Risk assessments and technical riders

May 9th, 12 noon, OFS STUdio

Come and learn what to include in your risk assessment, what a technical rider is, what information you’ll need to provide, and why it’s important for you and your venue.

The session will be run by Nomi Everall, Production and Design Manager at the Story Museum.

Tickets: £5 (free for supported artists)

An introduction the the basics of Lighting & Sound

May 23rd, 12 Noon, BT Studio

Want to learn more about how to prepare for the technical side of your show? This interactive workshop will take you through the basics of what you’ll need to know to communicate your ideas to designers and technicians and use lighting and sound to set tone and achieve the effects that you want. You’ll learn the jargon you need to know, the basics of programming your lighting cues onto the desk, and what you need to prepare to be ready to make the most of your get-in and set-up time.

The session will be run by Robert Bristow, BT Theatre Manager.

Tickets: £5 (free for supported artists)

Budgeting for Beginners

June 4th, 12.30-2pm, OFS Studio

Join Theatre Director and co-founder of Oxford People’s Theatre, Lizzy McBain, to learn more about budgeting for making a show from scratch. Covering artist fees, insurance costs, technical costs and more, you’ll leave the workshop with your own draft budget and will have a chance to ask questions along the way.

Tickets: £5 (free for supported artists)

‘Mark Makin is one of ITC’s most popular trainers – his Tour Booking course sells out every time we run it and receives glowing evaluations. The key to his success with our members is his direct, clear, practical approach to training, his first-hand experience of the sector and his generosity with the breadth of knowledge and experience he commands.

Charlotte Jones, CEO, Independent Theatre Council

‘I attended a makin projects group seminar, and was so impressed that I followed it up with a one-to-one consultation. Mark was warm, friendly and very helpful. He demystified the whole process of booking a tour and has given me the confidence and concrete information I need to book our own comprehensive tour. A thoroughly worthwhile investment and should be high on the to-do list of any touring company.’

Feargus Woods Dunlop, New Old Friends Theatre Company

How to Book a Tour

25 June, 10am-4pm*, OFS Studio

Trainer and tour booker Mark Makin will guide you through the particular set of skills and specialist knowledge that you need to successfully book a tour.

This course will enable you to:

• Organise a realistic tour schedule and budget

• Present your company and shows to potential bookers in the best light

• Understand the different financial and contractual deal options

• Start building relationships with suitable venues for your work

• ‘Selling’ your shows to programmers effectively

• Develop systems for contracting and managing tours

• Understand the basics of overseas tour booking

Target Audience

This course is aimed at those both new and established who hold the responsibility of tour booking. Though it starts with basic principles, it will also be helpful to those wishing to refresh their knowledge and improve their skills. This course is applicable to both theatre and dance companies.

Approach

Mark will share his own experiences of the industry as he takes you through the process of booking and managing a tour using case studies. Participants are encouraged to share their own knowledge and ask questions relating to their specific situations. Course notes and reference materials are pro-vided.

Trainer

Mark Makin co-established makin projects in September 2005. makin projects handles both national and international tour booking, as well as co-producing several new touring productions each season.

www.makinprojects.co.uk

Mark is currently the touring associate at Arts Council England funded venue initiative www.housethe-atre.org.uk , founder and co-director of both the Cheltenham and Leamington Spa Comedy Festivals.

*Workshop attendees will need to be available for the whole day to attend this session.

Tickets: £25 (free for supported artists)

Marketing your show

Sorry, you missed this one! Offbeat artists, please do get in touch if you need help with marketing your show.