Reference

[martin ewen]

You know the gig, they say yeah I'll do you a reference, you write it and I'll stick the letterhead on it and sign it.
I can't think of one good thing to say about myself.

So what are some of the phrases that people look for in a reference? What are some of the 'code words'
How gushy is too gushy?

What are the bases you should look at covering.

personally any flattering suggestions woukld be welcome and unflattering suggestions should at least be funny.

[caricatureguy]

Martin Ewan knows EVERYTHING!

How's that?

[Rachel Peters]

"Martin Ewen could probably make you cry. But chance are, he won't. Not unless you really deserve it."

...I like the angle of how poetic it is for such an articulate, insightful person to spend his entire career in silent observation. I think it appeals to the Romantic.

It's hard to write for yourself, eh? ...That's why I hired you.

So, what are the facts? What do you need to convey for this letter?

[Frisbee]

mention that this person supports you creatively and or that they encourage you the reader to support you the artist.

mention the performance you did for their organization and if you are a repeat performer they have hired.

mention reactions from people who saw you, especially from people like a CEO etc.

keep it brief but informative so that when people will read it, that it conveys your professionalism, your show, who you did it for, why and what they thought.

-Greg Frisbee

[Daniel Zindler]

my two cents... mention whatever seems realistic. Oh and make it short! I don't think anyone takes the time to read the stupid things anyway. They just feel powerful letting your references clutter up their desk unread.

[jester]

"I was so impressed with Lurk that I agreed to sign any testominial he cared to write - I really was life changingly inspired, so thrilled that I simply could not be arsed to the testimonial myself."

[Mr.Taxi Trix]

Letters help when they talk about what seperates you from any other performers who prospects might hire. Did you show up when a lesser act would have demurred? Were you flexible when others would have been divaesque?

Always good to have one sentance in there that you can quote directly from, as in "Outstanding ability to scare children while endearing them to him!" "Blindingly Original!" or
"Brightened the event with his own brand of darkness!"

Most do go unread, but they add heft, so length is not always too big a deterrent. More importantly, if you are targeting, references from peers go a long way, and will get the eyeball. Given the vast sums even one contract can pay us, culling these references is well worth your time. Spade work, but good to have in the can.

[jester]

Originally posted by Daniel Zindler
. They just feel powerful letting your references clutter up their desk unread.

So if my desk was cluttered with references rather than office stuff, I would feel powerful rather than snowed under...

Can everybody send me a reference please.....

[Butterfly Man]

Snowed under with office work?

I agree with Karl ... memorable quotes are best (brochures/websites) ... only send "letters of reference" with a full "press kit" ... i.e., folder/ 8X10/business card/bio/press clippings etc.


Just plug in any CEO name after each of the following:


“Martin Ewen is a clown weltering in the filth of deep rooted phobia and angst.”


“We loved watching him rattle the cages of bureaucrats and papists.”


“Lurk’s allusions mirrored our illusions, what a mastermind!”


“While ten feet in the air he attempted to solve the arcane riddles of the universe using only single malt whiskey and a Halloween bag of assorted anti depressants.”


“Lurk showed us that time has a way of passing way too fast and yet life is painfully too long.”


“We were amazed when we watched him open the wounds of the living while trying to avoid being a burden to others by constantly bleeding on everyone.”

“After seeing his show we never will say, "How's it going?" or "Do you know the time?" to anyone, ever again.”