What FAQs would you like added?

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I'd like to write something to extend the FAQ, and thought us regulars might find it handy to know what topics might be of interest, either to write or to read. Feel free to leave more detailed comments on your selections.

More for actors: ie. characterisation, vocals, exercises, etc.

35% (36 votes)

More for techies/designers: ie. tech topics, like safety, sound, lighting, special effects, sets, etc.

15% (15 votes)

More for pro theatre: ie. making the transition, finding work, contracts, etc.

19% (20 votes)

More for self-producing: ie. setting up a company, organisation, pitfalls, etc.

9% (9 votes)

More for directors about producing good theatre

8% (8 votes)

More for amateur theatre companies

15% (15 votes)

Total votes: 103

email this poll | 4309 reads

What FAQs would you like removed?

Author: crgwllms
Date: 18/10/2008 - 09:03

I just had a brief scan of a few FAQ threads, and it was interesting to find myself quoted there, from a discussion from long ago:

"Someday I ought to go back and collect some of the posts and advice I've written and publish them and make a lot of money from them...but for the time being and the presently conceivable future they're all free for anyone to read what they feel's worth taking.
(Also, it would cause me too much of a headache to attempt to edit out all the dumb things I've said...)"

Author: jassep
Date: 21/04/2004 - 10:22
"You realise, Craig, that there's probably the basis of a great book (or subscription newsletter) in all your posts... I think the idea of collecting them together and fleshing out is a excellent one!"

Nice to see that the concept of collecting EVERYONE's good ideas has come to fruition in the form of the FAQ section that was created. (Thanks to Grant and particularly Na for doing most of the compiling, I believe?).

But on scanning through now it seems my aside "too much of a headache to attempt to edit out all the dumb things" has now revisited and is actually causing the biggest headache.
At some stage it would be great to edit out all the dumb things, or more to the point the irrelevant comments and asides. And even the ones that are actually fine contributions, but simply don't need to be there in the FAQ.

There is a little bit of value in some instances of being able to read a whole thread (the one on protecting vocal chords is a great example, because everyone who added had valuable alternate views and suggestions). But in most cases I'd like to see just the most pithy and pertinent quotes...maybe with a link to visit the original thread if desired.
A few FAQ threads contain too many vague ramblings and asides which discourage me from sifting through to get to the meat of what made it a worthy link in the first place.

Of course, my original observation is probably the biggest argument against this dream - it'll be a big headache to edit it properly.

On the poll above, I voted 'more for am theatre', which was closest to the heading I'd like to suggest: 'More about making Good theatre'. I think there might be room for a compilation of great observations about what makes good theatre, and it would probably be centred around directors, who seem to be the main group missing from the poll.

Cheers,
Craig

I agree

Author: Na
Date: 18/10/2008 - 13:28

For instance, there are a number of FAQs that have been added somehow that have no use anymore: an example is of a course that no longer exists.

As for adding/missing groups, you're right. I tried to be broad, because quite plainly, to list every single role as an option would make the poll quite long. (Although it appears someone edited my original last two options)

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Once a FAQ Goes up,

Author: Labrug
Date: 20/10/2008 - 09:11

... it can't be removed, except by the Admin I would suspect. The Dramaworks link was an unfortunate example. I wonder if functionality to 'Demote' FAQ Pages could be supplied?

Absit invidia (and DFT No no no )

Jeff Watkins

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Finding an Age

I have no ability to remove

Author: Na
Date: 20/10/2008 - 12:37

I have no ability to remove FAQs, just add them, so yes it would be up to Grant to do it, unless he gave us the ability to do so. I have asked him before to remove FAQs, but I'm not sure whether anything happened or not.

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How to Post

Author: jeffhansen
Date: 20/10/2008 - 18:41

Is there an FAQ (a FAQ?) about how to start a thread? For example...how to choose a location. Maybe the default setting of the Location tab should be Townsville. Now...nothing against Townsville...in fact I used to live quite near there, but it may get people to use the Location tab.

www.meltheco.org.au

Try this

Author: Na
Date: 20/10/2008 - 18:52

http://www.theatre.asn.au/theatre_classifieds/help_your_readers

It would be good to change the title of the FAQ so it's clearer and more attractive to readers hunting for help.

However, as this shows:

http://www.theatre.asn.au/poll/do_you_visit_the_faq_section_on_this_site

most people don't even visit the FAQ (this is why Grant introduced a box on the side of the site that links to a few handy FAQs, to encourage people to read them)

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Visitations

Author: crgwllms
Date: 22/10/2008 - 21:43

The link you posted there, to a poll asking whether you visit the FAQ section, MAY be an accurate indication of the percentage who visit...or it may just as easily be an indication that not many people respond to POLLS.

1000-something have read that page, and there are 56 votes. Hardly representative.'

The fact that you can choose to hide the poll section on your home page means that they probably aren't seen by everyone. And similarly the FAQ section might be under-utilised because it's not immediately in your face.

Cheers,
Craig

~<8>-/====\---------

"The fact that you can

Author: Na
Date: 23/10/2008 - 11:00

"The fact that you can choose to hide the poll section on your home page means that they probably aren't seen by everyone. And similarly the FAQ section might be under-utilised because it's not immediately in your face."

That's precisely my point... that the issue isn't just about extending the FAQ, but making sure it's prominent enough for people to read it. (Ie. our repetitious requests to add a state location to threads, etc often go ignored, even though there is a bit about it in the FAQ)

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I have a question: how in

Author: Na
Date: 24/10/2008 - 19:34

I have a question: how in the world do we write an FAQ on 'how to produce good theatre'? How should we define 'good', and what qualities should a good show have?

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That's an indefinable question

Author: crgwllms
Date: 25/10/2008 - 11:12

That's a 'good' question!

You should probably post it in its own thread, and the FAQ will write itself.

But my impression of the 'FAQ' is that it's not actually written as a FAQ anyway. Nobody goes away and composes 'the answer' to these frequently asked questions, whatever they are. The title is a misnomer, it should be something like 'popular/useful discussions'.
Just as links to 'good' quotes and threads have been organised under existing topics, surely there are heaps of good discussions that have already taken place, and will take place, on the topic of making excellent work as opposed to 'bad' work (which I'm sure seems easier to define!).

I hadn't really thought about the phrasing when I suggested it. I wasn't the one who changed the poll (I don't have any editing powers either) but I do notice that it seems a popular choice!

Cheers,
Craig

~<8>-/====\---------

Wrong

Author: Na
Date: 25/10/2008 - 13:42

The FAQ on finding agents was composed, then reposted here for people to read. Some threads, as they've gained in usefulness, have been added, while some FAQs have been extended over time by people adding to the discussion. It's a mixture.

I do agree that posting the question as it's own thread will probably help though.

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If we are still talking

Author: Logos
Date: 25/10/2008 - 14:02

If we are still talking about helping Directors produce "good" theatre then are we not discussing a hugely subjective issue. I have been to see shows which I considered absolute rubbish that received standing ovations and seen shows I loved that played to 4 or 5 people a night and got panned by reviewers.
There are a number of threads on this site that attest to this. Quite passionate attacks on shows and defence of same. I am reminded of Paris and of course Rock Apocalypse.
So what constitutes good theatre?
Many people seem to believe that for amateur shows, particularly those with a lot of young people in them, effort from the cast and overcoming obstacles are enough to consider a show good theatre. I don't.
Theatre needs to entertain, I feel that very strongly but then we must consider what it has to say. If it only entertains and has no message are we doing the right thing by Thespis. Oh and by the way, it is important that the cast understands what the show has to say. If they don't the message will fail.
On reflection maybe this should be a thread on it's own.

Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing.
www.tonymoore.id.au

Yes, I will add a new

Author: Na
Date: 25/10/2008 - 14:55

Yes, I will add a new thread and post the link here.

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Thread added: continue

Author: Na
Date: 25/10/2008 - 15:03

Thread added: continue conversation here

http://www.theatre.asn.au/billboard_bulletins/how_do_you_define_good_theatre

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I am also now officially

Author: Na
Date: 27/10/2008 - 13:16

I am also now officially going to ask: any actor out there or just a knowledgeable person, who wants to contribute, please write an FAQ on

What to do at an audition for: VCA, NIDA, or WAAPA (or any other facility for that matter).

It is a FAQ, so why not add it to the section?

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It is a FAQ, but a floating one.

Author: stinger
Date: 22/01/2009 - 08:54

We have a regular section for auditions, but not for announcing the results. I for one am always interested to hear who was cast for what. I suppose the appropriate place would be billboard bulletins or greenroom gossip, but I would like it to become part of the regular 'routine'.

Ssstinger>>>

What FAQs would you like added?

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