Ask Yourself

How Dirty is Free?

Fast and Free seem to be the new sheik business model : 

 

Google = Fast and free

YouSendIt.com = Fast and Free

FreeConferanceCall.com = Fast and Free

Zoho = Fast and Free

Pandora = Fast and Free

SethGodin.com = Fast and Free

Facebook = Fast and Free

The list goes on…

 

Check out this great list of fast and free services provided by Inc Magazine. Now-a-days even the free services are fighting for attention! In the 80’s I don’t think many businesses would have agreed with this “free” philosophy. Remember when you could buy the Encyclopedia in grocery stores? They tried to lure you into buying the whole set by selling you the volume of “A” for 99 cents. I bet Britannica would have never thought their competition was going to a free service.

 

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I am in the process of develop several new projects, all of which will have free services attached to them. So…I posed the question: If the future model of business is “Free”, how will it work economically for businesses?

 

In my studies to understand why free is so popular for businesses right now I found the following fantabulous analogy and here it is:

 

The Bikini Concept Introduced by marketing writer Sean D'Souza.

 

By giving away 90%, the user is willing to “pay” to see the last 10%.

 

I know…I hear you saying “How chauvinistic Mr. Sudarski!”, (That was my family name before we got off the boat). 

 

It is the last 10% that is of monetary worth to the consumer. How far are you willing to give your audience, customer, or client? What last 10% can be unrevealed that has so much value that “they” will do anything to get the last part? Isn’t that what the Broadway performances at the the Tony’s and the Thanksgiving Day parade are all about on a small level? BroadwaySpace.com has started to offer their audience base free access to the stars. Will live entertainment continue to have a free models like this in the future?

 

Have you done anything FREE and gained business from doing so? Will you do it again?

 

Do Choregoraphers Have Software?

 Playwrights have software to make their life easier.

Lighting designers have software make their life easier.

Set Designers have software make their life easier.

General Managers have software to make their life easier.

Almost every creative and administrative department in live entertainment has some sort of computer software supplement to enhance their productivity and abilities. What about choreographers?

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Check out this 30 second video explaining the new ChoreoPro software for Choreographers and Stage Managers:

The product is not released yet, but I have been told it will come out shortly. In the meantime you can request a trial version ChoreoPro through their web site.

I enjoy when someone takes something that already exists (In this case dance) and figures out how to make it better through technology.

Who can this help?

Dance Competition World = Some studio directors have to create anywhere from 25-50 group dances a season. With this tool, the directors can start imputing information as they are inspired and not have to rely on chicken scratch note pads to translate their thoughts.

Pre-Broadway = In the course of a Broadway show’s development phase dancers are made, cut, changed, and re-configured to work with scenery or a change in story line. With a software like this the Assistant Choreographer, Dance Captain, or Stage Manager will be able to update the module so no one has to ask, “What did we do yesterday?”.

After Opening = Have a long running show that has a casting change, or one of your ensemble dancers ate too much sushi? Your Dance Captain, Stage manager, and dancers can use this tool to cut rehearsal time down and improve accuracy.

Event Planners = If you are a production company that caters to the high-end event market, you will have to show your client in advance what the sets, lighting, and costumes will look like. You even have to go as far as showing your client what the napkins, table settings, and mints in the bathroom will be like. In the past you were unable to show them what the movement on the stage was going to be like. Now you can.

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Do you think this product will have merit in the marketplace, do you think something like this exists? Do you think this will make like on the stage easier or more complex?

Leave your comments here!

A Video that Inspired Me (Thanks To My HS Guidence Councilor)

Ken Robinson says Schools Kill Creativity…

This “creativity expert” says “We are educating people out of creativity”. I wish everyone in education, the arts, and entertainment watched this video.

Take 19 minutes and 21 seconds of your day to enjoy this seminar brought to you by TED:

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When I was a senior in high school, my guidance counselor in High School, Mr. W., pulled me into his office and attempted to “talk me out of” going into the entertainment industry. Thank gorsh the thick-headed teenager in me remained committed to my passions.

It disturbs me greatly that many educational systems are not promoting younger generations to explore their creativity and use their creativity in every day life. Please don’t think that I feel every child should be an actor, or a singer, or a musician (That would be scary). Creativity to me does not mean that you dedicate your life to the arts, it means you dedicate to make your life into a piece of art.

I feel obligated as a member of society to cultivate experiences that inspire others to take risks with their passions. It is my wish that as a member of the entertainment world that I can create safe, and entertaining environments that move audiences to grow.

Here are the ways I am currently doing this:

1)    Through StarQuest – in 2009 we had over 21,000 performers under the age of 18 perform at our events. Many of our dancers do not attend our events with the goal to win top score, they come to be their best, to dance, to create, and to be part of a passionate community. As the Associate Producer for the upcoming season, it is my goal to ensure that young dancers have an environment to create, showcase, and grow.

2)    Through This Blog – I hope that readers of this blog gain something out of it. Be it a gram of inspiration, an ounce of inspiration, or a bucket of inspiration, I enjoy sharing my journey with others in hope there is some form of connectivity that sparks motivation. I feel fortunate that every day I learn new things – Why wouldn’t I want share these lessons with you!?

 3)    Developing New Projects Intended to Serve Others – Over the next 12 months you will see a few new projects pop up all of which have the goal to support entrepreneurs and artists. Stay tuned to see.

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What are you doing to foster inspiration or creativity in others?

Share your stories in the comment section of this blog.