GAFFER TAPE AWARDS?

Fri, 22 Aug 2008, 03:53 pm

JoeMc8 posts in thread

What does everyone reckon about initiating something like this?

I realise that the other annual awards usually cover various things like Lighting & what have you. But the focus is of course on the all the warm props, luvvies & twirlirlies.

We might be able to uncover a sponsor or three. In various sections, besides sets & lighting. Also costumes, makeup, props & all the other black duck endeavours as well.

Even have the different colours of gaffer designating the discipline.

Jump in with your thoughts even on having a golden gaffer tape ball award or any other ides? Even if it just for me to evaporate &?or pull my head in!

Also any clues on how it might be formulated or possibly worked. Without stretching further the Aunty adjudicator numbers & looking to our techie pears instead.

Thread (8 posts)

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JoeMcFri, 22 Aug 2008, 03:53 pm

What does everyone reckon about initiating something like this?

I realise that the other annual awards usually cover various things like Lighting & what have you. But the focus is of course on the all the warm props, luvvies & twirlirlies.

We might be able to uncover a sponsor or three. In various sections, besides sets & lighting. Also costumes, makeup, props & all the other black duck endeavours as well.

Even have the different colours of gaffer designating the discipline.

Jump in with your thoughts even on having a golden gaffer tape ball award or any other ides? Even if it just for me to evaporate &?or pull my head in!

Also any clues on how it might be formulated or possibly worked. Without stretching further the Aunty adjudicator numbers & looking to our techie pears instead.

Tim ProsserSun, 24 Aug 2008, 01:53 am

I'm sorry to see that

I'm sorry to see that you've had no responses to this, Gaafa. You would certainly have my support on it, but I have to admit that I haven't a clue about how to make it happen. I do know only too well what it's like being a 'back room boy' though. After all the years I spent out in the professional world painting sets and scenery (even designing a few sets), making models and props, always working against punishing deadlines to the severe detriment to my health - only to see others take all the glory and credit, I at last achieved some recognition through my involvement with community theatre. The award I received at this year's Finleys, oddly enough, meant a great deal more to me than missing out on the more glamorous award that I was nominated for. I believe the award I received was the first one of its type ever given, and I sincerely hope to see someone else receive it next year. We don't, of course, do the things we do because we want to win awards, but it certainly is very nice to be recognised for our efforts. Take it from me, community theatre is an infinitely more appreciative world than that of the cold and hard professional one, where the attitude seems to be "well, it's your job - that's what you get paid for. How dare you expect to get thanked for sacrificing your health and having no life outside of work?" I've spoken elsewhere on this forum about the many (or is it few?) people who are always there whenever there's work to be done, and who quietly go about their tasks with no thought of reward other than a mention in the programme and a box of chocolates after the last night of the show. Yes, the 'warm props' do tend to get the lion's share of the glory, but I, like you, would like to see a greater emphasis attached to the unsung heroes and heroines who help to make them look good in the first place. I could mention names, but I won't for fear of singling out individuals to the exclusion of others and potentially causing embarrassment. There's always room for improvement and for all I know there may be moves afoot in that direction - in fact I'm sure there are. At least I hope so. No, don't evaporate or pull your head in. Ideas have to come from somewhere! All the best, Tim Prosser.

NaSun, 24 Aug 2008, 02:03 am

I'd help but I'm on the

I'd help but I'm on the wrong side of the country.... Finger puppets now on sale at Puppets in Melbourne

JoeMcSun, 24 Aug 2008, 10:31 am

Thanks Na & Tim, I thought

Thanks Na & Tim, I thought I was just whistling against the wind again.

Taureeen has contacted me , with support & has suggested a few possible sponsors. That nearly every theatre & techie generally use for theatre gear, odds 'n sods or just window shop with a wish list!

Who I will be chasing up, one especially as there is a sort of family connection, in an attempt to extract a few gold bricks as sponsorship.

I was thinking, as Gaffer tape is available in assorted colours, that being red, Blue, yellow, white & Black. Why not assign a colour to depict the different sections.

Say White - Audio [thinking white noise] Black - Lighting [of course] Red - Costumes [pink would be more apt] Yellow - Set [Mise en scene] Blue - Props. Or just simplify the whole thing & have just a Black gaffer award for each? It could be a stylised roll of Gaffer tape, propped up with French Braces or even just a ball that represents sculpture of the [gaffer] world, on a lump of wood ?

I don't envisage anything like the present Luvvies awards & it would be a stretch to dump this on it's intrepid small band of adjudicators. Or even only focusing on the spectacular, the best equipped &/or funded. In fact safety & creative use of resource could play as large part.

At this stage any input, even from the East Na - will certainly help, as I think this is what we & this forum are about!

I feel it should not be commercially orientated, the same as some of these gong shows are in this game. But I would knock back any Company, who is prepared to chuck in a heap of bread or in kind awards.

The Lighting PrinceMon, 25 Aug 2008, 07:00 am

I like the colour of gaffer

I like the colour of gaffer idea lots, but if you were going with just black gaffer for all the awards shape them differently...say a gaffer parcan for lighting or a gaffer mannequin for costume and so on and so forth. Twould be rather nifty like that i reckon = )

LogosMon, 25 Aug 2008, 10:04 am

Love The idea but

If all the techies are there getting and giving awards who's going to run the show. Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing. www.tonymoore.id.au

TaureanSat, 30 Aug 2008, 07:46 am

Role Reversal

Well Logos, I guess the show could be run by those that are not being "immortalized in Gaffer Tape" ...

Either that or we let the "luvvies" (to use a "Gaafa-nism") play with the switches and dials.

Hmmm.... second thoughts....perhaps NOT such a bright idea....(not detracting from many a talented performer out there in comeatre that has turned their hand to Lights and sound.)

I would like to see both Gaafa's idea of coloured tape and Lighting Prince's idea of sculpted models being combined ... a pink manequin, a black parcan, a white headset, etc (mind you perhaps a headset is not a good representation for a live audio operator, but I'm sure you get the drift!)

Ahh! I can hear the SM now...(Go Fx1 ...drum roll ... Go LX3 ...spotlight on MC.... Go Fx2... fanfare...)

MC: "AND NOW THE WINNER OF THE GOLDEN GAFFER IS....... envelope please?... Hello??... Envelope???..... What do you mean union dispute???"

"Be nice to your Tech's - or they'll turn out the lights and go home!"

JoeMcSat, 30 Aug 2008, 09:29 am

Ah fawt about this'n

Ah fawt about this'n hav'n fought, ah fink ar better fink t'out agin!

From Logos's post I was thinking on "who would run the show", meaning how would the award process be structured? Not "who will run the show", on the boards!

I was thinking along the lines of just sending the award by mail, rather than any thing like the 'Nobby' awards night. {I realise the 'Finley's' are not spelt 'Finlay' [as in "Nibble Nobby's"} Or the 'Bobby' awards, where to be considered to be nominated, the nominee has to front up with quite a few thousand notes first.

I was thinking something rather simple, like any show can be considered on an ad hoc basis. Possibly on the recommendation of the over worked Aunty Adjudicators? I suppose the sponsors, if there is any? Will have some input especially if they are throwing in the gold bricks for a particular gaffer gong. I was hoping this topic would throw up a few ideas & suggestions on how it could be organised?

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