Thread: What's in Your Press Kit?

Oh I should've mentioned that. thanks Andalee. I am in the process of doing our press stuff at work as downloadable pdfs and I have an option to save it for the web, so for me, it is automatic.

Oh and I would call it a Promotional Kit, not a press kit. Press kit implies that it is only for the press.

Also, short and sweet should be the motto.

So...why do an online promotional kit if your website has all that info anyway? I'm just curious why I'd go to a website and download a pdf when I can see the same info in html format directly on the site.

I DO understand the "hard copy" promotional kit. My question is...how are ya'll getting decent video footage of yourself? All my video footage sucks. Seems like most of the shows I've danced in either never produce a video, or don't take video footage, or I'm in a duet/group number instead of solo. I've tried a few restaurant clips & they're all crap because I can't just stay in one spot in our restaurant.

Originally Posted by Sonja2

So...why do an online promotional kit if your website has all that info anyway? I'm just curious why I'd go to a website and download a pdf when I can see the same info in html format directly on the site.

I DO understand the "hard copy" promotional kit. My question is...how are ya'll getting decent video footage of yourself? All my video footage sucks. Seems like most of the shows I've danced in either never produce a video, or don't take video footage, or I'm in a duet/group number instead of solo. I've tried a few restaurant clips & they're all crap because I can't just stay in one spot in our restaurant.

I'm right there with ya. Some people use a professional videographer. I'm still just trying to find a friend with a video camera. lol

Originally Posted by Sonja2

So...why do an online promotional kit if your website has all that info anyway? I'm just curious why I'd go to a website and download a pdf when I can see the same info in html format directly on the site.

I DO understand the "hard copy" promotional kit. My question is...how are ya'll getting decent video footage of yourself? All my video footage sucks. Seems like most of the shows I've danced in either never produce a video, or don't take video footage, or I'm in a duet/group number instead of solo. I've tried a few restaurant clips & they're all crap because I can't just stay in one spot in our restaurant.

I would say the benefit of it being a "one-stop shop" for event planners and such since they are pressed for time. Instead of having to dig around your Web site, you could direct them to a link where they could get it all at once. Just a guess though. However, I do see the benefit of them having something tangible in their hand.

If we are talking about press, and not promo, then Press always prefer an e-mail with text rather than an attachment. They also are really pressed for time. Gone are the days of mailing and faxing media releases.

Sometimes different places request a promo kit, so it's a useful thing to have. That said, I really ought to work on mine, and keep putting it off.

I've also had the same video issues, but I am steadily working on getting as much footage as possible! ..g.: Also- if you have a digital camera *sometimes* the film captured on those is actually workable.

Have a best friend who is an award winning music video director. . .

Of course, I haven't let Marcus within 50 yards of me with a camera in years!

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by Sonja2

My question is...how are ya'll getting decent video footage of yourself? All my video footage sucks. Seems like most of the shows I've danced in either never produce a video, or don't take video footage, or I'm in a duet/group number instead of solo. I've tried a few restaurant clips & they're all crap because I can't just stay in one spot in our restaurant.

I get good video by entering into dance competitions! Winning is a good side-benefit, but I sign up to get a good video of me on stage with a professional sound system;) Some big festivals like Rakkasah also film performances.

I have the same problems in restaurants though. Too dark so the footage comes out grainy. The owner won't let me bring in bright lights to film because it will ruin the "mood". Understandable though. I wouldn't want to eat dinner with an interrogation light pointed at my face.

These pages are linked from my main website too, but here is the direct link:
www.DaVidofScandinavia.com - Choreographer, Instructor, Performer

Although the bio probably needs to be revamped - AGAIN.

I dont have hardcopy presskits or portofolios in my case - but being a guy - I think I can get away with it easier. I have everything available digitally - and all I hand out is my card with the web addresses to my websites and contact info on it.

I think as a female dancer - it may be necessary to catch people's curiousity a bit more with a picture/hardcopy press kit.

As for video materials - Sonja, according to US law of copyright for music anything on a video that's less than a minute is considered display of ability/talent. The legal system feels that you can showcase your ability within a genre within a minute or less. So... you could precievably cut the best 45 seconds of each performance you'd like to include and throw in some visual transitions between the clips and voila....veil, zils, drumsolo, shaabi, cane, floorwork, balady....45 seconds of each...for example. As for editing - yeah, you can drop as much money you want on editing - but really, are you showcasing your ability to pay for editing in time and money or are you showcasing your dancing?

That's like photoshopping your photos to the point of no recognition...if you ask me. Some touch-ups, I understand, but we do after all have to SHOW UP and show face... we're not like models that can be on a billboard and that's their job. We have to show up in person and be seen :)

Originally Posted by david

So... you could precievably cut the best 45 seconds of each performance you'd like to include and throw in some visual transitions between the clips and voila....veil, zils, drumsolo, shaabi, cane, floorwork, balady....45 seconds of each...for example. As for editing - yeah, you can drop as much money you want on editing - but really, are you showcasing your ability to pay for editing in time and money or are you showcasing your dancing?

Oh I'm a pro at piecing together video...it's getting a decent 45 second clip of something that's the problem But, I'm workin' on it...trying to get more solo stage time, for one thing. I'm still relatively new to the game so I'm trying to expect alot of effort from myself, but be patient with the payoff.

The talent agency I applied stated up front that they did not accept electronic submissions, only hard copy. So I think if you're going to do it electronically, you have to also have a good format for your hard copy one as well.

Originally Posted by laura 2

The talent agency I applied stated up front that they did not accept electronic submissions, only hard copy. So I think if you're going to do it electronically, you have to also have a good format for your hard copy one as well.

Ah yeah, THOSE, I forgot about talent agencies... yeah, they still do things the old fashioned way.

Some institutions/businesses are dependent on hard copies because their staff isnt sufficient enough on computers to bother to mess with the various formats and files. It's also a mess to keep track of 50.000 files, cds etc...(although, they do take smaller space in storage!).

Give it 20 more years and hard copies will be history. All artists will be filed in an online database on a world wide filing server by name, art form, style and you can search them up any time you need to within seconds...hang on, sounds a lot like the internet, huh? lol

For whatever it's worth...with all of the hundreds of instructors I've worked with while coordinating the intensive...I've only had one duo send me a press kit. And because of that fact alone, I was hella impressed. It was from Kassar Tribal, who will be teaching at the Intensive this year. Their kit had a video DVD, price sheet, photos, business cards, a lovely intro letter, and basically anything I would need to evaluate them. And in truth, it spoke highly to their seriousness and professionalism.

Anyway, it definitely caught my attention in a way that an electronic format wouldn't have done. Not that I don't get those too...but the "in my hand" format was definitely memorable and effective.

Originally Posted by Samira_dncr

For whatever it's worth...with all of the hundreds of instructors I've worked with while coordinating the intensive...I've only had one duo send me a press kit. And because of that fact alone, I was hella impressed. It was from Kassar Tribal, who will be teaching at the Intensive this year. Their kit had a video DVD, price sheet, photos, business cards, a lovely intro letter, and basically anything I would need to evaluate them. And in truth, it spoke highly to their seriousness and professionalism.

Anyway, it definitely caught my attention in a way that an electronic format wouldn't have done. Not that I don't get those too...but the "in my hand" format was definitely memorable and effective.

OK, I'm making a hard copy right now and sending it to you, Samira. I'm a huge fan of Las Vegas (the TV show) and I would like to come to LV and see the Montecito for myself LOL jk.

I see your point though. I guess it all comes down to how you market yourself and what your "targets" are.

Originally Posted by david

OK, I'm making a hard copy right now and sending it to you, Samira. I'm a huge fan of Las Vegas (the TV show) and I would like to come to LV and see the Montecito for myself LOL jk.

I see your point though. I guess it all comes down to how you market yourself and what your "targets" are.

You should definitely come to Vegas. ..g.:

Originally Posted by Samira_dncr

You should definitely come to Vegas. ..g.:

lol, Im afraid of gambling my swarovskis off my costumes lol :)