Part 2 I am going to share with you guys my experience of the Child's Play Juggling Festival that we produced.
As I've mention in the previous post, 2012 was a fresh year for me.
I am starting back from "zero"and thats why I think its a great chance for me to try out new things and organising a Juggling Festival is a dream that I always wanted to do.
We (Me and my gf aka my boss) had this festival idea on Feb 2012.
Once we set our mind to do it, we decided there is no turning back.
We didn't ask for any funding for this festival as we would like to keep it as "pure" as possible. We want to make it a pure juggling festival.
That was our worst mistake. We used up all our savings for this festival. (Around $12k - $15k)
Beside spending all the time, money and effort to organise the festival,
I am personally very disappointed by the local jugglers / spinners community.
Many people knows about the festival but they are not supportive of it.
This festival also had a big problem as it clash with another festival on the same day.
I am ok with the date clash as my idea of a juggling festival is different from theirs.
But something makes me feel very sad is that they invite my artist to join their gathering without informing me....
When Okotanpe showed me the sms, my heart sank.
(I'll never forget this!)
So what have I learnt from this festival?
1) People are only nice to you when you are useful to them.
2) Don't expect people to support you even though you've been supporting them.
3) People are selfish.
Even though this may not be the best festival but we are still happy with the result.
We got great supports from people coming from Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Japan to attend our festival. Not forgeting our kind volunteers from "Diabolo Art", my ex students from Grace Orchard school and my best friends Calvin and gf, Eugene and Nicholas for their help!
This year 2013 we are still deciding whether to continue the festival or not.
It is definately fulfilling to run a juggling festival but it is really too tiring.
And with the 12k, we can go for a tour . Not trying to oragnise a festival and hopefully can benefit the local jugglers.
I think I am starting to give up in the local juggling scene.
I have a few good friends to practise with and I am happy with it. :)
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Sunday, January 13, 2013
What have I learnt in 2012 as a Performer
2012 has been interesting year for me as I took up a lot of challenges.
In 2012, 2 of the biggest decisions I have made were:
1) I set up a new company
2) I produced a Juggling Festival
1) Setting up a company was a tough decision. I am happy that I did it. It makes my life easier and happier. Not financially happier but emotionally.
As a performer, our job is not secured. We don't know how much we can earn in a month and we don't know when will we have shows. We are constantly waiting for opportunities to come. When I am working in a company, I have to wait for them to offer me job. Waiting is not the way I want to live my life. I want to do something about my life, I don't want my life to be controlled by a company. Below are the pros and cons of working as a official freelance performer or self employed performer.
Pros:
1) You get more money, no more getting pay cut by the company.
2) You get to work for anybody, no more company restriction.
3) You get direct contact with the client.
4) You can plan your own working schedule.
5) You feel more sense of achievement.
6) You don't have to wait for the company to give you job.
7) You have more control to your life.
8) You can make a name for yourself. Give out your own namecard, not the company you working for.
9) You have more opportunities. When you are in a company, when a good opportunity is being offered to the company, you have to wait for the boss to pass it to you or your colleagues. (chances are the boss will get the job)
Cons:
1) You need to spend a lot of money to buy the props.
2) You will have more enemy or lesser friends.
3) You need to do more work. eg. going for meetings, sending emails etc...
4) You need to look for jobs
So far these are a few pros and cons that I've think of.
Lastly, I would like to thank my ex boss and ex colleagues for their guidance. Without them I wouldn't be here today too!
PS. I just prefer to work for myself
In 2012, 2 of the biggest decisions I have made were:
1) I set up a new company
2) I produced a Juggling Festival
1) Setting up a company was a tough decision. I am happy that I did it. It makes my life easier and happier. Not financially happier but emotionally.
As a performer, our job is not secured. We don't know how much we can earn in a month and we don't know when will we have shows. We are constantly waiting for opportunities to come. When I am working in a company, I have to wait for them to offer me job. Waiting is not the way I want to live my life. I want to do something about my life, I don't want my life to be controlled by a company. Below are the pros and cons of working as a official freelance performer or self employed performer.
Pros:
1) You get more money, no more getting pay cut by the company.
2) You get to work for anybody, no more company restriction.
3) You get direct contact with the client.
4) You can plan your own working schedule.
5) You feel more sense of achievement.
6) You don't have to wait for the company to give you job.
7) You have more control to your life.
8) You can make a name for yourself. Give out your own namecard, not the company you working for.
9) You have more opportunities. When you are in a company, when a good opportunity is being offered to the company, you have to wait for the boss to pass it to you or your colleagues. (chances are the boss will get the job)
Cons:
1) You need to spend a lot of money to buy the props.
2) You will have more enemy or lesser friends.
3) You need to do more work. eg. going for meetings, sending emails etc...
4) You need to look for jobs
So far these are a few pros and cons that I've think of.
Lastly, I would like to thank my ex boss and ex colleagues for their guidance. Without them I wouldn't be here today too!
PS. I just prefer to work for myself
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