Time to reflect on the last couple of days. The pace has picked up again just as I expected, nothing new here. Really enjoyed doing the pick-ups on Friday. This is definitely the side of things which actually feels like proper work. Of course all those phone calls and paperwork are worth something, we don’t do them for no reason, it’s just that for me doing physical work is my thing. This sounds minging but being sweaty and feeling tired at the end of the day is much more fulfilling to me than knowing I have met a written report deadline.
This is probably the reason why I have chosen the career path that I have. People are usually really surprised when I say to them that I actually “Do the Shows” at university. They can’t grasp the fact that I don’t sit in a lecture theatre, or go to labs. We really do just get in about the hard grafting. I’m not sure if this is something you can compare when seeing how graduates from different types of institutions cope with their first jobs, but I know for sure everyone who has come from the academy will know exactly what to expect at one of the tougher jobs.
My personal thoughts on my good points so far; Made a good bond with the team, Used some previous knowledge when looking for props within the RSAMD and outwith the building, Helped with all the tasks I have been asked to do, and Maintained a decent communication within the team (Electronic and Verbal).
My personal thoughts on my bad points so far; Knowing when to be quiet, Not trying to take over, Keeping to the plan, Adjusting to other peoples style of working, Adjusting to the mannerisms of others, Understanding why people do the things which I wouldn’t.
The last one is pretty important I believe to anyone who is working within any team.
Why do people do the things the that way they do?
It always bothers me, watching someone doing something which I wouldn’t. How do we learn? Of course by it is by making mistakes then correcting them the next time round. If we were to stop everyone making mistakes then they will never learn… But I often wondered when I will overcome this thing I always get. I’m sure it happens to others, you just want to jump in and say “What are you doing? Nah, waken up. This is how you do it”. Should a manager try to stop you making the mistakes? So many questions.
Over the next couple of weeks we really have to start getting the props together. It’s not much to get now, we have made progress and I hope this continues. I just can’t wait to get into the run of the show now. Really looking forward to being part of one of the most controversial pieces of theatre ever written. Looking forward to a slick, sharp show. I’m sure with our excellent team that it can grow to it’s full potential and be all that it can be.
Till next time,
Out.
May 4, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Excellent! This is the kind of blog I have been expecting from you for a while. It balances surface learning with a healthy dose of deep learning. The questions are there, regardless of how mundane the topic seems, its just finding them.
The key question (and there’s always one) here is ‘How do we learn?” By ascertaining how others learn through observation we can begin to self analyse. It may be through recognising differences or similarities (by others mistakes or successes). Knowing how both parties operate lies at the core of management. Expand this knowledge to your Cast, Director or Designer and you are well on your way towards managing through empathy… a powerful tool to possess.
May 5, 2009 at 7:09 pm
I agree with you, and as I said in my blogs in the past, I find I learn by getting hands on and often getting it wrong! I also know I learn a lot by watching people around me get it wrong, so I know what not to do when it’s my turn!
I guess my last couple of blogs have touched on this slightly, and it is probably something I could expand on more. I have seen members of the TSM crew make some daft mistakes and I have been dying to jump in there and tell them the correct way to do it, but I have also made many stupid mistakes since I started my allocation and I just need to think about how I would feel on the receiving end. I know I would rather have a chance to figure it out myself.