Next Link Project Guide & FAQ

 

 

“How did NYMF help ALTAR BOYZ? Let’s see, I could tell you about the press machine that helped generate interest from companies like VH1. Or about the money they saved us by providing us with a legitimate off-Broadway theatre. Or maybe you want to hear about how everyone on the staff, from the venue director to the executive director, seemed so determined to do whatever they could to make our show a success. But let me put it this simply. We had hoped that our production at the NYMF would be a springboard to an off-Broadway production…and…well, that turned out alright.” — Ken Davenport, Producer of ALTAR BOYZ

 

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Before submitting your show to us, you must read the following sections, which cover frequently asked questions about producing a show at NYMF.  By clicking on either of the links at the bottom of this page, which take you to the Next Link Project application and the Festival Inquiry form, you attest that you have read and understood the information below .

 

 

SUBMITTING A SHOW FOR NEXT LINK:

What materials do I need to submit for consideration?

Applicant materials are submitted to the Next Link Project in two separate steps:

 

1) After you create a NYMF application account, you will need to upload the following script items to the NYMF website:

 

• your complete script
• a 1-2 page synopsis
• 15-page script selection (which should include lyrics for at least one song)

**Script material files are only accepted in the following formats: doc, pdf, or rtf.

2) Mail your music materials and any additional supporting documentation to NYMF at P.O. Box 2639, NYC 10108. This should consist of:

• a demo recording on a cd containing at least half the songs in the show in performance order
• proof of rights (if applicable)
• your show's production history and other support materials, if desired
• a printout of your online application receipt
• if you are too close to the deadline for comfort please hand deliver your demo to our office at 448 W. 37th Street, Suite 7G by 1 PM, March 6th

Does my demo cd need to be professionally recorded?

 

No, your demo doesn't need to be professionally produced, but we do request that the sound be relatively clear and accurately convey the style of the score. If it's just you singing and accompanying yourself on piano, that's fine -- however, if you can't carry a tune, we would suggest that you find someone else who can vocally represent your work for you. Along the same lines, if your show consists entirely of heavy metal guitar, it would be helpful to record it with those instruments instead of a harpsichord. Also, if you're considering submitting an amateur recording of a past reading (not made off the sound board), please be sure the quality isn't muddy or distorted by ambient noise.

In the end, the important thing is that your demo is a decent representation of your score because it's one of the elements that we rely on to evaluate your writing. If we can't hear what's happening, then it makes it harder for us to uncover your genius!

 

What if I want to upload my demo tracks to your site, am I allowed to do that?

 

Yes, and if you choose to do this then be sure to send an email to Literary@nymf.org with a word document that lists the track names and numbers you have uploaded.

 

To upload music all you need to do is follow these steps:

 

Go to your participant control page

Click on the ‘Media’ link at the top of the page

Choose Music from the drop down menu next to Type on the right hand side

Put your Track number and Title of the song you are uploading into the Title box

Hit Browse next where it says  Media File  to locate what file you are uploading

Unclick the box marked Public on the right hand side

Click on Add Media File  and in a few seconds your song should pop up in the middle of the media page screen

Repeat process for all music files you are uploading

 

 

What is the Early Bird Deadline?

All shows registered and submitted with NYMF by February 2 will receive $15 off the $65 Next Link Project application fee. You must have uploaded all of your script materials and mailed in your demo cd by February 2 to qualify for the Early Bird Deadline - merely creating an application account is not sufficient.

 

When will I find out about my submission?
Notification of Next Link Finalists:  April 6
Notification of Next Link Selections: May 8
Notification of All Festival Shows: July 1

Is it true you've extended your deadline?

YES! If you pay your submission fee by 11:59 PM, March 2nd you have until 1 PM on March 6th to get your materials to us. This means you submit your script and synopsis via PDF but feel free to hand deliver your CD to our office at 448 West 37th Street, Suite 7G. We cannot receive large mail at our office so please be sure that we receive your CD on time.

 

IF YOU ARE ACCEPTED:

The New York Musical Theatre Festival delivers a range of resources to the shows accepted into the festival. We will provide support to help you produce your show as easily, effectively, and affordably as possible, but we do NOT produce the individual shows. We are, in effect, your co-producers.

What are my responsibilities if my show is selected?

You and your producing partners will be responsible for all the aspects of producing your show – such as casting, rehearsals, show-specific staffing, design, physical production, and the many details and decisions required to successfully present your project.  (We provide a technical framework, professional support, and a marketing platform designed to help you maximize the impact of your work -- but there's no way we could possibly manage the day-to-day of each project in the festival.)

You are responsible for producing a fully-staged production (no scripts, no music stands!) of your show that meets professional standards, given the practicalities of producing within NYMF (such as Equity-imposed limitations on rehearsal time, the demands of playing in repertory, the need to easily load in and out of the venue, etc.). This means having staff members responsible for such things as direction, set design and costume design.

We expect all shows to be audience-ready by their first scheduled performance within the Festival.  NYMF will offer whatever support and guidance we can, but it is your responsibility to make sure that the show is in shape to be seen by an audience.

You will be responsible for providing certain information regarding your show on a timely basis, staying in close contact with the festival and providing a certain number of qualified technical staff for shared load-in and load-out of your venue.  Most importantly, you (or a producer or investor with whom you have a relationship) are responsible for covering the costs of producing your show within the festival.

 

What will it cost me to be involved in the Festival?
We founded NYMF with the goal of delivering the resources all shows need so that, if need be, writers could afford to produce their own shows.  We provide a framework to allow the shows to be produced much less expensively, and we take care of the big ticket items – the performance venue and venue staff, the major marketing, a generous lighting package and major overall technical support.

You will still have to cover some other things, though.  Generally speaking, the Festival covers the items that are shared by the productions but you will will need to pay for the unique expenses of your particular show.   Depending on the size of your cast, your production values, and your show's specific needs, this may range from as little as $3,000 to as much as $20,000. These costs may include:

 

• Actors (under the 2008 AEA-NYMF Code, actors received a minimum stipend of $500 for up to four weeks of rehearsal and up to two weeks of performances; please note though that you are not required to use Equity actors in your production)
• Production Staff (Director, Designers, Musical Director, Musicians, Stage Manager, Board Operators, Run Crew, Casting Director, etc.)
• Set Materials and Construction Costs (remember: simple but effective – you’ll be sharing the venue with several other shows, and will have to strike your set after each show)
• Publicity Costs (in addition to the Festival-wide publicity, you should do your own; we can help you with cut-rate deals on postcards and PR services)
• Costumes (though we can assist you in securing not-for-profit rental rates)
• Rehearsal Space (we will help by securing discounts for festival participants, but rehearsals are entirely your responsibility)
• Additional/Special Technical Needs (anything out of the ordinary that isn't provided by NYMF as part of the standard package shared by all shows in a venue -- in some cases, such as musical instruments or sound engineers, NYMF will provide access to discounted packages)
• Volunteer Accident Insurance (all shows pay a fee of $550 to be included under NYMF's general liability and volunteer accident insurance from the start of auditions through the close of your production; this coverage meets the requirements of Actor's Equity Association).

NYMF shows pay a production deposit or guarantee of $5000 upon acceptance, which is recoupable from the box office.  This deposit is waived for the 12 Next Link Project shows, which pay a $500 Next Link participation fee (if accepted in the Festival, your submission application fee is credited toward this amount).

 

Box office proceeds (collected via a third-party system and professional box office staff) are split between NYMF and the individual shows, so you may make back a portion of your expenses – particularly if your show sells well.  Bare in mind, however, that in most cases you will not receive your box office proceeds until five to six weeks after the festival.

Where and when will my show be performed?
Your show will be scheduled into one midtown Manhattan venue for the duration of NYMF. You will share your venue with several other musicals that will play in repertory with yours.  In the past, NYMF venues have had between 85 and 199 seats.

In general, Next Link shows will have no fewer than 6 performances over the course of the Festival. Depending on ticket sales, NYMF may offer some shows the opportunity to extend for several extra performances, but we make no guarantees regarding the availability of such extensions.


How else can NYMF help me produce my show?
While you (or your producers) bear the responsibility for producing your own show at a professional level, we will do as much as we can to help you do so as effectively and inexpensively as possible. Some of the additional resources we provide include:

 

• Basic guidance on producing within NYMF including a step-by-step guide for producers, a New York City resource guide and a Festival staff member who will directly assist you with questions and queries.
• A Festival Industry Liaison who will promote the Festival and your show within it to producers and companies both within New York and regionally.
• Assistance in finding designers and other production staff upon request.  We can also assist with trying to matchmake you with possible producers.
• Access to discounted rehearsal space and costume rentals.
• Assistance with casting: for a small fee, you can attend the open auditions hosted by NYMF and obtain a one-time casting consultation.
• Help in raising money for your production: under certain circumstances, we will provide fiscal sponsorship enabling donors to make fully tax-deductible donations to support your production. This requires case-by-case discussion and an additional agreement between NYMF and your producing company.

Additional resources provided for Next Link Project shows include:

 

• Subsidies covering your production deposit (a savings of as much as 25% of your overall budget). 
• One-on-one access to a professional New York dramaturg, who can act as a creative sounding board for your show as you continue to develop your script for production.
  
• Special industry networking and "matchmaking" events with potential producers, investors and collaborators.  

How long will I have to load in and load out?
There will be shared load-in and load-out days at the beginning and end of the Festival for all shared lighting and sound elements; each show will have individual load-in and tech time on the day of their opening performance (usually from 9:30 or 10am until the 8:00pm curtain).

In planning your show’s technical and production aspects, bear in mind that you will have a single day in your theatre to tech and prepare the show, will be performing in repertory with other shows and may have to strike your show completely following each performance and remount it just before your next performance.  Additional technical/production information will be discussed in the participation packet you will receive if your show is accepted.

For more on NYMF shows that have gone on to further development in New York and around the world, visit NYMF SUCCESS STORIES. 

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