Ugh.... Zapp time again. So many shows telling us how they REALLY CARE about the artists out there, yet jury fees at a minimum on Zapp are $30. Now I'm starting to see $40 regularly and the occasional $50. I refuse to enter the $50 ones, no matter how good they are. Anyone out there care to give some insider information how Zapp is presenting their services to promoters of shows? Is part of the pitch recouping the Zapp service fees through jury fees, effectively passing thoses costs on to the artists?????? I understand the desire to have a more streamlined application process, but what's obviously happening here simply isn't fair. I'm researching all my alternatives to boycotting Zapp and anyone else with these high jury fees.
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In any juries I've been involved with usually a category comes up and there is a preview round, a general rather quick look at the entire category so the jurors can see all the competition before they do any scoring, then they go back to the beginning and look at the images, read the statement and then score. I'm thinking this must be what they did here.
But if they went as fast as you allege they'd be finished in one day and here they were for three days. I believe that the following rounds took longer. Don't you think?
I would kind of think that most artists would think that was a good thing that it took the jury three days to jury the images and make their choices. I have heard stats before of events that spent 15-20 seconds rushing through the slides. Or did you attend the jurying? I believe it was open to all.
phillip hall > Connie MettlerSeptember 8, 2010 at 8:09pm
Rushing through the jurying is one thing. Charging forty bucks to jury , then use a laptop or two and pocket the change is another. I 've been using the Thingy and agree it is the way to go. And it is nice to know that it only costs two bucks for each app. It kind of puts it in perspective. Most of us have realized that extending deadlines is just a method of milking the jury fee system. When times were good few would complain. Times are not good and the escalation of fees is driving many of the best and inovative artists out of the business. The longer the jury the better, i guess. At least it bears some relationship to actual costs. I've been realizing lately tho that shows that do rely on volunteers are jumping on the bandwagon too and charging the same fees which undercuts the argument of not doing greedy promoter shows. It's hard to tell the difference anymore. It's hard for any artist to say"I'm not doing HA or Amdur " when the cost is the same and it boils down to who can draw the right kind of customers.
This is not Zapp's fault. Even shows that do not use Zapp have escalating jury fees & indie shows that have never charged jury/application fees are now beginning to charge them. Boycott the shows? Maybe but I think that you just have to choose your shows carefully and not apply to multiple shows per weekend or shows that you know that you are not going to get into. It's just like college application fees that are also escalating.
Connie Mettler > Diane WrightSeptember 8, 2010 at 4:35pm
Okay, Don, let's add in 24 hour security, show staff, trash pickup, porta-jons, electricians, stages and stage managers, people to run the children's activities, cost of those activities, advertising, PR firm, website development, printed materials (booth signs, name tags, information for artists), parking for artists (usually has to be purchased by the show in urban areas), artist amenities such as a breakfast or dinner, hospitality room with refreshments, construction people to put up signage, staff to handle any food and beverage operations, clean up workers, maybe shuttles from parking areas, a volunteer coordinator...
Why are you so crabby and always picking on these good shows that do everything they can to make the shows successful for artists?
Dave Piper > Connie MettlerSeptember 10, 2010 at 10:33am
I have been making my stuff and entering shows for thirty-nine years. Most of the shows I do are major shows in the USA. I know a few of the countries most successful show directors and have for some time. I enter many shows and I am accepted to most and feel very lucky that I am often accepted to these major shows. I have learned through my experience that it is VERY RARE for a show to even have a profit. We may all want to believe that shows and show directors are rolling around in the pile of money we send them and have a giant smile on their faces as they chuckle behind our backs about the huge scam they are using to get our money. THE SIMPLE FACT IS...(based on my experiences) we are all lucky to get to do what we do and thank goodness for shows, show staff and volunteers AND services like Zapp., Juried Art Services, and now Entrythingy for making MY LIFE EASIER. Now let's all get back to work. It's Friday and another great day on EARTH. Dave Piper
Thank you Dave! I know there is much frustration among artists at the high cost of the overhead and understandable unhappiness about both jury fees and booth fees escalating and they have reason. It is tough making all of this work. Yet, most of these events, especially the ones that are 501c3's are really struggling also. The simple fact is that the big ones are also big business that take lots of money to make them occur.
I'd sure like to see you again one of these days.
Dave Piper > Connie MettlerSeptember 16, 2010 at 7:25pm
Thanks Connie... I hope to see you next Labor Day weekend. Dave
phillip hall > Dave PiperSeptember 10, 2010 at 12:58pm
Gee Dave, you have to be first person in quite some time I've heard say that their life in this business is getting easier. I guess getting in all the major shows makes life less of a struggle.
Dave Piper > phillip hallSeptember 16, 2010 at 7:24pm
Phillip,
I simply said that entering shows has gotten easier with the new services like Zapp., etc. I said accepted to most. That is not the same as ALL. Also, I never claimed that our chosen way of making a living is not a strubble. I am just fortunate that I enjoy it all... including the strubble. Dave
Replies
But if they went as fast as you allege they'd be finished in one day and here they were for three days. I believe that the following rounds took longer. Don't you think?
I have to agree $40 is hefty.
Why are you so crabby and always picking on these good shows that do everything they can to make the shows successful for artists?
I'd sure like to see you again one of these days.
I simply said that entering shows has gotten easier with the new services like Zapp., etc. I said accepted to most. That is not the same as ALL. Also, I never claimed that our chosen way of making a living is not a strubble. I am just fortunate that I enjoy it all... including the strubble. Dave
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