RAT The obscure object of being desired.

[kafclown@well.com]

Thinking about Karen's plight about getting plays produced, I would say
that you can't just send out one play one time to 2000 theatres (or
whatever you did)  As one of the other people said, it's about people.
(And to continue that thought, it's about exposure)

I took a "business for artist's" course last year (part of the
job-re-training program here in Providence.   I tried to explain to them I
wasn't re-training, just trying to do my job better....)

One of the most interesting statistics from the marketing portion of the
class is that in order to go from neutral to favorably disposed about your
product, the subject has to have (on average)  9 exposures to your
advertisement.

But this is the kicker--- The subject only perceives 1 out of every 3
advertisements you put out!  That means that somebody has to be exposed to
your product at least 27 times in order to get a pretty good memory
association with your product.  (In this case, your fabulous plays)  And
that's on average!

And then consider that they then have to go through the normal theatrical
things-- will this show put asses in seats?  Do I have the capacity to do
this show?  Will it fit into my season?  Will the title fit on the
brochure?  And other practical matters.

Many fine playwrights (and actors and directors)  are in obscurity (or
quit, or become advertising execs, or whatever) because they don't persist
past all reasonable expectations.  It's easy to persist when you have a
success.  People stroke you, tell you your work is genius,  and you feel
good about how large your brain is.  But in failure-- bad reviews, personal
tragedy,  rent overdue,  multiple rejections,  and a choice between rice
and ramen for dinner-- that's when you need to keep your own inner flame
for your work burning.

It's tough work.  And in order to do it you have to keep on keepin' on.  Or
as Sr. Beckett says "I can't go on; I'll go on."

Anyhow-- enough rambling on for one thought.  Got to stop procrastinating
and do some marketing!!!!!!