January 16th MAP Chat Transcript Now Online

MAPMoira: Welcome.
MAPKelly: If you have any application questions, just jump right in and ask.
tele: Can jpegs on a cd be placed in a powerpoint presentation?
MAPKelly: We'd prefer that they were not.
Iamso: One of our lead artists will be directing -and- doing video design. Would it be acceptable to have two work samples on DVD, one of theatrical direction and one of video design work?
MAPKelly: Yes, but they should still only add up to 10 minutes of sample. For instance, you could send 4 minutes of video design and 6 minutes of directing.
tele: For DVDs, how do you prefer the menu design, to include a Play button or to have the video automatically play.
MAPKelly: A play button, please.
pos: I have a question about work samples. What if a piece of video features the work of both lead artists on a project, say one as a director and one as a playwright? How should that be indicated? Is it okay to represent a playwright’s work with the video of a play, rather than the script?
MAPMoira: If you're sending one sample to represent two separate artists...you will simply list the same sample twice. Once under each artists' name. And, yes, it's OK for the playwright to be represented with video.
Matt: I have a question about "premiere performances." Can a workshop presentation with an audience constitute a premiere performance?
MAPKelly: Sure! but just to be clear, MAP does not require a premiere presentation, we only require that the premiere to does not occur before Sept. 1, 2009.
Matt: We seek MAP Funds to help fund developmental readings/workshops of a play, but its true "premiere" is intended for a regional stage and so has yet to be scheduled. That is OK?
MAPKelly: Yes, that's fine!
Iamso: I'm a little confused about work samples and roles. If a lead artist for our project is, for instance, writing and directing, can we submit two work samples for that lead artist? i.e. an example of the artist's directing (on DVD) and an example of the artist's writing (on paper, or as a word document)?
MAPKelly: If an artist is taking on more than one role in the project, you can split their samples between the two roles - so yes, you can submit a DVD of directing and a script.
Vsir: We have a lead artist who is both the playwright and director. It is in a non-English language. Can we submit a DVD clip with a printed English translation of the dialogue?
MAPMoira: Just submit the DVD with a summary of the play, not the actual translated script.
Matt: So when the application asks for "a budget for the full realization of the work" does that mean we should estimate a budget for the intended regional stage premiere? Or just through the end of the developmental readings/workshop phase, at which the play would be READY for its premiere?
MAPKelly: In your case, the budget should reflect everything up to and through the workshop presentation, since that's all you know at this point. No need to include the actual premiere, since the details aren't clear yet.
Feather: Hi, is it possible/acceptable for the "organization" also to be one of the "artists"? or should we choose one lead artist from our organization?
MAPKelly: Yes - for instance, if you are an ensemble theater applying on it's own behalf then you could be both the applicant and the lead artist.
Posk: What if an audio work sample is slightly longer than the allotted time? Will the sample be deemed ineligible, or will the panelists simply tend not to listen to the extra seconds of music? Also, is it alright to include liner notes with the lyrics to the songs submitted?
MAPMoira: It's ok to send a longer audio sample, and simply indicate the 10 minute segment you'd like the panel to hear. Yes, you can send the liner notes and lyrics.
Trig: Question regarding work samples...we submitted online; I know they asked for video for directors but Equity doesn't allow video taping so all I was able to send was pictures. Should I explain that somewhere?
MAPKelly: It's fine to submit images due to Equity restrictions. Yes, you could add a note in your work sample information to clarify.
tele: Can two lead artists, the director/creator of the work and the principle performer share the same documentation for work-in-progress?
MAPMoira: Yes. In fact, they must. Only one work-in-progress sample is allowed per project.
Bee: If the total project budget is for example $20,000, then 30% of that would be $6,000 and that is what we would be asking for, correct? Thanks.
MAPMoira: Yes.
Elfn: I was wondering if the ask amount can be below 10K. Could this work or does the project need to be bigger? Thanks!
MAPMoira: Yes. Your ask amount can be less than 10K.
Whitda: With the DVD, you suggest we include the full works that the samples are taken from, should we also include the program from the show rather than trying to include chapters w/ credits and all for each piece?
MAPKelly: It's fine to put liner notes in your DVD, but it's not necessary. You can include any credit information that you think is necessary in your work sample description in the application, as well.
Matt: We are at conception on this project. If MAP funds are among the first funds that we are seeking for this project (i.e., we have not secured other funds yet), does MAP look poorly on that? In other words, if all of our budgets income is pending, anticipated or in-kind, are we at a disadvantage with our funding request?
MAPMoira: Pending income is fine. As long as it's reasonable to thing the other sources might at some point come through...in other words that they're not completely unlikely.
Feather: What is the max. ask amount?
MAPMoira: There's no max ask amount. but a good rule of thumb is 30-40% of your overall budget.
tele: Do each of the lead artists need to show previous work? I would like to include previous work for myself, and then use work-in-progress to represent the 2 other lead artists.
MAPKelly: Yes, each of the lead artists needs to show previous work. You are allowed to send one additional work-in-progress sample for the project, but you want your lead artist samples to be previous work.
Cfa: If the lead artist is considered the choreographer, can the dancers in the piece be secondary artists also causing a line in the expense budget?
MAPMoira: Yes.
Cfa: Thanks. We will not need to list those secondary artists - the dancers- as separate artists in the "artist" page requiring bios, correct?
MAPMoira: That’s right.
Feather: Can a phase of work be comprised of workshop productions? Can these productions be outside the USA?
MAPKelly: Yes. Yes, though we hope that funded projects have a significant life within the United States. We're just hoping that the funded projects have an impact on the field in the United States. That's the priority. But it's fine if projects also are being presented outside the of the U.S.
tele: Each of the lead artists is represented by previous work on separate discs (DVDs or CDs), and then one additional DVD can include work-in-progress representing all lead artists.
MAPKelly: Yes.
Matt: Also seeking clarification on Artist Sample. If the Lead Artist is a playwright and the play is not yet in progress, should we only submit one recent full-length play of his?
MAPKelly: Yes.
tele: If I have a budget of 150K can I ask for the full 40K amount?
MAPMoira: Yes.
tele: If our application is sponsored by a presenting organization, should the budget only include costs pertaining to that performance, or can it include the costs of a larger tour of the work?
MAPMoira: Your budget should be for the creation of the project, not the tour.
tele: So the budget should not include costs associated with any performance, or only development costs?
MAPMoira: It can include costs up to and including the premiere run. Just not touring after that.
Pos: I have a couple questions about the language of our responses in the application. Should we talk in the third person, or first person? Also, quotation marks seem to get messed up on the online form at times. Should we put titles in all caps?
MAPKelly: It's fine to write in first person. Just put your titles in caps.
Beb: Re the life of the project: There is not much room in that respose section. We plan an exchange performance with another group in another city (an outgrowth of the project) we plan to produce a DVD, The lead artist plans to publish. Is that what you want to know re the life of the project? And all of that is in addition to the 4 week premeire run.
MAPKelly: You can mention those other elements (the DVD, book, etc.), but the focus for us should really be on the live performance elements. Just put most of the focus on the development up and through the run and mention briefly the other elements.
Matt: We are sponsoring a playwright (ie, serving as umbrella) for this MAP funding request because we believe in this playwright and his project idea, We are also assisting him with the filling out of the application. Can the Project Description speak from both the inspired perspective of the playwright and the supportive perspective of his sponsoring organization, or should it just come from the playwright's perspective alone?
MAPMoira: Yes that's fine. You want it to be cohesive, but it's OK if it represents more than one point of view.
tele: Can one of the lead artists mail a work sample separately if it is not possible to mail all together because of timing?
MAPMoira: It is best if they all come together. If they absolutely can't, be sure to very clearly indicate the application number and applicant name on the OUTSIDE of all packages.
tele: If a project is not accepted this year, can you apply again next year for the same project and artists?
MAPMoira: Yes. As long as your activity dates still make you eligible.
Matt: If submitting the playwright's Artist Sample (full length play) electronically, does our application number have to be on the script, or is that just for mail-in submissions?
MAPDenise: Yes, on the cover page would be great!
Whitd: A question about tone. We've got Big Serious Brain concepts that can sound very dry and academic but in performance we try to work with humor to offset and enhance the Big Brain Stuff. the application reflects a certain humor and irreverance. is that going to get us in trouble with the panel or are they likely to 'get it'?
MAPMoira: Bring on the humor by all means!
Sun: I have a question about the budget- it says to list each lead artist fee separately, should the rest of the performers fees be added together in one line item?
MAPMoira: Yes.
Allison: And another budget question. I am assuming expenses need to equal revenues. How do I include in-kind contributions- as both revenues (which I see you ask for) and expenses?
MAPKelly: Include the actual expense on the expense side (like say, rent for rehearsal space) and then cover it on the income side by listing donated rent as in kind.
Vsir: About the anticipated life of the project: Once our work is created it becomes part of the repertoire. In this sense it has a long anticipated life. But if you mean a long run this is completely different. Please explain
MAPMoira: There's no requirement for number of performances. The life of a project can manifest in many different ways, and the panel is open to that.
Sun: Can money from projected ticket sales be included in anticipated/pending income?
MAPMoira: Yes.
Lczar: We do not have venues yet or donations but will be seeking them soon, is it still okay to submit the proposal?
MAPKelly: Venues are not a requirement, but you'll need to list other sources of pending funding in your budget. List the places that you are planning to apply.
Cade: It is okay if as an ensemble sends samples of past events flyers, photographs and a music dvd?
MAPKelly: No, please don't send any extra materials. Only send the sample.
Trig: I noticed on the online application there wasn't a place for supplemental materials like past reviews, etc. Would it be advantageous to find a place for those or not?
MAPKelly: No, please don't send supplemental materials.
Lczar: Does our budget have to be $10,000 or more to apply to MAP or can it be less?
MAPKelly: No, your budget does not have to be $10,000. It can be less. MAP accepts budgets of all sizes.
tele: On the pending sources of income you need specific foundations or government grants rather than categories? If the former, I suppose we don't need to list them all.
MAPMoira: It's best if you are specific, and tell us from whom you are seeking other resources. if you are running out of room on the budget, you can lump together some of the smaller ones.
Sun: Do you require that all the lines provided on the budget are filled? ie: if only four of the five lines in the income:Secured category are filled, will that be a problem?
MAPMoira: We don't require them all to be filled. We only require that the budget balance, i.e., income matches expenses.
Cade: Do we have to show that we are applying for other sources, it is a requirement to demostrate other fundins?
MAPKelly: Yes.
tele: Do most applications have multiple lead artists? If you feel that the application will be stronger by sending documentation for only one lead artist (myself), will that weaken the proposal?
MAPMoira: We get (and fund) lots of applications with only one lead artist. Your concern should simply be to effectively and clearly represent the work.
Bec: We have two lead artists and then separated the work for hire artists into three line items / categories on the Expense side of the project budget: Actors, Video & sound, costume. Do we need to be that specific or should we just lump them all together as 'work for hire.' It would seem better for you to see how we are budgeting.
MAPKelly: The way that you've separated them out is fine. No need to lump all the work for hire people together.
Allison: In your experience so far with successful first-time applicants, what sets these applicants apart? What do they do really well in their applications?
MAPMoira: They have a groundbreaking idea, and they articulate it with passion and clarity, and their work samples demonstrate a strong practice.
Sun: For a lead artist who is a lighting designer, the work samples can be photographs- correct?
MAPKelly: They can be. But in my opinion, video can sometimes be better. It's a bit easier to see their artistry.
Matt: Should individual donors to this project be listed individually, or as one total "individual contributions" line item?
MAPMoira: As one total would be best.
Tdahl: I'm having trouble getting my video work sample under 10 min 35 sec without chopping in the middle of a sentence... is it alright to be a little over the ten-minute limit?
MAPKelly: Sure, it's fine to be over the 10 minute limit a bit.
Trig: Is there a preference on submitting work samples online vs. a dvd?
MAPMoira: No, no preference.
Matt: I have one final question, and it is more general in nature. In my experience it often takes two or three years (or more) of applying to a foundation...and establishing and cultivating that relationship...to finally receive funding. Does MAP have a history of funding first-time applicants?
MAPKelly: Not a huge history, but it does happen. But yes, you are right, building a relationship does help.

AN IMPORTANT REMINDER TO ALL APPLICANTS:

The office is closed on Monday, January 19, 2009.

The office will be open again at 10am on Tuesday, January 20.

If you’d like to drop off your work samples in person, you can do so from 10am-5pm.