File puptcrit/puptcrit.0508, message 108


From: "Mark S. Segal" <segalpuppets-AT-comcast.net>
To: <puptcrit-driftline.org-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Comments on Alan Cook' review
Date: Fri, 5 Aug 2005 12:37:44 -0400


You know Jim, I wasn't going to reply to this - deleted it actually - but 
something you said stuck in my mind about newcomers getting more for their 
money etc.
Isn't it that just the way it is????? And should be? I mean I still get all 
kinds of things from a festival and I have been doing this for close to 30 
years.
Good bad or indifferent there is something to be gained. It is important ( I 
think) for those with years of experience to be there for the newer ones.
In whatever capacity. Those who know me (and what I do) know that I do 500 
(plus???) shows per year. The summer time is my down time and I am frazzled 
beyond.....The festivals are a great re -charging time.
You are a very practical business man and performer. We are not all that 
way.
I think what you have said has good merit......
but don't think the baby should be thrown out with the bath 
water....(yikes!)
Don't think that are excuses are being made. Think it is what it is and I 
for one am glad that it is there.
This is not only a professional organization. There are all kinds that are 
members and again that is how it should be. The one thing that puppetry is, 
is accessible (or should be). What other theatre art has that kind of 
accessibility??????

Oh and by the way what about the W.E.D. clay????

Mark S.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Jimsan777-AT-aol.com>
To: <puptcrit-driftline.org-AT-lists.driftline.org>
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 11:11 AM
Subject: [Puptcrit] Comments on Alan Cook' review


> Dear Critters:
>
>     Alan's review of the trip to Mason City is indicative of all the 
> things
> that are WRONG with puppet festivals...yes, I know all this can be excused 
> by
> one reason or another, but the fact is:   There are puppeteers who do not 
> care
> to attend festivals probably based on past experience.
>
>     I've attended as many PofA Fests as anyone, helped organize them,
> performed for them, and reviewed them and served on the boards. My first 
> was in 1955
> and I was thrilled with it.   I've also attended more international 
> festivals
> than almost any American puppeteer.   And, for the past 18 years, attended
> numerous arts alliance and booking conferences, which are attended by
> professional theater managers, agents and artists.   The difference is 
> amazing.
>
>     Most European puppet and theater festivals have a professional staff.
> All Arts Alliance Conferences are organized by a professional staff. 
> Time is
> allotted for seminars, showcases and meals with speakers with incredible
> credentials.   The Resource Room (where as many as 600 booths are open for
> networking) is open only at certain hours.   Time management is at it's 
> best, because
> the people attending are there to learn, share, buy and sell.
>
>     Professional and European conferences pay a staff for their work. 
> Our
> puppeteer festivals rely on voluntary workers and attendees complain if 
> things
> aren't to their liking.   I estimate the amount of time and effort for a
> director to organize and run a PofA Festival is worth at least $30-50,000. 
> It's
> two year job.   Puppeteers don't want to pay the costs.
>
>   Obviously, over the years many friendships are fostered at both Puppet 
> and
> Professional conferences   There are social times and party times, but the
> reason several hundred attendes pay relatively large fees to attend Arts
> Alliance conferencere is because they get something for their money. 
> From PofA
> Fests, I also learn, share and visit with old friends, but newcomers get 
> more for
> their money than the old timers because many beginner workshops are 
> repeated
> year after year.   If I've allotted a week of my time to attend a 
> festival, I
> feel cheated to be treated to poor shows, wasted time and perhaps a visit 
> to a
> major puppetry museum in the manner Alan described.
>
>    Somehow we must find a way to offer more incentive to attend national 
> PoA
> festivals.. I've offered many suggestions in the past gleaned from other
> professional conferences.   Isn't it time we discussed these issues 
> instead of
> making excuses?
>
>   Jim Gamble
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