What is considered for a show in the Director’s Showcase?
A show, for this purpose, is any kind of pre-scripted entertainment that would fall with-in the lines of skits, plays, theater, etc. Any source material is fair game, from Hetalia to Avengers to Halo, to be drawn from and turned into the kind of show you want to present. Even if you have an original idea that you would like to turn into a show, it can still be presented.

What are the differences between hosting an event in the Director’s Showcase versus a normal panel room?
As all events in the Director’s Showcase are designed to be performance shows, we ask they not be run as a normal panel. Please refrain from the following: shows focused mainly on Q&A or only fan-based interaction.

How do I enter a show for the Director’s Showcase?
You may prepare a show/skit between 20-45 minutes in length and contact us to submit your idea and wait for a response. All shows must also follow a PG-13 rating and keep things such as cursing, sexuality, and intense violence to a minimum.

Please use the Contact Us form with option “Director’s Showcase Info” and include the following:

• Your Contact Information.
• The name of your show.
• A complete Description of your show in the Message box (do not provide a script at this point).
• Complete detail of ANY Stage Combat or practical effects.
• Any Questions you may have.
• Our Event Coordinator will then be in touch with you to get further information, including your script or detailed outline

The deadline to enter the Director’s Showcase is February 1, 2015.

What am I provided?
The benefits of putting on a show in the Director’s Showcase versus a normal panel room are multi-faceted. For one instead of dealing with a small stage or being on the same level as the audience with no stage at all, you will have the benefit of being able to use the similar staging style as can be found in Special Events. You will be granted setup time for your show (one hour in most cases). You will also gain the ability to use high-quality audio much like Special Events, where you can connect your own music device for your sound needs. There will be no projector or screen for your specific use at this point. You are free to provide your own for your show if it is selected. (The types and amounts of microphones available are to be determined. We will post information as it becomes available.)

What do I need to provide?
All shows are responsible for their own music/sound effects, props, costumes, set pieces, etc, and a Technical Director is required to be present at the Tech Booth for all sound cue requirements.

What are the benefits of a producing a show for the Director’s Showcase?
Aside from being able to present your show in front of a larger audience by putting on a show in the Director’s Showcase, you will also be entered in and judged against other shows that run in it during that year’s OMNI EXPO. At the end of the weekend your show may possibly be selected as a winner to be given a time slot on the Main Events Stage the following year!

How is the selection process done?
After the selection deadline all entries will be looked at to see which would be most reasonable, easily performable, and best entertaining. From there, OMNI EXPO Staff will review the entries and those that are selected will be contacted for more information before being given a time slot. All time slots are determined and set by OMNI EXPO Staff.

If your show is selected, ALL your staff, cast members, and directors of your show must sign a liability wavier provided by OMNI EXPO stating that OMNI EXPO is not responsible for the damage of any items used in the show or any injuries sustained by actors over the course of the performance.

RULES:

• There will be NO STAGE COMBAT OF ANY KIND unless approved by OMNI EXPO. A complete breakdown of the fight in detail must be given to OMNI EXPO for their consideration and approval. OMNI EXPO's decision on ANY stage combat is final and no negotiable> ANY stage combat that takes place that is not approved will result in the disqualification of the show and the possible immediate termination of the show.
• All Directors must record their show and upload it to YouTube no later than 30 days after the end of the convention.
• There will be no useage of any kind of the follwing which is included but not limited to: Silly String, Fake Blood / Squibs, Glitter, Glitter, Glitter, completely right out not even one speck don't even think of it we really mean it....not kidding....yes this is a run on sentance....GLITTER!
• The Room / Stage MUST be left as it was found. This means that your show must clean up after itself in preparation for the next event in the room.
• The hotel charges a mandatory $250 fine for cleaning rugs. If the Room / Stage is not found in the proper condition upon the end of your show and it has to be cleaned, the charge from the hotel will be passed on to the Director of the show. We cannot have the Hotel's rugs or furnishings damaged in any way. Simply put, DO NOT LEAVE A MESS and you will not be charged.

• One (1) splash ad for your show to be used on print materials / the OMNI EXPO website. Size: 1024 x 300 - 300 dpi.
• One (1) ad for your show to be used on print materials / the OMNI EXPO website. Size: 300 x 300 - 300 dpi.

FAQs

If you have any concerns, questions, or wish to submit an idea, please use our Contact Us form with the Subject option “Director’s Showcase Info”. If you contact us after your show has been selected, please remember to state who are and which show it is you are asking the question for.

I was in the Director's Showcase last year. Can I submit a show again?
Yes! Welcome back! You may enter the Director's Showcase again unless you were the winner of the previous year. Please read the rules again in case anything may have changed.

Ok. I am totally new to this and I want to submit a show. What is the first thing I need to do?
We cannot stress this enough, the first thing to do is READ EVERYTHING ON THIS PAGE!
Yes, we put that in caps for those of you that like to skim things. If you want to put on a professional show, please read all the rules. That will help way more than you think.

Why is the deadline to submit my show so incredibly early?
The entry deadline is set as Feburary 1, 2015. OMNI EXPO needs time to consider which of all the entries will be appearing at the convention. Also, putting on a really good show can be difficult. The early deadline is to give the directors creating the shows plenty of time to do auditions, plan rehearsals, build props, and so on.

What advice can you give me on my show?
Think your show idea through thoroughly! Often we see ideas that are only half crafted and then attempted to be executed. This usually winds up with a sub-standard performance that even the show creators are not happy with. If you cannot deconstruct your idea to see where it might not be good enough so you can make it better, you should possibly re-think your show idea. Please also submit a readable proposal and outline. If we cannot read it, or understand it, you may not be selected. Also, many times we see that someone has a great idea in their head and can see it perfectly but cannot describe it on paper. Have someone proof read your proposal to make sure your idea is portrayed correctly.

We suggest your show be entertaining. Yes, that is kind of a broad statement but, after all, people (and conventions that may be scouting your) probably don't want something that is boring. We do suggest you stay away from making fun of other conventions or shows. Make something that is original or a really good twist on something that has been done before. Yes, practically everything has been done before but this is an opportunity to see what you can do. Don't create a show that is so complex that the average person cannot follow it. You might also wind up making it too long and go over your time limit.

TIME YOUR SHOW! We cannot stress that enough. Many times a show is not timed out when actors start rehearsing. Once it is realized that the show is running long, things have to be cut out. Time your show by reading it and seeing how long it takes you to do the actions you have thought out for your actors. Be sure to include time walking onto the stage and scene changes. Tiny things matter more than you think.

We suggest having reasonable costumes that aren't too difficult for your actors to acquire. It is very hard to do a casting for a show and have an actor find out that his secret character part is a suit of giant armor that they have no idea how to acquire. A good rule is that if you don't have someone to make a complex costume ahead of time, it should not be included in your show. If you do have a someone who's wonderful at sewing or a prop master you have at your disposal, then have at it! Really oversized props or gigantic costumes should be noted in your production notes that you provide OMNI EXPO.

What is the stage size?
OMNI EXPO will provide the stage size and layout as soon as it is available.

OMG! I have a billion questions! Can I write OMNI EXPO and ask them all?
Yes! Please feel free to contact us! We are here to help you. Please make sure you have read the entire page first to see if your question is answered here.

How many shows will be in the Director's Showcase? Is there a competition and there will only be one or two selected?
OMNI EXPO has five (5) timeslots available throughout the weekend for the Director's Showcase. This includes a one hour show setup and a one show hour performance timeslot. OMNI EXPO will choose the show director that it feels has the best entertainment potential to be given a timeslot for the Main Events Stage the following year.

I see shows at conventions and want to do the exact same show I saw…ONLY BETTER! Is that ok?
Our advice is that you should try to do something new and different. Sure, there are bound to be some ideas that are similar. There are only so many types of dance and fight shows; however, that doesn’t say that you can’t make them unique. Remember, if a show is too close to something a convention already does, they may not be interested in your show.

I ran a show I created at another convention/event. May I enter it at this one?
We prefer new show ideas but will not stop you from entering your show. We do ask that if you have run your show before that you let us know where you have performed your show.

But, my show is AWESOME! It doesn’t need any revisions.
If you are attempting to do a show to prove that it will work at other conventions, you need to make sure you can look at it objectively. Don’t be afraid to rip your idea apart and look for plot holes or things that just don’t make sense to the audience (example: too many inside jokes that only your cast will get). Remember, fans are your biggest critics! Not to mention conventions will possibly be scouting you.

My show was not selected! What do I do? That’s not fair!
We are sorry, but all selections made by OMNI EXPO are final. We don’t want to discourage anyone but we select shows based off of feasibility and how well they are thought out. Also, there is only so much time at the convention per-day (including setup) for shows.

My show was selected! GREAT! What do I do now?
Start getting your show ready to be able to be performed. Make sure you make a schedule for practices and work on things until they are perfect.

Will OMNI EXPO help me do auditions and select my cast?
Being in charge of a production is a big responsibility that will also include assembling your cast. You will have to set up auditions or select your cast on your own.

Some of my cast want to be in other productions?
Fans sometimes naturally want to be in as many productions as possible. Whether you let them is up to you. We do suggest that everyone remembers that conventions (and shows at them) would not exist without fans wanting to do them in the first place. 

Will our directors and cast all get free tickets to OMNI EXPO?
ONLY the Director of each show will be given one (1) free pass (no co-directors). Your entire staff and cast will be put on a list and they will be able to get into the room to set up your show and perform. Unfortunately, OMNI EXPO cannot extend free tickets to an entire cast.

Can I advertise my show?
Yes! Please advertise your show. The more people you have in your show, the better! It will also help show that you can draw in an audience. Of course, make sure your show can keep your audience in the room. We suggest viral social media advertising. Please make sure any of your advertising is kept within OMNI EXPO guidelines - PG-13.

Can I choose my own Timeslot?
We are sorry, but OMNI EXPO will choose the timeslot for every selected entry.

I don't like my timeslot! It conflicts with something I want to do, or a show I want to see, or another show that is going on in another room!
We are sorry, but all timeslots chosen by OMNI EXPO are final. Please do not complain about your timeslot or cause a problem. Doing so may potentially cause your show to be cancelled.

How much time will my show get at the convention?
You get a one hour setup time for your show and a one hour timeslot for the show itself. OMNI EXPO will open the doors to the room approximately 10 minutes before your show starts. This will not be pushed back under circumstances. Do not beg, plead, or try to bribe us to get the doors to open later. Doing so may possibly get your show cancelled. To be fair to everyone, no show will be extended beyond a one hour timeslot to be fair to everyone.

I need money to put my show together. Will OMNI EXPO help me out?
No, we are really sorry but you are on your own to do this. Feel free to start your own fundraisers for your project if you need to.

How long do you recommend I make my show?
We recommend no longer than a 45 minute running time for your show. Yes, you have an hour at your disposal, but it is better to have a bit of padding if you think you might start a few minutes late. If this is your first time running a show, we do not recommend you attempt to use all 60 minutes exactly. Remember, you are not allowed to go over time and your show will be cut off if you do.

But my show needs to be a three hours long to complete its epic storyline!
Again, due to time constraints, a show may only be one hour long with a one hour setup time. We apologize, but you will have to cut your epic down to just one hour. As a tip, always leave your audience wanting more.

We practiced a few times. It’s good enough. Right?
Remember, you are performing a show so that other conventions can scout you. If your show is just “good enough” for you, it may not be “good enough” for anyone else to take a chance on hiring you.

Can I store my props or set pieces in the convention somewhere?
No. We are sorry, but OMNI EXPO does not have the space to store your props and other items you may need for your show. You will have to be responsible for storage and transport of your props to the room for your show. We are also not liable for anything that is misplaced, broken, or does not make it into the show.

I accidentally left my most expensive and valuable prop in the room after we were done and now I can’t find it!
Any props or materials that are left after the show may possibly be discarded unknowingly as trash. Please do not leave anything that belongs to your show in the room when you are done. It is your responsibility to remove everything upon finishing your show.

I really want to do a special effect but it involves silly string or better yet, GLITTER!
Silly string and glitter have been completely outlawed at OMNI EXPO by the governing laws of the Time and Space anomalies commisssion. It has been found that using such items may compeltely damage the time space continum surrounding you and will result in your ejection of the OMNI EXPO localized timestream. In other words... NO! DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT USING THEM!

I want to do an adult oriented show at night.
Sorry. All shows must adhere to a strict PG-13 rating.
IMPORTANT: Any shows which attempt to circumvent the rating by performing something that was not originally submitted will be immediately shut down and the staff, cast, and directors of that show possibly removed from the convention.

Can I charge an entrance fee to my show?
You may not charge an entrance fee to your show in the Director's Showcase.

I want to do a fight show!
That must be submitted and discussed in that OMNI EXPO has safety guidelines that must be followed.

I want to do a fight show that goes into the audience!
No!

I want to fire blank guns like some of the other big shows! That would be cool!
Yes, firing blank guns is very cool! Unfortunately, we cannot allow anyone to do that in the Director's Showcase. Firing a blank gun requires not only permission from the venue, but also getting permits from the Fire Department along with all the fees and costs involved. There are also stringent safety regulations that must be followed.

I want tons of cool lighting!
We are sorry, but there is no additional lighting in the room at this time. Consider this a test run for if your show if selected by a convention.

How do I play music or sound effects for my show?
We suggest that you have a Technical Director for your show that runs the music and sound effects. You will be able to hook up your computer / i-Device (such as an mp3 player) / sound gadget to the mixer and play what you need to. Standard sound cables will be provided on site. If you think you have a special need (cables, etc…), please contact us BEFORE the convention to make sure your needs are met. If you wait until you are on site, your need may not be met.

I get to do my show at OMNI EXPO! Does this mean that another convention will scout the show and I will be performing at other cons?
Other conventions may indeed scout your show; however, it does not guarantee that any convention will scout your show or sign you to have your show performed at their event.

Guns that fire things? Real swords? Throwing things from the stage?
No, no, and…no. We cannot allow any of these things due to safety regulations. Fake guns with orange tips are allowed. Foam swords are preferred. It is not usually safe to throw objects into a crowd. As always, if you have questions, please feel free to ask us. We want you to have the best show you can.

I want to do something like a Maid Café. Can I serve food to the audience in my show?
We are sorry, but Maid Cafe's do no qualify for the Director's showcase. Food is not allowed to be served in the Directors Showcase.

I had this AWESOME idea to do something like an “Attack on Titan” show where we hook up rigging to allow actors to fly across the stage hanging from the ceiling! We can do it with PVC pipes and string! We promise it will be ok and everything will go just fine and no one will get hurt. (puppy dog eyes)
Please think about what you are asking before you ask it. If you think we probably won’t allow it, we probably actually won’t. No amount of puppy dog eyes, sad panda faces, Facebook rants saying how terrible we are that we wouldn’t let you guys endanger yourselves will change our minds. Just…no.

I need more time to get my show started at the convention. Please delay the start of my show because of (insert reason here)!
OMNI EXPO will absolutely not delay the start time of your show. If you want to succeed in this business you must start on time. There are also going to be other shows than yours on the schedule. The doors will open on time for seating. If you do start late, you must still end on time as in the other shows will want to start their setup on time as well and do not want to be pushed back.

I did run late and my show started late. My show is going to go over the time limit. What do I do?
We are sorry, but we will call an end to your show if it is going over. PLEASE plan accordingly so that you not only do not start late, but you have extra time built into your show so that you can end slightly early. We ask that if you do run over, you promptly end the show when you are told to and have respect for the show coming after you.

Too bad. I went over and I am finishing my show!
Yes, sometimes people do not abide by the rules. OMNI EXPO will turn on the lights and shut off your microphones. This may sound harsh but other shows have to have their setup time as well. Failure to leave when you are told and arguing about it can possibly get you removed from the convention. Please plan your show time accordingly so this does not happen.

Now that my show is over, we need to hang out and get pictures and meet the audience and generally be awesome!
That is great! We certainly understand the need to do that. The problem is that there is probably a show right after you that needs to use the room for their setup and the room needs to be cleared. Please get all of your equipment, and props out of the room first and then make time for the rest. It is better to have scheduled a bit of a buffer so that all this can take place. Remember, time management is key for being professional.

May we take videos of our show at the convention?
Yes, you must record your show and put it on YouTube no later than 30 days after the convention for OMNI EXPO to judge. OMNI EXPO does reserve the right to request video from you for use in any of our advertising as well as ask you to take down any video down for any reason.