[filk] Re: who gets prime time

Hello

Callie, I _did_ say so. Like you, I think the OryCon programming folks have been remarkably un-interested in people's schedule preferences. And I will continue my very public preference that if an earlier spot comes open and I've been scheduled for a late one (earlier not being before 1900 hours) I want the option of taking the earlier spot. I am not unwilling to take a late slot. I am unwilling to retain one in favor of someone who volunteers at the last minute because someone else has canceled. Please tell me--does this really make no sense?

That said, I'd be interested in some statistics if anybody has them:

1. What percentage of OryCon attendees are filkers?
2. What percent of the program track is devoted to filking?

I am after knowing whether we can justify more space by numbers alone. It seems to me there's enough filking going on at Ory to allow for some daytime concert and panel slots.

And you're right. The option always exists to say "no" to Ory and to concert slots after 2200 hours. But before I (or anyone else) gets backed into that corner, I'd like to see some effort made to 1) shorten sets for everyone but the GoH 2) argue the concom into giving us some daytime slots and 3) improve communication overall on both our part as performers and the convention comittee.

I originally left filking because I was no longer willing to deal with the stuff that goes on at places like Ory. No hard feelings here--it's a culture thing, not an individual thing. I may yet find myself making that decision again. Certainly I've done a couple of Orys with no concert slot and I'm still here. But doggone it, one of the reasons I like going to concerts is that I get to hear a lot of people. And unfortunately if you love science fiction music and that's one of the things you want to do there are really only three venues in the Northwest--Ory, Norwes and Rusty. So, if I care about an audience (maybe I shouldn't) I will need to take concert slots. I am willing to play "second fiddle" to others who are better than I am. This means taking late slots sometimes. But I take my music seriously; I show up when asked, I've been in this a long time, and doggone it if an earlier slot comes open I want it. Okay I said that too many times. Sorry.

I will bow out of this discussion now and leave it alone. In spite of everything I love filking and want to continue.

Take care,

Anne

On Tue, 13 Nov 2001, Arlene 'Callie' Hills wrote:

>
> > Fine. but not during prime time. Heather doesn't. Neither should Jeff and
> > Maya.
>
> That only works if (1) there are non-prime-time slots made available,
> and (2) scheduling input provided to concoms, is paid attention to.
> I'm not sure whether the former is possible, but I can speak from
> painful, repeated, personal experience, that the latter, HAS NOT
> BEEN THE CASE.
>
> In a con as heavily multi-tracked as OryCon, I think it is as unfair
> to the performers as to the audience, to try to implement a sliding
> schedule. For the schedule changes that did happen, info was
> available for them, prominently displayed on the door of the Klamath
> room, and in printed placards both at the Friends of Filk dealers
> table and in Hospitality. Giving performers the *option* to
> reshuffle when slots open up, and publicizing such changes, is the
> only reasonable fallback, as far as I'm concerned.
>
> Anne, if you are not willing to be scheduled for a concert slot
> after 9pm, fine. Say so. And refuse what's offered if it doesn't
> meet your criteria. But don't try to reorganize the entire filk
> concert track, just to accomodate your desires. A *LOT* of us put
> up with a lot of shit, and do our best to make the less-than-optimal
> system we have, which is bounded by the constraints that John
> enumerated, work.
>
> Callie
>
>
Received on 11/13/01