Crispin Glover at Chandler Cinemas in May with Midnite Movie Mamacita Andrea Beesley-Brown.
Crispin Glover lecturing Village Voice Media attorney Steve Suskin and New Times editor Rick Barrs on libel law. Glover educating locals on his needs while in town. Glover insisting on payment in cash before taking the stage at Chandler Cinemas. Glover advising a reporter not to write about him.
To swipe a phrase from the late, great Rod Serling, "Presented for your approval, the voluminous e-mails of one Crispin Glover, Hollywood actor..." What was initially meant as a small stick of type for this week's Bird column mushroomed over the span of a few days, as I sought the Back to the Future star's input on the item.
Not long after I e-mailed the B-lister about his May appearance at the struggling, independent Chandler Cinemas, he was allegedly on the horn to Chandler Cinemas owner/operator Matt Yenkala, putting him through the ringer for talking to me. The thing to remember is, Yenkala did not come to me with the tale. Rather, I'd run across it when I bumped into Midnite Movie Mamacita Andrea Beesley-Brown during First Friday. Alas, I missed the showing of Glover's surreal tour de force while Glover was in town for its three day run.
Initially, I was under the mistaken impression that Glover had accused the Chandler Cinemas' projectionist of stealing a portion of the film. But it quickly became clear that this was not the case. Instead, it was (and is) Glover's belief that part of his flick was damaged at Chandler Cinemas. Those involved in bringing Glover to Chandler are not convinced of this. Nevertheless, Yenkala has promised to pay $610 to replace a portion of Glover's film.
Since Chandler Cinemas is a small, plucky concern, attempting to bring revivals and unusual fare to a desert metropolis parched from a paucity of art and revival cinema, may I suggest that those who can donate to Chandler Cinemas, and maybe together we can assist Mr. Yenkala pay off Mr. Glover in the crisp, new bills he prefers. For what it's worth, I'll be sending Mr. Yenkala a few ducats from my humble paycheck. I've never been down to his cinema, but I'm glad it's around, and hope it will be for some time to come.
You can read what Mr. Yenkala has to say about all this at the MySpace page for Chandler Cinemas. There's a PayPal button there if you wish to donate to the cause.
I divided these out in "strings," beginning with a trail of e-mails that emanate from Glover, then from some of the other participants. There's a little repeat, but I thought you might want to see the difference between the rider Glover sends New Times, and the one sent to us by the promoters, which in turn was supposed to have been sent by Glover. The one Glover sends us mentions that he's to be paid up front, in cash. The one the promoters say he sent does not mention this stipulation.
But before you review the electronic missives below, a litte video for auld lang syne: Ah, remember when Letterman was funny? Those were the days, my friend, we thought they'd never end...
[FIRST STRING, Crispin Glover]
>>> publicity
Dear Steve Suskin, Rick Barrs, Stephen Lemons, Hello. I appreciate all of your attention in this matter. I am certain Mr. Suskin who is copied in on this e mail is quite familiar with all the legal definitions of slander and libel. Succinct definitions of slander are copied just below this e mail. As Mr. Barrs stated in his e mail yesterday "Fact are facts" I agree with this and at the very same time slander is slander. I would say this situation is the very definition of slander and if it becomes printed it would of course turn to libel. I have already disputed the false claims that are being made about me and copies of my e mails to date with Mr. Lemons are below this e mail. In this particular situation the slanderous statements include false claims of last minute demands, false claims of yelling and false claims of accusations of stealing. I do not know of other false claims let as I have not been given access to this article. To continue to defend myself in a public way by means of a publicity style interview and non-legal situation is pointless. The truth of what happened in this situation and the motive for slander follows. I came to an agreement with Mathew M. Yenkala to appear at Chandler Cinemas through various e mails and telephone conversations. All went well at the event till the last night when I confirmed that the projectionist had erroneously removed the tail end of the last reel and unwittingly caused permanent damage to the last reel of my film. Mr. Yenkala during the conversation tried to deny that this was the fault of the venue. Through conversation about the technical details of the history of the film and the technical elements that were needed for correct projection process to be done it was became apparent that the venue was indeed responsible. I have included below the e mail correspondence between Fotokem and Mr. Yenkala wherein he takes responsibility for damaging the film by letting it be known that he would be paying for it. Mr. Yenkala has not paid for this damage. I had not contacted Mr. Yenkala since my e mail regarding the payment for the damage caused at his venue till yesterday when I received the e mail informing me of these slanderous statements. I called him and asked him if he had paid for the reel and he said that he had to pay his electricity bill instead. In other words he has a motive to slander me because he does not want to pay this bill. The motives for the slander are that Mr. Yenkala is financially responsible for paying for the damages that his venue did to my film. He is looking for a way out of this. The projectionist likely has had some kind of upset because the responsibility lay on her shoulders for the damage. Mr. Yenkala let me know that the person who initiated the call to your publication was someone who was not present the last night of the showings but is the head projectionist at the theater who also would be held responsible for the damage of my film. I do not know all who Mr. Lemons has been in contact with for this article but I do have many witnesses to all of these incidents that would gladly counter any slanderous statements. The entire audience on the third night was let known that there had been damage to the film and the entire audience on the last night of my previous venue saw equally that there was no damage to my film. Below the defintions of slander are the emails between Mr Yenkala and my contact at the film laboratory Fotokem is all previous correspondence to date with Mr. Yenkala. In any case I assume that the foresight of Mr. Suskin Will let Mr. Barrs know that this is not a good article to continue with for legal concerns. I have no further comment on the matter, and I will carefully review whatever is printed and consult with an attorney if it is in any way maliciously defamatory. Sincerely, Crispin Glover
In law, defamation (also called vilification, slander, and libel) is the communication of a statement that makes a false claim, expressively stated or implied to be factual, that may give an individual, business, product, group, government or nation a negative image. Slander refers to a malicious, false, and defamatory statement or report, while libel refers to any other form of communication such as written words or images.
Under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, as set forth by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1964 Case, New York Times v Sullivan, where a public figure attempts to bring an action for defamation, the public figure must prove an additional element: That the statement was made with "actual malice". In translation, that means that the person making the statement knew the statement to be false, or issued the statement with reckless disregard as to its truth.
> On Wed, May 14, 2008 at 3:47 PM, Denny Mitchell
>
Stephen,
Hello. I appreciate the diligence in wanting to find accurate information. Following this e mail is my rider that I send to all venues. I did not yell at or even have a conversation with the projectionist other than getting the details of how my print was handled. My entire conversation after the show on Sunday was with Matthew M. Yenkala about the technical aspects and procedure that led to damaging reel five of my film. I outlined to him the same technical details of the damage to my film as in my previous e mail to you. There were people at the venue that can verify the truth of what I am writing. The things you are being told and seem like may by planning to print are not accurate. Below this e mail is the entirety of my rider. What is outlined in my rider is precisely how my show is run in every venue I play. I can give you many references that this is precisely how I conduct my business if you wish. The agreements are all made by e mail and then myself and the venue move forward once all points are agreed to. I know that you will do the right thing by being an honorable journalist and not writing or printing an inaccurate gossip story. Please let me know any questions. I appreciate it.
Sincerely, Crispin Glover
Below are details of my show which also serves as a technical rider:
There is a lot more information about all on crispinglover.com. I have been touring with the films for a while now with tremendous success and audience attendance.
I will need to know the amount of seats in the venue and how much is charged for entry to a film.
I have a specific show that I perform and below is an outline of what I do when I play at theaters in larger cities. Specifics can be figured out of course about the amount of days the show runs. I usually play larger sized cities three nights in a row on Fridays Saturdays and Sundays. I am available for all related press, radio and television promotion once the show is booked, but before the show is booked my name is not to be used in any kind of promotion. All words and high resolution press photos are available for download at CrispinGlover.com. There are absolutely no screeners available for the films available to anyone under any circumstance.
Piracy has been a true problem for the films and the only way to fight it is to have no digital copies available in any way, therefore making or owning any digital copy is an illegal copyright infringement. This is the only way I can continue to tour with the films for years to come in order to recoup the investments.
Below are the technical details about the show and times:
I have found that it is best to perform the shows on Friday Saturday and Sunday somewhere between 7:00 and 8:00. If the show starts on a Friday at 7:00 the timetable would run like this:
Thursday: I need to arrive in the city of the venue the evening before so that I can get a good rest for the performance the next day.
Friday: 2:30-3:00 technical run through The technical run through should not start later than 3:00. My experience is that if anything needs to be fixed technically we can then figure it out well before 5:00 when certain technical elements become unavailable.
7:00-8:00 Dramatic performance: Music from a CD I provide is played as walk in music. One minute before the show begins the walk in music fades down and an audio announcement is made by someone from the theater: "Good evening thank you for coming to the ... Theater. We would like to remind you that no photography or recording devices of any kind are to by used during the entire show. Thank you." The music fades up for 30 seconds then the house lights dim so it is dark and then the music fades down again at which point I enter the stage. I need to be provided with a lavaliere microphone. My place on the stage is stage right or if you are facing toward the stage from the audience it would be to the left of center. The spotlight needs to be placed on the left side of the auditorium if one is facing the stage. Otherwise the spotlight will be blinding during the performance. The spotlight needs to be able to focus to the size of my face so as to not bleed light on to the slides. The spot needs to have a red gel. Once I am in the proper place the spotlight is then illuminated. I perform an hour long dramatic presentation of ³Crispin Hellion Glover¹s Big Slide Show² on a stage in front of the screen. The stage height should meet the bottom of the screen. If the venue has a screen higher than three feet from the floor then a stage riser will be needed that extends at least half way across the screen. I narrate eight different profusely illustrated story books from which I have made slides that are on my computer. This portion of the show lasts an hour. It is important I have some kind of stage or riser for this. The video projector in projection booth is attached to my portable computer which is on stage with me. There is no way for me to control the computer if it is not on stage with me so it is imperative that there is a VTR cable that will run from the stage to the video projector. I control the slides from my computer on stage during this part of the show with a remote. My computer is a Macintosh, but I have the adaptor that will connect to a regular PC cable that runs to the projector.
8:00-9:15 Film: My film What is it? plays by from a 35 mm projector if all other possibilities are exhausted then a there is a good copy of What is it? for a 1080i Hi Definition VTR to be attached to a high quality HD video projector or better. I have a 1080i HD 59.94 Interlaced copy of What is it? And a 35MM print of the film. I can not project it from any other medium other than 35 MM or 1080i HD. Everything is fine! currently does not have a good 1080i copy but only a fine 35 mm print.
9:15-10:00 Q and A: I conduct the Q and A myself using the lavaliere microphone with the house lights turned on just as the I enter the stage as the last credit rolls.
10:00- 1:30 Book signing: At the book signing someone sells my books in the lobby and I sign them. If 200 people in total attend the show this will last till approximately 12:30, 300 till about 1:30, 500 about 2:30, 700 till about 3:30. I have played to all these audience sizes and this is relatively accurate. It is important that I stay till all people have had their requests signed.
CrispinGlover.com also has a clip of me performing one of the books on an episode of the Dennis Miller Show from a number of years back that I also perform in Crispin Hellion Glover's Big Slide show.
Monetary information:
The way I have generally been working finances is this: For the film showing I split 50-50 with the theater on the normal ticket charge. So if for example your theater normally charges an $10 per ticket I would get $5.
For my one hour performance and Q and A session, I take 100% of what is charged over that normal ticket price for performing the slide show. So if we charge $20 per ticket I would take ten from that for my performance. This means on an $20 ticket I would altogether get $15 per ticket.
Before I walk on stage to perform the show I am to be paid in cash my percentage for the performance that evening.
I have worked out the accommodations in various ways. Normally with theaters I pay for travel and the theater takes care of the hotel. This works out best because the theater knows the area best and it is often able to get a room gratis. I can not travel on the day of the show so I need a room for the night before the show and any nights that I perform the show.
Publicity procedures: Hello! The way that I do the interviews is this: Because my schedule is hectic and I am often out of the country by far the best way to do interviews is by e mail. Preferably the reporter can e mail the questions to [email protected]. They should include the time by which the responses are due. They should be let known that all high resolution images for the films are available for download on CrispinGlover.com.
If the reporter only able to do the interview by phone then they are to be arranged by the person who is charge of publicity at the venue in increments of three or less between the hours of 10 and 12 Pacific Standard Time. Being that there are two hours allotted for three interviews they should not go over 35 to 40 minutes at most. I will need the interviewers information and any future e mails dealing with publicity sent to me at [email protected]. If I am in LA at the time of the interviews the number they will call will be 323 660 6068. This number only works for this purpose and is not answered at any other times. Sometimes I am not able to answer the phone right away and that is why it is imperative that I have the interviewers information sent to me at [email protected]. Please let me know any questions. I appreciate it!
Thank you, Crispin
Please let me know if any of you have any questions or thoughts. I appreciate it and hope to work something out! Thank you, Crispin
On 6/9/08 2:20 PM, "Stephen Lemons"
Mr. Glover, > Thank you for responding. May I see a copy of the rider you're referring to? Also, does the rider you're referring to ask for payment in cash? Both the promoters and the venue tell me they were surprised by your request for payment in cash, up front, on each night of the film's showing. I have a copy of one rider, but regarding payment, it only says, > "I will need to know the amount of seats in the venue and how much is charged for entry to a film." > If there is another rider, I would like to see it. > I have been told that you yelled at the projectionist on Sunday evening, the last day of the showing. And that the woman was in tears by the end of the exchange. Is this true? How would you characterize your exchange with the projectionist? > Was there a formal contract between yourself and the promoters/venue? If so, may I see it? > I'm also told that the tickets for the event were $18 a piece, and that you received $14 of each ticket sold. Is this also correct? > I ask these questions only to gather as much information as possible.
Thanks again for your assistance.
>
Sin.,
>
Stephen Lemons
Phoenix New Times
602-229-8426
>
>>>> Booking
Stephen, Hello! Thank you for sending me the facts for your story to check. The statements you sent to me for this story are not true or accurate. What you have sent to me should not be printed. This following is accurate. In my rider for my show which is sent out to the venue months before my show and is agreed to months before the show it is stated that I am to [be] paid before each show in full. That contractual obligation was met by the venue and all was well with that. Unfortunately at Chandler Cinemas the end of the last reel, the fifth reel of my film What is it? was damaged. No one stole anything nor was anyone accused of stealing anything. Everyone involved was honest at the moment when the damage was discovered. Following are the exact details of what happened. The system they project with at Chandler Cinemas is called a platter system. There are tails at the end of each reel that are removed when splicing the reels together on to the platter. The last reel should have nothing removed from the tail when it is put on to the platter. The projectionist removed the tail at the end of the last reel which is reel five. Again, that should not have been done. On top of the fact that it was removed too much of the tail was removed. This permanently damaged the sound at the end of the film, which again is reel five. Again, nothing should have been removed from the end of the fifth reel at all and this is why the venue is responsible for the damage. I have had a new fifth reel printed by Fotokem in Los Angeles. The cost to me is $610. Below this e mail is the correspondence between Denny Martin at Fotokem and Mathew Yenkala at Chandler Cinemas regarding the bill for the work done at Fotokem. As you can see Mathew has stated that he will pay the bill. He has not yet paid this bill. I only have one print of the film and I travel with this print. To get to the point of having this 35 mm print of this film cost me somewhere between $150,000 to $200,000. The way I will eventually recoup this amount is by touring with my show and film. I have not yet recouped this amount. It is unfortunate that my print was damaged by the venue. It seems like the tone of the story is about my professional character which I defend 100 percent. I acted professionally in this situation and the fact that the venue has not paid for the damage when it has stated it will is not professional. I request that the Phoenix New Times does not print this story. If the editors decide to print this story I respectfully request that you print this e mail along with it in full along with the correspondence between Fotokem and Chandler Cinemas minus personal e mail addresses. Please let me know any questions. I appreciate it. Sincerely, Crispin Glover
> On Wed, May 14, 2008 at 3:47 PM, Denny Mitchell
>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Denny Mitchell
>> (818)846-3102 ext.369
>> (818)841-2120 fax
>> [email protected]
>
>> FotoKem
>> 2801 W. Alameda Ave.
>> Burbank, CA 91505
>> (818)846-3101
>> http://www.fotokem.com
>>
>
> Chandler Cinemas
I'm a reporter in Phoenix, Arizona with the Phoenix New Times (www.phoenixnewtimes.com), and I'd like Mr. Glover's response to incidents that supposedly occurred in Chandler, AZ when he was here screening his film "What Is It?" >> The promoters of the event say Mr. Glover demanded his money up front and in cash each night of the three day showing. There was also an incident involving the projectionist where Mr. Glover supposedly accused the projectionist of stealing part of his film. Mr. Glover supposedly then demanded restitution from the cinema owner in the amount of $610. >> I'd like to give Mr. Glover the opportunity to respond. However, I would need to either speak with him or get a response by the end of the day, as I am on deadline for this. Please contact me as soon as possible. >> Sincerely, >> Stephen Lemons Phoenix New Times 602-229-8426 >
On 6/9/08 10:25 PM, "Rick Barrs"
Mr. Glover,
Clearing this up is easy. You or one of your representatives should answer Stephen Lemons' questions as soon as possible. What I'm hearing is that you refuse to talk to him, or to even have a rep speak with him. Instead, you seem to be harranguing the locals who paid you to screen your film. There's nothing "slanderous" about the article Lemons is writing. Facts are facts. The truth is the truth. If Lemons has any aspect of the events surrounding your movie presentation here incorrect, then it's your responsibility to set things straight pre-publication.
Let it be noted that we're giving you ample opportunity to do this. Your note to me proves that you are fully aware of what Lemons plans to write. After all, you know what actually happened. If you or your rep refuse to talk to him, we will be forced to go with what other reliable sources have told us, without any comment from you. FYI, deadline for our next issue is 4 p.m. tomorrow (June 10). Phoenix New Times goes on the Internet on Wednesday night and hits the streets of Phoenix the next day. So please get back to Lemons right away. (cc: Steve Suskin, chief editorial attorney, Village Voice Media Inc.)
Sincerely, Rick Barrs, editor.
SENT FROM: phoenixnewtimes.com
SUBJECT: Possible slanderous Crispin Glover article > LETTER: Hello, It has come to my attention that one of your writers named Stephen Lemons is planning to write an article on me which may contain untrue and slanderous material. He wrote me an e mail for "fact" checking with a number of fallacies and seems to be intent on publishing this in your weekly. I would appreciate your attention to this and making certain that no slanderous article is published about me. Please write me back at [email protected]
Sincerely, Crispin Glover > PERSONAL INFO: crispin Glover Los Angeles CA [email protected] 323-545-6746 >
[SECOND STRING, Stephanie Carrico, Trunk Space proprietor & Amy Young, owner/operator of Perihelion Arts]
>>> Stephanie Carrico
--- On Fri, 1/18/08, amy young
> From: amy young
Hi guys! Okay, here's what I got from Crispin about how much dough he gets--let me know your thoughts and write back soon so we can figure out what's up with dates: > Hello! The way I have generally been working finances is this: For the film showing I split 50-50 with the theater on the normal ticket charge. So if for example your theater normally charges an $8 per ticket I would get $4. > For my one hour performance and Q and A session, I take 100% of what is charged over that normal ticket price for performing the slide show. So if we charge $18 per ticket I would take ten from that for my performance. This means on an $18 ticket I would altogether get $14 per ticket. > I have worked out the accommodations in various ways. Normally with theaters I pay for travel and the theater takes care of the hotel. This works out best because the theater knows the area best and it is often able to get a room gratis. I can not travel on the day of the show so I need a room for the night before the show and any nights that I perform the show. > Please let me know if you have any questions. I appreciate it!
Thank you, Crispin
[THIRD STRING, Stephanie Carrico]
>>> Stephanie Carrico
> From: amy young
[FOURTH STRING, Matthew Yenkala of Chandler Cinemas]
>>> "Chandler Cinemas"
I have it. This was added to his rider post-chandler.
On Mon, Jun 9, 2008 at 4:35 PM, Stephen Lemons
Just got this from Glover. Did you ever get this whole doc from him? There's part of it that reads:
"Before I walk on stage to perform the show I am to be paid in cash my percentage for the performance that evening."
But it's not in the doc you sent me. I wonder if he never sent it to you.
Call me if you want. Do you still have the actual e-mail he sent you that rider in?
Stephen Lemons Phoenix New Times 602-229-8426
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Booking
Matthew, Hello! Thank you for the interest in the show. Below are more technical specifics of the show:
I have found that it is best to perform the shows on Friday Saturday and Sunday somewhere between 7:00 and 8:00. If the show starts on a Friday at 7:00 the timetable would run like this:
Thursday: I need to arrive in the city of the venue the evening before so that I can get a good rest for the performance the next day.
Friday: 2:30-3:00 technical run through The technical run through should not start later than 3:00. My experience is that if anything needs to be fixed technically we can then figure it out well before 5:00 when certain technical elements become unavailable.
7:00-8:00 Dramatic performance: Music from a CD I bring with me is used as and introduction along with lights dimming and the spotlight being illuminated. I perform an hour long dramatic presentation of "Crispin Hellion Glover's Big Slide Show" on a stage in front of the screen. The stage should be within a few feet of the bottom of the screen. If the venue has a screen that is higher than three feet then a stage riser will be needed that extends at least half way across the screen. I narrate eight different profusely illustrated story books from which I have made slides that are on my computer. This last an hour. It is important I have some kind of stage or riser for this. The video projector in projection booth is attached to my portable computer which is on stage with me. I control the slides from my computer on stage during this part of the show with a remote. My computer is a Macintosh, but I have the adaptor that will connect to a regular PC cable that runs to the projector.
Uhu[894po1 8:00-9:15 Film: My film What is it? plays either from a 35 mm projector or a 1080i Hi Definition video projector. I have a 1080i HD 59.94 Interlaced copy of What is it? And a 35 MM print of the film. I can not project it from any other medium than 35 MM or 1080i HD.
9:15-10:00 Q and A: I conduct the Q and A myself using the lavaliere microphone with the house lights turned on just as the I enter the stage as the last credit rolls.
10:00- 1:30 Book signing: At the book signing someone sells my books in the lobby and I sign them. If 200 people in total attend the show this will last till approximately 12:30, 300 till about 1:30, 500 about 2:30, 700 till about 3:30. I have played to all these audience sizes and this is relatively accurate. It is important that I stay till all people have had their requests signed.
Please let me know if you have any questions and/or let me know what you are able to offer. I appreciate it!
Thank you, Crispin
On 2/19/07 12:15 PM, "Chandler Cinemas"
Hello,
I am the program director/events coordinator for the Chandler Cinemas in Chandler, AZ (a southeastern suburb of Phoenix). I would be very interested in knowing more info about booking Mr. Glover when he tours again with his film & slideshow. I know that a year or two ago he did a successful stint at the Loft in Tucson and that many people from the Phoenix area made the two hour drive to be there, and I wondered why no Phoenix-area theatre had offered to bring the show to Arizona's most populated region. So next time around we'd like to offer ourselves as a potential candidate for such a venue.
Hoping to hear back soon,
Matthew Yenkala Program Director/Events Coordinator Chandler Cinemas Chandler, AZ *http://www.myspace.com/chandlercinemas http://www.movievalue.com
[FIFTH STRING, Matt Yenkala]
>>> "Chandler Cinemas"
I wanted to make a clarification--
*There was also an incident involving the projectionist where Mr. Glover supposedly accused the projectionist of stealing part of his film. Mr. Glover supposedly then demanded restitution from the cinema owner in the amount of $610.*
At issue was not the accusation of stealing the film but of inadvertent damage to the print that was apparently done.
I did want to reiterate how professional he was with the audience and in honoring his obligations to perform.
However, following a conversation with Mr. Glover, I'd like to know if it would be possible to suspend or dispel the story entirely.
I will call you shortly to follow up.
Thanks,
Matt Yenkala
>>> "Chandler Cinemas"
Hi Crispin,
I just spoke to Steven to follow up on the email just sent. He's being copied on this email as well. He would very much like for you to contact him directly with your concerns about the content of the story, and I strongly urge you to do so ASAP.
Thanks,
Matt Yenkala
On Mon, Jun 9, 2008 at 11:57 AM, Booking
Matthew,
As we spoke about on the telephone I strongly urge you to let them know that this is untrue.
Sincerely,
Crispin Glover
>
>
> ------ Forwarded Message
> From: "Stephen Lemons"
On Sun, Jun 8, 2008 at 4:54 PM, Stephen Lemons
> Matt, > > Thanks for the interview today. If you could forward that rider to me, I'd really appreciate it. Would be very interesting to see it. Thanks in advance. > Stephen Lemons Phoenix New Times 602-229-8426
>>> "Chandler Cinemas"
Here you go and thanks!
Matt
Crispin Technical Rider
Below are details of my show which also serves as a technical rider: There is a lot more information about all on crispinglover.com. I have been touring with the films for a while now with tremendous success and audience attendance.
I will need to know the amount of seats in the venue and how much is charged for entry to a film.
I have a specific show that I perform and below is an outline of what I do when I play at theaters in larger cities. Specifics can be figured out of course about the amount of days the show runs. I usually play larger sized cities three nights in a row on Fridays Saturdays and Sundays. I am available for all related press, radio and television promotion once the show is booked, but before the show is booked my name is not to be used in any kind of promotion. All words and high resolution press photos are available for download at CrispinGlover.com. There are absolutely no screeners available for the films available to anyone under any circumstance. Piracy has been a true problem for the films and the only way to fight it is to have no digital copies available in any way, therefore making or owning any digital copy is an illegal copyright infringement. This is the only way I can continue to tour with the films for years to come in order to recoup the investments.
Below are the technical details about the show and times:
I have found that it is best to perform the shows on Friday Saturday and Sunday somewhere between 7:00 and 8:00. If the show starts on a Friday at 7:00 the timetable would run like this:
Thursday: I need to arrive in the city of the venue the evening before so that I can get a good rest for the performance the next day.
Friday: 2:30-3:00 technical run through The technical run through should not start later than 3:00. My experience is that if anything needs to be fixed technically we can then figure it out well before 5:00 when certain technical elements become unavailable.
7:00-8:00 Dramatic performance: Music from a CD I provide is played as walk in music. One minute before the show begins the walk in music fades down and an audio announcement is made by someone from the theater: "Good evening thank you for coming to the ... Theater. We would like to remind you that no photography or recording devices of any kind are to by used during the entire show. Thank you." The music fades up for 30 seconds then the house lights dim so it is dark and then the music fades down again at which point I enter the stage. My place on the stage is stage right or if you are facing toward the stage from the audience it would be to the left of center. The spotlight needs to be placed on the left side of the auditorium if one is facing the stage. Otherwise the spotlight will be blinding during the performance. Once I am in the proper place the spotlight is then illuminated. I perform an hour long dramatic presentation of “Crispin Hellion Glover’s Big Slide Show” on a stage in front of the screen. The stage should be within a few feet of the bottom of the screen. If the venue has a screen higher than three feet from the floor then a stage riser will be needed that extends at least half way across the screen. I narrate eight different profusely illustrated story books from which I have made slides that are on my computer. This portion of the show lasts an hour. It is important I have some kind of stage or riser for this. The video projector in projection booth is attached to my portable computer which is on stage with me. There is no way for me to control the computer if it is not on stage with me so it is imperative that there is a VTR cable that will run from th stage to the video projector. I control the slides from my computer on stage during this part of the show with a remote. My computer is a Macintosh, but I have the adaptor that will connect to a regular PC cable that runs to the projector.
8:00-9:15 Film: My film What is it? plays by from a 35 mm projector if all other possibilities are exhausted then a there is a good copy of What is it? for a 1080i Hi Definition VTR to be attached to a high quality HD video projector or better. I have a 1080i HD 59.94 Interlaced copy of What is it? And a 35 MM print of the film. I can not project it from any other medium other than 35 MM or 1080i HD. Everything is fine! currently does not have a good 1080i copy but only a fine 35 mm print.
9:15-10:00 Q and A: I conduct the Q and A myself using the lavaliere microphone with the house lights turned on just as the I enter the stage as the last credit rolls.
10:00- 1:30 Book signing: At the book signing someone sells my books in the lobby and I sign them. If 200 people in total attend the show this will last till approximately 12:30, 300 till about 1:30, 500 about 2:30, 700 till about 3:30. I have played to all these audience sizes and this is relatively accurate. It is important that I stay till all people have had their requests signed.
CrispinGlover.com also has a clip of me performing one of the books on an episode of the Dennis Miller Show from a number of years back that I also perform in Crispin Hellion Glover's Big Slide show.
Please let me know if any of you have any questions and/or thoughts. I appreciate it and hope to work something out!
Thank you,
Crispin Glover