Date: Sun, 15 Aug 1999 13:20:31 -0400
Subject: Re: PUPT: Puppetry x ? = $$$
From: Rick D Moss <puppetlove-AT-juno.com>


Okay people, enough is enough.  Not every job pays well, but don't go
pointing fingers at other people (amateur puppeteers and your audience)
if you can't earn a living.  Although I can understand that  you want to
stay competitive, you can still charge anything you want (or at least
whatever you are worth) for your performances.   BMW charges more than
$30,000 for a car that does nothing more than a $15,000 Chevy.  BMW feels
the extra finesse is worth twice the price.  Chevy, on a similar vein,
did not complain that it could not sell its Chevette model hatchback for
$7000 when Yugo brought out a $4500 model of similar shape and function. 
People recognize a Yugo for what it is worth.  The same is true for their
entertainment dollar.  If you make a show worth seeing, word will spread
(perhaps slowly, but it will spread).  If it doesn't, then market your
performance to a different crowd.  Donate one to a big name charity (one
that is covered by the press).  Still no luck?   Then put together a less
artistic. more flashy, show to attract people and then show them your
other talents while you have them.  Country music has made extensive use
of this marketing technique by introducing people by luring them in with
crossover pop hits.  Why aren't we using it as well?   You do not have to
sacrifice your art to widen its scope temporarily until people come to
see it your way.

Okay, I will get off my soapbox now with 2 final thoughts.

1) I earned my way onto that soap box not by being a puppeteer, but by
being a regular person (like most of you) whose money you are seeking.

2) If marketing is a problem for you, then call the host of your next
regional festival (or call Tampa for the next national) and ask then to
bring in someone who specializes in marketing performers (not necessarily
an agent, but someone who understands the plights of both the local and
traveling entertainment industries).  Not every seminar leader should be
a puppeteer, you know.  We can learn from the outside world.

Okay, you can yell at me for my blasphemous statements now.  : )

Rick

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