Day 4 2/6/14

Today in class we discussed, What is a TD? We talked about the roles and responsibilities that TD has or might have. We touched upon the different people that the TD has to communicate with , like the Producer, the director, the designer(s), and the managers.

Talking points

• Non profit, doesn’t heavily rely on ticket sales for a production. About 80%-90% are donations and grants, and the rest is from ticket sales.
•  commercials rely 100% on merchandise/product sales.
• The TD needs to show the producer the budget proposal/show that you need a certain amount.
• The producer know how much money they have and approximately how much each department needs to spend.
• The technical drawings are considered a “contract”. A change in drawings means a change in contract.
• “This is whats i needs, can i has.”
• The TD has to explain how much it will cost to do what the director wants.
  Artistic Vision Vs. Budget, Allocating resources.
• To achieve all you have to present your idea in a way that the director can understand.
• The TD should know what stock scenery might be available.
• The TD should know possible places to get the best priced materials, and where to get specialty hardware and fixtures.
• Is every piece of scenery treated equal? Is it used ten times or once? Is it worth spending more on something that is used once or something that is used multiple times.
• Is it unattainable?
• What can actually be delivered?
• Why cant i have what i want?
• You have to be able to explain why something is not possible/not feasible/ not practical.
• You can not just say, this cant be done. That would make you look lazy.
• The ideal situation is having what you need when you need it and having the money to get it.
• A good TD is someone who can communicate problems, solutions, and alternatives.
• The three C’s of being a TD.         COMMUNICATION, COST, COMPROMISE.
  (CADD) 4th C?