The official "Not" FNM series discussion.

[crosshair]

One of the things that strikes me in this debate and related ones, is the fact that it has become conventional wisdom among some of you that venues and promoters = bad.
And that when a venue commissions a poster, that steps on the toes of some entitled artist who is gonna get to sell something.

Venues and promoters should not be persona non grata in the poster-making process. That is ass backwards.

Smart artists will hustle up gigs where a poster is made with the knowledge and inclusion of BOTH the band and the promoter, and build relationships with both simultaneously... Show gets street promo, venue gets posters to hang, band gets merch, artist gets paid, artist gets hired again in the future...

Any poster artist who does not actively try to build relationships with their local venues and promoters, is being lazy. Sure, some aren't receptive or are dicks (like many bands). But many are, or might be. And some of you aren't even trying. Instead you follow the path of least resistance, of waiting for a poster series slot to drop in your lap, where someone else is taking care of the permissions and you don't have to man/woman up, and put yourself out there on your own.

[Tenebrini]

its business, and thats life....sometimes you get the prize, sometimes you dont.

I agree. I wasn't bitching... just saying... It pertained to the conversation.

[JustinHelton]

One of the things that strikes me in this debate and related ones, is the fact that it has become conventional wisdom among some of you that venues and promoters = bad.
And that when a venue commissions a poster, that steps on the toes of some entitled artist who is gonna get to sell something.

Venues and promoters should not be persona non grata. That is ass backwards.

Smart artists will hustle up gigs where a poster is made with the knowledge and inclusion of BOTH the band and the promoter, and build relationships with both simultaneously... Show gets street promo, venue gets posters to hang, band gets merch, artist gets paid, artist gets hired again in the future...

Any poster artist who does not actively try to build relationships with their local venues and promoters, is being lazy. Sure, some aren't receptive. But many are, or might be. And many of you aren't even trying. Instead you follow the path of least resistance, of waiting for a poster series slot to drop in your lap, where someone else is taking care of the permissions and you don't have to man/woman up, and put yourself out there on your own.

Well said....and being someone who works for a promoter, i can say they we do use poster srtists when we have the budget and we always get the bands/managements approval to do so....lots of times this works really well for the artist....hell one way i got my job here is that exact reason...i did a poster for Keller williams, they liked it, paid for it, and then bought the design for a t-shirt...the promoter saw this, had me do more posters, and eventually turned into me being the head designer here....good realationships are incredibly valuable.

[JustinHelton]

I agree. I wasn't bitching... just saying... It pertained to the conversation.

Oh didnt think you were bitching...just saying how I try and deal with it myself...sorry if it came off that way.

[thenailmc]

For the record, I think that Tenebrini situation sucked too.

[stinkbait]

agreed, that would be totally cool. i've not met a band yet that wants to pay for that full ownership though. non-band clients do without hesitation, bands...not so much in my experience.

They're out there. Bands are watching. Still...

[Tenebrini]

For the record, I think that Tenebrini situation sucked too.

...knowing who's making it makes it sting less.

[crosshair]

All pro/con sides of this biz have been well stated so I won't repeat, as I see merits and liabilities on both sides.

The one other thing I will say however, is that it makes me go 'hmmm' when a series does not at least try to get local artists to do posters for their own cities.
Ideally, a series will help to build relationships within a local scene. It should not step on them.

Maybe a local artist doesn't 'fit' the band or event. But by the same token, maybe an artist from Chicago or Austin doesn't 'fit' a show in NYC or Minneapolis.

[strawberryluna]

They're out there. Bands are watching. Still...

oh i know, from the emails that i get from bands and management who've hired me so far, it's amazing how many have their eye on this site and these artists.

The Eye!

[thenailmc]

All pro/con sides of this biz have been well stated so I won't repeat, as I see merits and liabilities on both sides.

The one other thing I will say however, is that it makes me go 'hmmm' when a series does not at least try to get local artists to do posters for their own cities.
Ideally, a series will help to build relationships within a local scene. It should not step on them.

Maybe a local artist doesn't 'fit' the band or event. But by the same token, maybe an artist from Chicago or Austin doesn't 'fit' a show in NYC or Minneapolis.

Sometimes it's up to the bands.