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School Events

..... Thinking about getting into the realm of school events? Now is the time to start! I mean RIGHT NOW. This is the beginning of the new school year and all of the traditional activities are just starting to materialize and now is the time for you to enter the picture.

Depending on the type of school (public or private) you may want to start by contacting the principal, head master or other school head to show your wares. From there, you may want to suggest sports departments, music departments or drama groups (depending on what you want to get involved in). You may or may not want to do an all encompassing type of package, although, with a smaller school, that could be a huge plus....to provide ALL of their audio/visual services. On the other hand, you may want to concentrate on a single type of coverage. What ever you are comfortable with, but be preparred when you set up your appointment. Look and sound as professional as possible, show samples, drop some names (of other schools that you have helped). Even if you haven't done any school events, you can show other types of events (try to stay away from showing weddings) to showcase your talents.

Another avenue to take (if the governmental hierarchy balks) is to asked to be forwarded to the school's parent group(s). PTOs, PTAs, band parents, drama club, etc. will all be willing to hear your spin about your services. Want to tilt the scale in your favor? Work your numbers to be able to have your video services act as a fund raiser for that particular group. For instance, have the group underwrite (guarantee to sell X number of videos) for say $20 each, then have the group actually promote and sell the videos for $25. That means that for each video they sell, they will realize $5. It won't take long for the group to figure out that if they sell 50 videos, they will have $250 in their treasury.....for doing almost nothing. They will be motivated to sell the videos because they have a direct stake in the outcome. It is a win-win-win situation. The parents have a professionally done record of their child's event (for the cheap), the group running the event makes money to support the group and last but not least, you have $1000 in your pocket (based on $20 x 50 videos).

Now some background, especially if you have never entered these territories before.
  1. Most non-sporting events last between 1 1/2 and 2 1/4 hours (but I've seen some last a bit longer).
  2. In most cases, a single camera will provide adequite coverage (if you posess a reasonable amount of talent).
  3. Don't let the school of group tell you how to do your job. Everyone tries to be a producer.
  4. Always make it a point to get close-ups of EVERYONE and do not pay more attention to an individual. Not adhearing to these points WILL get you fired (from complaints).
  5. Offer DVDs. If you don't have the capability, sub it out.
  6. Don't do any of these events on speculation (unless you want to either loose money or you like working for nothing). If you need the experience or demo footage, practive with your child, relative's child or friend's child....don't let anyone know why you are doing it (say it is for your own use and not for sale .... even if you are using a Sony DSR 370).
School events are fun, kids are great actors. A nice change of pace from the repetitious wedding. Plus, most school events take place during the week, so if you want to do the wedding thing, you can. Do a good job and if people feel comfortable with you, it will become a continous thing, year after year AND it can and will expand sidewards, meaning that people know people, teachers know teachers. Your good name will spread to other classes, departments and schools. Graduates will enter new schools and bring your name with them. It is also a great advertising medium. Each event could expose you to 50, 100 or 200 people at a time. A captive audience (so to speak)...so if you have other offerings (transfers, birthday parties, anniversaries, etc. you have the ultimate direct-marketing scheme in place.