home
|
about
|
news
|
contents
|
gossip
|
photographs
|
venues
|
brighton
|
dublin
|
edinburgh
|
film
|
features
|
interviews
|
awards
|
fashion
|
recipes
|
drinks Monday 6 July 09
|
newsletter
|
links
|
contact
Edinburgh Fringe Roadshow, 2006
Taking a show to Edinburgh Fringe 06? Here’s how. Colman Higgins reports the official roadshow.
by Colman Higgins
Saturday 18 February 06
The official Edinburgh Fringe Roadshow at London’s Soho Theatre is packed to the door – people arriving late have to wait outside for a second presentation.
The deadline for inclusion in the Fringe Programme this year is 19 April 06 and the fee is £300 plus VAT. For those who can make the early deadline, which is 3 April 06, the fee is a reduced £226 plus VAT. There is also an even lower fee for those who are doing just one night's performance at the Fringe, which is £126 plus VAT. For exact details of costs and dates, see the official site www.edfringe.com
According to www.edfringe.com, 'the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is officially the largest arts festival in the world. In 2005 more than 735 groups participated putting on 1,800 different shows with a total of 26,995 performances in 247 venues.
'Anyone can perform at the Fringe as it's an open arts festival. The Festival Fringe Society (commonly known as the Fringe Office) does not produce any of the shows, does not invite anybody to perform and pays no fees to performers.' They do, however, help performers at each point of the process - with this roadshow as the first step.
Information and advice from both sessions today includes:
-
When selecting a venue, the most intangible factor is reputation for the particular art form you are presenting. The best guide is to talk to people who have been at the Fringe but especially those who have used the particular venue.
-
When selecting time slots, don’t be obsessed with the 7.30-9.00 pm zone. This is the most competitive time of the day. Playing from mid to late afternoon is not the disadvantage that it would be at other festivals. It’s also horses for courses – comedy is not good early in the morning and likewise, serious and intense drama can be difficult late at night, when audiences have been drinking.
In dealing with contracts – don’t be afraid to appear stupid and ask if you don’t understand something. Every year the Fringe office hears of companies who agreed a split arrangement that they didn’t understand. Contracts can be negotiated but once you are happy with one, don’t delay in signing, as others may take the slot if you delay too much.
-
Shows on similar themes can often get together to cross-promote.
-
The average ticket price last year was £8.58. Talk to the venue manager for advice about price.
-
Give out plenty of free passes in the first week – even more than you feel comfortable with. Fill up your first week with freebies and this will pay off in the second and third weeks.
-
The two-for-one offer on the first two days of the Fringe is a big hit with local Edinburgh residents. As almost all shows will be on it, anyone outside it will be at a big disadvantage.
-
The 40 words in your Fringe programme entry are vital. Look at last year’s programme, pick out the ones that catch your attention and see what’s interesting about them. Avoid obvious words like ‘hilarious’ and avoid over-intellectualising. Just tell them what the show is about. Also use any review quotes or awards.
-
Key contents of the press pack are the press release – preferably one page and never more than two – and two copies of the show’s press shot (300 dpi resolution for print and 72 dpi for web publishers).
-
While some feel that student shows get less attention from the press, several important papers cover student shows as well – Three Weeks and Fest, for example. Good reviews in these can attract attention from the other press. Also, if a show is marketed and run professionally, the press won’t care if it is a student show.
-
It’s important to spend money if necessary on designing good print (ie posters and flyers).
-
Flyers are more important than posters. The best way to distribute them is to engage people in the street and talk about the show. If someone meets a flyer distributor who is charming, they are likely to go to the show. Don’t try to get attention in the wrong way – be clear what the show is about.
-
On sponsorship, don’t waste time chasing Edinburgh companies – most sponsorship will come from your own home base.
-
For accommodation, most people rent flats. There are flat agencies, but there is also cheap accommodation on the Fringe website. Accommodation is one of the biggest single costs of doing the Fringe.
-
Even if you are doing a one-person show, bring as many friends and family as possible to help with flyering and other tasks – doing it all yourself can be draining.
END
(c) Colman Higgins 18 February 2006
The Official Edinburgh Fringe Roadshow was at Soho Theatre, London, Saturday 18 Feb 06. For other dates see the official site www.edfringe.com.
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2009
