Road to the 24:7 Festival – Producers Guide

Well, what an exciting week this has been! After several meetings with other fantastic directors, this Sunday, I managed to secure Richard Vergette to direct. For those of you who regularly come to the festival you may remember Richard who wrote and performed the one man play 'An Englishman's Home' which won critical acclaim at the 24.7 Theatre Festival 2008 and later transferred to The Library Theatre in Manchester. As well as writing and performing in the thought provoking play ‘As We Forgive Them’ (see link to listen to an audio version of this play) which won audience favorite production at the 24.7 Theatre festival in 2009, The Vicky Allen memorial award from Equity for Best Production and The Manchester Evening News Theatre award for Best Fringe Production in 2009.

Monday, we filmed the promo. Big, big thanks to the talented Dave Mclaughlin (film maker Daydreamz Productions), David Corden (playing Mr Melks), Java Bere (providing the voice of Alice) and Joel for designing the sound. The afternoon ran very smoothly and we finished well before my over estimated finish time. The morning was spent inviting actresses to audition for the role Alice which took place on…

Wednesday, finally met the lovely Richard in person and spent a good 6 hours auditioning possible Alice’s. As always auditioning is a painful process for everyone involved. The festival is such a fantastic opportunity and in an ideal world I’d love to give something to everyone who came along. The standard of performance was really high. But in the end we decided on the talented Louise – Clare Henry, who I’m really excited to be working with. The day was finished off with production meeting making decisions on technical requirements for a play we haven’t started working on properly in order to make the deadline for Monday 14th June. My advice is to over estimate what you require and then all bases are covered.

Meantime, while all this happening in Manchester, Sean was busy spending hours perfecting his skills in graphic design and adding a few details to the poster and flyers designed by Anegla Guyton. Which meant by Thursday we were able to order our posters and flyers which fingers, toes and everything crossed will arrive in time for the Media Launch next Tuesday 15th June.

So with the Media Launch approaching I’ve spent the last couple of days gathering information for Alexis the festival’s Press and PR person (alexis@247theatrefestival.co.uk). I’ve written our press release and hopefully contacted all the actors who have taken the time to contact me and apply for a role to say Thank you. (If you reading this and not received a message, I’m really sorry, but Thank you!)

So tonight I’m drinking a well deserved glass of wine as I continue to plan, market and email into the early hours!

Jo