Candidates for the KM Fabrics, Inc. Technical Production Award must display technical competency in a variety of areas. The successful entrant will demonstrate clear execution regarding artistic and technical choices, process, and product. There are two categories of submission materials the technician may submit for consideration: primary and secondary. The primary consideration materials are REQUIRED and should show clear technical choices and design execution in both process and product. The secondary consideration materials are optional and supplemental, to showcase other technology, maker skills, and/or artistic work.

Eligibility 

• Nominees must be a graduate student or a recent graduate (within the past two years).
• Two nomination options:
  • USITT members (faculty or other non-student professional) may submit a nomination
  • Students may self-nominate
•  Nominees must have a current student, early career, or individual membership by November 3, 2022.
• Awards are open to all ages and recognize promising newcomers in each award area.

Submission Process

• Nominees must complete on-line form including a non-refundable $25 entry fee by November 3, 2022.
• Once registration is completed, each nominee will receive an e-mail containing a link to submit the required documents.
• Submission Materials:
  • Resume
  • Letter of recommendation from a faculty member 
  • Letter of support
  • Personal Statement
  • Statement of Collaboration
  • 5 digital image plates 

Primary Consideration Materials

These materials are REQUIRED and are meant to showcase the individual’s creative application of technical direction and/or production management in the performing arts.

LETTER & RESUME GUIDELINES:

•  Nominees’ current resume. PDF format only. Citations of websites are not permitted.
• Letter of Recommendation from a faculty member. The faculty member may include a design instructor, an instructor or supervisor in the shops, acting and history professors, department chairs, and other faculty mentors.
• Letter of Support may come from fellow collaborators, directors, choreographers, production team members, faculty members, or other in the entertainment industry.

PLATE GUIDELINES:

The primary consideration materials should be organized as follows:

• Five (5) plates of digital images are required. Plate refers to a single image or a collage of images, much like one page in a portfolio.
• Maximum size and resolution is 18 x 24 inches, 300dpi, max 20MB.
• PDF format only.
• Event/play/piece title and scene clearly labeled with an appropriately sized and colored, easy-to-read, well-placed font.
• We recommend, but do not require, at least one (1) realized show due to the impact of COVID-19 on the industry. If a production was cancelled or produced in another format, please identify this by indicating it was "impacted by COVID-19"
• Multiple shows or projects may be placed on a single plate with proper organization, BUT for the most part there should be a maximum of one (1) show/project per plate and/or one (1) show/project may take up multiple plates.
• Consider a way to organize the plates so that the process is shown in a clear, concise, and thoughtful manner. Quality should be stressed over quantity.
• Paperwork should be legible, labeled, and be examples that best reflect process.
• All documentation should meet current industry best practices.

WRITTEN COMPONENT:

• Each applicant must submit a personal statement articulating who you are as a collaborative artist. What is your working philosophy? What is your approach to incorporating scenic technology in to productions? (Max 300 words)
• For each production featured on the five (5) required plates, the applicant must submit a statement of collaboration articulating the collaborative process within the production team and shop, research and development, communication with the run crew and others in the team and the ability to work within the parameters of the production as whole. (Max 600 words per show, no photos, may include but is not limited to):
  • Explaining the collaboration process with the scenic designer and supervision of shop staff, actor and/or director interaction, and with others of the production and design team, including run crew.
  • Synopsis of the overriding themes, motifs, or elements as presented by the scenic designer. o Explaining the research and development process undertaken by the technical director and analysis/usage of other materials to further the prototyping and creation of the production pieces.

DEMONSTRATION OF PROCESS:

The plates should be organized to communicate the process of set piece creation, from research, designer’s drawings/renderings to finished set pieces within the production process. If designer created images are used, please indicate this clearly in the image label. Examples must be cited that demonstrate excellence in areas such as:

• Construction
• Rigging
• Drafting
• Engineering
• Computer applications
• Personnel management
• Effective use of resources
• Automation
• Research & Development

SECONDARY SUPPORT MATERIALS

An additional three (3) plates of material may be submitted for a maximum of eight (8) plates total. These optional plates may include projects from other areas of production technology, entertainment technology, or machining. This work may be from produced productions or classroom projects, realized or conceptual, and should showcase the range of the applicant.

ADJUDICATION

Judges will score (not rank) each entry on the following:

• Adherence to the submission guidelines: plate size, format, and parameters
  • Submissions not adhering to the format listed will be considered ineligible.
• Content and organization of plates and photographs (image size & quantity, labeling, legibility, and clarity)
• Illustration and explanation of: process: research through development, development to drafting, construction to completed set piece.
• Demonstration of complex: problem solving, rigging, automation, or construction ideas
• Written materials: clarity, articulation, and thoughtfulness

<BACK to award