|
Comedy Festival Question Extravaganza
1. What is the Comedy Festival? What is its history, why does it happen at this time of year? Etc...
A: I'd hope you knew that kind of thing before sending us to work there for a month but since you asked...
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is the third largest international festival and Australia's biggest cultural festival. It usually starts on April 1st every year because of April Fools day.The festival started way back in 1987.
2. How does a show get included in the festival?
A: The
MICF is by registration so anyone can be a part, you don’t need to be
invited, as long as you get a venue onboard and you pay your registration fee. All of this ‘how to get involved’ info is on the Comedy Festival
website leading up to the time of registration.
3. Who is funding the festival?
4. Is your particular show or venue funded by sponsors? Who are they and how much are they contributing, financially or any kind?
A: No, no-one, nothing.
5. What, if any support (financially or otherwise) is provided by the overseeing festival body for the shows that become a part of it?
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
A: There was no financial support from the festival. In past years, they ran a development program and you had to apply in
advance. If accepted, you did get some financial support to develop your show. Also, all shows are watched by festival judges (or should be) and so every show
is eligible for awards – this means recognition and sometimes money. You
wouldn’t get these awards outside of the festival environment.
The only real support given by the Comedy Festival was printing the show in brochures which gave basic but far-reaching advertisement. All shows also have the option of getting Media Releases sent out by the Comedy Festival for opening nights, but they are usually advised to send their own media releases.
The festival also provided a ‘producer’s
pack’ with some good advice about planning and staging your show.
The festival didn’t provide any public
liability insurance or Workcover
Miss Libertine
Miss Libertine supported the Comedy Festival shows by not booking in the usual bands/DJ shows they normally have. This meant that the shows could have 'clean runs' (meaning not having disjointed days, making it easier to advertise) and could advertise 'Everyday except Sundays and Mondays'. I have been told this is very helpful and should not be underestimated!
ML provided sound equipment and basic lighting.
ML provided all seating.
ML provided storage space and a sort of green room
for the performers.
ML also provide a float each night.
ML allowed signage in their bar.
This was also said: "We were allowed to have free soft drinks but no-one
took advantage of it – we’re all in our late 20s or early 30s, give
us the grog!"
6. Who was the producer of your show/venue? What are they responsible for?
A: In regards to 'The Talking Vagina', the producer was 'Theatre in Bars', which was basically Michele and Alia (Writer and Actor)
Liaising with the festival and meeting any requirements they had
of us
Liaising with RMIT Union Arts where necessary
Creating a budget for the show and monitoring it, and doing any
financial reconciliation
Finding a venue and liaising with the venue owner
Liaising with the director and designers about the venue and the
budget, and helping source/construct props/set/costumes
Setting up accounts with and liaising with ticketing agencies
ie. Ticketmaster and Halftix
Sending out media releases and liaising with any media
Finding and liaising with any suppliers for promo related things
– printers, graphic designers, photographers, distributors
Doing front of house and managing daily comp lists
Corresponding with the other show in the venue.
Basically, all the behind the scenes non ‘creative’
stuff to get the show happening. Lots of liaising.
7. Who were they main stage managers/technical supervisors of your show/venue? What are they responsible for and to whom?
A: For 'The Talking Vagina', Daniel was the main stage manager and technical supervisor. He was responsible for making sure sound & lights were good
to go before every performance, and making sure all the actors, props
& staging were where they were supposed to be when the lights came
up.
For 'Barry and his Mantastic Manship', the crew all directed and stage managed each other. The technical supervisors were Andy and Victor, who swapped every night. They had to make sure all the sound, video lights were working before the show began.
8. Who is responsible for your venue? What are the management roles within the venue and what are they responsible for?
A: The manager of Miss Libertine was Steve and he was responsible for the venue. His role was to help the shows with any problems and overreacting to marks left on a table
9. Who are the Comedy Festival? What is the structure of the personnel involved in the Festival Management?
A: I have absolutely no idea. I'll find out later
10. Who were the people to whom you were most closely connected during the festival? Socially and in your work team?
A: Well, everyone. The shows were small so I got to know everyone I guess. Except the people who worked at Miss Libertine, I don't know any of them
11. Devise a line diagram outlining the structure of the personnel involved in the venue
A: 
Us meaning Shino, Louisse and I. Not the Americas.
12. What were the positive qualities of the work teams dynamics?
A: Everyone was friendly and helped each other. No-one complained at repeating things or mistakes that happened.
13. What were the negative qualities of the work teams dynamics?
A: Some people didn't understand that people have jobs and that when they suck at something that they should stick to what they were there for
14. List the key learning you experienced during this placement in the following area;
- hands on industry skills
I learnt how to setup microphones in their stands and how to position them effectively and the basics of a sound and lighting board
- managing or working in festivals
Didn't learn much. Everyone managed themselves and as for working, we didn't show up for 3 days (for good reasons, mind you) and they didn't complain
-dealing with people
You need to be firm with people when they try to push you around
-about yourself
Lots
15. Any other relevant comments...
A: Miss Libertine charged 'Barry and his Mantastic Manship' $1200 for venue hire
|
