Today we live tweeted from the Hollywood Fringe Festival Workshop that was all about Money and Promotion that was moderated by Fringe Festival Outreach Manager Ellen Den Herder. On the panel were K@ Primeau, Monica Miklas, Sofie Khan, and Tom Cavanaugh. We did our best to find the shows on the Fringe website whose reps could ask some questions during the workshop. If we found them, you will find their show links above their tweet question.
On a sidenote, please be sure to register your Fringe shows (and also non-fringe shows) on Better Lemons, so you can get a Critics as well as Audience #LemonMeter rating of your show.
More than full house at the Fringe Money & Promotion Workshop. People are sitting on stage it's so full! #HFF18 #LAThtr pic.twitter.com/zAsab9jucB
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
#HFF18 #LAThtr pic.twitter.com/RxQ0WUjwsv
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
Registration deadline is April 1st. Print ad deadline is April 15th for the Fringe Guide. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
Office Hours starts March 25th, 7-10 pm. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
Correction: Office hours starts March 28th. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
On the panel are @heysofiekhan @katprimeau @monicamiklas and Tom Cavanaugh #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
How do you budget for the festival?@katprimeau budget as if you sell 40% off the house at full price to cut even. Keep track of everything and invest in cool graphic design. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
Tom Cavanaugh: I start at $5000 and then develop marketing like buttons, flyers, etc. Be creative. Things always change. Get a good graphic designer. Ads on the Fringe site. Bend your budget for marketing. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
How do you fundraise?
Thomas C: I call my brother.@katprimeau you can ask for micro loans. @monicamiklas don't do a fundraising event. It's very hard. I suggest crowdfunding. $5000 is a lot of money but try a smaller amount like $1500. #HFF18 #LAThtr— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
How much do you charge for tickets? @heysofiekhan for the first couple shows charge less to fill your seats. $10-12 is a good amount. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
Tom C: Hashtag discounts. It's also a great exposure. My ticket prices are on average $15. Market within your peers. Give everyone discounts. The first year I gave every Fringer free tickets. The next year I charge Fringers $5 and more showed up. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
Tom C.: market your show even on your name tags.@monicamiklas discounts are fantastic way to market your show. Think of the mix of full price vs discount tickets to get to the total what you bring in. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
Sign up@with google testing and earn extra money. Go to https://t.co/zsf8qi8Y0A and get $100 each time you test an app. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
What draws you to a show?@heysofiekhan connect with your story when you advertise and promote your show. Find connections. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
Tom C: “I hear” is important for me. And always have a postcard ready. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
About print cards: @katprimeau https://t.co/F45sBQn0br is a great place to print.@monicamiklas I like anything that I can put in my pocket. Make it small and creative. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
Do you use publicists?@monicamiklas We don't. Immersive theatre has its own press so we find them. @katprimeau if your press release is finished, research outlets you need to send them to and send them out 6 weeks before opening. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
Tom C: we hired a publicist last year but it wasn't worth it for us. I did everything myself. Pay for reviews. Look for opportunities for your dollar. Footlights has great deals for their programs. Have 10 posters. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
Now audience Q&A will start. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
The @LoungeThtr has a few slots left. Happy hour is on Friday from 3-8pm. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
The Complex has some space available as well. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
This following question came from Lisa from the Hollywood Fringe Production SEX RATED G: A ONE WOMAN SHOW WITH A MAN IN IT
Sex Rated G asks the question: which theater do you recommend?@heysofiekhan all venues are awesome. Think about your budget and marketing tools. Talk to others who do similar type shows (one person, musical, etc) #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
Tom C. My audience was elder so I couldn't do a show where they have to climb stairs. @katprimeau what fits your show best? It's the vibe. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
A Girl Comes Home Looking For Revenge asks: where can I find designers?
Technical Designers on Facebook is a great group. Los Angeles Stage Managers also on Facebook is a great resource! #HFF18 #LAThtr— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
Tom C: ask your venue for designers. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
Squirl asks: what if I want to hire someone? @heysofiekhan can I hire you? I want to pay people?@heysofiekhan yes, let's talk. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
This following question came from Sam from the Hollywood Fringe Production SAM SHABER: LIFE, DEATH & DURAN DURAN
Sam Shaber Live and Death asks: is there an opportunity for a fringe preview of shows?
Need Theatre put it up a few years ago. Maybe Fringe will do another one. Email support or ask your theatre. #HFF18 #LAThtr— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
Tom C: pick of the Fringe does that as well. @heysofiekhan @TheLAFPI is also doing previews. Jessica Johnson every sat from 9-11 at the Whitefire does free intros. Contact her.
Tom C: do a video. #HFF18 #LAThtr— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
How do you handle stage management, etc.?:@katprimeau hire someone so you can prepare and focus on your performance!@heysofiekhan venues might have their own stage managers. Check with venue. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
This following question came from a rep from the Hollywood Fringe Production #METOO
HashtagMeToo asks: how do I find creative people to help me with a design?
Diecutprinting and https://t.co/Nc5iJWDCSb or Arnoldtheprinter 818.487.9600. #HFF18 #LAThtr— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
Psycodelic Magical Mystical Show asks: What other grassroots marketing do you recommend?@monicamiklas show up in person and everyone in your show should as well. @heysofiekhan partner up with out of town folks before you get into town. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
This following question came from Soo from the Hollywood Fringe Production MARON DOLL - THE EMOTIONAL REUNION OF A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER
Maroon Doll a show about #Alzheimers asks: where do you get press?@katprimeau LA Theatre has a master press list that you can google. #HFF18 #LAThtr
— Better Lemons (@BetterLemons) March 11, 2018
more articles to inspire
October 19, 2018 HOW TO PRODUCE A HOLLYWOOD FRINGE SHOW- May 15, 2018 FREE WORKSHOP - Theatre/Film Productions: Master Your Press Release & Social Media tricks & tips
- March 9, 2018 Fringe Friday: Office Hours Schedule + Workshop 2 Panelist Announcement
- July 2, 2020 Spotlight Series: Meet Fringe Management Co-Founder Mike Blaha
- June 23, 2020 The Hollywood Fringe Festival Scheduled For October 2020 Is Cancelled
- June 10, 2020 Spotlight Series: Meet Michael Gordon Shapiro, Composer of Music for Theatre, Film, Games, Television and Concert Halls
- May 15, 2020 Spotlight Series: Meet Multi-Talented Triple-Threat Actor John Devereaux from Hamilton Touring Company
