File spoon-archives/puptcrit.archive/puptcrit_1999/puptcrit.9906, message 130


Date: Thu, 17 Jun 1999 17:43:56 -0400
From: heyhoot-AT-mindspring.com (Christopher Hudert)
Subject: PUPT: Re: The Digital Error, I mean Era


Jim, David, Dori, et al,
  The PofA and UNIMA directories do exist on someone's hard drive.  As far
as I know they are both compiled on computer and as Jim suggested it should
not be too difficult to burn them into a cross platform disc.  As opposed
to publishing this info over the web a simple option would be to be able to
select whether you want to have your directory mailed to you on cd or
paper. I think with the current size of the PofA directory it just may be
cheaper to produce and mail on cd than that thick paper directory. If it
isn't perhaps there could be a small extra charge (like that paid by those
who wish their info to come first class) to get this by cd instead of on
paper. Although the UNIMA directory is not as large as the PofA one, think
of the possibilities of adding a single photo to your company listing. I
mean, doesn't the UNIMA directory already go out to producers, etc?
 David, while it is indeed true that a cd would be "obsolete within a year"
that is also true even with the paper version of the list.  That is why we
get a new one every year or so.  As for some people not wanting their
phone/email etc. listed, it is not wierdness at all. You seem to be
forgetting that not everyone in the PofA is a "working puppeteer".  PofA is
made up not only of profesionals,  but also amatures, wannabees,
supporters, families, junior members, libraries, etc., as is the Crit.  So
I ask you to understand and respect why some people on the list might not
want all of their information published in the PofA directory or elsewhere.
It is already very easy to get so much info, some people just don't want
to make it any easier. I do agree with you, the info should be published,
but not over the web.
  Jim hit on many other techno items - file compression, digital video, FTP
sites, etc. - and suggested we puppeteers should get with the program.  The
digital age is apon us.  Well, true. But honestly Jim, your days seem to
have about 92 hours in them. I don't know how you fit it all in. Although I
do understand what you're talking about (for the most part) it is all I can
do to read up on the technology, much less master it AND wear the many hats
of a small businessman and performer.
  A series of workshops at the festival on uses of computers for the
puppeteer?  I say yes and no.  There have been some of these workshops at
previous festivals and some were better than others. I agree that there
should be some basic computer use workshops available at the festivals, but
for more advanced/intense use perhaps a mini-fest that butted up to the
begining or end of the festival that just dealt with computers and puppetry
would be better.  Those really interested could sign up to this special
tract (paying an additional fee of course).  I have seen this work at other
festivals - not computers but for special tracts.
  Dori, the main reason for doing this sort of thing at a festival is that,
even though you can learn much of the technology "back home", seeing it
applied to your intrest - puppetry - is like seeing it in a whole new and
inspiring light.
  Yes Jim, there are many of us "standing in that river".  Some of us have
a computer and are still trying to find the time to learn how to REALLY use
it.  For myself, I know that it is capable of much more than I currently
get out of it, and I do feel that water rising.  We do get caught in a
whirlpool.  Kind of hard to sign up to a computer class when your on the
road so much.  At some point it will be a matter of turning down a few
bookings and losing some money in the short run in order to learn more and
make more money in the long run.  Kind of like putting the time aside to go
to a festival.  We have to say yes, it is an investment, but is it one I
can afford at this point?  Or is it an investment that I can't afford NOT
to make at this point?  It is the same questions that those still without
computers (and obviously not reading this) will need to ask, and only they
can say when the time will be right.
  Finally, Jim, since you brought all this up, have you proposed any of
these workshops for the upcoming festival?  Perhaps, as you say, you are
not an expert but you certianly do have much to share and know more on the
subject than many of us do.




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