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FRANK F. CALO

Presents:

THE 2002

SPOTLIGHT ON

HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL

OCTOBER 14, 2002 – NOVEMBER 3, 2002

MISSION STATEMENT

Our primary goal is to help talented, but little known, playwrights and directors find an audience to appreciate their talent. We also endeavor to bring back the fun to mounting a show.  The artists need not feel as if they are alone in the process.  Theater should be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone involved. When a cast and crew loves what they are doing and are having fun doing it then there is a tremendous trickle down effect from the talent to the audience itself. It is time that we put the "experience" back in Theater Experience!  We mainly produce new works but, on occasion, will accept seldomly done or rare published works.

WHO WE ARE

Spotlight On Productions is a production company formed by Frank Calo in 1998 and is managed and produced by him.  This will be Spotlight’s 6th New York Festival under the Spotlight name.

Publicity is being handled by CalThor Productions. 

FRANK CALO: Producer/Artistic Director:

Before Spotlight On, Frank Calo was the Co-Producer of Sage Theatre Company, which produced 5 New York Festivals and had its own theater on 42nd St. from July 1998 through July 1999.  In 1998 Frank produced and directed the New York and Paris production of God’s Policemen.

Associate Producers:

KEN BACHTOLD: Graphics Department

ED TABBITAS: Business Management

STEVEN THORNBURG: Publicity/Promotions

Management:

Managing Producer: SUE MARTICEK

Promotions Manager: RICARDO CORDERO

Graphic Design: STEPHEN VOUTSAS

Web Design: JONATHAN CALINDAS

House Manager: ANDREA HOFFMAN

Building Design Manager: TOMMY BARZ

LOCATION

We are located at Raw Space (529 W. 42nd St. - between 10th and 11th Ave.)

The set up as we see it now will consist of 3 black box theaters, a box office and one reception area.

THEATER L

This is the largest theater - 80-seats/ large dressing room and a storage room.  Only full length and larger productions will be placed here. 12 dimmers (hopefully 18 by showtime); cd/tape player

THEATER M

This is Raw Space’s newest theater.  A 50 seat gem built by our own Tommy Barz. Dressing and storage area in back of theater.  6 dimmers (hopefully 12 by showtime); cd/tape player

THEATER TO BE DETERMINED

Still undergoing negotiations for the third space

APPLICATION

All applications must be postmarked by July 1, 2002.  If your show is chosen then a package will be sent to you with an agreement letter.  There is a $40 (check or money order) non-refundable submission fee. 

FEES AND COMPENSATIONS

FEES 

Plan 1)

Once your production is accepted there will be a $300 fee for admittance.  In return, after the first 20 tickets sold you will receive 1/3 the price of the ticket for every ticket sold as revenue back to you.  Ticket prices will be set at $15 for most shows (there might be some instances where the price is higher or lower - tierred showcases, reading, etc.).  In other words, you will receive $5 for every ticket sold from the 21^st ticket on.  Most productions will receive at least 6 performances.  Most likely each production will sell at least 20 tickets on the first night and after that the production will start to earn revenue back to its producer. 

or

Plan 2)

A $50 admittance fee and the first 40 tickets sold go to Spotlight On Production with $3 a ticket going back to your production starting with the 41^st ticket sold.  Break even for Spotlight On is usually around 15-20 paying customers for each and every performance. 

The Festival makes no requirement for participation in future royalties from any works performed under its auspices but it does require that you list Spotlight On Festival as the original producing company or if it has been performed before the Spotlight Festival as one of the previous producing companies.  Our website address should accompany this statement - www.spotlighton.org.

Benefits.

Your production can use the reception room for an opening night or closing night party on a first come first served basis.  We will also have a very reasonably priced catering list for your convenience.  This will be outlined in your acceptance package.

Other Benefits

We consider ourselves a family and we treat everyone with respect and we will consider you as part of our extended family and we ask you to do the same.  One of the Spotlight percs are our parties - we like to throw receptions and parties before, during and after each festival!  It is one of the ways we say “thank you” to each company.  We will update you with specifics.  We also allow plenty of “schmoozing” time in our reception room.  Our website is also a very good way keep your name and production "out there."

ACCEPTANCE

Notification of acceptance to the festival will be mailed on or about July 20, 2002. At this time, if you are accepted to the festival, you will receive a participant's packet. The enclosed contract must be completed and returned to us by August 5, 2002, the signed contract must be accompanied by a check for $300 (for Plan 1) or $50 (for Plan 2).  If for any reason you cannot perform 100% of this is refundable within the first week, 75% within 2 weeks, 50% within 3 weeks, 25% within 4 weeks and none of it is refundable after 4 weeks. You may pay by certified check, cashier's check, personal check, or money order, in U.S. funds, collectible in a U.S. bank.  Be sure to write the name of your show on the memo line of  your check or money order, and make it payable to Spotlight On. The  participation fee will go towards initial festival promotion and ad costs (last year we purchased ads in Time-Out Magazine). 

If your production/show is picked you will receive a packet that will include:

- Performance schedule information

- Tech schedule information

- Blocking rehearsal information

- Theater information

- Meeting dates and times

- A sample of our festival brochure

- Raw Space rental information (if you choose to rent rehearsal time from Raw

Space)

Scheduling

Your show will be scheduled in one theatre for a period of 6-9 performances over the 3-week period.  Performances take place between 4 p.m. and midnight on weekdays and between noon and midnight on weekends. There is a 20-30 minute turnaround time between shows. Your curtain time will vary from day to day in order to ensure all shows receive an equal amount of prime performance times. Keep in mind that when you are striking or setting up your show, another show is also striking or setting up.

Box Office and Ticketing

Spotlight On will handle all aspects of selling tickets. Tickets will be sold at the door and in advance through a recognized ticket agency (most likely Ticket Central).  Full ticket price is $15.00,  there are exceptions to this rule and they will be outlined upon acceptance, some discount tickets and Festival passes will also be available, and critics and industry (this will be outlined in the acceptance form) will be comped.  One of our benefits is a liberal comp policy for all Spotlight On participants.  All those directly involved with any production can see any other show for free on an "as available" basis.    There will be no other comps.  A Spotlight On employee will be in charge of the box office for all shows.  You will provide an usher, who will be responsible for checking that everyone entering your show has a valid ticket stub (this will probably be their show program). 

All remuneration to participants will be made on or before Dec.15, 2002.

Technical/Production

Shows less than 50 minutes will be paired with another show to make a combined length as close to 90 minutes as possible.  No shows over 90 minutes (including intermission).  If you have a show over 90 minutes in length it is considered a “2 slot show.”  Shows exceeding 90 minutes will require special consideration.  Intermissions in participating theatres will coincide, so audiences can easily go from one theatre to another nearby, to catch another show.

You will need to keep the technical requirements of your show very simple.  The theatres are equipped with only very basic lights and sound.  There is very little storage space in M and a bit more in L.  There is enough time for each company to have only one blocking rehearsal and one cue-to-cue technical rehearsal in the venue.  Each company must assign an individual to run the lights and sound and an usher for each performance.  A Festival technical expert will be on hand in case of difficulties in the booth, but running lighting and sound cues is your responsibility. There will be an instrument check and sound check at the beginning of each day.

Publicity

Spotlight On will publicize the festival and coordinate all press relations, including interviews and critics' attendance. You will be asked to submit publicity photos and PR materials so we can send complete press packages to print and broadcast media. You must publicize your own show through mailers, handbills, or posters. The more you promote your show, the larger your potential audience.

Out-of-area participants

Out-of-area participants are responsible for all aspects of production and publicity for their show, as well as travel expenses and accommodations.  Spotlight On will do all it can to provide lists of hotels and rentals. 

WHAT SPOLIGHT WILL PROVIDE

A Lighting Designer to design a general plot with a possibility of specials for each of the theatres.

A Technical Director/Managing Producer (either 1 or 2 people) to troubleshoot

any technical and logistic problems that may occur.

A Box Office Manager for all shows.

A Press/Promotions Manager (either 1 or 2 people) to write press releases for

the festival, set up promotionals and design and place ads.  Will also be available for questions.

A Festival Brochure will be sent out to our mailing list and given out as a festival program.  The brochure will also be sent to press.

A Festival Flyer and/or Postcard will be provided to every company and sent out to any additional mailing lists.

A disk with our logo and information that MUST go in every ad or on every flyer

4 hours Tech time (per production - this will be divided if you are part of an evening of separate pieces) in the space that you will perform in.

4 hours Blocking time (per production - this will be divided if you are part of an evening of separate pieces) in the space that you will perform in.

WHAT EACH GROUP MUST PROVIDE

A Lighting/sound technician

A Stage Manager

An Usher  to sign box office sheets at the end of each production

A Program for your production (it can be as simple as a sheet of paper with bios and show information.)

A Representative to attend all scheduled meetings.

WHAT EACH GROUP CAN PROVIDE

A Separate Flyer/Postcard for your production (must be okayed by Spotlight).  The flyer/postcard must have the line. “A Spotlight On Production” or “Spotlight On presents.”

An Advertisement in any publication (must be okayed by Spotlight).  The ad must mention Spotlight On.

RECEPTION ROOM

This will serve many purposes.  The Reception Room will be a meet and greet

area for cast, crew and audience.  Wine and refreshments will be offered and

sold.  All promotional materials will be displayed.  This will also be the room to have promotional parties, press functions and after show parties.  The room will be offered to each group on a "as available" basis to have opening and closing parties.  We will have a catering list if you would like wine and cheese parties or something more.  Prices will range from $25 and up.  You can also just hang out and Schmooz.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Choose your show.

Fill out the application form.

Submit the following support materials with the application:

a. Cover letter.

b. Script or adaptation of proposed project.

c. Your best representative videotape (standard U.S. format) if you have one

d. Bios of all artists involved in your project

e. Audiotape of music (if applicable).

f. Any other support material you think relevant.

g. $40 application fee (check or money order)

Return application and support materials

Spotlight On Productions

3040 75th St. #2

East Elmhurst, NY 11370

We are available to answer any questions via e-mail at ffcset@aol.com

FILL OUT BELOW (print clearly or type)

*We can find directors for some shows.  If you are in need of a director please let us know.  This can hinder the process.  We pass scripts around to our pool of directors and hope for a “marriage.”

**Note: If you choose an Equity Showcase you must complete all the paperwork and pay

the fees yourself:

The Spotlight Festival will provide a lighting designer.  The designer will provide a general plot with a possibility of one or two specials for each group.  You must provide a lighting technician to run your show.

We want to make your theatre experience as pleasant as possible.  Spotlight On's number one rule is and has always been “No Attitudes!”  It is hard enough to put up a production without dealing with attitudes.  We’re all in this together - all we ask is that we help each other. If you and your group are looking for a “festival family” than please submit! 

Thank you.

Frank Calo