Preoccupations on an Industry Transformed in a Pandemic

After thirty years of presenting entertainment at corporate events, I, like many others in my field, have had to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of virtual production. The changes have asked much of me. Here are my current preoccupations on an industry transformed overnight by our pandemic-driven mutable world.

Talent Adaptations

For a variety of reasons, many entertainers find it a considerable challenge to accommodate new virtual event realities. To begin with, they all have to adapt to a new asymmetrical bond with a remote audience, one where they cannot see the whites of their eyes. Other challenges include: How do they keep performance standards up that were once so driven by the power of audience response? Under the pressure of lost revenue, how do they quickly create and develop a virtual repertoire for a broadcast format? And, finally, with performances and rehearsals cancelled how do entertainers with special skills stay sharp and not fall flat?

Client Adaptations

I see the “once-was-world” of my client base now grappling with new demands made by bosses, boards of directors, and strategic partners. In order to feel confident before signing contracts, event professionals want to see how the talent, be it a headliner or opening act, has previously performed in a virtual setting. And budgetary concerns, as usual, are also on the table: what should one pay for virtual performances typically much shorter in length and without the complexities of a live performance. In addition, production timelines are mercurial because the decision-making of key stakeholders is more involved. As if this isn’t enough, sequencing of performances throughout the program is extra critical: balancing the placement of entertainment highlights with keynote speakers, the agenda at-hand, and networking.

Audience Adaptations

The old captive audience – the one congregating in convention centres and ballrooms – has left the building. They are now the new captive audience, but, paradoxically, freer than ever before. Deprived of social interaction, we all know that viewer attendees, for any reason, may at any time leave the screen. Perhaps all of us in this position must try to be more patient and attentive and extend this generosity in a new way to support artists, presenters, and production teams. That is, as members of a virtual audience we will be often be asked to participate with the entertainment through technologically-supported Q & A and chat functions, not to mention appearing on screen ourselves and becoming part of the show!

At Carol Priest Entertainment, like a dancer or athlete who pivots, our home foot is firmly grounded in “live” while our other foot stretches, responding to demands in a new-world of hybrid and digital performances. Yet it goes without saying that we are more social than our current captivity, and while the virtual footprint is here to stay it will always be but a shadow of our public celebratory humanity when it once again assembles in venues where the impact of the artist makes our spirit rise like the bubbles in a glass of champagne.

Carol Priest
Director / Producer / Agent/ Entertainment solopreneur since 1991.

Carol Priest, CPE
cp@carolpriestentertainment.com

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