Theatre and cultural hub Accidental Theatre recently completed a report on small arts business best practice during the pandemic and beyond. Addressing pressing concerns for artists and practitioners in a time of isolation and the loss of potential revenue from live events, Accidental Theatre, with Tickle Productions and Aisling Productions with financial support from Future Screens NI sought in their research to find best practice techniques to monetise digital performance. Looking at a range of options including but not limited to streaming live shows, Accidental Theatre and their partners sought methods of engagement with audiences through a broadcast programme of live events, therefore distancing the practice from standard streaming platforms.
The project sought alternative and more direct audience engagement than the passive viewing experiences of leading streaming platforms. Working with artists, festivals and other partners over a period across 2020/21 the project focused on three main case studies of One-off sales, Memberships, and Donations as potential revenue streams. The report addresses three issues of particular interests to small businesses and sole traders including a lack of monetisation options, streaming market competition and the devaluation of artistic content. The conclusions drawn from the case studies were that a mix of subscription and one-off sales will likely be the most accessible option for companies and sole artists.
For more information on Accidental Theatre follow the link: https://accidentaltheatre.co.uk
KEY PERSONNEL
Accidental Theatre was founded in 2012 to develop an exciting brand of modern Northern Irish theatre. The group embraces new technologies, conventions, styles and techniques. Their inaugural play in 2014 The Kitchen, the Bedroom and the Grave won the BBC NI Drama Award and have since gained further recognition for their ambitious and greatly varied live productions.
Tickle Productions work in advanced media production work since 2009 and have been Accidental’s main partner in streaming live productions since 2016. Recently, they have been working with Dr Elizabeth Meehan a Service Designer with Accidental Theatre to develop, test and refine virtual interactive design.
Aisling Productions is an TV and documentary production company based in Belfast. Associated TV producer Declan McGrath has 20-year experience in the field and assisted Accidental Theatre with traditional media distribution models.
The project was funded in-part by Future Screens NI’s Rewriting the Narrative Award.