One Producer in the City

One investment for the new year

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!

What's in a name?

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!

How I built my first company from Andrew Warner on Vimeo.

Blog linking

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.

Producing in short. One quick metaphor

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!

A great time is as close as your own Backyart!

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. 21^st Street, 4^th 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.

Do something

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-

Check out BROADWAY tonight for $30!

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!

Second Annual Broadway in South Africa Holiday Party

Type:	Party - Holiday Party
Network:	Global

Date:	Monday, December 14, 2009
Time:	7:00pm - 11:00pm
Location:	Broadway's Minskoff Theatre, Overlooking Times Square

Description 

It's that time again.

Broadway in South Africa takes over the lobby of Broadway's Minskoff Theatre (home of The Lion King) for the charity event of the Holiday Season.

Come enjoy an open bar, appetizers, a live auction, and performances by Broadway Stars from over a dozen shows including: Wicked, Hair, In The Heights, Mamma Mia, The Lion King, Jersey Boys, and more! Performers Include:

Shoshana Bean
Joe Iconis and Family
Katie Thompson
LaQuet Sharnell
Todd Buonopane
Tracy McDowell
Sean Bradford
Chris Spaulding
Lilli Cooper
Adam Kantor
Frankie Grande
Laura Marie Duncan
Lauren Kennedy
Stephanie D'Abruzzo
Rashidra Scott
Uzo Aduba
Kristy Cates
Natalie Douglas
Julie Reiber
Asmeret Ghebremichael
Selloane Nkhela
Kenny Williams
Courtney Reed
Andrew Kober
Paris Remilard
Lisa Nicole Wilkerson
and Jeremy Schonfeld

All proceeds from the evening benefit Broadway in South Africa and its ongoing arts education programming for the underprivileged youth in South Africa.

Make a difference this season, and join us for this unbelievable evening.

Event Chair: Fashion Designer Malan Breton
Live Auction Hosted By: Seth Rudetsky


Sponsored By:

Marani Vodka
Becco
Madiba
Vision 57
Amarula Liqueur
Sephora
Think PR

BUY TICKETS HERE: www.broadwayinsouthafrica.org

$30 includes open bar, hors d'oeuvres, dessert, and access to amazing city views

$75 VIP includes, passed truffles and champagne, premium open bar, seasonal cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, dessert, access to special VIP area, and gift bags.

SPECIAL PACKAGES:

$250 Sponsor Level By purchasing at this level you will pay for one child to attend the Broadway in South Africa workshops in South Africa. Your donation includes an ornament on the Broadway in South Africa Christmas Tree and all perks of the VIP LEVEL



Broadway in South Africa is a cross-cultural exchange between youth who are in need and artists who seek to use their talents for change. The organization believes in teaching the arts as a means to developing a child's future, and using our influence as performers to create international awareness for arts education and issues impacting the development of youth in South Africa. For more info, visit www.broadwayinsouthafrica.com

Come together

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!

Our next IPA Meeting will be December 12th, 2009 at the Marriott Marquis Atrium Lounge (1535 Broadway) at 2:00PM.  If you have trouble finding the group, please (617) 549-9355. 

 

Please RSVP to independentproducersalliance@gmail.com to let us know if you will be in attendance. 

 

Also, we would like everyone in attendance to bring a list of 10 people (including contact information) who are considered newcomers to the independent theatre world.  Also, for those of you who have an independent theatre company, please bring season information (including complete performance schedules, ticket prices, and description of the work). 

 

Thank you!

 

we are looking forward to a productive meeting.

 

Sincerely,

Becca (IPA Rep)

Wanna get your show off the ground? Well, now you "Ken"

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

Everybody's "Chase-ing" 25k

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!