----- Original Message -----
From: <[email protected]>
To: "Caller's discussion list" <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2006 4:47 PM
Subject: Re: [Callers] Festival Applications
If you're wondering why performer applications are required so far in
advance of a festival, note that NEFFA may have 1700 performers, many of
whom perform in multiple sessions (perhaps performing alone, and with a
participatory dance group, and also with a concert performance group!).
You can't doublebook a performer (or larger groups to which she may
belong), you have to give her time to move from one venue to another, plus
a bunch of other scheduling etceteras that would drive me loony to
contemplate further. How scheduling was done in the days before computers
is beyond me.
You've seen the boards, Robert. You know how the scheduling for NEFFA is
done: the same as before computers, cards thumbtacked in a time slot for
each event. (Just like the schedule board in the TV show Studio 60, if any
of you watch it.) It is a very manual process. The computers have helped
with printing the cards, gathering the information and preparing the program
book and schedule but the process of actual scheduling is manual.
To respond to the original post: each festival is different and the
absolutely best thing you can do talk to the people making the decisions.
Just ask! "What are their criteria?" "Do they prefer bands and callers to
apply together or separately." "What is the date?" "If I missed the
deadline, should I submit an application anyway?" (no, for NEFFA, btw.) "Do
you want catchy names?" "Do you accept people from outside the area?" Etc.,
Etc., Etc. Festivals are run by real people who care about their events.
They will answer your questions! And you can't have someone say "yes" if you
don't ask.
HTH,
Beth
