Jun 18, 2020
A first-ever, on Episode 11, Michelle Newbon debuts her playful, industry-related poetry! Michelle and I talk about the inspiration of her poetry, and about the state of the events industry in general. We also yak about the value of having a Content Manager on your next show, the importance of processes and managing content, the key attribute successful Content Managers must posses, Yea or Nay on Google Docs, and, oh yeah, did I mention some groovy poetry!
Michelle Newbon
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellenewbon/
Email: michelle@mnewbon.com
Website: http://mnewbon.com/contact.html
Terri Walters:
Twitter: @TerriLWalters - https://twitter.com/TerriLWalters
LinkedIn: @TerriLWalters - https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrilwalters/
Email: Terri@MoonfishProduction.com
Event Yak:
Website: https://www.eventyak.com/podcast
Facebook: @TheEventYak - https://www.facebook.com/TheEventYak/
Email: terri@eventyak.com
Moonfish Production, Ltd.:
Website: www.moonfishproduction.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moonfish-production-ltd-/
Facebook: @MoonfishCreative - https://www.facebook.com/MoonfishCreative/
Email: info@MoonfishProduction.com
Episode 11 By the Numbers:
00:00 | Terri Walters
Meet, Michelle Newbon: Events Industry Content Manager, Poet.
03:11 | Michelle Newbon
Musings from an unemployed Lives Events Producer. “Production Blues” by Michelle Newbon.
04:55 | Michelle Newbon
Event Poetry? Here’s what I know.
08:58 | Michelle Newbon
On what individuals in the Events Industry are doing to adapt to this unprecedented disruption in the Events Industry. Will it ever be the same?
14:33 | Terri Walters / Michelle Newbon
Talking content! “Content Ditty” by Michelle Newbon.
17:04 | Michelle Newbon
The mechanics and evolution of Event Content Management.
24:18 | Michelle Newbon
Google Docs? The pros and cons of events tools & technology – establishing how the team works best.
29:18 | Michelle Newbon
The key to being a great Events Content Manager… and my best
single piece of advice!
37:09 | Michelle Newbon
Loving the Industry. “Flying High” by Michelle Newbon.
39:01 | Terri Walters / Michelle Newbon
Where is the Events Industry going from here?
45:59 | Michelle Newbon
“Looking Ahead” by Michelle Newbon.
All poetry, printed with permission, by, Michelle Newbon
From: Musings from an unemployed live events producer...
Production Blues
Screeching to a halt
with the sound of big thunder.
We’re all wondering…
how do we not go under?
At first, they were saying
maybe by summer?
Consensus now is 18 months,
Dang, what a bummer.
This whole thing
is seriously $%^#’d.
6 feet apart onsite
Yeah right … and good luck.
I go on Linked In
‘cause I know that I should,
perusing it all,
until I don’t feel good.
There are all these things
that I’m supposed to do…
programs as acronyms
to brighten the view.
The PPP and the EIDL.
the SBA and oh what the hell!
I applied and submitted and am standing by,
but have no idea if I should rejoice or just cry.
I make a checklist
at the start of each day
to make me think
that I’m well under way…
But then I’m all done
and it’s eight-thirty-two,
no emails to answer,
and nothing to do.
There are webinars and zoom calls
with industry experts!
I can learn all day long
But why does my brain hurt?
I’ll try not to think about it.
until this thing passes.
I’ll work on my hobbies,
but I feel like molasses.
Just get ahold of yourself,
it’s a brand-new day!
Drink your half capp,
It’ll all be ok!
But why do I feel
that I’m so under gunned?
Cuz it’s a global pandemic
and this ‘aint no fun.
It’s been my way
to end on a good note
but all I can say
is that’s all she wrote!
Content Ditty
The world of live events
is its own kind of beast.
A ubiquitous allure,
Sucks you in to say the least.
Now add in the Content
and consequences rise.
You think you got this thing?
Success or just demise.
No one wants to do it
way too many details.
At first it seems so easy,
and then it’s off the rails.
With themes and creative,
Writers and graphics
Strategizing nightly,
Its mental gymnastics.
Too many files
with all the wrong names
Drowning in word docs
They all look the same.
What do we name it?
And where does it go?
Email it or post it?
No one seems to know.
Put it on Drop Box
Someone made some folders
Stick in the root,
look for one called “older”.
Pre-pro’s gaining steam
as we lay down all the tracks,
gonna’ do this thing Vegas
and we won’t be looking back.
Check in and set-up
and see what’s transpired
is my inbox intact
or is it on fire?
Then there are rehearsals
and all that that entails…
go grab all the files
you don’t want to fail.
“That’s the wrong version!
We wrote it last week!”
The tension’s so strong
You’re all up a creek.
But prompter is on it
and graphics is too.
Its correct after all…
The production team knew.
The talent is late
and catering’s a mess
the PA’s stuck in traffic,
but now I digress…
The CEO is here
with a brand-new script
She says no to full-frame
Only wants to PIP.
“And oh by the way,
…in the DSMs
Current and next please
and some green M & M’s.”
“My slides are in progress
… 4:3 on white
…with a few animations
Just to give it a bite.”
“Oh and one more thing
if I do recall…
there might be 2 demos
or likely none at all.”
And so it goes…
Kindling to flames,
Heads are gonna roll,
And someone’s taking names.
But no matter what
We all do take our cue.
The show it turns out flawless
Thanks to the entire crew.
Flying High
I have no regrets
about wondering if…
I appreciated enough
what’s gone over the cliff.
I always knew
how special it was
to be part of it all…
the production team buzz.
How we’d come together
and put on a show.
We’d build that car
as it drove down the road.
The stress of it all
has always been rife,
but I never imagined
not wanting this life.
The rewards run deep
because of us all…
heeding the siren
and answering the call.
The friendships we’ve made
are like family indeed
The alchemy onsite
forging our creed.
To sit here now
knowing what will not be
is to experience grief
and melancholy.
We all understand
that virtual is the way
But we’ll never forget
what we had in the day.
You can’t get there from here
without being together
We all know that,
we are birds of a feather.
Looking Ahead
Stopped in time
and standing still.
Seeking the view
that’s over the hill.
It’s not written
and we don’t know,
what’s ahead
and how to go.
“The show must go on”
has always been the way.
We won’t go down.
We’ll have our day.
We’ve been working
since this whole thing
to carve a new path
and make it sing.
It’s hard to see
through the clouds right now
But I’ll be damned
If we can’t figure out how.
Suffice to say
We’re a hardy lot.
We don’t give up,
and we give all we’ve got.
It’s a big F-U
to what’s gone down
but we’ll ride that emotion
to bring it around.
And I guarantee
and pinky swear
that the show’ll go on,
that’s a truth … and a dare.