Friday Tip

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

When producers ask you for something (music, a photo, &c.), give them exactly what they ask for.

If everyone involved in a show sends the producer what is requested, things will run more smoothly. If one person fails, it’s more work on the producer. If everyone ignores the specifications… it’s ugly.

Some common requests and issues:

If the producer asks for your music as a file, send the music file. Don’t send a YouTube link or an iTunes Store link. If a file format is specified (like mp3 or wav), make sure you’re sending the right format.

If the producer asks for a high-resolution photo, don’t send a web-resolution photo. If they’re printing promo material, a low-res photo isn’t going to look as good on paper as it does on a screen. Make sure it’s a 300dpi image.

If the producer asks for a link to a video, post your video on YouTube or Vimeo and send them an unprotected link. It doesn’t have to be publicly listed, but it shouldn’t require a password. Don’t send them the video file.

If the producer asks you to use a file sharing service, like Dropbox, don’t email the file. Huge files can completely overwhelm an inbox.

If the producer asks you to send something to a different person, like the stage manager or sound tech, don’t send it to the producer.

If you’re not a tech savvy person, ask for help, but not from the producer. The producer is busy enough producing the show and can’t also be your (or anyone else’s) tech support.

Respect deadlines!

If you do exactly as the producer requests, you’ll be seen as a professional who pays attention, follows directions, and makes the producer’s job that much easier. And people like that tend to be rehired.

The flip side, for producers, is that you must be very clear in what you need, when you need it, and how you need it.

Jo Weldon has a very informative class on how to deal with producers, festival organizers, and the press. Take it if you get the chance.

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.