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Pie
Trad climber
So-Cal
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Topic Author's Original Post - Aug 31, 2009 - 01:57pm PT
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I got an email the other day saying that some of the shows were cancelled. Any more info on this would be appreciated.
Pie
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Ihateplastic
Trad climber
Lake Oswego, Oregon
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Aug 31, 2009 - 03:01pm PT
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Let me chime in here...
Any and all slideshows that were being organized by me or my company (The Vershke Group/Whack+Dangle) have been cancelled.
These cancellations had NOTHING AT ALL to do with Bullwinkle, Largo and Stonemaster Press. This was purely and economic decision on my part based on response/attendance to other shows I had organized recently.
I do know that Ken Yager has organized a Stonemaster slideshow during the Facelift in Yosemite Valley. I BELIEVE the date is September 25 but best t check with the YCA/Ken on that.
I recently sent out an additional e-mail to people who had purchased tickets yet I had not heard from regarding refunds. If ANYONE out there purchased tickets and has not done an exchange/refund please contact me (or check your e-mail account) so we can clear all the loose ends up.
Simon
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Brunosafari
Boulder climber
OR
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Aug 31, 2009 - 03:12pm PT
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Seems I read of a planned slide show in Yosemite during the Facelift with Dean and John both there?? ?
No doubt all Stonemasters are still grieving about JB, but I say, "his honor" is all the more reason to gather, when the time is right.
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Ihateplastic
Trad climber
Lake Oswego, Oregon
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Aug 31, 2009 - 03:13pm PT
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Just to be vaguely clear... the economics of what was being asked of me just could not pencil out.
Also, for the record, the Glen Denny show in Portland had paid advertising, notices at every mountain shop/gym within a 75 mile radius, blogging/posting at every site and yet only 30 people came. Was it the price? $12... I don't think so? Not enough climbers in the Pacific Northwest? Again... I don't think so.
Oh well... I tried.
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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Aug 31, 2009 - 03:28pm PT
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we all know that it is difficult to make a living off of climbing...
...Simon did a great job and even in his own backyard had difficulty getting butts into seats... look there just not that many of us.
If you think you could do it, go ahead and do it... I'm in (unless it conflicts with something else, hopefully I'm not 3% of the audience).
I am looking forward to the Facelift for the Stonemaster slide show along with other things... it works in a venue like that because there are enough of us around to actually fill the locale...
As for the draw of Glenn Denny vs. Largo, Bullwinkle and the Stonemasters, well, stop a stranger on the street and ask them which one they would go to...
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Ihateplastic
Trad climber
Lake Oswego, Oregon
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Aug 31, 2009 - 03:53pm PT
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So many people wanted me to "just show up with a projector and a megaphone (and) show the slides on some wall" I heard/read plenty of generous offers of doing the show in someone's living room. But... if I erase the cost of the venue, the cost of any projection/amplification, the cost of ticket printing, the cost of advertising/blanketing/marketing, the cost of transportation, the cost of lodging and feeding there was one cost left that did not get covered by the weak attendance. It is hard to stand next to your wife and daughter (who helped 1,000% with promoting/working the shows) after several shows and say, "well, the next one will be better."
Others said, (and I quote) "$12!!!!!!!!!!!! WHY SO EFFIN MUCH? WHY ISN'T IT FREE?"
I have a past as a business executive with tons of planning, forecasting experience. I worked the numbers everywhichway before announcing the events but my worst case scenario (for Denny and Bachar) was still off by 175%! I compared advance ticket sales for Denny & Bachar versus actual attendance and used that model to predict attendance for upcoming shows at places like Berkeley, San Jose, Seattle, Los Angeles (all major markets with plenty of climbers living close by) and it was clear that whatever I was doing was not working. Best to step aside, refund unused tickets and get a job cleaning stables to pay off the debts incurred.
It was fun... And nothing will replace the week driving through Colorado with JB discussing golf, politics, Stonemasters stories (known and secret), Tyrus, his spine, food and everything. My wife was in the front with me and John was right behind her. The whole while he was leaned forward talking and listening. Not the John of the '70s/80s, but a kinder, gentler John.
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pud
climber
Sportbikeville
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Aug 31, 2009 - 04:13pm PT
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Simon,
You did a great job. You made a serious effort.
It's easy for non business owners to critisize.
Do you think taking a $40k hit (or whatever) would have made it work? Undoubtedly not.
I haven't seen any volunteerism by any of your critics... ever.
Consider the source.
Thanks for everything.
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Ihateplastic
Trad climber
Lake Oswego, Oregon
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Aug 31, 2009 - 05:04pm PT
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For the record... Dihedral Wall, East Face Washington Column, Rostrum North Face, West Face Leaning Tower etc. as well as a bunch of scary-arse shite on vertical rime ice in South America. THAT... is who Glen Denny is.
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Gene
climber
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Aug 31, 2009 - 05:11pm PT
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Who the f*#k is Glen Denny???
http://www.glendenny.com/
Maybe Ed H. or Clint can crank up their databases to give you an idea of some of GD's FAs.
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Largo
Sport climber
The Big Wide Open Face
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Aug 31, 2009 - 05:19pm PT
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As I mentioned earlier, it seems apparent that unless these shows are underwritten by a big company like Patagonia or North Face, there's no way to make the numbers work. Even giant rock tours can't get by on the gate proceeds - they all have a sponsor like Bud or Google etc.
I was hoping to have an AV version of the book, but por ahora we'll have to settle on the book. We're still proud of that much. It came out well.
JL
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Aug 31, 2009 - 05:22pm PT
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Speaking for myself, thanks for getting this book to the table John, and I hope one day you'll be around the area giving a slideshow to accompany it. I'll be there.
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AM
climber
DLFA
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Aug 31, 2009 - 06:49pm PT
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no way to make the numbers work if you're hoping to turn a profit or break even. did you really think that was possible?
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Aug 31, 2009 - 10:13pm PT
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Bump on what Ed Hartouni said.
Simon busted his butt, and probably his bank account setting
the shows up. I was priveleged to see JB at the Golden show
just a couple of days before John's passing. It was sad to
see the auditorium literally empty.
Thanks for your efforts, Simon. I wish it might have turned out
better.
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Doug Robinson
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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Aug 31, 2009 - 10:54pm PT
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Thanks, Simon, for making a good try. We can all quarterback on Mondays, but you're the one limping away with bruised ribs. We appreciate your effort.
Still want to see the Bullwinkle-Largo show live, so Facelift it is. And if it takes a big-deal sponsor to get you guys back on the road, that shouldn't be too hard for the likes of you two to come up with.
Piggybacking on events like the Pocatello Pump seems like a good idea too. The Gunks celebration is only a year away...
Stonemasters Live!
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Bullwinkle
Boulder climber
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There will be a few shows, scattered, random and probably not until late Fall. . .I have to say it's waaaay cool to hear JL read his work, when it's in his voice you see/feel it in a different, light, that guy can. . .write. . .df
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