MICF Volunteers

[aussiechica]

hey hey funky chickens!

I was just wondering if anyone here whos been a MICF volunteer in the past could share some info with me about what it involves and what its like.
ie. what do they want you to do, what kind of people are they looking for, how long the volunteer stints are, any benefits (Im not going to do it for that reason but, yeah, wouldnt go astray), what kind of people you work with, what kind of skills you acquire and what you get out of it.

Much obliged in advance!

Im already stoked about next year wheeee!
:lookarou: Hey, Im doing my HSC, I get excited easily

Cheers!

[aussiechica]

Ok, just thought of another lil point regarding this question:
do MICF volunteers actually exsist? Because, looking on the MICF site, I cant actually find any real mention of them. And judging by the overwhelming response here, neither have you guys

So, do they exsist?
Also, are there many jobs available around the MICF period? Or are all positions staffed by core Melbourne staff

Thankyou

[VAxwell]

Staff at the comfest are paid workers with previous festival experience. There aren't many volunteer jobs, unless you count handing out fliers for shows and getting free tickets from the comedians you're advertising for as work.

If you want to get a vollie job at a festival, I recommend the Melbourne Fringe. It's just finished, though, so you'll have to wait until next year.

If you have had previous experience as a front of house person or just general festival experience, then you should apply to work as a member of staff. The only problem with this is that there's a lot of people wanting to work at the MICF, and most of them have worked at festivals the world over.

If you are planning to apply, you should send your resume, along with a cover letter explaining which area of the festival you'd like to work and why you think you'd be a valuable asset to the the administrator in charge of staffing by December.

Good luck, though

[aussiechica]

Thanks for the info VAxwell.

Ive not got any festival or front-of-house experience (I worked at a cinema- does that count?) , I was hoping to get such experience at the MICF, then travel the world dazzling them with my skills based on that experience

I will put my hand up for the Melbourne fringe though, when it comes round.

Thankyou for your support and good wishes- much appreciated!

[Karmic Ricecracker]

is it just working within the micf team you were interested in? if not, i happen to know show producers are always looking for people to help out with their publicity needs. based on their constitution, you may or may not get paid, but you'll gain valuable insider knowledge and experience working closely with a show and there's lots of perks - free shows etc.

[aussiechica]

Originally Posted by Karmic Ricecracker

is it just working within the micf team you were interested in? if not, i happen to know show producers are always looking for people to help out with their publicity needs. based on their constitution, you may or may not get paid, but you'll gain valuable insider knowledge and experience working closely with a show and there's lots of perks - free shows etc.

Yes! Any kind of experience would be useful-- this is just as much about making connections as it is gaining experience.
All of what youve said above sounds great (and, as much as I love money, I dont mind going unpaid for some things-- and Im a huge fan of perks) and if youve got any producers (or other comedy-festivity-type-person's) names and emails for me to get in touch with, Id be hugely obliged (feel free to pm or email me).
Thanks, you are a fantastic Ricecracker!

[Munchkin]

If it's anything like last years GUD Army, it's standing around handing out flyers.

[sharleen]

I might be interested Aussie. I've got a bundle of shows I'm hoping to promote. It would involve standing around handing out flyers, but we'll give you a funky t-shirt to wear, offer free tix to our gigs and we may have a volunteers party at the end (still working out details).

Anyway, contact me - sharleen@comedylive.com.au

[Mythor]

Originally Posted by Munchkin

If it's anything like last years GUD Army, it's standing around handing out flyers.

And then talking about it incessantly. :lookarou:

[Spawn of Satan]

Originally Posted by Mythor

And then talking about it incessantly. :lookarou:

I hated doin that shit.

SoS

[stevie]

...might be in the area at the time...willing to offer my service if anyone needs the help...


sfx@thevortex.com

[comfestivity]

i just thought i'd mention, i know it's been a while, however, there are a fair few volunteers at comedy festivals, doing front of house, talking up the festival, handing out programs etc. most are volunteers and micf are looking for more volunteers this year and paid workers.... it all happens throught the arts hub website...





sorry, edited bit... www.artshub.com.au

[offchops]

If you want to access the arts hub website and actually LOOK for jobs that are available or advertise yourself then you have to pay a fee, something like 60 bucks a year for students. If you just want to look for people to employ then i'm pretty sure that its free. So unless you want to pay its probably best not to use arts hub (though it is a good resource)

As to working at the Com Fest this year, i know that i am doing it though a stage management course, so i'm guessing that most of the people working there are proffessionals, or have at least had some experience, as its a really really full on hard thing to do with no experience.

But if you do end up just handing out flyers etc. then make sure that you try and meet everyone that you can, if you make friends with the right people at the ComFest then you might get a paid gig another year, or maybe just get to do something other than handing out flyers

Good luck aussiechica!

[offchops]

Another idea: you could try and get a job at an actual venue as opposed to the ComFest? That way you might actually get something interesting to do

[aussiechica]

thanks again for all your help guys!

yeah, the hub site was no good to me as no membership = crippled access

As for getting a job at a single venue as you suggested offchops , being barely 18 and not a Melbourne resident (meaning I cant really hunt around for jobs, go for interviews before time etc) .
But Ill keep your advice in mind next year if Im looking for work for the fest.

Thanks alot!