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Post by Hawise on Jul 24, 2007 7:32:47 GMT -5
I have an idea for next year! I totally agree with cutting down the size and expense of programs, but I think it's completely unfair to give the hardworking cast and crew no credit whatsoever. How about using the bulletin board that everyone passes for more than just winning photos? How about placing a photo of each costumed cast member and their character name? Perhaps in small print their real name underneath.
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Post by tomnaboley on Jul 24, 2007 8:09:31 GMT -5
I like Hawise's idea. The volunteers are on the back of that board. They could move the pic. contest and put cast & crew on the front.
The new brochures are nice and easier to handle, but I do miss the cast descriptions in them.
Maybe next year they could get the current actor playing the part on the front it. (It has the "old" Robin Hood on it this year.)
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Post by Sir Trevor on Jul 24, 2007 8:19:26 GMT -5
Maybe next year they could get the current actor playing the part on the front it. (It has the "old" Robin Hood on it this year.) Well, that will always be a problem. The cast don't usually finish their garb until just before faire opens. Not really time to get a good photo, then get it to a printer. We don't want to give them any other excuses to be late with the programs. |
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Post by SwordSchoolGroupie on Jul 24, 2007 10:46:15 GMT -5
Well you get what you pay for..... I still say the PR & marketing is terribly lacking.
As for the brochure I happened to pick one up as I perused the souviener table which I usually never ever do.... they weren't actively handing them out at the gate. not sure if the ticket booth was giving them out or not. Season pass holders don;t go that way but once and not at all if you got it ahead of time. What they need is someone to take the tickets and two people passing out the programs once the patron gets inside the gate. Maybe then they wouldn't have so many left over. that and with the faire being so good and the weather has been exceptionally good this year maybe more people will attend. . that is the ultimate goal is it not? skimping just isn't the way to go. you want people to have a good quality time you have to give them good quality. the cast, entertainment, and vendors are doing a wonderful job and the marketing is letting them down.
I personally looked at the food vendor list, the cast list, the list of vendor merchandise. Your average mundane is going to want to know what is available and where without wasting time. chances are they are there for one day only and want to get the most of their ticket. wandering around aimlessly is great if you know you're coming back next week but the average ticket holder may or may not come back depending on the experience they had on that one given day.
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Post by bunbun / Hank on Jul 24, 2007 10:48:57 GMT -5
A few more comments on the subject. Trevor, you brought up the printing costs. Well, I have before me a 2006 and a 2007 program and I see where the 06 program had TEN pages of advertisements for various local business's ranging from Subway to the local Ford dealer. Now! I am pretty sure GLMF did not list these folks out of the kindness of their hearts. Most likely these business's PAID MONEY to be listed there, which would off set the printing costs. And! there seem to be printing shops on every street corner, they are as ubiquitous as Wally Worlds and drug stores anymore. So maybe you should shop it around till you get a price you like, and, oh yes, can get the work done in a timely fashion.
While on the subject of programs, try to keep the descriptions consistent! You have Johnny Phoenix listed on the Cottage Stage, but you have The Belly Dance, The Renaissance Man.The Irish step Dancing, and the Flying Debris Show (Aug 4&5) listed on the Garden Cottage Stage. Now! is that a different stage, or just a different name for the same stage? Imagine the confusion to a first time patron trying to find that one. And what the hell is the significance of all those numbers on the map? If you are an "old Timer" like myself, you knew at one time in programs past they were the address of the various vender's. Now, they are just meaningless numbers.
If these are to be the programs from now on, while they may be "new" they certainly are not "Improved!" HANK.
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Post by bunbun / Hank on Jul 24, 2007 10:52:31 GMT -5
To Sword School Groupie: Thank you for hitting some points I missed! HANK.
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Post by wyldfire on Jul 24, 2007 13:17:50 GMT -5
Your average mundane is going to want to know what is available and where without wasting time. chances are they are there for one day only and want to get the most of their ticket. wandering around aimlessly is great if you know you're coming back next week but the average ticket holder may or may not come back depending on the experience they had on that one given day. I'm not fond of the "programs" either....but it is what it is. However, this past weekend I was asked quite often where people can find "jewelry, photographs, fans....insert whatever you want here" Also, I've been asked do I know who is selling what.....also, for some reading of the show times and stages is NOT easy, very small print......not every eye can read it, and I had a few people ask me to help them out.............. And I also agree, cast should be mentioned! What would faire be without cast??!?!?!?!?! |
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Post by Kayenne on Jul 25, 2007 16:59:23 GMT -5
However, this past weekend I was asked quite often where people can find "jewelry, photographs, fans....insert whatever you want here. Also, I've been asked do I know who is selling what.....also, for some reading of the show times and stages is NOT easy, very small print......not every eye can read it, and I had a few people ask me to help them out.............. And I also agree, cast should be mentioned! What would faire be without cast??!?!?!?!?! I was also being asked that stuff, too. If this program is the best they can do, then they should dump the useless map and list the cast and the vendors. |
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Post by BlackKnight on Jul 25, 2007 19:41:42 GMT -5
My complaint is what I have heard from customers/patrons. I have had several people come up to me and told me that the current programs are absolutely useless. I also had alot of people ask me where Maidens IV were and I told them they were off Celtic Weekend, which the programs did not state. I have never heard any complaints about programs from previous years, so if it ain't broke, don't make it worse!!!
This year's program is something you would see at a one-weekend faire. They have upped the price of admission almost every year since I have been a regular, so if they are going to charge $18.00 per person, they better have a decent program to hand out.
I understand they had alot of waste, but it is simple math. Take an average count of boxes that are thrown out each year and subtract that from what you normally order. This way you only have a little extra or possibly run out towards the end of the year. Besides, the advertisements in the programs is supposed cover the cost of the programs 100% with a fixed profit margin. It is the same with the newspapers or magazines. The money we pay for the newspapers and magazines are pure profit. The advertisers pay the bills.
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Post by Hephzibah on Jul 25, 2007 19:52:17 GMT -5
Huzzah BK we agree
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Post by SwordSchoolGroupie on Jul 25, 2007 21:38:43 GMT -5
There was a small atsterik by Maidens IV which if you looked further down you would see that some other guy was taking their place for one of the weekends.
The others are similiar but a few of the acts are mentioned but not listed under the correct stage. and I received a coupon for the italian circus act... am I to understand that in order to see that show I am expected to pay in addition to the $50 I already shelled out for a season pass?? Ridiculous!
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Post by Sir Trevor on Jul 26, 2007 6:56:31 GMT -5
Yes, the circus is another ticket/admission.
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Post by Capt. Morgan on Jul 26, 2007 7:58:15 GMT -5
Hmm...since it seems we do indeed have programs...should this thread be...retired? Or perhaps re-titled "Thoughts on the programs"? Just a humble suggestion...
But...while I'm here...what if there was a "Town Crier" to announce shows about 20 min. before they start? True...it would have to be done in a neutral zone (the Devil's Hammer near the Souvenir Booth for example) and down by Friar Plucks and maybe somewhere near the Faerie Forest (so as to avoid interfering with on going shows) and that way people could stop and ask which way the show would be...maybe even several Criers...I remember going to the Yankee Peddler Festival and they had a Town Crier (complete with hand bell) call out what was going to take place at "One and Thirty" or what have you...combine this maybe with a simple program for cross reference and...it may help move the mundanes along...or (and maybe they already do this) have the act that is ending put in a plug for the next act coming up...Also...posting several laminated, concise, readable schedules at each Pub would be of great help because I've found a lot of the Food/Vendor folks have no clue what's going on in other parts of the Shire...Maybe even maps (painted on wood and attached to the directional posts through the Shire) with "Thou art here" so it gives people a reference point in which direction they need to head?
Having worked and been involved with directional signage at the Museum...I KNOW you can not make everything clear to everyone...and the more signs you put up, the stupider people become...but consistent, graphic identity signage that catches the eye adds to the charm of the Shire...a tad late for this season, granted...but it's never too early to think of next year!
(I would even be willing to help design/paint said signs should something be agreed upon)
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Post by Hawise on Jul 26, 2007 10:58:51 GMT -5
Oooh, I think the "crier" idea is an excellent one - cheap labor. At SCA events, heralds call announcements throughout the day. Hire someone with a Sir Nigel type voice (BOY that man can holler!) to cry once in the Old World and once in the New World, perhaps once every hour or two, announcing whatever is happening next. It would certainly increase visibility with special daily events too.
Huzzah Morgan!
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Post by SwordSchoolGroupie on Jul 26, 2007 21:22:39 GMT -5
I like the "thou art here" maps (like the mall directories) that would be cool.. I think I saw one of those at another faire I was at.... It would help alot.
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