Take your show to the Fringe seminars
DECEMBER and JANUARY ARE NOT A MOMENT TOO SOON!
For full details of this series of seminars which usually run monthly from December to February click here to email Courses@StandUpAndDeliver.com asking for full details to be emailed to you
About the course (2003-2008)
Due to demand and excellent feedback over the last four years we are delighted to again be running our seminar called "Taking Your Show to the Fringe". And we know we have the information you need - within a few hours of the session in 2004 an e-mail arrived saying "I really enjoyed the seminar - what a mine of information!" quickly followed by another adding "Brilliant - I really learned a lot". So in January 2006 there'll again be a "Take Your Show To The Fringe" seminar which will be invaluable for everyone who is thinking of staging/"producing" a show either on their own or with other performers at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.
Incidentally we decided to hold these seminars because every year so many performers struggle to make the most of the opportunities that the Fringe can provide while also often damaging their pockets and positivity, and then often have big regrets later. Our motivation is that we hate seeing broken-hearted comedians - it just isn't funny!
Starting to plan now avoids missed deadlines, disappointments and extra costs. So don't hesitate about coming to the seminar if you are considering putting on a show on the Edinburgh Fringe --- and if you know anyone who might be thinking of doing so please forward this infrmation to them too, fast! - or just ring them and tell them. Though the seminar is targeted at comedians, it is just as relevant to everyone considering doing all or part of the work of taking a show to the Fringe.
The Fringe in August may seem far in the future but by the time of the seminar there's only 25 weeks to go (that's only a bit more than 100 weekdays!), so by no means too soon to be making plans. In fact there will already be deadlines looming so leaving planning until any later isn't really an option. You'll hear about recent experiences, we'll demystify specialist areas such as PR/publicity, design, print, production, and simplify/streamline things for you. The aim is to resolve confusions and minimise mistakes, by guiding you through detail and admin so you can build a "task list" and will be aware of key deadlines. You could save the cost of the seminar twenty or thirty times over by coming along!
Course Syllabus
We'll provide an overview of the Edinburgh Fringe for comedians/sketch shows in particular, and then go on to:
- Registering with the Fringe office - their monthly mailing content
- Finding a venue (how to get the Fringe "Spaces" booklet) - searching, negotiating, expectations and what's included
- Show formats (including criteria for various awards) - formulating the concept and developing your show
- Budgets, including how with effort and an enjoyable show it is possible to make a few thousand pounds profit (while the same show with money thrown at it could lose a five-figure sum!)
- A producer's role - considering whether you want/need/can afford one (or maybe if you can afford not to!)
- Considering various venues and times you are hoping for, and contract terms
- Sponsorship possibilities
- Scheduling of tasks (both admin and artistic - writing, rehearsals, previews etc)
- The implications of rights to perform music or dialogue created by someone else
- The image/impression you want your show's name, visuals, text/copy and publicity to project
- Matching image/text to the show's content
- The critically important text/copy you submit as your show's entry in the Fringe programme etc.
- Photographs and the design/artwork for your poster/flyers and for venue programmes and websites, and the associated text/copy
- Evaluate advertising in the Fringe programme, Guide Daily, Fringe website and elsewhere - and of flyposting
- Copy deadlines for your show's
- Fringe programme entry and artwork
- Ticket prices and discounts/offers
- Finding accommodation
- Technical, PR and other support e.g. flyering, and whether you need to buy in help with press, production, directing etc.
- Aiming to have all the basic admin completed, initial press announcements made, and print ordered etc in time
In February and March there will be briefings and Q&As in London from the Director and Marketing/Press Manager of the Edinburgh Fringe, who will in particular talk about how the Fringe organisation can help you. These will briefings will be helpful in resolving any queries that may arise after our January seminar and put you in touch with some key people.
So don't miss our seminar - it'll prove to be essential viewing! Coming along frees you from fretting so you can get on with preparing your show.
Email for full details at courses@standupanddeliver.com or to arrange to enrol
