am planning on exploring within my project. It is a beautiful visual portrayal of the impact empathy has.

 Another interesting point to note is the use of semiotics in radio drama; it is known as audio imagination. It gives me great freedom when I come to my writing and allows for a unique opportunity to also take audiences into the space of people's mind's, thoughts and physche. This discussion has given me a great starting point for when I come to start my research into empathy and I will definitely look at exploring these points further.

Bibliography 

• Canary in a Coal Mine, 2013. Canary in a Coal Mine - Trailer [online]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J5CRGPvgl4 [Accessed November 20, 2015].
• Change4MEAustralia's channel, 2012. I remember ME (full length version) [online]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=401--WCB5dc [Accessed October 25, 2015].
• Cooper, P. 2012. M.E Awareness [online]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5tX_RbFjvo [Accessed October 20, 2015].
• Crook, T. 1999. International radio drama. London: Routledge.
• Hickman, K. 2015. Illness: Psychosomatic and Physical. Start the Week [online]. Available from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05xd449 [Accessed June 8, 2015].
• Larvin, M. 2016. Home - LARVIN.ORG. Larvin.org [online]. Available from: http://www.larvin.org/ [Accessed January 30, 2016].
• PaithanNL, 2011. Trailer docu CVS ME CFS Voices from the Shadows 2011.mp4 [online]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiuqTx0u-Yw [Accessed November 20, 2015].
• Schechner, R. 2002. Performance Studies: An introduction 3rd ed. Oxon: Routledge.
• Ul.ie, 2016. Prof Michael Larvin | ul medical. [online]. Available from: http://www.ul.ie/gems/staff/prof-michael-larvin [Accessed January 30, 2016].
• The RSA, (2013) Brené Brown on Empathy. Available from: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw> [Accessed 14 February 2016].
• WCC Learning Technologies, 2015. ME Awareness Week at West Cheshire College [online]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqFe53xuTho [Accessed November 20, 2015].
• White, P. 2015. Wolfson Institute - Pace Trial | Wolfson Institute. Wolfson.qmul.ac.uk [online]. Available from: http://www.wolfson.qmul.ac.uk/current-projects/pace-trial [Accessed November 10, 2015].
• Wojcik, W. et al. 2011. ‘84% of British neurologists don’t view CFS as a neurological illness’ – survey results discussed. ME Association [online]. Available from: http://www.meassociation.org.uk/2011/04/84-of-british-neurologists-dont-view-cfs-as-a-neurological-illness-survey-results-discussed/ [Accessed October 20, 2015].

Research Document Lecture (9th Feb).

So today's lecture was on the research document. This 2,500 - 3,000 word document will accumulate to 40% of my module's grade. Considering this semester is worth 3 modules put together it carries a heavy weight within my degree program. As my friend in the previous year did such an outstanding research document, I want to make sure mine holds a similar clarity and could be used to help me progress with my career in the professional world.

The most important thing I learnt from this lecture is to actually write the document as I go along. This makes perfect sense alongside my project as I am researching into specific area's and idea's and them knit working them together; it means I can methodically accumulate my research together while it is fresh in my mind. It also reiterated how important organisation was so I have gone and bought a big folder that can hold every single little piece of research I look into; it is a faff but also an absolute necessity. 

(On the afternoon, we also had a meeting with casting agents. Although this isn't releveant to my project as such, it was still an important event and I learnt a lot about the industry! It helped me shape what I actually want to do; sometimes the realities of what you want are different to the dream you imagine. I feel creating theatre for social change and helping others using drama as a tool is something that would make me feel both fulfilled and happy.)

FINALLY FINISHED... the proposal form.

After copious amounts of tea, fueling healthy food and well maybe some chocolate (plus some very important encouragement from my library buddy Josh) I finally finished my proposal form! My plan of action has now been set. The books have been decided. I get my supervisor soon. The timetable has been printed off. The hard work begins now! Proposal is also below. Not going to lie, after 18 hours of hard work I was pleased with the quality of my work. I feel like I, now, have a strong foundation and outline to follow for the rest of the project! A time management scale at this point would be useful as my brain seems to have an unfortunate habit of racing through thoughts so my work seems like a never ending sludge of information. To try and reconcile this I have bought a folder to keep myself organised; I am aware, that for me, this will make or break my PRP. May the luck be forever in your favor!


PRP -  RESEARCH  PROPOSAL 2015-16    

This information will be used to help assign your supervisor for the year - so it is important you fill this in as much detail as possible & meet the submission date.

Student: Katie Larvin

(Group Members): Solo Performance

Email: k.l.larvin@edu.salford.ac.uk

Aim/s:

What are you setting out to explore, analyse or investigate through your project?

I am setting out to explore how radio drama could be used, practically, as a tool to help utilize and improve empathy between patients suffering from an invisible illness and their caregivers.

Objectives:

What concrete activities and research are you going to undertake to achieve this aim/these aims?

The concrete activities and research I am going to undertake to achieve these aims will involve reading documents, books, articles and will also involve interviews with practicing professionals, charities such as ‘Mind’ and ‘AYME’ and patients themselves suffering with an invisible illness. I will need to have a solid understanding of the importance and role empathy plays when a patient is receiving support with an invisible illness. It will also require me to delve into why I have chosen utilize radio drama and why it would be the most effective and accessible art form to use; some of these reasons include its ease in dissemination and that it is the simplest way to reach a lot of people from varying backgrounds. This means it is the most straightforward way for me explore my aim of improving empathy for those with a hidden disability, practically.

Your investigative approaches, both practical and research-base

What ways are you going to set about exploring your areas of interest in a way that is most appropriate for you, your project and your intended audience? Why do you think they are appropriate?

What is your organisational plan that uses the resources and time available effectively?

To set about exploring my ideas of interest, I am firstly going to gather together documentation and research that has already been carried regarding the importance of empathy. This is mainly within the health care system but also looking at wider political debates surrounding the theories and benefits empathy has. I do suffer with an invisible illness myself, but I feel it is important for me to gauge as much information as possible from people with varying conditions and backgrounds by undertaking research and conducting a survey and interviews. To gain the most accurate results, I will research into the best and most effective ways to conduct a survey that I can then use solidify this into results and then use to explore practically. It means I can gain a deeper understanding of how empathy affects the way patients feel about caregivers support and treatment; do people feel listened to?

The next step will be to expand my knowledge into radio drama and what constitutes to good a piece. This will include me listening to and analysing other people’s work within this field but also by me reading books that aid in the writing of radio drama’s and what constitutes to a successful piece. I also feel it will be beneficial for me to research into the impact radio has had on social issues and how it can be used to shift attitudes.

Overall, this PRP will require a lot of leg work before I can get to the process of writing and producing my radio drama. It will be important that my piece explores empathy in a neutral manner to show that maybe people do not need to speak louder, it’s just that others need to listen.

Context

How does your project fit into wider cultural debates and previous experimentation in your areas of study or performance?

Empathy is, at current, a hot topic politically and is used within many areas of society from teaching to counselling to parliament debates. My project will also look at previous research into radio drama and how it is has been shown to be one of the more cost effective art forms that can easily be reached by a lot of different people. Unlike a performance on stage, radio drama has the ability to be replayed as much as a listener likes and involves full audio concentration. My project also currently fits well within wider cultural debates, as it will be promoting the idea that it is possible to give people a voice by teaching others to listen.

Reading List/Stimulus List

Current sources supporting/ stimulating your research…?

·         Batt-Rawden, et al. 2013. Teaching Empathy to Medical Students: An Updated, Systematic Review. Academic Medicine [online]. 88(8),pp.1171-1177. Available from: http://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Abstract/2013/08000/Mastery_Learning_for_Health_Professionals_Using.37.aspx [Accessed February 1, 2016].

·         Glover, F. 2015. Cathryn and Francesca - Living With Invisible Illness. The Listening Project [online]. Available from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b064z756 [Accessed February 9, 2016].

·         Crook, T. 1999. International radio drama. London: Routledge.

·         Hickman, K. 2015. Illness: Psychosomatic and Physical. Start the Week [online]. Available from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05xd449 [Accessed June 8, 2015].

·         Howe, D. 2013. Empathy: what it is and why it matters. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.

·         Jaganath, D. et al. 2013. This is My Story: participatory performance for HIV and AIDS education at the University of Malawi. Health Education Research [online]. 29(4),pp.554-565. Available from: http://her.oxfordjournals.org/content/29/4/554.full.pdf+html [Accessed February 6, 2016].

·         McCormack, B. and Hill, E. 1997. Conducting a survey. London: International Thomson Business Press.

·         Richards, K. 1991. Writing radio drama. Sydney: Currency Press.

·         Schechner, R. 2002. Performance Studies: An introduction 3rd ed. Oxon: Routledge.

·         Slote, M. 2007. The ethics of care and empathy. London: Routledge.

Submission Date/Time:

9/2/16 The Research Proposal – (2 copies -  1 submitted in hard copy to the school office; 1 electronic copy to Mark Creamer m.creamer@salford.ac.uk).

Submitting this on time and with care contributes to the practical criteria relating to: Evidence of appropriate professional attitude with the technician team and supervisor...

Research Proposal – What should you include?

·         The aims and objectives of the project - What are you setting out to explore, analyse or investigate through your project?

·         The historical /social/aesthetic/ theoretical context of the project - How does your project fit into wider cultural debates and previous experimentation in your areas of study or performance?

·         Your investigative approaches, both practical and research-based - How are you going to set about exploring your areas of interest in a way that is most appropriate for you, your project and your intended audience? What existing research and creative process may be useful to you?

·         A basic, provisional schedule – taking account of time and resources

·         An initial reading list of texts, and stimuli…that are informing the investigation and the creative process.

Proposal writing form continues.

Today I am in the library working on my proposal form. After spending hours staring at the screen yesterday I am trying not to panic as I often have a habit of over complicating simple processes. Below is the criteria of the project.


Submission Date/Time:

9/2/16 The Research Proposal – (2 copies -  1 submitted in hard copy to the school office; 1 electronic copy to Mark Creamer m.creamer@salford.ac.uk).

Submitting this on time and with care contributes to the practical criteria relating to: Evidence of appropriate professional attitude with the technician team and supervisor...

Research Proposal – What should you include?

·         The aims and objectives of the project - What are you setting out to explore, analyse or investigate through your project?

·         The historical /social/aesthetic/ theoretical context of the project - How does your project fit into wider cultural debates and previous experimentation in your areas of study or performance?

·         Your investigative approaches, both practical and research-based - How are you going to set about exploring your areas of interest in a way that is most appropriate for you, your project and your intended audience? What existing research and creative process may be useful to you?

·         A basic, provisional schedule – taking account of time and resources

·         An initial reading list of texts, and stimuli…that are informing the investigation and the creative process.

After being told to keep our proposal forms as open as possible I decided that I would tweak my target audience slightly. My original idea was to design a piece specifically for medical students. This had, not only overwhelmed from day one, but also limited me from affecting more people. As one of my solid aims is to 'improve empathy' I would like to write a piece that could be used for numerous different people. The term that seemed to fully encapsulate my intended audience was 'caregivers'. This means my piece will be designed for those working direct from the NHS, students, those working alongside charities and members of the general public that are caring for a family member or friend. 

Things finally began to slot into place although it did take me around 8 hours to write the aim and objective. I have cognitive problems so often find I get extremely frustrated at myself but I knew I had the determination to sit there till I had perfected statements. I came up with the following: 

Aim/s:

What are you setting out to explore, analyse or investigate through your project?

I am setting out to explore how radio drama could be used as a tool to help utilize and improve empathy between patients suffering from an invisible illness and their caregivers.

Objectives:

What concrete activities and research are you going to undertake to achieve this aim/these aims?

The concrete activities and research I am going to undertake to achieve these aims will involve reading documents, books, articles and will also involve interviews with practicing professionals, charities such as ‘Mind’ and ‘AYME’ and patients themselves suffering with an invisible illness. I will need to have a solid understanding of the importance and role empathy plays when a patient is receiving support with an invisible illness. It will also require me to delve into why I have chosen utilize radio drama and why it would be the most effective and accessible art form to use; some of these reasons include its ease in dissemination and that it is the simplest way to reach a lot of people from varying backgrounds. This means it is the most straightforward way for me explore my aim of improving empathy for those with a hidden disability, practically. 

Overall I am pleased with my project aim and objectives. It seems to encompass what I would like to explore and achieve and will also form the plan for the rest of my project. 

Proposal Form Lectureeeeee. (2nd Feb)

Notes I took from today's lecture. 

This lecture was really informative and it has given me everything I need to know to fill out the proposal form! For me personally, I am using the proposal form as an absolute foundation for the rest of this project; it is effectively my plan. As you can see above, in my notes, there is an example question and aim. I can see exactly why Denise selected it, every word has a purpose, it is concise and it is written very precisely to illustrate exactly what they are going to do. In my most recent research document I was let down by not being concise enough; this is something I agree on and am working hard on improving. 

Research Day into Radio Drama.

As I was struggling to write my PRP proposal form I decided to crack on with some research into the theory and logistics of radio drama. Although I have studied radio drama practically for the past two years I feel it is important that I learn as much about the art form as possible so that I can utilize it properly within my project. The book I chose to read is 'Radio Drama' by Tim Crook. It seems to be a very interesting read that will provide me with knowledge in, not only the practicalities of writing a radio drama but also in the history and social communication theory's contexts.  

As Brecht is one of my favorite practitioners  - using theatre as a medium to help provide momentum for social and political change - I was pleasantly surprised to see he had commented on radio and its usages. However, his overall views on radio drama were not massively positive. As a practitioner, Brecht believed in having a collaborative audience rather than a passive audience. He believed the worst hindrance in theatre performances was audiences feeling 'sympathy'; this meant being passive and being passive meant not taking action for change. He wants the audience to feel at the edge of there seat participating in the action so that they can leave the theatre propelled to make a difference. In these regards, Brecht felt that radio drama was wasted unless there was some form of participation. Although this may appear like it has stumped my research, it actually had quite the opposite effect. A key element to feeling 'empathy' for another human being, from my experience, is through listening. Therefore, relying on a medium that involves only audio attention is of great importance; it not only reinforces but also teaches the value of listening. 

T.S Elliot below,however, writes a bit about the positive impacts of radio and words.

Although not fully relevant to my research project as such, I feel the imagery of the Electrophone or Theatrophone is something that will stay with me for a long time. As a person it is relevant to me as I believe that drama is a very positive and beneficial tool that should be accessible to everybody. I love the fact that, even in 1881, they were finding ways to reach people that couldn't get to the theatre. (Obviously I realise that this was at a cost and so therefore it did not fully succeed. I just love the ethos behind it). 

 

As stated above, not all was lost with Brecht's theory as 'audience participation' was finally utilized. As my radio drama will be 30 minutes long, this is obviously something that wouldn't be able to be incorporated into my piece easily. I also do not find it fully necessary at present. 

Important to note that everyone can access it! Also gives people a voice.  

Reinforces sound communication ideas. 

^^Indicates that there is some research in my area of study. 

Overall, I thought today's study session went very well. It felt good to be in the library for 7 hours doing some productive work, I find the more I research and read the more confident I become in the execution of my work. Research is about learning all aspects of a topic then managing to pin point the key aspects needed for the project. I am going to continue in this manner with my reading and I am excited for more information I will discover along the way! As the due date for my proposal is approaching with increasing speed I really need to begin homing in on my aim and plan so that I can really get into the teeth of my project. The next week will be about getting the form en pointe! 

Bibliography 

• Canary in a Coal Mine, 2013. Canary in a Coal Mine - Trailer [online]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J5CRGPvgl4 [Accessed November 20, 2015].
• Change4MEAustralia's channel, 2012. I remember ME (full length version) [online]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=401--WCB5dc [Accessed October 25, 2015].
• Cooper, P. 2012. M.E Awareness [online]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5tX_RbFjvo [Accessed October 20, 2015].
• Crook, T. 1999. International radio drama. London: Routledge.
• Hickman, K. 2015. Illness: Psychosomatic and Physical. Start the Week [online]. Available from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05xd449 [Accessed June 8, 2015].
• Larvin, M. 2016. Home - LARVIN.ORG. Larvin.org [online]. Available from: http://www.larvin.org/ [Accessed January 30, 2016].
• PaithanNL, 2011. Trailer docu CVS ME CFS Voices from the Shadows 2011.mp4 [online]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiuqTx0u-Yw [Accessed November 20, 2015].
• Schechner, R. 2002. Performance Studies: An introduction 3rd ed. Oxon: Routledge.
• Ul.ie, 2016. Prof Michael Larvin | ul medical. [online]. Available from: http://www.ul.ie/gems/staff/prof-michael-larvin [Accessed January 30, 2016].
• WCC Learning Technologies, 2015. ME Awareness Week at West Cheshire College [online]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqFe53xuTho [Accessed November 20, 2015].
• White, P. 2015. Wolfson Institute - Pace Trial | Wolfson Institute. Wolfson.qmul.ac.uk [online]. Available from: http://www.wolfson.qmul.ac.uk/current-projects/pace-trial [Accessed November 10, 2015].
• Wojcik, W. et al. 2011. ‘84% of British neurologists don’t view CFS as a neurological illness’ – survey results discussed. ME Association [online]. Available from: http://www.meassociation.org.uk/2011/04/84-of-british-neurologists-dont-view-cfs-as-a-neurological-illness-survey-results-discussed/ [Accessed October 20, 2015].