Welcome to 2010.
Here's one investment to make for the new year.
Watch the ENTIRE video below.
Warning: There is some foul language.
Sorry Mom.
Excelsior!
Welcome to 2010.
Here's one investment to make for the new year.
Watch the ENTIRE video below.
Warning: There is some foul language.
Sorry Mom.
Excelsior!
Posted at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
How about 38M?
We've all heard it said that your title is the number one thing that sells your show. Well below is a story about a how an entrepreneur used his title to grow his business. I think every producer out there could learn a lot from this video as well as the other videos on his website. So here on the blog, for the first time ever is an embedded video for you to watch and I'll see you all next year.
Excelsior!
Posted at 10:20 AM in Marketing | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Happy Friday!
I figured today I'd link you to really great blog posts that I have read this week. Consider it an early Christmas gift.
Click away and learn some new stuff!
Excelsior!
Ken Davenport provides a snapshot of the industry.
Seth Godin gives some sound advice about asking for something.
Lastly, Adam Thurman identifies a genius marketing technique.
Posted at 01:16 PM in Things to check out | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Don't have long to write today as I wait for the bell for my next class, but as I work on raising money for various projects, there is one thing that I'm seeing and if you decide to do this as a career, it's a really important lesson.
This is a roll of the dice.
I have had people say they'll put in 50k-100k for a project one day, and then call the next and say they're not investing at all.
I have had people sit down with me and I'm convinced they'll maybe put in 5k and they surprise me by going in for 25k.
Nothing is certain until people sign something and you have to just keep plugging away.
The question to ponder is:
Will you keep rolling the dice?
See you later.
I'm off to the craps tables ;)
Excelsior!
Posted at 10:00 AM in Producing | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Nope that's not a typo in the subject line. One of the participants in PLAE is heavily involved with this organization that does something pretty amazing. They bring artists of all disciplines together and create the type of work that fuses dance, visual art, and theatre. It is truly a one of a kind thing and if you're an up and coming producer, this is a group that you want to get to know.
And wouldn't you know it? You have three chances to see them this week!
Info is below. Hope you'll check it out.
Excelsior!
Backyart and The Invitational present a three-day joint event, “X.X.X”, Thursday, December 17 thru Saturday, December 19 at CSNY, 48 W. 21st Street, 4th floor, between 7:00 and 10:00pm every night. Admission is a strongly suggested $10 donation.
Announcing its upcoming 2010 Winter Series Season and new submission guidelines for Backyart’s 2010 Summer Series, “X.X.X” presents work from over 40 artists from a variety of disciplines. Each night’s program offers up a unique pastiche of creative works in an effort to expose audience members to an artistic mash-up that defies the prescribed margins of traditional venues.
Backyart was founded in June 2008 and has, to date, showcased work from over 20 companies, collectives and groups, and over 100 individual artists, including actors, designers, writers, comedians, dancers, visual artists, poets, film makers, conceptual artists, musicians, and more.
Participating artists include: Carlo Alban, David Anzuelo, The Assembly, Astrid Andujar, Missy Baker, Jedidiah Clarke, Adam Cohen, Colorform (previously KMBS), EJOH Productions, Hannah Davis, Liz Days, Hawke & Owl, The Hey!, Felicia Garcia-Rivera, Zach Fletcher, Filthy Glamour, Ali Gauss, Jenny Gomez, Nic Grelli, Max Janowski, Jamie Klassel, Essye Klempner, Liz Magic Laser, GJ Lee, Anna Minzer, Michael Mlekicki, Gabriel Pacheco, Mike Poblete, Izzi Ramkissoon, Adriana Rivera, Justin Terry, Sarah Valeri, The Voodoo Naz Clan, Janine Wallach, Lia Woertendyke and Max Woertendyke and more.
Posted at 10:03 AM in Things to check out | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Our Industry is a very big ocean and whenever one of us does something like open a show, start a program, etc. it's like dropping something into that ocean. The effect as seen above, is a ripple and ideally the ripple reaches out to more people.
When we read blogs, form committees, go to meetings, we are standing over the ocean ready to drop something in. Many times sadly, nothing is dropped. We hover over what a committee will eventually decide, or what we might say to a blogger who challenges our beliefs, and ultimately the ocean remains unaffected and most likely there are people who complain. My point?
Do something.
Comment.
Start a debate.
Write your own blog.
But do something.
This industry needs us to take some action, or things will never change or grow. Below are the minutes from the last Independent Producers Alliance meeting. If you're reading this and you have some thoughts on it, get involved in the conversation.
We need you.
That's right. YOU sitting here reading this right now. I don't care whether you've produced 30 shows or zero.
Drop something in the ocean.
I'll be waiting for your ripple.
Excelsior!
IPA 12.12.09
In Attendance: Jesse Edward
Rosbrow (Theatre of the Expendable), Steve Wargo, Katrin Hilbe (Many
Tracks Inc.), Michael Roderick (Small Pond Entertainment), Rebecca
Kahane
DYNAMIC PRICING
-if enough people pre order,
the price drops for everyone is one angle of approaching pricing.
Looking at ways that we can adjust pricing structures as demand rises
etc.
SURVEY
-How many ppl. actually consider themselves an institution versus having a company to support their art?
-Has there been a survey about the economic impact of independent theatre?
READ
-Kevin Daum's book discusses the stigma surround artists as business professionals
-Free for All, about Joe Papp
SHARE
-No industry, No competition, Must band together
-What
camp do we belong to? Experimental, Like Minded AEstitics, How can the
IPA help initiating relationships between independent artists? How can
the IPA also help each group find groups like them?
-How can everyone's babies play in the same sandbox and how can we benefit from one another.
-Share audience, Share rental fees in order to receive discounts, Share Sponsors, Share advertisement expenses
Producer's
Secret- his/her investors but an open source will survive longer.
Discussion of resources being created around more of an open source
model.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
IPA could act as an ambassador for the Independent artists.
-Due Diligence, weed out the reliable people
-Creating relationships
-Constructive Feedback for artists
-Find common threads between works/ company initiatives
-Monitor Donation Fund
ISSUES
-TRUST and TIME
REMINDER
-FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN CHICAGO REGARDING A DONATION FUND FOR THEATRE
KEY
-The
idea of creating and monitoring a donation fund would be appealing to
the people with money because they are helping 16 companies versus just
one institution. The concept revolving around the idea of random giving
vrs. targeted. Donors donate to a fund that distributes donation
randomly and then gets the surprise of finding out they donated to a
company they don't know yet. get to meet more people.
TO DO
-Next IPA meeting January 9th 2pm
-SET LAUNCH DATE-
Posted at 10:11 AM in Producing | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Sounds unreal right? But if you pre-order before 3pm today, you can get into the star-studded event below for just three Hamiltons!
These are great people and they are supporting a really fantastic cause. Come out and support them. I'll be there after my PLAE class, so be sure to say hi if you see me!
Excelsior!
| Type: | |
| Network: | Global |
| Date: | Monday, December 14, 2009 |
| Time: | 7:00pm - 11:00pm |
| Location: | Broadway's Minskoff Theatre, Overlooking Times Square |
Posted at 09:42 AM in Things to check out | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Still new to the producing world?
Looking for people like you to hang out with?
Well after a few months off, we're convening another meeting of the Independent Producers Alliance of NY.
See the invite below.
Hope to see you there.
Excelsior!
Posted at 12:54 PM in Things to check out | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
I have mentioned on this blog numerous times how Ken Davenport has been a mentor to me from the beginning of my producing career. He's also the reason I decided to start writing this blog and now he's getting into the seminar ring offering his own unique seminar. From his blog:
GET YOUR SHOW OFF THE GROUND!
On January 23rd, from 10a - 6p, I'm inviting only 20 people to join me at Theatre Row for an intensive and individualized seminar designed to help you get to the next level with your project.
Topics that I'm sure we'll discuss:
- How to find funding and investors
- How to market with no money
- How to pick a performance space
- How to find a director, composer, etc.
- How to create a budget
Here's the cool part. This is not going to be one of those lame-ass boring seminars where I just talk all day. I've limited it to only twenty people to insure that everyone gets personal attention. Here's how it will work:
Each
attendee will get a minimum of 15-20 minutes of time to ask questions
and discuss their project with me. You can ask whatever you want,
about whatever stage your project is in. Together we'll come up with
ways to get you to the next step.
Everyone else gets to listen to this discussion, giving us all an opportunity to learn from everyone else's issues.
It'll be an exclusive think tank of creative producers, writers, etc. who are dedicated to their show and the process of what we do.
And without a doubt, I guarantee that all attendees will be in a better place with your projects after the seminar.
Here are the details:
GET YOUR SHOW OFF THE GROUND
Saturday, January 23rd.
10 AM - 6 PM (1 hour break for lunch)
Theatre Row
410 West 42nd St., NYC.
Cost $350/person.
To reserve your spot, click the Pay Pal button below.
Oh, and I mean it when I used the word "guarantee." Not happy? I'll give you your money back with no questions asked.
FYI, I'm announcing this on my blog before I announce it anywhere else, because I want all of my readers to get this opportunity first. In order to make sure that everyone gets the individual attention that makes this seminar special, I had to limit it to only 20 people. The spots will go fast. A press release goes out 24 hours after this blog gets posted, so reserve today!
See you at the seminar! It's going to be fun.
Fun it will definitely be. This is a man who has recouped Three Off-Broadway shows and has a track record of Broadway shows that have recouped as well. Having spent time in his office, I know for a fact that there is no one you'd rather spend time discussing your project with than Ken. Grab your seat now, before it's too late! The 20 spots may already be filled. Don't miss out!
Excelsior!
Don't forget to show your Chase giving support too!
The Andrea Rizzo Foundation- This is a really great organization that provides so many great opportunities.
http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/1157221
Fringe NYC- I have produced a few times in this festival and applaud the work they do in over 200 shows every festival
http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/780875
Rising Phoenix Rep- Very cool company and very cool people
http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/684911?confirm_vote=true
The Barrow Group- A supporter of new work and a great space in Midtown!
http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/1076230?confirm_vote=true
Stella Adler studio of acting- I have produced here and worked with some great actors who came out of this school
http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/448381
Posted at 12:58 PM in Things to check out | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
So for those of you who haven't heard about this by now, Chase bank is giving away 25k to charities that get the most votes on facebook. The info reads:
It can be incredibly rewarding when your vote has a local impact. Chase
is giving away $5 million to various charities and needs you to help
pick which ones. Simply vote for your favorite nonprofit and then get
friends and others on Facebook to do the same. You can select from over
500,000 charities that focus on education, healthcare, housing,
environmental issues, combating hunger, arts and culture, human
services, and animal welfare. Give your charity the recognition it
deserves and needs with Chase Community Giving.
It's a new Way Forward for giving.
See the Official Rules http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/home/rules for complete eligibility requirements.
So I thought I would include info on some organizations that I know are competing and encourage you to use some of your votes if you haven't already. If anybody has an organization that is not on this list, feel free to add it in the comment box below. Here's hoping we can all help each other. Here are my picks:
The Andrea Rizzo Foundation- This is a really great organization that provides so many great opportunities.
http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/1157221
Fringe NYC- I have produced a few times in this festival and applaud the work they do in over 200 shows every festival
http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/780875
Rising Phoenix Rep- Very cool company and very cool people
http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/684911?confirm_vote=true
The Barrow Group- A supporter of new work and a great space in Midtown!
http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/1076230?confirm_vote=true
Stella Adler studio of acting- I have produced here and worked with some great actors who came out of this school
http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/448381
That's who's reached out to me so far. I have 13 votes remaining so comment if you have a charity you'd like me to add my vote to.
Keep Chasing that money guys!
Excelsior!
Posted at 01:17 PM in News | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)