Difference between revisions of "Scouting the Venue"

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This article is part of the [[Succeeding in the Performing Arts]] series.
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These questions were contributed in [http://bose.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6806048934/m/9051069215?r=9051069215#9051069215 Scouting the Venue] &mdash; a discussion on the {{Forum}}
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=== Questions to Ask When Scouting the Venue ===
 
=== Questions to Ask When Scouting the Venue ===
 
==== General Questions ====
 
==== General Questions ====
 +
Most of these have been incorporated into the Who, What, When... model below.
 
* What volume is acceptable in this place?
 
* What volume is acceptable in this place?
 
* What external noise factors are there?
 
* What external noise factors are there?
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* Are there sound issues you weren't aware of?
 
* Are there sound issues you weren't aware of?
 
* How far ahead of time can I set up? Is the stage area being used for something else before I play?
 
* How far ahead of time can I set up? Is the stage area being used for something else before I play?
* I have my own PA. Am I allowed to use it, or do you insist on my using the one you have set up? Is there a house sound-man?
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* I have my own PA.  
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** Am I allowed to use it, or  
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** do you insist on my using the one you have set up?  
 +
**Is there a house sound-man?
 
* Which entrance do you prefer I bring my equipment through, and how far is it to the stage?
 
* Which entrance do you prefer I bring my equipment through, and how far is it to the stage?
 
* If you won't be at the venue when I'm playing, who is my contact person, for pay and instructions?
 
* If you won't be at the venue when I'm playing, who is my contact person, for pay and instructions?
* And of course: How big is the stage? IS there a stage? Is it raised at all? Do you have lighting of any kind? How far away is the power?
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* And of course:  
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** How big is the stage?  
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** IS there a stage?  
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** Is it raised at all?  
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** Do you have lighting of any kind?  
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** How far away is the power?
  
 
==== Topical Break Down ====
 
==== Topical Break Down ====
 
You might use a different model based on a time line through the event, or centered around the physical layout. This is far from complete, but food for thought.
 
You might use a different model based on a time line through the event, or centered around the physical layout. This is far from complete, but food for thought.
==== Who ====
+
===== Who =====
 
* Who is in the audience?
 
* Who is in the audience?
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** Does the type of crowd change throughout the night? How quickly?
 
* Who do we talk to if there are issues?
 
* Who do we talk to if there are issues?
 
* Who do we talk to to get paid?
 
* Who do we talk to to get paid?
 
* Who is running the sound system?
 
* Who is running the sound system?
 
* Who else will need to access the stage?
 
* Who else will need to access the stage?
<br />Special events may have talkers, announcements, auctions, guest performers.
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** Special events may have talkers, announcements, auctions, guest performers.
  
==== What ====
+
===== What =====
* What kind of music are you expecting?
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* What volume is acceptable in this place?
 +
* What external noise factors are there?
 +
* What kind of music are you expecting?
 
* What kind of sound system do you have?
 
* What kind of sound system do you have?
 
* What kind of music do you play in the background?
 
* What kind of music do you play in the background?
 +
* What kind of stage do you have?
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** How big is it?
 +
** Where is it?
 +
** Is it elevated?
 
* What is the dress code?
 
* What is the dress code?
 
* What is your policy about food and drink for the performers?
 
* What is your policy about food and drink for the performers?
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** Are you paying a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Performance_rights_organisation Performing Rights Organization] to allow us to play copyrighted material? See: [http://www.concertsinyourhome.com/Performing_Rights_Org.html?sess=9cb88251b76388ef795fcca352f58734 Why are they pickin' on us little guy venues?]
 
** Are you paying a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Performance_rights_organisation Performing Rights Organization] to allow us to play copyrighted material? See: [http://www.concertsinyourhome.com/Performing_Rights_Org.html?sess=9cb88251b76388ef795fcca352f58734 Why are they pickin' on us little guy venues?]
  
==== When ====
+
===== When =====
 
* When can we gain access to the premises?
 
* When can we gain access to the premises?
 
* When can we access the stage area?
 
* When can we access the stage area?
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** Are encores okay?
 
** Are encores okay?
  
==== Where ====
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===== Where =====
* Where do we load in?
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* Where do we park?
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** Is there a loading zone or loading bay?
 +
* Where do we load in?
 
* Where do we store gear, bags, cases, anything that should not be visible on the stage?
 
* Where do we store gear, bags, cases, anything that should not be visible on the stage?
 
* Where do you want us to go during the breaks? (the bar, the lounge, a "band" table).
 
* Where do you want us to go during the breaks? (the bar, the lounge, a "band" table).
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** Is there any place where the sound will not be reachable from the stage? (outside, separate rooms, balconies)
 
** Is there any place where the sound will not be reachable from the stage? (outside, separate rooms, balconies)
  
==== Why ====
+
===== Why =====
 
* Why does this venue have live music?
 
* Why does this venue have live music?
 
* Why are the people in the audience there?
 
* Why are the people in the audience there?
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** Will there be photographers, video, recording?
 
** Will there be photographers, video, recording?
  
==== How ====
+
===== How =====
 
* How big is the room?
 
* How big is the room?
 
* How big is the stage?
 
* How big is the stage?
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* How is the stage lit?
 
* How is the stage lit?
 
* How do you want us to access the stage?
 
* How do you want us to access the stage?
<br />* there is a set route through the venue.
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** Is there a set route through the venue.
  
 
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Latest revision as of 04:19, 31 December 2007


This article is part of the Succeeding in the Performing Arts series. These questions were contributed in Scouting the Venue — a discussion on the Bose® Pro Portable PA Community

Questions to Ask When Scouting the Venue

General Questions

Most of these have been incorporated into the Who, What, When... model below.

  • What volume is acceptable in this place?
  • What external noise factors are there?
  • Does the type of crowd change throughout the night? How quickly?
  • Are there sound issues you weren't aware of?
  • How far ahead of time can I set up? Is the stage area being used for something else before I play?
  • I have my own PA.
    • Am I allowed to use it, or
    • do you insist on my using the one you have set up?
    • Is there a house sound-man?
  • Which entrance do you prefer I bring my equipment through, and how far is it to the stage?
  • If you won't be at the venue when I'm playing, who is my contact person, for pay and instructions?
  • And of course:
    • How big is the stage?
    • IS there a stage?
    • Is it raised at all?
    • Do you have lighting of any kind?
    • How far away is the power?

Topical Break Down

You might use a different model based on a time line through the event, or centered around the physical layout. This is far from complete, but food for thought.

Who
  • Who is in the audience?
    • Does the type of crowd change throughout the night? How quickly?
  • Who do we talk to if there are issues?
  • Who do we talk to to get paid?
  • Who is running the sound system?
  • Who else will need to access the stage?
    • Special events may have talkers, announcements, auctions, guest performers.
What
  • What volume is acceptable in this place?
  • What external noise factors are there?
  • What kind of music are you expecting?
  • What kind of sound system do you have?
  • What kind of music do you play in the background?
  • What kind of stage do you have?
    • How big is it?
    • Where is it?
    • Is it elevated?
  • What is the dress code?
  • What is your policy about food and drink for the performers?
  • What is your policy about having non-paid performers on the stage?
  • What is your policy about original music?
When
  • When can we gain access to the premises?
  • When can we access the stage area?
  • When will the audience arrive?


This can be important if this is a special event.

  • When do we start playing?
  • When do we take breaks?
  • When will the announcements, events or speeches happen? (Special Events)
  • When do we shut down?
    • Are encores okay?
Where
  • Where do we park?
    • Is there a loading zone or loading bay?
  • Where do we load in?
  • Where do we store gear, bags, cases, anything that should not be visible on the stage?
  • Where do you want us to go during the breaks? (the bar, the lounge, a "band" table).
  • Where is the stage?
  • Where are the electrical outlets?
    • What else is on the same circuits?
    • Are there any outlets that we should not use?
  • Where does the sound have to be heard?
    • Is there any place where the sound will not be reachable from the stage? (outside, separate rooms, balconies)
Why
  • Why does this venue have live music?
  • Why are the people in the audience there?
  • Why are you holding this event? (Wedding, Funeral, Concert, Party, ...)
    • Will there be photographers, video, recording?
How
  • How big is the room?
  • How big is the stage?
  • How do we get paid?
  • How do you want us to handle requests? (Happy Birthday?)
  • How is the stage lit?
  • How do you want us to access the stage?
    • Is there a set route through the venue.