General Advice needed, please?

Thu, 11 Nov 2010, 02:46 pm

Stage-sexual13 posts in thread

Hi, I am from a very small outback town with a population (of the entire shire about 200 sq km's in size)of about 4,000. We are a group of like minded individuals who have arrived here from other ports of call and are interested in setting up a theatre group to put on performances and such. We are about 20 (maybe we can push it out to 30 including all the backstage stuff) in number and keen to give it a shot. Since we don't have an actual theatre we would be using a portable stage in the auditorium of our local RSL club and are also 110% confident that we wouldn't actually make a profit, not by the time we factor in everything. We could seat about 200 people and maybe do three or four shows. I guess my questions are manifest but I will start with the simple ones (if I can explain them right). If an Amateur theatre company is seen as one that seats 400+ (someone read this online somewhere)per show then what are we? And if we aren't a company then do we still have to pay the same amounts for copyright and stuff? considering we don't make a profit? The information we can find is kinda confusing and I was just hoping someone might direct us somewhere or have something sage and wise to guide us? Thanks for the replies and patience with those new to running the show. SS.

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Stage-sexualThu, 11 Nov 2010, 02:46 pm

LabrugThu, 11 Nov 2010, 03:05 pm

"Since we don't have an

"Since we don't have an actual theatre we would be using a portable stage in the auditorium..."

What about outdoor theatre? Ideal for the dryer outback regions maybe? No auditorium or portable stage overheads.

"If an Amateur theatre company is seen as one that seats 400+ ... per show then what are we?"

That ain't true. Amateur theatre in Perth has theatres with well under 400, maybe even less than 100 in some theatres. That is not a definition of Am (or Community) theatre. Ignore it.

"And if we aren't a company then do we still have to pay the same amounts for copyright and stuff? considering we don't make a profit?"

If you are affiliated or a recognised organisation then royalties are a must. Not sure what the regs are for a bunch of people just getting together. Someone with better knowledge in this area may have a clear answer.

"The information we can find is kinda confusing and I was just hoping someone might direct us somewhere or have something sage and wise to guide us?"

Any representative from the Independant Theatre Association should be able to provide you with some information, but as you are in NSW and the ITA is WA, some of it may not be relevant. You might try contacting a local Government Representative, someone from the NSW Dept of Culture and Arts maybe.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins

Looking for an Agent? Read this first!!

NaThu, 11 Nov 2010, 04:15 pm

"And if we aren't a company

"And if we aren't a company then do we still have to pay the same amounts for copyright and stuff? considering we don't make a profit?" If you plan on charging people - profit or not - then you must pay royalties. You may get some sort of a 'discount' on the amount, but yes, you charge money, you have to pay royalties. (This isn't to be misconstrued as me saying that you can avoid royalties by making tickets free) Check out the FAQ on producing your own shows: http://www.theatre.asn.au/book_page/self_producing_theatre

jeffhansenThu, 11 Nov 2010, 06:03 pm

I was under the impression

I was under the impression that royalties must be paid, even if you are not charging for tickets. An easy way out of paying for royalties is to produce a play that is out of copyright, and no royalties are payable. www.meltheco.org.au

NaThu, 11 Nov 2010, 08:03 pm

I think it most likely

I think it most likely depends on the copyrights on an individual basis, but as far as I was aware there are exceptions based on tickets being free or not. Of course, the original poster should just ignore all of us (no offense intended) and ask an actual lawyer. Like someone from the Arts Law Centre of Aus.

LogosThu, 11 Nov 2010, 09:02 pm

Copyright means that ownership of a play or similar is vested in the author until 75 years after the authors death. An arrangement must always be made with the author or his/her representative. This arrangement will usually involve paying for performance rights. Doing a show for charity or for nothing does not mean you don't have to pay. You must make an arrangement. It's not impossible that if you find the right writer he or she may give you a break. As Jeff said you can do a play that is in the public domain. All of Shakespeare is in the public domain (he died 400 years ago) Oscar Wilde is in the public domain. If you do a translation of work that is in the public domain in it's original language the translation may not be and royalties may be payable on the translation You could also write your own. If you do make sure it is an original work not an adaptation of say a TV show or a film or book because is it is you must get permission and pay royalties. Shameless self advertising warning Check out my new website www.moorebooks.net.au It's almost ready and we do have new Australian plays cheaper than say Dominie's. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

LogosThu, 11 Nov 2010, 09:11 pm

Sorry

What I should have said as well is "Go for it!" Talk to the community, find out what they would like to see. It'll be a hell of a learning curve but by god you'll have fun. Use sites like this for all sorts of advice. There are some things you need to look into: Public Liability Insurance Whether you need to set up an incorporated body or not What sort of coverage the RSL hall has. As I am in SA I do not know the laws in NSW you will need to get expert advice in NSW for some of these issues but don't despair its actually not as hard as it sounds. This may sound odd but there is a book called "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Amateur Theatricals." by John Kenrick. This is definitely available through Amazon and may be available through Dymocks in Australia. Despite the fact that I have been doing this as an amateur and a professional for about 45 years I keep my copy close. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

JoeMcThu, 11 Nov 2010, 09:53 pm

Following on from Logos

Become Incorporated first to protect yourselves & also contact Association of Community Theatres NSW [Showline} about insurance.;- community theatre - www.showline.com.au

Further contact your Local Councl they possibly have some form of assistance to help new groups &/or may help with covering you umder the umbrella of a district association.

Check out the NSW Dept which has all the relevent downloads on why & how to go about becoming Incorporated, Model constitution, Fees ect.

http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Cooperatives_and_associations/Associations/Incorporated_associations.html

Walter PlingeSun, 2 Jan 2011, 11:04 pm

General Advice

Hi All of the above advice is on the money. I suggest you contact the Independent Theatre Association (ITA) and discuss your options with the body that officially represents community theatre in Western Australia. There is plenty of help and support available. What a wonderful ideal you and your cohorts have and I encourage you in your endeavours!

Walter PlingeSun, 2 Jan 2011, 11:07 pm

not in WA

sorry Just realised your not in WA... sorry

BrianDennisonWed, 5 Jan 2011, 01:38 am

hints and tips

Hey SS, I've worked with a group in a town where the population is smaller than yours. We used about 20 people for a production of 12 cast. I was also involved in the set up of another group where we had to build the set from scratch. It is quite feasible and both shows didn't lose money. I'm happy to share more information with you. PM me if you wish to know. best of luck, Brian

Tom CampMon, 24 Jan 2011, 08:42 pm

Great to hear,

I hope you are very succesful in your venture. I shan't overload you with more advice as it seems you have more then enough from people far more experienced then me in such things, but I just want to congratulate you on your enthusiasm.

Tom CampMon, 24 Jan 2011, 08:42 pm

Great to hear,

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