From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Mathieu_Ren=E9?= <creaturiste-AT-primus.ca>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2007 19:05:09 -0400
Subject: [Puptcrit] Getting Gigs: tips


An Irish
immigrant, he toured up and down the New England and Tri-State areas
through the 1920s, Punch in one hand, a plunger in the other.  Surely
he was a man who spread joy wherever he went.

Sean
--------------

Muche better being a plumber/puppeteer than a tooth-puller/puppeteer 
(apparently at one point in history a popular sideline for roaming 
puppeteers). You customers/public find you less threatening, I guess.

As for getting back to tips to get gig...

On my first Commedia dell 'Arte maskmaking contract, the troup was supposed 
to get in full costume and go distribute flyers promoting the show. They 
even invited me to join in on the fun outing.
I was game, but the project fell though the cracks, and the room was not as 
full everyy night as it should have been.
I'm pretty sure that outing would have brought more patrons.

-I make sure to bring a pocket-size portfolio with me whenever I think I 
might meet potential customers or employers (should be always, but let's 
face it, the backpack gets heavy sometimes.
The portfolio is a simple photo album for thr 4 x 6 inch photo size. It's 
leather, holds about 40 sheets, and looks very neat.

-I always carry very nice business cards, in color. I bought a very nice 
leather business card holder. It looks more professional.

-When i bring a puppet to a customer, wether it is in progress or finished, 
if it looks neat, I take it out of the box or bag during the trip (bus, 
train), and pretend to study it. It gets us a few looks. Then I start 
manipulating subtly, the the puppet starts exploring the possibilities, and 
eventually it becomes a little free show for the people around.
SOme will start a conversation afterwards, and then I can give my card.

-I lend my puppets to free cultural events, when I trust the people running 
it.
It really puts my puppets on stage, and usually my name is mentionned in the 
thank you message.
Also useful for testing new models of puppets and new ideas, with 
puppeteers, for free!

I have thought of a few more strategies, yet to be tested, to increase my 
visibility as a builder. Maybe you can get something out of them, and adapt 
them for promoting your show.

-putting my logo on a bicycle flag, and install it either on my bicycle or 
backpack.

-Wearing a uniform with my logo and motto in front and services in the back. 
nothing too flashy, but flashy nonetheless. Maybe an "irish green" one-piece 
suit.

-create a digital portfolio to carry along with me at all times, such as on 
a USB key, or better yet, if I had a small hand-held computer with picture 
viewing capabilities. 

_______________________________________________
List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
Archives: http://www.driftline.org