Play Production Montage

[kerriann85]

Here' s a montage I created from last night's community theatre "meller-drammer". First time I've shot one of their shows. (It's a pretty laid back place so I just asked if I could come shoot some pix at reahearsal.)

Any suggestions before I print it and take it to the box office with a CD full of photos (mostly unretouched)?

I don't think they have anyone else taking pix of this production, unless they get some from whoever covers it for the newspaper.

If someone should happen to want a print of it. How much should I charge?
What would some of you be willing to pay for something like this? (8x10)

http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?pic=1b66e2VgNJUXWXPz0J1rFZVv1CxZ

[SarahMB]

Hi Kerri,
I love the photo montage I like the way you took different shots and combine the photos.
I was at work when I peeked at it and finally just got home to post to let you know.
SarahMB

[Jodi Frye]

Kerri, looks great ! Now I'm assuming you used the same font/ design as the original performance display ?

Charge 25 bucks for an 8 X 10.

Have a pricing list prepared in case someone wants larger...like poster size. You'll have to find a good quality print lab to get some quotes from and then decide how much more you want for yourself. A good quality lab will most definietly ask for Tiff images on disc....and not jpeg.

[kerriann85]

Thanks Sarah!

Jodi, I can't decide if you are mocking me or if you are serious! :lol:

I guess $25 might be in New York prices. I'm thinking maybe 10 in Nebraska prices. Half the cast of 8 are starving college students. They'll probably be surprised that I want 5 bucks for a cd of all the pix instead of $1 for a cd slideshow I usually do for the U. :)

Poster size! Seriously doubt it, but I bet it would look interesting at the size.

I don't think there was a production poster, and I'm not sure what font they used in the newspaper ad or programs. Normally I would use it. SO I went for one I liked.

[Jodi Frye]

Kerri, I've said it before and I'll say it again " Don't, I repeat, Don't sell yourself short ! " !! I don't live in NYC..I live in an average income area of upstate NY...not too many richies in these parts.

You are a Creative Design Photographer ! I don't care where you live, it makes no difference. Hold your head up high and charge the 25 bucks....which, I might add is dirt cheap for this kind of work...no matter where you live !!

[Wendy]

Kerri,

You have made a really nice job of that ... I do like the way you have blended the images together. Its very professional.

Don't sell yourself too cheap :)

Wendy

[Jodi Frye]

Kerri, if you really feel that you need to give them a break cause they are students then I wouldn't do any less than 15.

[GaryK]

Kerri

Great job.
I can't comment on the pricing, I have noooo idea about that sort of thing. I wonder if you could charge more than 25 and get all the actors to sign it. Then give half back to the theatre group. I am assuming the actors didn't get paid, and this is more of a community group type thing.

BTW is your copyright thingy a brush?

Gary.

[kerriann85]

Yes, copyright is a brush, very handy that way!

I thought about doing a fundraiser type thing for the theatre but not sure it would be that bigga a seller as far as audience members go. More of a memory thing for the cast.

And yes, they are volunteer, and especially in the summer they practically have to beg to get people to audition. Fairly nice facility. Used almost every weekend for wedding receptions, so the scenery is all very mobile. (Rough to have to have touring type scenery in your own theatre!)


Thanks for all the kind comments gang! (even after I had to beg for replies) :lol:

[GaryK]

Kerri

:idea: How about getting a big one made, getting cast autographs and having a raffle or silent auction as a fundraiser.
I don't know the attendance figures or how long the show runs, but if 1000 people ponied up a dollar or two for a ticket to win the poster thats not too bad.
Then you could just charge the theatre a fee for your work and the one poster. Once everybody sees your handiwork .. who knows where it will lead.

Gary.

[bwolford]

My daughter competes in gymnastics and an 8X10 photo goes as high as $50 with TEXT and simple graphics. The idea of a poster signed by the cast as a fundraiser is a good one. I'm sure every college students mom will want one and in that event the price goes up to $40.

Check out base printing prices at Shutterfly, mpix.com, etc for 8X10 and charge 150-200% of that, minimum.

Or give it to the actors and demand season tickets. Perhaps you can trade a POSTER for a season ticket package for 2... barter barter barter.

Brice

[Kathy]

Kerri,

That is simply a wonderful montage.

I'm with the rest ....... don't sell yourself cheap. It takes a lot of time and creative flair to create a work like this. Acknowledge that.

And it is really a great work!

Kathy

[kerriann85]

You guys are so supportive!
I tried the "if they see it they will want one" idea.
I did a montage for the musical Phantom at the U and gave it to the Director who framed it in her office. I was hoping some of the cast would see it (thery're all in and out of the office daily). Not one request.
(Come to think of it I also did one for the dance instructor for dance concert.)

The price for the usual CD of pix will probably go up a couple bucks this year, and now that hubby has a dvd burner I thought maybe I'd offer a slideshow on dvd and make it a little more expensive.


I asked the director about taking pix. He said sure. Usually who ever's around with a camera and some time might take some pix for a lobby display. Little chance of being paid for the gig. Free tickets are not a problem, when I dropped off the stuff she said what night do you want your free tickets. :)

The community theatre Christmas show has a lot of kids. That may work better. More parents. Would love to be able to split it w. the theatre.

You all have great ideas. I appreciate the feedback.

[Wendy]

Kerri,

When you give one away as a freebie ... why not ask if they will put a ittle sign on it saying "copies available" and quote a price ?


Wendy

[Patricia Heere]

Maybe you could set up a small display somewhere with a scrapbook that has examples of your work and a few other pictures (such as restorations) that would show what the pictures look like and include a price list and some business cards.

We have a tiny little local art gallery and space can be rented per sq foot.

I was thinking of setting up a small table there and just seeing what came out. I don't feel that I am good enough yet which is why I keep practicing, but most of the folks in this area couldn't do these things themselves because they don't have the software, the time or the inclination. You might be surprised at the response once people know you are "in business" to do this sort of thing. Many people have thousands of photos of things that they don't know what to do with. You could make them scrapbook pages of their memories.

As an aside, check into photo restoration. Prices are high. I think $40 for a restore, another $40 to colorize and so on. I think someone offering to fix old photos for anywhere from $25 to $35 depending on the work involved would probably find more than one customer.

Pat

[CompooperTeacher]

I really like all of your ideas . . . hmmm what could I do to make money myself?

Remember that you should have a signed model release from all of the people shown on the montage. (Maybe one of them will become a famous actor someday and your original will be very valuable!)

[Wendy]

Oh dear ...

I haven't got time to make money ... I'm far to busy playing on the forum :)

Wendy

[kerriann85]

I just last night was researching model releases and bookmarked a huge article to read in depth later.

Hubby had been shooting actors at the U for 35 years or so basically for the purpose of department archive and for them to use in their portfolios.

A couple years ago he got a call from the Rosie O'Donnel show looking for pictures of Marg Hellgenberger from her days on the college stage here. In return for the pictures he got a Rosie tee shirt and some pencils. :lol:

[Wendy]

Kerri,

Hey that is cool ... but I somehow just can't imagine him in the T Shirt :shock:


Wendy

[kerriann85]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Good thing I'm not drinkin' coffee!

Nope, he doesn't even wear t shirts!

[Wendy]

Kerri ...


:lol: :lol: :lol:

Thought that would amuse you !! ... but I really should have posted a coffee warning :)

Wendy