M,
So, I'm ready to move forward. Let's write this scenario.
1.
I'm imagining a network of theaters. One in Colorado manned by Matthew
(if he's into it, or Danielle/JenK if not.) One in Kansas City womanned
by Mandi Rudd (pretty sure she'd be on board, which would be huge.) One
lead by Lisa Genke in the Michigan/Wisconsin situation, and one in L.A.
run by Melissa Ivey (who's living there now.) And one here in NY by
myself. I'd probably try to figure out a good contact in S.F. too, but
haven't gotten that far. Anyway, establishing this network and then
having this network establish their own networks of theaters strikes me
as a possible first step. Agreed?
This network shall
be incentivized (I hate that word, but had fun using it in this context)
by profit. I estimate for each show they could earn $300-$1000 per
theater (depending on the venue) at $1 per head (roughly 10% of the
company profit goal.) Obviously the amount of theaters contacted can
exponentially increase the take. $5000 per show could easily be
available for very little relative time and effort on part of the
network affiliate.
2. Next financing (or maybe this
should be first? Yes, totally, network establishment comes later.) I
contact New Belgium. I will draft letter tomorrow. I'll send letter
directly to Matt Kowal first. I'll mention the idea about carbon
footprint reduction via keeping the show off the road as per your
suggestion. Anything else you would add? Should I just mention the rough
idea for now? Or should I start talking deals at this point? Like what I
would like us to do for each other? I'm thinking they pay in advance to
rent the theaters, foot the advertising and produce the first 7 shows.
(With the goal of doing at least 7 shows in 2017) In return they would
be the sole sponsor of the series with prime ad placement before and
after the concerts. I would ask for Matt to be a mentor. And they could
even help build the network of theaters. I would also emphasize the fact
to them that initial investment would be returned upon successful
completion of each show.
3. Once we have financing
in place, plan and book 7-12 concerts for 2017. I'm going to make a list
now. This is just for starters. I'll probably have to approach 50
artists to book 7 finalists. But here's a wishlist anyway. And please
feel free to add more.
a. Yo La Tengo playing live
soundtrack to Jean Painleve films.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sounds_of_the_Sounds_of_Science
b. XTC living room (or fireside) concert. I would leave the pitch to
Partridge up to you in this case, if you wanted to (and had the time!)
c. Devotchka doing whatever they want. Some kind of collaboration with
Cirque de Soleil? Their own performance network? I might suggest a live
soundtrack to Little Miss Sunshine followed by another hour of concert
with live performance art. (Do you think the live soundtrack thing could
work?)
d. Thurston Moore doing anything. (This one is probably attainable as he is a friend of friend now.)
e. Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings Christmas Special : )
Okay, that's the idea, shows that could hopefully fill 300-1000 seat theaters with good promotion.
Big
question. Is there any reason you can think of why I shouldn't go for
larger stadium-size names? But still aiming for small theater runs?
(With the basic logic that a hundred small theaters should make up a few
stadiums worth of payout.) Here's some possible examples in this
market.
e. Neil Young re-creating
(re-imagining) soundtrack to Dead Man. (Somehow I think both Young and
Jarmusch would love this idea.)
f. Star Wars, John Williams. Live. The rights are probably a bear, but doesn't hurt to try?
g. Dylan doing anything. Again, why not ask?
(Oh my god, I just thought of a great name for this
project.SOUND&VISION. A perfect tribute to the master, and a good
descriptive name for the concept. Maybe it's been too used up already by
other companies. We could always alter it in some clever way, which
would also help for URL purposes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoDamvrfUbQ -Bowie singing it for
inspiration. I had also thought about calling this company D Note
Presents. Thoughts?)
h. Jack White doing anything. Collaborate on ideas.
i. Thurston Moore doing anything. (This one is probably attainable as he is a friend of friend now.)
j. Paul McCartney doing anything. (Does New Belgium have that
kind of budget? Remind me to go to Dale's next if New Belgium doesn't
bite.)
k. Beck doing whatever he wants.
l. Radiohead, ditto
So
what do you think? Should I go big in my pitch to New Belgium? Or
should I go for cool but more obscure 1000 seat theater stuff like Yo La
Tengo, and XTC
Okay, so I'll start letter to Kowal
tomorrow. I'll run it by you before I send if you are up for the job of
coach & consultant.