Task 5a

Within my professional community there are a lot of unwritten rules and practices that get learnt as you go on and within training and so on and so forth. There are some questionable ethics, or rather grey areas, which I will go into but I mean as a rule the actual ethics of the industry are fairly normal to any place of work, there's just lots more.
I remember in college having professional and ethical behaviour hammered into me, in the sense that if you behaved badly, you were told straight away 'you wouldn't get away with that in a real audition'.

Firstly with auditions, there are set ways to behave.

Dressing appropriately to show respect for the audition and that you take it seriously but also that you are prepared.
Being physically prepared with the requirements of the audition, whether it be bringing certain kit (tap shoes, pointe shoes etc) or preparing songs. (again showing respect for the protocal put in place)
Being polite and well mannered to all of those around you, you never know who is in the audition, on either side of the pannel could be some one who could help you later on.
One grey area is- of course you want to put yourself at the front, get seen and dance or sing full out to the best of your ability, but I've also seen cut throat auditionees pushing themselves to the front with a complete disregard for the others around them, especially if there's not enough space. Is it better to be polite and considerate and perhaps not be seen... or to put yourself first and be seen but at the cost of the others around you?
Another is, when you attend an open call and you can tell by how people are dressed whether they are trained or not. Some times i've seen people who clearly just have a raw sort of talent progress in inappropriate attire over some one who follows the rules of the dress code. Which kind of puts doubt in those around you as to what matters. But at the same time though the disregard for the attire requirements could be down to money or knowledge, it could be down to sheer laziness and then that puts the whole system of the professional ethics and codes into this questionable area if said auditionee is allowed to progress.

A general code of conduct taught within the industry, is always be polite, punctual and hard working. Especially on the way up. However for some reason 'Divas' are created and allowed to get away with some quite unethical behaviour. I think some people get a little power or importance behind them and forget the importance of ethical practice.
If you are polite, punctual and hard working, chances are that others will want to work with you again. Or will suggest you for other things when asked. Or introduce you to others. All of which are good things in an industry based so much on word of mouth.

I think struggling artists can be lead to question being wholly ethical however if they are not getting anywhere from following it. Perhaps they become more inclined to be a bit more selfish and pushy.  But, saying that, maybe you can put yourself and your career first just in a well mannered ethical way.. by making sure your always available, and ready to be used if the occasion arises, making sure that you are always the first one prepared and always look your best and perform to the best of your ability.