Take a cast of a local play....

Debra Jones · 07-05-2005, 01:35 AM

..and ask a member to see if you can bring your camera and promise to make no noise.

I got 400 shots from our local production of Midsummer Nights Dream. I promised them 8x10 print outs on bond if I make a picture from any of them. Got model releases and emails and have a 20 some member cast that I am trying to cover and have at least 10 pieces in the lobby by Thursday's performance. The Theater is IN the Phoenix Art Museum and if I work fast, I may figure out how to get some publicity of of it.
As a few strive for representation with agents, I promised no use of the photos EXCEPT for art so here are my first five. I just used carpenter pencil and mechanical graphite and compressed charcoal.
I hope they all upload.

Debra Jones · 07-05-2005, 01:44 AM

I put all my stuff at the bottom, as I have intentions to make a set of cards that might go for fundraisers or something. I have to negotiate what sort of cut the theater may get. They are saving money to apply for a not for profit tax thingy. These little vignettes, hand signed without the disclaimer, may be great incentive to get us both on the map.
Last one, rather the first. I chose to start with either the hardest photos and worst poses and will relax with a multiple portrait of Puck as a reward. OY! That was a character!

Allan Rahbek · 07-05-2005, 05:21 AM

Debra,

What a brilliant idea you

Mike McCarty · 07-05-2005, 06:48 AM

I agree with Allan, posters in the lobby on easels would be great for everyone. All the drawings are great.

PUCK

I'll follow you, I'll lead you about a round,
Through bog, through bush, through brake, through brier:
Sometime a horse I'll be, sometime a hound,
A hog, a headless bear, sometime a fire;
And neigh, and bark, and grunt, and roar, and burn,
Like horse, hound, hog, bear, fire, at every turn.

Ngaire Winwood · 07-05-2005, 07:08 AM

What a great idea Debra, you really deserve everything that comes your way.

I really enjoyed all of your drawings and none stand out any better than the other. I really like them all.

What was your spiel to get them to cooperate with you and what did you explain in your releases about future benefits from you work?

Debra Jones · 07-05-2005, 11:30 AM

Here is my release.

I agree to the use of my image taken in these photos for use in artwork produced by Debra Jones.

I understand that Debra is not a professional photographer and these pictures are for reference for paintings. Digital files of the results will be available to all and reproductions will be available at cost.

I DO NOT agree to the publication or sale of any of the reference photographs unless contacted and written permission is obtained. The theater may use photos, upon my approval for advertising and promotion.

In return for the use of my image, I will also receive an 8x10 print, suitable for framing of any pictures resulting from the shoot. Additional prints or reproductions as cards etc can be negotiated for cost. Rights to reproduce the work remains with Debra Jones but if I wish to resale any such products, acknowledgement of Debra Jones as the artist will be preserved.

These drawings and subsequent artwork may be used by the Theater for fund raising and future promotion with consideration of advertising and expenses.

As a former thespian, just having a set of cast pictures is a boon. I am still making disks. This is not a high tech crew and most of them will be begging friends for print outs or taking them to photo kiosks.

The drawings may make me money. I am still trying to figure it out. I will offer the originals and give them a gallery commission if they are purchased off the wall. If people want reproductions, I want to print the 8x10's, but we all know, the mat and plastic sleeve cost more than the print, so I think I will wholesale them to the theater as I go for the cost of the simple framing doubled and they can mark it up to whatever they want, and figure out the tax themselves. Of course it will be billed AFTER the show is over so they are not out money from pocket. If some sell at the first show, I will print card sets (black and white I can do on PHOTO COPIERS!!!) and see how they go. Same deal: price can end up double cost. The point is to get my SIGNATURE and name out there. NOT make a living selling prints.

Okay, I can hear you all screaming "NO! You are giving things away!!!" Well, I know it is a small and hopelessly poor group, but I would rather support something I believe in and get my name out to those of like mind, than sit and wait for the phone to ring.

I also have two very slow days this week and want to call the papers and the tv. I know I am a great slow news story and after the Faces of the Fallen, I am also good copy.

Build that portfolio!

Ngaire Winwood · 07-06-2005, 05:49 AM

Thanks Deb, I am sure your partnership with the theatre will be fruitful for you all around. I think your idea is a great one. Good luck with it all.

Debra Jones · 07-06-2005, 03:32 PM

I have sort of created a monster.
I ran out of color in my printer and am happily making little prints of these. I have set myself 10 as a goal for the performance tomorrow. UNFORTUNATELY I just did the math and as I sort of promised a set to the gang, I realize I am in the OVER 200 print range.
I am going to sleeve the originals in photo sleeves on 20x16 butter board, double sided tape them to the walls.
This is a big project for a part time project.
So here are Helena and Demetrius and the sleeper, Bottom, Ariel and our Puck. Is he perfect or what!!!

Claudemir Bonfim · 07-06-2005, 03:55 PM

I loved all of them Debra, but I like this last one best.

Great work.

Debra Jones · 07-07-2005, 10:44 AM

Claudemir, thank you.
I believe that is going to be the marketing tool. I have printed 10 cards for tonight's performance and framed and signed a "limited run" of 500, just for snob appeal (and the first ten cards had a typo on the back - rip the back off and use a 5x7 99c special and we have impulse sales!)
I did two more but the group picture is only for repro, and probably not that even... I sprayed a matte varnish, not a fixative and it clouded over. Graphite and too much work. The printout on the computer looks better than the original.
The couple is more mood than content and I fear I will only have 8 tonight, as I have to go to work in 40 minutes.