STaG Board Meeting
8th March 2010
In attendance: H. Sloan, A. Blundell, R. Jones, S. Gregson, P. Mannion, S. Bradley, T. Mackay, K. Nesbitt, J. Dyer, F. Andrew, L. Fenwick, T. Eaton, A. Ralston, E. Burckhardt.
Agenda
The Goat
Fire Safety
GUU/Main-stage/Production Fund
Proposals
New Writing Festival Reflection
Elections
AOB
1. The Goat
S. Gregson reported that The Goat had distributed posters. There was also an offer to have the poster displayed electronically around the University, on television screens, which appears a good opportunity. The Goat fundraiser raised £114.19, which is excellent. H. Sloan will arrange people for the Doors next week.
2. Fire Safety
S. Gregson bumped into the Fire Safety Wardens on their annual visit to the STaG Room, and they were generally positive about the condition of the room. They had stated that it might be worthwhile contacting Estates and Buildings to fix the walls. It is fine to poster the walls, but sofas are frowned upon.
3. GUU/Main-stage/Production Fund
The GUU slot is available from the 13th May to the 15th May, and S. Gregson and H. Sloan are going to discuss if the GUU is the most economically viable location for the final main-stage slot. The production fund will be applied for this week. There is a possibility that STaG will still use the Studio to accompany this project.
4. Proposals
It was agreed that the proposals for the devised slot would be Monday 22nd March. This will be advertised to the membership.
5. New Writing Festival Reflection
The Board discussed the successes and pitfalls of the New Writing Festival. Many points of discussion arose and these are listed below:
It was agreed that Festival went well and run reasonably smoothly.
A major hiccup was that there was no transport arranged to carry set to and from the Ramshorn Theatre, and this should be arranged in advance of production week next year.
The Ramshorn Theatre was a brilliant venue for giving directors and technicians more scope and opportunity for creativity. The venue added a sense of credibility to the Festival, and it should be kept there in the future.
It is important to be completely clear with the judges about the criteria that they should use to select the winning play – it was not highlighted that they were judging on the best production to go to the Fringe, not just the writing.
The role of the VP (Studio) as Festival Director was discussed, and it was agreed that the VP (Studio) should remain impartial throughout the Festival and, at elections, it should be made clear that they cannot enter the Festival in any capacity.
It is difficult to be selective about who is on the judging panel of the New Writing Festival, but it needs to be stressed that Bedlam judge is vitally important. The composition of judges should be considered: potentially a theatre critic, STaG Alumni etc. An odd number of judges can ease and settle decision-making.
It was suggested that we could try and secure judges earlier next year.
There was much discussion about how to inform the judges' decisions, with portfolios from each director, interviewing each writer, etc. but it was agreed that the productions should speak for themselves.
It was highlighted that the STaG judge should speak up if they consider the competencies of one of the entrants is questionable in their ability to take a show to the Fringe.
The Board agreed that the decision time for the competition should be extended so that judges have more time to consider the entries. While there is practical issues to this, it should be regarded as good practice to give the decision time.
It was thought that the decision should be formalised with set criteria to produce structured, debatable responses. It was suggested that a form could be copied from Scottish Arts Council evaluation to give to the judges to aid the decision.
There was grand debates surrounding pitching the New Writing Festival as a works-in-progress event, with a chance for directors to recast and re-techie their show, as not all the plays have a chance to develop fully. It was agreed that the director should make these decisions to recast and re-techie their show, if they see fit.
It was noted that pitching the event as works-in-progress could have the Festival lose its edge, enthusiasm from the actors could wane and not all plays will work hard to produce a polished product.
It should be made aware explicitly to the director that they should cast with an eye with potentially transferring to the Fringe.
The people who are cast in the winning play deserve to go, unless the director considers they have to recast them, with the feedback they received from the judges. It was noted that the STaG Board should support directors' decisions, if they are competent, and remember that plays in development have been recast in the past. There should be an emphasis on play development, without losing the edge of the competition.
S. Bradley read an email from one of the judges. It was agreed that the split within the judges should have been dealt with better, involving more people in the decision. The conflict should have been handled openly with the Board and not discussed solely by certain individuals, and should not have been revealed to the general membership. It is imperative to note that sensitive information should not be discussed in public where affected members might be able to hear; it probably should not be discussed in public, regardless.
It was stated that STaG Board Members should be aware of what they are saying, as it can be hurtful to those listening and seem unprofessional. It is important to be careful with sensitive information that is discussed in private.
It was agreed that Board Reps should be on the Board, and should be experienced with a critical engagement in the production. It was stated that the Board Rep are unnecessary for the New Writing Festival and the impartial VP (Studio) should to take on this role.
Expanding the technical team of the New Writing Festival was considered an important point for next year, especially a floor manager.
The technical team, led by the legendary T. Mackay, were given little thanks for their hard work throughout the week. It was agreed that actors, directors, writers etc, should be more thankful to technical operators, assistants and managers. The impartial VP (Studio) should champion this thanking.
It was agreed, again, that the Festival was well-run and well- received. Audiences' perceptions of the Festival were positive and turn-out for the Box Office looks positive.
The Ramshorn staff were very happy to have STaG use their space, and said that STaG should come back soon.
The VP (Studio) should remain impartial.
STaG Board members should be more willing to help out at events.
6. Elections
The elections will take place on Sunday 9th May 2010.
7. AOB
P. Mannion – Handovers are important, so start gathering information now.
H. Sloan – The STaG Board Gatherin' of Awesome Banter and Beverages will be on Sunday 21st March. It will be an evening social mixer, and people should be dressed accordingly.
SNACK ROTA – S. Bradley & T. Eaton
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