Spring Fling Survey

[tim]

In starting discussion about the future of the Spring Fling, I'm interested in your opinion. I'd like to know, essentially, what would get you to decide to attend.

Questions I have include (but are not limited to, so feel free to add your own ideas):

1) Location... where do you want the gathering held? How far would you be willing to travel? Is there anywhere, in particular, that you'd especially enjoy visiting?

2) Cost.. how much are you willing to pay to attend?

3) Hotel stay... are you willing to stay overnight? What kind of nightly cost can you afford?

4) Instructors..... this year we had special guests Pricilla Mooseburger and Fred Baisch. They were obviously an attraction. Who would you like to have invited to teach at future flings?

5) Classes... what kind of topics would you like covered?

6) Events... are there any sort of special events which you would like to see be a part of the itinerary?

7) Length.... 2008 featured a Friday evening gathering and a Saturday full of classes/workshops. Is that about right? Would you prefer it to be an extra day, perhaps?

8) Date... is late March good? Or is there another time which would be better?

9) Focus.... should it be more of a clown event, an entertainers event, a specialty event, a generalists event?

10) Any other comments and insights, particular interests or suggestions you may have to help improve the event in the future.

Your feedback is appreciated in helping for planning of future events. We want as many of you to participate and attend as possible. To make that happen, we need your assistance in understanding what will help to make it a worthy and attractive endeavor for everyone.

[Chance Marmalade]

1) Location... Somewhere on the West Coast would allow me to attend! Since this question has been appended I wanted to add that I would travel as far as Denver (I have always wanted to street perform in Boulder too) but that would depend on a number of things. Mainly what sort of instructors we may have. Also, tickets may be cheaper to fly into Ohio for all I know so it isn't so much distance that would trouble me but the cost of travel. If money weren't an issue I would go anywhere in the world.

2) Cost.. I suppose it depends on what is being offered.

3) Hotel stay... I would likely stay the night. $50-$60 a room is not unreasonable.

4) Instructors..... Who would you like to have invited to teach at future flings?
Avner, Bill Irwin, David Shiner, Larry Pisoni, ME! Ok that may be jumping the gun a bit.

5) Classes... what kind of topics would you like covered?
Clown history, costumes, makeup, stage performance clowning, new vaudeville, physical comedy, clown playwrighting, skills of the old silent masters (Chaplin, Keaton, Laurel) would include how to be a silent clown, movement and dance, prop construction, audience interaction, mime, comedy magic, improvisation, clowning for film.

6) Events... are there any sort of special events which you would like to see be a part of the itinerary?
A showcase performance of clowns in attendance. I'd like to see people who attend actively working on a performance. Perhaps sectioned off into smaller groups who each write a short clown play/skit (8 minutes or less). A lot of short performances to watch, walk arounds, a discussion with the instructors, a fun dinner, prop making workshop, mainly a lot of hands on work after instruction.

7) Length.... 2008 featured a Friday evening gathering and a Saturday full of classes/workshops. Is that about right? Would you prefer it to be an extra day, perhaps?
Fri-Sun would be nice.

8) Date... is late March good? Or is there another time which would be better?
Late March would be great.

9) Focus.... should it be more of a clown event, an entertainers event, a specialty event, a generalists event?
I thnk it should focus on clowning and all that that encompasses.

10) Any other comments and insights, particular interests or suggestions you may have to help improve the event in the future.
I will probably think of more but the above lists are likely the most important to me!

[Nettie Belle]

Spring Fling Survey

------------------------------------------------------------------

In starting discussion about the future of the Spring Fling, I'm interested in your opinion. I'd like to know, essentially, what would get you to decide to attend.

Questions I have include (but are not limited to, so feel free to add your own ideas):

1) Location... where do you want the gathering held? LaPorte, Indiana at the Conference Center where the 2010 Midwest Roundup will be. If interested, I could check on prices.
2) Cost.. how much are you willing to pay to attend? As little as possible.
3) Hotel stay... are you willing to stay overnight? What kind of nightly cost can you afford? If possible/necessary.
4) Instructors..... this year we had special guests Pricilla Mooseburger and Fred Baisch. They were obviously an attraction. Who would you like to have invited to teach at future flings? I liked them both. I don't have a preference.
5) Classes... what kind of topics would you like covered? Anything is fine.
6) Events... are there any sort of special events which you would like to see be a part of the itinerary? Anything.
7) Length.... 2008 featured a Friday evening gathering and a Saturday full of classes/workshops. Is that about right? Would you prefer it to be an extra day, perhaps? Friday, Saturday, and Sunday was good.
8) Date... is late March good? Or is there another time which would be better? March is PERFECT. It's kind of a quiet time. In between the holidays and before the "busy season".
9) Focus.... should it be more of a clown event, an entertainers event, a specialty event, a generalists event? JUST CLOWNS. Clown Forum buds.
10) Any other comments and insights, particular interests or suggestions you may have to help improve the event in the future. Can we set up a special account to get Willace here? I hate to see a clown cry.

Your feedback is appreciated in helping for planning of future events. We want as many of you to participate and attend as possible. To make that happen, we need your assistance in understanding what will help to make it a worthy and attractive endeavor for everyone.

[tim]

Originally Posted by tim

1) Location... where do you want the gathering held?

I'd like to add to that question (and will include it in an edit), "How far would you be willing to travel? (Perhaps, also, "Is there anywhere, in particular, that you'd particularly enjoy visiting?"

This year's gathering was in South Bend, Indiana. It suited our needs well, allowing many of the Lake Michigan and Indiana area clowns to attend. The Fling may well become based there regularly, or it could potentially pick up and change venue in the future, too. There was even some thought that what was initiated here could serve as only one of any number of eventual gatherings on a regional (possibly even international) basis. So any and all thoughts as to where it should be are certainly fair game. But, of course (unless there is a significant population of conventioneers already in one locale) almost everyone will have to travel at least a certain distance. So I think that the question of travel needs to be part of the equation when it comes to determining practical location which will enable the greatest amount of participation. Travel may be relative, too. It can be anything from, "I'm willing to drive an hour and a half" to "I'd be happy to get on a plane and go halfway across the country." It all depends upon what each individual is up for and what will attract them enough to make the commitment, whatever the distance.

[Chance Marmalade]

Updated my answer for you!

[Willace-the-Clown]

Some where Will can attend it & see some of his friends

[Nettie Belle]

I think a theme each year for Friday night would be fun. I also like the laid back atmosphere ... no competition ... just jamming.

[Sonshine D Clown]

Questions I have include (but are not limited to, so feel free to add your own ideas):

1) Location... where do you want the gathering held? How far would you be willing to travel? Is there anywhere, in particular, that you'd especially enjoy visiting? The could just be the Midwest Spring Fling - and could be followed by "REGIONAL" Spring Flings all across the nations actually. Being Midwest - Indiana seems to be a middle spot for anyone in the Midwest - Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Penn.

2) Cost.. how much are you willing to pay to attend? - If we were to charge a $50 -$75 fee to attend - if you attend anyother it will cost you - then we could build a 'scholarship' fund for those who need a little help.

3) Hotel stay... are you willing to stay overnight? What kind of nightly cost can you afford? If you know we are having one, plan and save - $80 -120 a night is not bad if you split costs with other clowns (double rooms - 2-4 clowns per room)

4) Instructors..... this year we had special guests Pricilla Mooseburger and Fred Baisch. They were obviously an attraction. Who would you like to have invited to teach at future flings? Any one who could share with us

5) Classes... what kind of topics would you like covered? A weekend is too short of lots of classes, maybe 1 or 2 topics - how to preserve wigs / clothes / shoes /

6) Events... are there any sort of special events which you would like to see be a part of the itinerary? Talk with the local Mall and see if they will allow us to entertain in the Food Common areas / in the Mall.


7) Length.... 2008 featured a Friday evening gathering and a Saturday full of classes/workshops. Is that about right? Would you prefer it to be an extra day, perhaps? that is fine

8) Date... is late March good? Or is there another time which would be better? You know the weater in the Midwest... March is about the time we thaw out completely.

9) Focus.... should it be more of a clown event, an entertainers event, a specialty event, a generalists event? Since it is clown forum.. we should keep it that.. allow a guest, we are trying to get to join the forum -

10) Any other comments and insights, particular interests or suggestions you may have to help improve the event in the future.

[tim]

Originally Posted by Sonshine D Clown

The could just be the Midwest Spring Fling - and could be followed by "REGIONAL" Spring Flings all across the nations actually. Being Midwest - Indiana seems to be a middle spot for anyone in the Midwest - Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Penn.

Should we take this tact, it raises another question. What would make the "Spring Fling" unique and differentiated from the already established annual regional clowning conventions?

[Jolly Well]

1) Location... where do you want the gathering held? How far would you be willing to travel? Is there anywhere, in particular, that you'd especially enjoy visiting? Obviously, most will answer "as close to me as possible." But whatever is convenient for the masses is a better answer. Ultimately, some people will travel further than others wherever it is held.

2) Cost.. how much are you willing to pay to attend? It depends on what is offered.

3) Hotel stay... are you willing to stay overnight? What kind of nightly cost can you afford? This is usually manageable if you room-share. $50 +/-

4) Instructors..... this year we had special guests Pricilla Mooseburger and Fred Baisch. They were obviously an attraction. Who would you like to have invited to teach at future flings? No preference as everyone brings something to the table...

5) Classes... what kind of topics would you like covered? A variety would be ideal - clown, magic, face-paint, etc

6) Events... are there any sort of special events which you would like to see be a part of the itinerary? Open

7) Length.... 2008 featured a Friday evening gathering and a Saturday full of classes/workshops. Is that about right? Would you prefer it to be an extra day, perhaps? Fri-Sun sounds like a nice getaway

8) Date... is late March good? Or is there another time which would be better? Before festival season - March/April would be fine

9) Focus.... should it be more of a clown event, an entertainers event, a specialty event, a generalists event? I know great performers who are not "just clowns" that would bring a great deal of knowledge to any event and limiting the attendance would be a mistake in my opinion. I do a vast majority of my balloons, magic, etc "out of clown" and find myself going further away from traditional clowning all the time. With travel costs, potential lost gigs, and other camp/convention options - I couldn't see myself selecting a clown only event over a variety option - just my preference.