Too many artists are passive about stuff that matters to their bottom line.
I recently learned of a friend's book launch and I wanted to go to show my support and buy a book. (By the way, when you do go to a book signing, not buying a book is kind of tacky. IMHO. Just sayin')
I hopped on over to the website of the sponsoring org and found...
oh wait, it must be here somewhere...
Wait a sec.
Not one word about my friend's book launch, which is in less than 3 weeks.
Then I clicked on the calendar page and it was empty even though I know for a fact the organization has events all month long every single month of the year.
This reminds me of when I get an email from a friend promoting a new show and the link to purchase tickets is broken and I find myself having to google the title of the show and name of the playwright to find my way to an online ticketer.
So sorry to have to tell you this but: the buck stops with you.
Too many artists are killing their own careers by not obsessing over the details.
God is in the details. And no matter your budget -- whether you're working with a team of volunteers or the entire publicity department at Paramount -- if it's your work that's being sold, you have an obligation to see to it that every detail is handled efficiently, thoughtfully and effectively. Nobody's going to care that nobody came to see your show as much as you will. So do whatever you can to make sure that doesn't happen.
For more than 20 yrs. I've been helping filmmakers and playwrights take the bold, frightening but ultimately invigorating career step of producing their own work. Through my Cracking the Producers Code and Self Production Boot Camp workshops I've encouraged writers to get up from behind their laptops, put on their shoes and go out into the world to make their voices heard.
It may not come naturally to you. But these days, it's essential.
One thing is more true today than it was 25 years ago and it grows truer each year. Increasingly, it falls on individual artists to steer the ships of their careers. All the usual suspects we used to count on to do this work for us are too over-extended, stressed, distracted and scared. If you want bold action to be taken on behalf of your bold work. Take it yourself.
Nobody wants to hear about that brilliant show that everybody missed.
Honor your obligation... to your work.. to your gifts... and by extension, to the world.
If you have a great work of art sitting in the bottom drawer of your desk. What good is it doing the world? And who shall we blame for our never having had a chance to see it?
On March 8th my 12-week Self-Production Boot Camp begins again for the Dramatists Guild Institute. Class size is limited to 12. For a more detailed course description, visit the DGI website.
And for more on my teaching in general visit: RolandTecTeaching.com
