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INFO/FAQs for Performers!

 

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What is Performance Box?

 

• Performance Box is a new platform that allows you to perform for people online. It is designed to be live, personal and direct -  a new way to reach audiences around the corner or around the world from your living room or studio!

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 - Performance Box is creative: you design your own Performance Box and charge how much you'd like per recurring session!

 - Performance Box is live: you perform in real-time online.

 - Performance Box is personal: you can interact with your audience directly.

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What’s the aim?

 

• Performance Box is designed for you as a performer to have an ongoing alternative source of income, practice your art between live gigs,  build new audiences and promote your creative work. 

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What kind of performers is it for?

 

•  Anyone that performs live! (Actors, musicians, beatbox artists, spoken word artists, mime, stand-up etc.)

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• We are looking for inventive, creative, personable performances – they don’t have to be complicated or technologically advanced, just anything that can connect with an audience in a unique and genuine way!

 

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What kind of performers is it NOT for?

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• Performance Box is specifically designed  for live creative performance – it is not for online educational classes, cooking workshops, yoga sessions etc and not for pre-recorded material.

 

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How Does it Work?

 

• You can propose any idea for a Performance Box.  We workshop it with you and if it fits the spirit of Performance Box we launch it on the platform. You set your own fees, times, parameters and let people know of your daily or weekly online events!

 

How much should I charge?

 

• Short answer: as much as you like!

 

• Slightly longer answer:  how much do you realistically think someone would pay for your performance online? Depending on the performance length/preparation involved etc this might range from $5 to $50.

 

Can I offer free or donated performances?

 

• Yes. You may want to offer free  online performances, for example, to build a fan base or as an extra pre-show/post-show event accompanying your live ticketed gig.  Similarly, you can invite the audience member to make a "donation" and let them decide how much to pay.

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How do I take bookings/payments?

 

• You will have access to your own booking system - performance description, calendar etc. Payments  (credit/debit card) are handled by Performance Box and are then paid directly into your account.

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How is Performance Box different to other things on the internet?

 

• Performance Box is NOT YouTube, Cameo or a pre-recorded performance placed online. It is truly live.

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• Performance Box is NOT Periscope or other live broadcasting platforms.   It is truly interactive.

 

• Performance Box is NOT  a platform for online merchandise(Gumtree etc), job requests (AirTasker etc). It is a highly-curated place for performance creativity.

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• Performance Box is NOT an online game.  It is personal with a focus on human-to-human connection.

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Can the Performance be pre-recorded?

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 • No. Performance Box is all about being live! 

 

How interactive does it need to be?

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• This is up to you. A Performance Box can be Low Interactivity (for eg. singing someone Happy Birthday), Medium Interactivity ( for eg. asking your audience for input as you freestyle a spoken word poem) or High Interactivity (for eg. asking an audience member to play the part of Romeo whilst you play Juliet!)

 

How big is each online audience?

 

• We recommend anything from 1 (single audience member) to 20 people (multiple people or multiple computers)  at a time.

 

• Performance Box is not intended for performing to large audiences as this takes away from the direct and personal feel and becomes more like simulcasting a show (such as the National Theatre Live etc).

 

What are the technical requirements?

 

• A laptop or computer with Zoom installed - Performance Box sessions are currently held over Zoom.

• A decent webcam (preferably HD).

• A decent sound mic (especially for musicians).

• Perhaps some creative lighting (if applicable).

 

 

What are the aesthetic requirements?

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• For simplicity and overall cohesion, we ask that you dress in black and perform against a white or black background. That way the focus is on  you as the performer rather than on an elaborate background or complicated props.

 

• All other creative parameters are open to your judgement.

 

 

How long should it be?

 

• We recommend that your Performance Box runs from 1mins to 20 mins but this depends on the nature of your performance, content and your likely audience.

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Can I have more than one Performance Box?

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• Yes! You can have multiple Performance Boxes in the same artforms or across artforms..

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What can NOT be done on Performance Box?

 

• Performance Box is designed as a safe, open and inclusive place to play and connect with diverse audiences.

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• Any content that is sexually explicit or offensive/discriminatory by race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity etc  is strictly prohibited on Performance Box.

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• Please also supply a clear suitable warning if your Performance Box is designed for a certain age group, for eg. 16+

 

What are the security measures for live performance?

 

• Performance Box is live and as with, any live performance, there is always the small risk that the audience will do something inappropriate.

 

However there are measures in place to minimise this:

• Each audience member for Performance Box needs to first enter their details and credit card number ie. They are not anonymous. They also agree to the General Terms of Play for Performance Box.

• Performance Boxes should be recorded by you and kept on file for 14 days in case of review.

• You are encouraged to ask your audience members to have their videos on at all time.

• You are always welcome to immediately end the Performance Box if you feel uncomfortable in any way or inappropriate behaviour occurs.

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How will Performance Box be advertised?

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• As Performance Box develops it will be advertised accordingly. The beta-test is designed for word-of-mouth – so tell your family and friends! The City of Sydney has also funded the development of the site and will promote the platform.