From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Mathieu_Ren=E9?= <creaturiste-AT-primus.ca>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2008 16:59:40 -0400
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Retail jobs: suitable for puppet artists?


Ya know I always research people and websites when I get replies and I
noticed not many of you are non profits. Now that is a good way of getting
money, sponsorships, and goods...Rather then just being a business, be a
charity with a well defined mission and that can impact your finances.

Otherwise.... Try catering.....
-------------------------------------------

Yes, it is one way of getting money, but I suspect one has to deal with a 
lot more paperwork, fundraising, organising, and meet criterias imposed by 
others.   Of course, if those criterias match with your own, go for it!
To have total creative control, independance seems to be the main way.

I did catering gigs about 5 times a year for the past few years (Christmas 
time). It's ok once in a while, but so far it didn't pay much. It must 
depend on what type of events. The company that hired me were catering for 
huge corporations (Yellow Pages, Pfizer, you name it), but somehow everyone, 
from the entertainers to the service staff, were not paid very well, 
considering the workload and time involved. I don't think this was about 
abusing the staff, as the boss and his family were working as hard as we all 
did, with the team. I think they just might not have asked enough for what 
great services they provided (a themed evening of live dance entertainment 
with group activities, elaborate room decorations, full self-contained sound 
and lighting equipement, catering provided, and a good DJ).

I find the quickest and best money I can make is when I give puppetmaking or 
maskmaking workshops, private or in schools. It's just very hard to find 
participants who can or want to pay the real price required to have the time 
to build a full, satisfying creation. I'm about to start my school campaign 
all over again, to prepare for the new school year starting soon. In 
schools, I can usually get  300$ for a one-day workshop. It's not asking for 
much, considering the organisation required prior to the event.
One time I calculated I could pay all my bills easily if I gave 7 workshops 
a month.  So far, i've been lucky to give 7 workshops a year! hence the new 
promo campaign I'm planning, right after my puppeteering promo videos.








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