DAP Studio Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 I've been painting scenery for theatre since the end of the 1980s. I often get calls from scenic painters who want to know which scenery builders are busy and might need an extra pair of hands. Likewise I get calls from scenery builders and production managers looking for the right painter for the right job. So I've decided to create a database of freelance scenic painters and scenic artists working in the UK. Its a new idea but already has 20 painters signed up. Each painter gets a profile page with a slideshow, details about recent work education and the usual information that you find on a CV. There are also links to the painters own website. Potential employers can search for a painter by area and by level of experience. Its free to search and while it gets off the ground, free to list your profile. I thought this might be a good place to spread the word. You can find the directory on www.scenicpainters.com/directory.html It would be interesting to get some feedback if you have any thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weedkiller Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 You can find the directory on www.scenicpainters.com/directory.html It would be interesting to get some feedback if you have any thoughts. I like your idea so I just had a quick look at your directory. May I suggest that if it is a UK directory, you really should have Northern Ireland on there. There are probably other regions where people would say the list doesn't really include or define. I would see myself as being "the North" but I am sure it means something different in England - or in Scotland. Why not just put counties to give an idea of how close someone is to a prospective employer? I presume that the years classification is to define levels of experience but that is not stated. Not sure if that is the most equitable way of dividing the list, or even if it needs to be divided. If I need a scenic artist, I would first look for someone local and then check out their portfolio / gallery. I wouldn't care if they had 1-5 years or 10+ so long as they could demonstrate ability. Other opinions may vary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImagineerTom Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Great idea but I'm inclined to agree - when I need a painter I'm looking for the painter that can do the job not their age/years in the business. There's one artist I know who's almost a pensioner but who can do futuristic/grafitti amazingly well and is rubbish at "classical" artwork. Conversely I've met baseball cap wearing "fresh out of school" artists who can't do "modern" but can knock out a Rembrant or make any prop look like a 2000yr old relic in their sleep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerry davies Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 A friend set up and ran the GEMS Agency for film professionals and their model might have some hints for you. She ran it as a diary service with availabilities listed and an employment agency. I once rang and asked for "four Wardrobe for Friday". I think the more flexible it is the better, with galleries available for scenic artists especially. The biggest problem with any directories is keeping them current. The turnover of young people in theatre especially is often quite silly. Those that do stick around build contacts and sometimes don't want to be listed. Good luck with it and keep us informed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 When I started the Magicq hire site I had the same problem even if you have no people in an area you must include it. I know it's nit picking but the comment about titling is important if where you live is missing. For instance, I live in the most easterly town in the UK, and your areas seem to ignore everything east of the M1. I realised how these little things wind people up. I wish I had some skills in this area, but instead of the time in business, don't scenic people get categorised by scale of work? Some specialising in small fine detail others cloths, others set etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d_korman Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 My version of Adobe Reader (9.5.5) does not allow form data to be saved - it only saves the blank form. Reader X is not availalable on my OS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAP Studio Posted January 13, 2014 Author Share Posted January 13, 2014 Many thanks for all your responses. I do take the point about regions, and I'll look into creating a map with "clickable" areas so that the directory user can navigate that way. Obvious really, but I hadn't thought of it. I'll also include a word file option for the sign up form. (I've tried various ways of doing online sign up forms and all seem problematic.) As for catagories of painter, that one is more tricky. Agreed, a new painter might be good and an old painter might not. When I'm looking for a painter to work with me, I either want a team leader to lead another job, a middle experience painter to work alongside me, but not need watching too carefully, or a new painter that doesn't cost as much, to do something less skilled. Years experience seemed as good a way as any to help narrow the field. Food for thought though. Improvements will happen next week as I'm painting 6m tall angels this week!Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAP Studio Posted January 23, 2014 Author Share Posted January 23, 2014 An update on the directory. I've now got an online signup form in place which should make the procedure of getting painters profiles online much smoother. I've also added a map of the uk to the search page, with clickable regions so that potential employers can search in a specific area. There is the updated versionwww.scenicpainters.com/directory.html Thanks again for all your imput.James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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