How to Plan a Programme Item
From YearOfTheTeledu
Contents |
Describe the item
What is going to happen in this programme item? Is it a talk, a panel, an interview, a game, a quiz, a creative session or something more bizarre than that?
Who is taking responsibility?
All programme items have to have one named person who is taking lead responsiblity for making this item happen. This is the person with whom everyone else involved will need to coordinate. (This doesn't mean people shouldn't be working together on items if they want - far from it.)
Who else needs to be there?
Other than an audience, that is. For instance, if you are having a panel, who else is on the panel and do they know that?
What do you need and who is providing it?
Do you need equipment or props or prizes? Other than the basics, e.g. chairs, it is up to you to ensure everything you need turns up prior to the programme item. So do you need help from other people in advance, e.g. to develop the idea or make things or transport stuff to the con? Do you need some money from the convention budget?
Special arrangements
Some programme items may need special arrangements because they will be messy, have safety issues or will feature content not suitable to all convention members (e.g. adult content). For these you need to formally contact the Officers, so that they can check that these items don't fall into the illegal/too dangerous/likely to cause problems with the hotel categories that they've said they will veto. (Note the word 'formally'; asking in the pub doesn't count.) Unless the Officers have signed off on all the details beforehand they will stop the item taking place. So, if in doubt, contact the Officers anyway.
Things to consider
Before booking some space on the programme grid consider these questions:
- How big a room will I need?
- How many people are likely to come along?
- How long will it last?
- Do I need to allow time to set up before hand and clean up afterwards?
- Will it be noisy?
- Will it be a problem if a noisy item is taking place next door?
