I'm sorry for your pain - clearly you are very frustrated and unhappy. But please don't spread flagrant lies about me, TRU or the event. We are a non-profit and all of our producers are volunteers and actively producing in the industry, not selling services. No producer gets paid to do this; as with everything I make happen at TRU, it is the result of a community of supportive people who give generously of their time and talent for the sole purpose of helping others. Perhaps even you, if you gave them the chance. Also, no Broadway Producer, off-Broadway producer or not-for-profit artistic director (we intentionally include all three in the event) - none are there to sell services. I have never heard of this happening, and seriously doubt it ever happened at all. I would call this a misunderstanding at best, giving you the benefit of the doubt.
Radar123, I get that you had some sort of bad experience at, or thinking about, Speed Date. It's unclear whether you actually went through the process of being coached for 5 days via email, coached for an hour at the event by one of our skillful coaches, or went through the circuit of 11 producers and met them, pitched them and listened to their feedback. Some would feel that's a lot of bang for $85. You say you "once witnessed this travesty," and it doesn't sound like, from your posting, you were part of that "roomful of suckers," so I am not clear how you participated. It really sounds like you didn't actually experience this event at all, perhaps have even confused it with something else. Nevertheless, if you tell me who you are, I will send you a refund if you actually came to the event.
Every speed date has a range of producers on the lineup, and there are always producers with legitimate Broadway credits and many with awards. It is by design that the lineup of producers also includes off-Broadway producers, indie producers and not-for-profit producers. With 22 writers pitching, I feel it is important to have as wide a range of taste and experience as possible to increase the odds of every pot finding its lid. Even you. I'm afraid that, in spite of your request, TRU will continue to do the work we do for the community, training and supporting producers and offering opportunities to artists. I think a lot of people would be genuinely unhappy if we "shut it down." We have helped hundreds of producers, writers, actors and directors over the years, possibly thousands. Clearly you weren't one of them. Sorry. |
