I have not yet read any of the other submissions on our homework as given us by Bill, because I did not want to be influenced by what I might read. I wanted you to know where my thoughts and feelings are coming from. Which as I understand it is what our Chairman is looking for.

I would like for ARTC to do the voice work for the Books on CD for Baen Books. This is not as impossible as it might seem.
First Baen is known for doing things differently taking an established way of doing things and tweaking things a bit and being very, very successful at it. Jim Baen was a genius at this. Toni Weiskopf his exwife and mother of his child and co-partner at Baen and now the person in charge of Baen Books already knows of us and at least does not dislike us and so far is at least willing to talk to us. Baen is under the umbrella of Simon and Schuster but Baen still has complete control over Baen books

Now LibertyCon is our foot in the door. A large amount of the Baen authors attend Liberty on their own dime. They like the convention they support it. So far Liberty likes ARTC. Every add for our shows goes out in the LibertyCon news letter “Revenge of the Humpday’‘ which also goes to a gazillion authors not just Baen Authors.

The current plan is to do a radio play of “A Ship Named Francis” by John Ringo included in a book of short stories “In Service of the Sword” by David Weber I have emailed both authors and Toni Weiskopf we have an ok.(Did this last year ) Bill is now talking to Toni about any moneys and contracts. Part of this would include this production being on Baen’s website. And whatever else Bill works out. Daniel Taylor is working on the adaptition.

I think this could turn into paid work for ARTC as well as paid voice work for some of ARTC actors. I also think we need to move slow and carefully this year and not let LibertyCon fall thru the cracks. I also think that we need to make mention of our being invited to the Heinlien thing in Kansas.

My other thought for ARTC is to Replace DragonCon with Mythic Journeys I am working on that as we speak but Mythic Journeys is every 2 years and they want more control over the script so I am not sure where that will go.

Also I am trying to get around the Pat Henry/Bill Ritch pissing contest by going thru Emerald Rose. Pat really likes Emerald Rose they control the sound on the small stage on the ballroom level in the Regency If nothing else maybe they can advise me on how to break the contest. Bill can’t do this he is in the middle. But I can come in as a third party and stand a chance of making things better. To that end. I have volunteered to work on Mythic Journeys I am getting to know Clyde a bit better. He is already putting in a good word for us. I think maybe we need to do some panels or something so Pat thinks he is getting lots of work out of us.
I have already gotten the Hyatt so they are ready to help ARTC as long as is not a direct interference with Pat and DragonCon. Having the hotel on your side is a big step. Took many years to do that.
Nancy

Purpose of ARTC

2007-08-26T17:51:39Z

Hfw:

Whither ARTC

2007-08-26T17:45:33Z

Hfw:

'''Submitted by Hal Wiedeman February 9, 2007''''' Short Version''

== The Prime Directive ==

'''The purpose of ARTC is to produce original audio theater. '''

The following are examples that do not work well with the concept .

''Telephone Answering Machines, Music On Hold etc. is not theater.'' 
''Books On Tape are not original theater.'' 
''Snow, Glass, Apples is not original.'' 
''Dramatic Readings are not original theater.'' 
''Running a record label is not theater.'' 
''MRAP.'' 

On the other hand, the following examples work well:

''CD Productions '' 
''Live Shows at Conventions/Stage Door'' 

== Exceptions ==

''A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.''

The fact of the matter is that occasionally we run into production opportunities that our members find intriguing or interesting for one reason or another that will conflict with the prime directive. As long as we recognize the situation for what it is and there are no adverse consequences (financial or time), we should accommodate these opportunities .
== Challenges ==

In my opinion, the two biggest challenges facing ARTC are:

'''The generation of new, original material.''' 
'''The studio production of same.''' 

Fiscal stability is certainly important – but it really isn't the most important item. In a similar manner, food is important for life, but it doesn't feed the soul.

The generation of new programming is the most difficult of these challenges. TV networks spend vast fortunes pursuing a mere 15 hours per week of prime time . ARTC produced about 3 hours of original programming last year from a very small pool of active, but dedicated writers. We have to encourage our existing writers to write more and we have to find new ones. In my opinion, there is nothing more important to the future of ARTC than the writers . It is what makes ARTC unique; otherwise, we are just another regional theater group with a gimmick.

While the generation of new programming is tough, the challenge of actually producing the material is not trivial. There are studio projects that exist in a half finished limbo. To the untutored observer such as myself, progress on some projects appears to be glacial, if not actually retrograde. I do not know enough about the production process to suggest a cure for the situation. It may require more staff; It may require fewer projects; It may require more resources. In any event, it is a serious situation that needs to be addressed.

Taylor ARTC 2007

2007-08-26T17:44:15Z

2007-08-26T17:12:15Z

Hfw:

'''Hal Wiedeman 2007/02/09'''

[[Whither ARTC| Essay on the purpose of ARTC]]
== Summary ==

The purpose of ARTC is to produce original audio theater.
We need more original material.
We need additional production capability.

2007-04-18T19:41:38Z

Hfw: