Licensing Questions!

[gabrieljwickedone]

Posted: 3/22/13 at 1:53pm

I know...annoying. Sorry, but I'm not sure who else to ask!

I may have the opportunity to direct my first show next year and I have some questions about royalties and such.

I'm looking to direct THE KING AND I next March, we would have three performances, and I was just looking for an estimate of the cost of all the royalties. I have no clue of all the fees and such, so I'm just looking for a ball park estimate.

Also, anything someone can tell me about the licensing process would be very helpful, just maybe a quick run down. I'm really looking at the aspect with blind eyes, so anything helps.

[Jon]

Posted: 3/22/13 at 1:57pm

Royalties depend on the size of the venue and the price of tickets. Figure approximately 10% of your gross potential income (number of seats x price).

Regardless, there will be a materials rental fee of about $800 plus a $400 refundable deposit.

Why don't you just go to the R&H website and fill out an application? If the cost is too much, you are certainly under no obligation to do the show.

[Gmerchant123]

Posted: 3/22/13 at 1:59pm

Just did King And I, such a great show, I think the right are going to cost you around 5,000, but let me warn you if K&I is going to be done right you're going to have to spend some $$$ on coustumes and a very extravagant set, just a warning I think costumes for our show ran us around 14,000 and set was like 20,000 (even with using some existing set pieces) good luck! Hope it works out!

[ggersten]

Posted: 3/22/13 at 3:03pm

My daughter did King and I in a shopping strip mall theater that sat about 120. Very very simple set - made mostly by a wooden divider that split the stage and was moved back and forth by "slaves" so that things could be set behind the wall as needed. They built a royal chair - had a blackboard - and a bed - and a cutout to represent a ship. There was a backdrop or permanent piece on the back of the stage to represent the Palace. And, I think that was it for the set!
So, it can be done on the cheap - and let the story come through...

But, check on the R&H website - and also know that R&H are known as sticklers on their license - so you'll have to police the cast and crew and parents to keep stuff off of "that internet viewing site"

Updated On: 3/22/13 at 03:03 PM

[Gmerchant123]

Posted: 3/22/13 at 3:14pm

Sorry but chances are you're daughters production was a train wreck and the show was god awful, from the piece of crap set that you're describing, that's the set that you don't want, and you're daughter probably will have better chances of being a hooker than being a so called "actress" thanks...get over yourself and then get back to me little miss director

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 3/22/13 at 3:25pm

What the ever loving hell?

[gabrieljwickedone]

Posted: 3/22/13 at 3:27pm

I actually saw a college production similar to the one described, and it was better than any professional production I've seen, so save your vicious comments.

Thank you so much for the input everyone!

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 3/22/13 at 3:30pm

I am just as confused, Phyllis. I, literally, said "What did I just read?" out loud. smh

[latitudex1]

Posted: 3/22/13 at 3:43pm

I can't help but belly laugh when comments like Gmerchant123's are so over the top. The hooker comment pushed me over the tipping point.

That couldn't be serious, right? It's like something I would say to friends in jest, but I don't think that those two have that kind of relationship.

[xxdrewboy85xx]

Posted: 3/22/13 at 4:06pm

Sorry Gmerchant there is no way in hell rights will be 5,000 for only 3 performances.

[Jon]

Posted: 3/22/13 at 4:17pm

Again let's do the math:

Say your theatre seats 500. You are charging $15 per ticket. That's $7500 per night potential gross. Royalties will therefore be about $750 per show. Three performances = $2250 plus $1200 rental and deposit = $3450. If you return all your materials undamaged, your total is $3050.

Of course, in a 125 seat theatre, the royalties would only be $185 per performance (based on the same ticket price.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/22/13 at 4:22pm

Jon's figures are more accurate. I'd be shocked if it would hit 5k for a three night run.

Of course, fees will be higher if you want to rent the materials for longer than is standard.

And as another poster mentioned...go do the paperwork and you will know exactly what the quote is. There is no obligations whatsoever.