It is Better to Give Than to Receive - Lessons Learned at Comic-Con

This was the second year I was asked to assist MKTG with staffing and to help produce their CBS Interactive marketing event at Comic-Con.  Last year's event was pretty much a bust.  The TV.com Awards at Petco Park did not seem to make it on the radar of Comic-Con attendee's list of "things to do". In my opinion, the event owners put too much time, money and attention on their own needs and wants and not on those of the event attendees.  

This year, however, they nailed it with the CNET Base Station! Thousands of attendees walked through their event doors and most left with a smile of satisfaction.  CBS Interactive and MKTG figured out what the Comic-Con fans wanted and needed and then they gave it to them...for FREE! It appears they made a few new fans of their product along the way too.  Here's the how and why:

1. Convenience.  The new location for the CBS Interactive event was at Lou and Mickey's restaurant at the corner of 5th Ave right across the tracks from the Convention Center. BINGO! To get into the Gaslamp District/downtown San Diego from the convention center almost all attendees had to pass by CNET Basestation's front door. 
2. Free Food and Drink.  Every 15 minutes trays of sliders, chicken skewers, coconut shrimp and a variety of sodas were passed through out the venue.  After 4 o'clock - adult beverages were part of the treat.  I have to admit, if you were not in the right place at the right time, you'd miss out on the hot grub, but there was almost always full plates of cheese and crackers, fruit and cupcakes stationed around the event space.  
3. Re-charging Stations.  Comic-Con conventioneers are constantly on their phones, snapping photos, taking video, emailing, texting, blogging, etc.  Inside the CNET Base Station there were dozens of "re-charging stations" with adapters for almost every type of cell phone on the market.
4. A Place to Sit.  Walking all day on city streets and convention center concrete floors can take a toll on one's feet and legs.  The CNET Base Station lounge provided comfy seating with complementary wifi, laptop and tablet use. 
5. Cool Technology.  The new Chrome laptops were situated throughout and guests were encouraged and actually rewarded for taking them for a test drive.  If you showed a crew member that you "liked" CNET or GameSpot on Facebook, or posted on your wall, sent a tweet, or any kind of blog mentioning the CNET BaseStation or GameSpot, they gave away t-shirts and sunglasses for sharing the love. It was a win-win for both parties.  
6. Gaming fun.  Where else would you want to test out some of the newest games on XBox and Playstation?  I think Comic-Con is a great place to start and so did our client.  We had 7 large flat screens with some of the hottest, not yet released games for guests to play.  
7. Cool Prizes - Not only did they have t-shirts and funky sunglasses to give away, a couple of times a day they had "Prize-Pow-Looza" where raffle winners were awarded tablets, cameras, gaming systems and Best Buy gift cards.  

In just two days there were well over 3,000 Comic-Con fans that walked through the doors of the CNET Base Station. This is a huge increase compared to the TV.com Awards of 2010.  Because MKTG and CBS Interactive gave the Comic-Con fans what they wanted and needed, many of them became new fans of CNET and GameSpot  too.  I'd say our client hit their mark.  I look forward to seeing how they will comeback in 2012!  I am sure there are a lot of Comic-Con attendees who share my anticipation.

Production Peeps – The Way We Are

I've worked with a lot of fabulous event professionals over the years, but one who stands out among the best is Michelle Newbon.  WOW!  This lady is OR-GAN-IZED!  But then again, as a content manager for some of the world's largest shows, she has to be uber-organized in order to keep track of the hundreds of moving parts that make up a live event. I also think I have a little more love in my heart for Michelle, because she is more than just a hard working woman, she is also an outdoor enthusiast like me! Over the years, Michelle has been kind enough to share with me some of her personal writings. They usually revolve around surfing, running or some other adventure. But after her latest little story that was about the event production life, it appeared to me that she should be a guest blogger on Tempo's site. So without further adeau...here is a great write up from Michelle.

__________________________________________________________

 

It has occurred to me on more than one occasion that the people who gravitate to the freelance life – specifically to the freelance life of Corporate Production – have a lot in common. And beyond that, we have a lot of accumulated experiences that bond us.

Here are the top 10:

1. We can never ever completely articulate what it is that we do, period. I don’t care if you’re a producer, a coordinator, a technical director, a graphics designer or a deck manager, you will never be able to convince the average person that what you do is normal. You will be repeatedly asked at family gatherings “what is it that you do again?” and you will explain it again and smile, knowing that it really doesn’t matter if they get it or not because no one ever does, no one ever will and that’s ok with you.
2. It is not conceivable to the average person that we are always traveling to Vegas but that our main complaint is that we can’t get a good night’s sleep. Or that the only serious real bonus of Vegas is 24/7 room service not because you’re partying so hard, but because you’re up at 4am working on that damn grid and you need coffee and you need it now.
3. We are always planning in contingencies – there is a primary and there is a back-up. That’s all fine and well but translate that to a home life and it starts to get weird. I don’t even feel comfortable any more unless I have 2 laptops and 2 printers. I have 2 AC adapters for each laptop so that one is always plugged into the wall and one is always in my computer bag. I have back-ups to my back-ups – with thumb drives, external hard drives and a back-up server in the cloud – in this case I’m triple “contingencied”…this goes for food in the fridge and boxes of cereal, canned goods and Trader Joe’s receipts that make the cashiers’ ask me every time how many kids I have (and I sheepishly have to say none); as well as supplies in the household…and even our pets - we now have 2 cats, so there it is.
4. Not only must we remain fully in the present at all times to manage the information barrage; we must have an equal and accurate grip on the immediate past; the way-back-when past – and be able to recall what happened at each event in every year with every client; while also simultaneously planning and living in the future - as we move to gather more clients, more projects and more opportunities. I love Eckert Tolle, don’t get me wrong, but what I’m here to say is “Be Here Now, But Also Be There Now and Make It Snappy.” Just sayin’.
5. We all have a love/hate relationship with transportation services. Moving bodies and equipment is its own nuanced thing. I have been accused a few times of carrying way too much luggage, but I defer to item #1 re: primary’s and back-ups and I accept the full ridiculous load of what I carry with me on all jobs and what I put in the overhead bins. It’s not pretty but you should see my biceps, to die for. However, that pales in comparison to the new tap dance of deciding whether I would rather be x-rayed into oblivion each time I go through security; or frisked within an inch of my life while four bin-loads of my stuff is stranded on the TSA belt and two dudes are ogling me from the sidelines since I simply do not have the time or desire to request a ‘private pat down room!’
6. We’ve all been wined, dined and dumped by the wireless internet goddess and like a bad country western song we love and hate her too. End of story.
7. We’re wired, tired and fired up all at the same time. We thrive on the variety and the excitement of different people, places and cities; while in equal and opposite measure - we have all come “this close” to passing out from the sheer monotony and boredom of 12 hour technical rehearsals in dark ballrooms…it is a hurry up and wait game that demands no less than I don’t even know what…but we all seem to keep coming back for more…
8. We’re into efficiencies and systems – we live and die for Excel. There isn’t a budget out there worth its weight in its own bottom line that wasn’t born and bred here.
9. We all have an uncanny ability to forget the most horrendous clients and shows – and to forge ahead and focus on the rewarding ones instead. No one has escaped the all-nighter scenario that stretches into 36 and 48 hours…where you’re so spent and leveraged beyond all previously know capacity – that you would scream uncle if you could but you can’t…so you eek your way through it and swear never again….never again. But there you are after a good night’s sleep in your own bed only few days later, planning for you next adventure…
10. We wouldn’t change a thing.

MICHELLE NEWBON

Freelance Producer - Fortune 500 Content Management

Tempo Featured on BlogTalkRadio with Hera Hub

It was my pleasure to spend a few minutes on blogtalkradio with Hera Hub founder, Felena Hanson.  She is running a series on the Success Secrets of Enterprising Women.  We covered topics from how I got started in the event industry, the creation of Tempo Live Events, struggles of running a business to success tips for fellow event freelancers.   

Listen to internet radio with HeraHub on Blog Talk Radio

What's in Your Deck Manager's Kit? (or giant road case!)

After my previous blog,  What's in Your Production Kit? 20 Must-have Items for Stage Managers, I received a lot of additional comments, feedback and suggestions from fellow event professionals on Linked In.  I love over-achievers!  But ya know what? I couldn't help but notice a handful of items that one would need if they were back stage and operating as a (what some in the biz would call) Deck Manager/Back Stage Manager/Assistant Stage Manager.  It made me think there is no reason to stop my blog with  the top 20 stage managing tools that I keep with me, front of house, in my little leopard print make-up bag (free gift with purchase). I too am on deck/back stage for a number of shows and that's a whole other scene/monster back there.  So here goes the new list of items we can all use as Deck Managers/Back Stage Managers/ASMs.  I've compiled this list with the help of my aforementioned Linked In buddies (noted below).

Be aware - if you plan to pack it all - leave your small (in my case - makeup) bags behind and be prepared for extra baggage fees.  But in the end, you will be more prepared than a boyscout and your client will love you for it.  And isn't that our goal? 

Some Basic Necessities:

• Clipboard - like Tracy Cameron says - it makes you look "official"

• Gaffers Tape - we all agree that we need this in many colors (also known as stage tape or spike tape).  I love the spike tape corners.  It makes life easy when you have a lot of people and props to spike on the stage.

• LED light - so you can see where you are going - and assist any guests you will be escorting on and off stage. The iphone 4's LED light works great in a pinch. 

• Office Supplies - highlighters, Sharpies, pens, paper clips, stapler/remover, 3 hole punch, notebook/pad, thumb drives,  etc. 

• First aid kit with band-aids, cough drops and vitamin C packets

• Sewing kit with double stick tape to help prevent "wardrobe malfunctions"

• Stopwatch

• Protein bars for when catering food just won't cut it

• Altoids or some other kind of mint to keep your breath fresh 

• A set bag/satchel/tool belt - not only will it help keep your office supplies close at hand, it is a great way to wear your intercom pack around your waist if you are not wearing a belt. 

• Local emergency room phone numbers and addresses - thanks to Elizabeth Davis for the helpful reminder

• Updated union guidelines - thanks again Elizabeth Davis

Below the list continues with even more useful items if you also act as a Technical Director or for those of you who carry "Road Warrior" boxes (pictured above) like John Scott Ross!

• Utility knife like a Leatherman or Gerber (do not attempt to bring this in your carry-on luggage!)

• Luke meter, decibel meter and voltage tester - John Wallis keeps these nearby

• VGA Adapters - Chris Murray recommends you pack one for the iPad too! 

• Red LED light - Nathan Frye uses this to warn the cast when things are getting a bit too loud back stage.  Or you can take notes from John Scott Ross and flash your yellow card at the noise makers! 

• Batteries  

• Treats for your crew - Peter Hoffman is known sharing his "Big Red" chewing gum and candy to help boost moral!

• Personal headset 

• MiFi - or other personal internet device - Chris Murray brings this along  to assure he can get internet access whenever he needs it 

• Infrared thermometer - Richard Davis carries one of these items to confirm the house is meeting his client's request of a comfortable room temperature

Thank you to all who commented and and suggested!  Please, don't stop suggesting now - let's fill those road cases!

What's in Your Production Kit? 20 Must-Have Items for Stage Managers

As I sit here waiting for my team to show up for rehearsal, I look around at my control deck and realize over the years I have come up with quite the little production kit.  As a freelancer, you never know what the production company will provide, so I always try to bring my own stash of supplies to be prepared, organized, looking and feeling good.  I have some friends that ship a whole suitcase that can pass for an Office Depot superstore, but I like to keep it simple and carry just the basics in a cute little leopard print make- up bag.  Here is what I think every stage manager should have at his/her disposal.  

• Mini stapler
• Scotch tape
• White paper tape
• Highlighters
• Pens
• White out
• Paperclips
• Tissues
• Chapstick
• Breath mints
• Powerbar/Cliff bar
• Stop watch
• Emergen-C Packets
• Hand lotion
• Post-its
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Thumb drives
• Business Cards 
• Cell phone charger

I also buy water, coffee and Diet Coke when I get on site. But it is a delicate balance figuring out my fluid intake needs in relation to accessibility and time for restroom breaks.

What do you think I missed?  And what do you carry in your kit?