entry six: updates, funding, and other such strange things

Update on Things

Yesterday was a highly productive day for me, in regards to my Impact Project. I met with Lauren to debrief, as it's been three weeks since we last met up. We talked about so many things (this is a bigger project than we thought!), like finding a director, a producer, two more actors, a rehearsal space, how to pitch the show, to whom we should pitch the show, the ideal season for running the show, sourcing funding, and working on a breakdown of costs associated with this show. In more depth:

• Revisit latest draft of script:
• Anais Nin running joke correction
• Edit 2.1 (still need to add in fluff re. Keith, currently a highlighted gap in script)
• What other content is missing?
• Do all scenes flow naturally into one another?
• How can I ensure the ball doesn't drop between scenes, or between split scenes?
• Does the play feel heavily weighted towards partner scenes?
• Do there need to be more group/solo moments?
• Directors to approach with a request to direct or coach:
• Michael Hurst
• Laurel Devenie
• Jacque Drew/Jeff Szusterman (husband/wife)
• Producers to approach with a request to produce or coach:
• Sam Snedden (Basement Theatre)
• Lynne Cardy (Auckland Theatre Company)
• Brie Hill (Bits and Pieces Ensemble)
• Robin Kelly/Cherie Moore (husband/wife) (Last Tapes Theatre Company)
• Finding a rehearsal space (potential venues):
• Dojo - owned by Silo but on Q/Basement Theatre property. Easy to rehearse with set/costumes/props and then transfer across carpark to theatre. I am very familiar with the space. In Central City. $15 per day, regardless of hours used.
• TAPAC - The Auckland Performing Arts Company. 10 minute drive/20 minute bus from Central City. Pt. Chevalier based. Probably more expensive than the other venues. Regularly busy.
• ATC - Auckland Theatre Company. 5 minute drive/15 minute bus from Central City. Dominion rd based. Good, large space. In excellent shape. Working bathrooms/kitchen. Hard to book as is often used for only Mainbill shows.
• Te Pou - New Lynn based. Unsure if there are rehearsal spaces available.
• Albany Senior High School. Albany based. 25 minute drive/1hr bus to Central City. Free. Limited hours available. No space for set/costumes/props.
• LIFE Church - Top of Mt. Eden rd. In Central City. Low cost, if any. Lauren's work. Limited space available.
• The Vault - Q Theatre rehearsal venue. In Central City. Next to Basement Theatre. Waiting for reply re cost. Storage space, but limited.
• Pitching the show (who we want on-board with this/advisors/potential funding):
• Lynne Cardy (Auckland Theatre Company)
• Whetu Silver (Auckland Theatre Company, Youth Arts Coordinater)
• Amanda Billing (Actor, potential cast member)
• Robin Kelly (Last Tapes Theatre Company)
• Cherie Moore (Last Tapes Theatre Company, actor, potential cast member)
• Brie Hill (Bits and Pieces Ensemble)
• Season:
• September - November 2016
• People to contact to review final draft of script:
• Sam Snedden (Basement Theatre)
• Sam Brooks (Playwright)
• Cherie Moore (Last Tapes Theatre Company, Vocal teacher, actor, potential cast member)
• Tracey Sharp (Playwright)
• Calum Gittins (Actor)
• Amanda Billing
• Has a copy of script
• Potential cast member (!!!!!!!)
• Lauren to follow up, after her filming ends
• Actors we have in mind for Keith Robinson:
• Calum Gittins - RADA trained. 30yo. Slightly young for the role, but as it is theatre, age can be easily shifted.
• Nick Brown - HOF Westlake Boys Theatre. 40's. Good age for role. Very busy with teaching.
• Actors we have in mind for Joanna Fenley:
• Amanda Billing - 30's. Good age for role. Expensive (but well worth it if we can get her on board!)
• Cherie Moore - 20's. Young for role, but would play it very well. Older than Lauren, so could pass.
• Laurel Devenie - 20's. Probably too young for the role. About the same age as Lauren. A possibility.
• Finding:
• Creative New Zealand - A couple of options (Creative Communities Scheme (mostly under $2,000) and Quick Response Grant (up to $7,500). Will need to look into this further, and submit applications once cast and crew are more solidified.
• Wallace Arts Trust  - Currently looking into this now. Will update later on.
• Actors Equity - Free advertising and promotion if all cast are Equity members. Plus, a free cake on opening night.
• Auckland Theatre Company - Will need to investigate. Unsure if funding is given to new artists. Watch this space.
• Contacting Agencies:
• Lauren and I to contact our respective agencies
• Hopefully some promotion on social media accounts?
• Can put us in touch with actors if there is an open casting call?
• I am meeting with Karen Kay next week to discuss all this
• Joining Actors Equity:
• Ensure all cast members are with Equity.

Whelp. My brain is fried, so I'll leave it at that for now. Will update this post later tonight, after work ^__^

Spinach out.