Wednesday, August 21, 2019
How to Use Social Media As A Learning Tool—Without Letting It Take Over Your Life
Dance Magazine: Social media has made the dance world a lot smaller, giving users instant access to artists and companies around the world. For aspiring pros, platforms like Instagram can offer a tantalizing glimpse into the life of a working performer. But there's a fine line between taking advantage of what social media can offer and relying too heavily on it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Though I'm not a dancer, this article resonated with me as I recently have delved into the world of social media with the intention of career benefits. I have created an Instagram account dedicated to my scenic design work, and it is a place where I can contain the inspiration I receive from other designers I follow and interact with. The article encourages artists to utilize the platform beyond a quick visual scroll--to truly take in the information being showcased, for me the behind the scenes or "page to stage" aspect of scenic design. This article attempts to highlight the "beyond the classroom" learning that social media can bring in enhancing the holistic design perspective. But, the article interestingly countered its own point, by cautioning the young artist from ONLY learning from social media--to use it as an enhancement but to continue to strive for an artistic education. This article served as a reminder to continue being inspired by other creators through a social media platform such as instagram and to couple those ideas with the creating that I do in class.
Natsumi Furo
As I choreographed dances in a musical company back in Japan, I used to search many choreographies from social media. Creating something new, not only the choreography, but in general, requires the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from experiences. Social media provides an enormous amount of simulated experiences and helps us get acquainted easily and quickly. However, I often find it difficult to determine whether my work is inspired or stolen, especially in theatrical works like a dance because as it says in the article it is “a living art form.” I wonder where the boundary is. The article also mentions the limits of social media, which made me wonder about the boundary between overdependency and making full use. Apart from that, this article made me reconfirm the use of social media. As an ignorant theatre student, if social media could become a launch pad, it should be obvious when and how I should use them.
As an artist, I have utilized social media a handful of times to search for inspirations and lessons. I am not a dancer so I don’t look up exactly what this article describes, but I can relate to the experiences based on my own skills. Artists have posted videos of specific techniques that I have observed and brought into my own work. Similar to how dancers must know their limits, the lessons may not apply to my style, nor do I directly copy their work. I use the lesson to adapt to my specific ideas and style. The inspiration can also be taken from everyday photos unrelated to art to bring into the pieces. Social media has its problems, but it is also a tool that can benefit artists and performers to a great degree. Being smart about what you consume and how you participate on it will allow you to thrive in this day in age as an artistic individual.
As an artist, I have utilized social media a handful of times to search for inspirations and lessons. I am not a dancer so I don’t look up exactly what this article describes, but I can relate to the experiences based on my own skills. Artists have posted videos of specific techniques that I have observed and brought into my own work. Similar to how dancers must know their limits, the lessons may not apply to my style, nor do I directly copy their work. I use the lesson to adapt to my specific ideas and style. The inspiration can also be taken from everyday photos unrelated to art to bring into the pieces. Social media has its problems, but it is also a tool that can benefit artists and performers to a great degree. Being smart about what you consume and how you participate on it will allow you to thrive in this day in age as an artistic individual.
~Elinore Tolman
Social media and Smartphones are changing the way we work nowadays. I know this article is mainly focused on using social media as a working tool for dance, but I have seen this be true for so many other aspects I couldn’t scroll past it. The summer before moving to Pittsburgh I got added to many stage management groups on facebook, I learned SO much about the theatre industry I was about to join, by just scrolling through the pages and getting familiar with the jargon. I use it to network with other artists, check on my friends projects from the other side of the country and even hunt for jobs. Now, all this is true for companies too, social media has become an *almost* free tool, they can use for marketing, hiring, and keeping track of similar companies. Facebook and other platforms can be a tool, or a toy, it really depends on the lens we chose to use it with.
As an artist, I have utilized social media a handful of times to search for inspirations and lessons. I am not a dancer so I don’t look up exactly what this article describes, but I can relate to the experiences based on my own skills. Artists have posted videos of specific techniques that I have observed and brought into my own work. Similar to how dancers must know their limits, the lessons may not apply to my style, nor do I directly copy their work. I use the lesson to adapt to my specific ideas and style. The inspiration can also be taken from everyday photos unrelated to art to bring into the pieces. Social media has its problems, but it is also a tool that can benefit artists and performers to a great degree. Being smart about what you consume and how you participate on it will allow you to thrive in this day in age as an artistic individual
Post a Comment