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Need help and ideas for charity concert


Diarmuid

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Hiya everyone,

 

In two weeks time, my schools theatre, is hosting an annual music event, in an attempt to raise money for charity. We have two performances, made up of acts from the school, with a wide range of different styles being performed.

 

Previously it has always been more of a challenge for our tech crew than for the actual performers, we've always seen it as a good way to demonstrate our skills, by rigging up some movers and truss, as well as the obvious setting up of an amazing (well almost :P ) sound system. Due to presently having a show going on, we have only just been able to start planning this years 'charity concert'.

 

The other day, we tried to ring up the person/company who normally lends us the four movers and control (normally a Fat Frog) that we use to make everything look as good as possible. However, it appears that the company has gone bankrupt, or out of business for some other reason, and after having tried ringing the other person who is known by our theatre to have some movers, we've found that they are using them at the time.

 

Due to this, we've decided that we are going to try and get a grant and/or some fundraising, so as to buy ourselves some movers and a control (ideally an illusion500); however there is no way that this is going to be manageable in the two weeks we have left before the show! Having looked at the hire page of Stage Electrics, it seems unlikely that we are going to be able to get the 4 movers and lighting desk for under £500 a week, and as we'll need to have them for two weeks, that'll be £1000 which is a ridiculously large amount of money to take away from the charities that the event is designed to help.

 

Basically, I'm here to beg. If anyone has 4 movers (preferably profiles, but obviously, we aren't going to be picky!) and/or a control for movers (we can always run them off a computer if necessary, so the control isn't as big a problem), we would absolutely love it if we could borrow them for two weeks!

Obviously, we'd pay for couriering as necessary, and we can guarantee that they will be looked after and shall be covered on the schools insurance policy.

 

Also, if anyone was able to lend us anything, we'd happily give them a mention in the program/advertising, if they wished, and we could probably give some money for hire costs, however we'd like to avoid paying huge rates, as that'll take the money away from charity.

 

I'll try and post details of the charities that the money is going to, as soon as possible.

 

Thanks for your help, and thanks also even if you haven't got any movers, but can help us with suggestions.

 

Cheers!

Diarmuid

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Simple answer is WHY? Use the rig you have and simply give the money to charity. Movers aren't going to benefit the show. the audience aren't going to look at the flyer and go "oh they have four macs. we defiantly have to go see it now"

 

There is a reason the company who lent you the gear went bust, and that may well be due to the fact they were doing so much charity work and giving away there gear.

 

Another issue with this is the fact it drives our industry prices down because people expect every company to make them deals.

 

sorry mate this is the real word

 

Andy Jones

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Applaud your efforts in doing your best to help charity.

 

Couple of suggestions, be modest in your expectations of what others can AFFORD to donate.

Ever wondered why the guy who used to lose 500 quid a week giving you a free hire is no longer in business?

 

Charity often begins at home or close to, local firms, organisations and individuals may have a personal interest in helping local Charities or local groups doing fundraising for a national Charity.

 

I would suggest doing a search for previous debate on this subject and donning a Nomex suit for reading the rest of the thread ;-)

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We tried to ring up the person/company who normally lends us the four movers... However, it appears that the company has gone bankrupt, or out of business for some other reason...

 

Without wishing to jump to conclusions...

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As I've probably said before....

 

A well organised charity event will easily cover its production costs with the ticket prices with the profit after costs going to the charities. That means that if you want a more lavish production you need to put your ticket prices up.

 

Perhaps ask for a discount for the hire but don't expect kit for free (unless you spend thousands with the company each year).

 

Steve

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It's virtually impossible to get a grant to buy you kit. It just doesn't work like that. Will having expensive lights generate additional bums on seats? If the answer is no, then for the benefit of the charity - don't go there if it means less donation.
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Plan to make a profit for the charity. Look at accessories like movers in a purely financial light, if hiring movers will make more profit then hire them, if no DO NOT hire.

 

Companies give freebies IF you are a regular and good client. (when my work wanted a 5K gen for an evening they got it free BUT it was a legitimate freebie from the company hiring us a 1000KVA set for a Year!)

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If it's only 2 performances, why do you need the kit for 2 weeks?

 

Even if the performances are a week apart, then you still only need a ten day hire.

 

Just to be pedantic, a ten day hire is a two week hire (i.e. there is no cost difference between the two) as generally hire companies in this industry work on a max of a 3 day week, often less in the case of lighting.

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Just to be pedantic, a ten day hire is a two week hire (i.e. there is no cost difference between the two) as generally hire companies in this industry work on a max of a 3 day week, often less in the case of lighting.

Surely you meant a MIN of a 3-day week, John...?

:nerd:

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