What are the 3 Hardest things about putting on a Family Experience?

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What are the 3 Hardest things about putting on a Family Experience?

(8 posts) (3 voices)

Started 2 years ago by jwilliams
Latest reply from jwilliams

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jwilliams
Member

Hey everybody.

Thanks for all you responses to my previous post. If you do a Family Experience and haven't read it yet, please do. it would be very helpful. it is just a few entries below this one.

Anyway, as the title of this one states, I want to know what are the three biggest problems that arise when producing or directing a Family Experience.

Now, here's what I am not looking for. I'm not looking for answers that everyone deals with, such as actor scheduling, space issues, budget concerns, technical issues (i.e. sound, video, etc.)etc....

What I am looking for, mainly, is the areas you, as a director/producer of your Family Experience, wish you had a little more training in regards to putting on a production.

Does that make sense? These answers will require a little transparency. I'll go first. In my years at North Point Community Church, my biggest weakness was blocking a sketch. I had been an actor for years but had very little training as a director . Stuff like that.

Let me know and thanks for reading.

Posted 2 years ago #
Bre Hallberg
Administrator

Melinda Madison: Right now, it's casting enough characters for the drama sketch. Our team wants younger, more believable characters and we don't have enough guys! Anyone have luck looking outside the church with commitments to practicing? Also thinking about the DVD segment for the sketches and still having hosts and The Word live. Thoughts?

Posted 2 years ago #
Bre Hallberg
Administrator

Lisa Heller replied: Finding time to practice as much as what we should. Especially the dancers.

Posted 2 years ago #
jwilliams
Member

Hey Melinda. That seems to be a constant struggle for every Family Experience. the casting process. i know at North Point, it's always difficult. We basically blanket local colleges and put ads in local papers that have audition notices when we held our auditions. College kids who are in theatre always are looking for opportunities to perform.

The DVD segments you are talking about, are those the 252 Studios? Get Reels? Hope your casting goes well. We

Posted 2 years ago #
jwilliams
Member

Hey Lisa,

Yeah. Rehearsal. At North Point Community Church (where I host KidStuf) the dancers would have one rehearsal on Wed. nights and then would rehearse again on Sunday morning. All performers were required to be at rehearsal on Sunday at 6:30 AM. Basically, we wouyld run the show 2 times that mornign before ever doing it in front of an audience. That was when the NPCC production was weekly. Now tat it,s monthly, we have a full rehearsal the Sunday before (with a break to attend service) and then rehearse again the morning of the show, starting at 6:30 AM with the doors opening for families to come in at 10:10.

Rehearsal is always one of the biggest hurdles to over come. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Posted 2 years ago #
mmadison
Member

Thanks, Jon. We are in fact looking into HS and college drama departments. In one way, it's a great way to possibly reach the lost, but also a little scary knowing so little about your cast. We've had an incredible cast the first three years so this is an act of faith to have an all new group. Nice thing is, the "mature" team will coach the new characters if we get enough.

I thought there was an Kidstuf/Family Experience type DVD on the reThink site, but maybe I am wrong. We use the Studio 252 for pre-start and follow up for large groups on Sunday a.m. I'll have to go back to the website and check again.

What do I wish I had more training on? Wow, loaded question. I wish you had asked 3 years ago! :o) I've had to learn sound, production, ProPresenter, etc. Now, the vision has been captured by others so I'm able to pass on many of these duties to eager, gifted people. Still on a learning curve but had a wonderful mentor who gave some great advice. It's been incredible to watch the Lord work in families through our Family Experience. Thanks for awesome material. Keep cranking it out!

Posted 2 years ago #
mmadison
Member

Lisa, one thing we did was have a marathon dance off this summer. We don't run KS during summer, so while kids were out of school, we practiced all songs for the fall. We'll follow up with shorter practices the week before and let the kids "practice" during LG on Sunday mornings.

We also have one run-through right before. I depend heavily on team leaders who ensure all are ready and communicate well. Lots of posts and emails to make sure everyone is on the same page.

The marathon was a success. We got the kids pumped about a new start and had a pizza blast, let them hang out in our arena and on stage. We'll do another in December for the second half of the school year. It forces me to plan ahead, but is a relief to know it's finished, too!

Posted 2 years ago #
jwilliams
Member

That's a great idea. Marathon Dance Off. I like it.

Posted 2 years ago #

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