Yes I have seen those boards, which at the moment are sitting in the bed of my pickup truck. As I wrote, I was thinking about computer checking of the draft schedule so that, for example, you could look at the fifty-four individual members of the Animaterra Womens' Chorus, see which members have other NEFFA commitments besides Animaterra, and thus do everything possible to avoid scheduling conflicts and ensure a happy, creative festival experience for each performer. Didn't mean to imply that software does the scheduling, only that it is a necessary tool. And even computerization is the work of skilled human volunteers; in this case Dan Pearl, I believe. For any applicant to any festival, "talk to the people making the decisions" is surely good advice. ... Bob -- Robert Jon Golder 164 Maxfield St New Bedford, MA 02740 (508) 999-2486
-------------- Original message ---------------------- From: "Beth Parkes" <[email protected]> > ----- 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 > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
