Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
Post by BrokenLight on May 5, 2009 19:00:56 GMT -5
I was just approved today for a Media Press Pass, not a Photo Pass, just Media...
I've never done this before with Bonnaroo, so I'm going to have several questions, and I hope some people with knowledge and experience will be able to help me out...
Off the top of my head, I only have a few questions, but I'm sure more will come about at some time...
What special perks do you get with a Media Pass? I understand I can't get into the Photo Pits but can take a professional camera anywhere into Centeroo.
Is there some type of Media Tent that offers internet access? The plan is to do on the spot/live blogging as the festival occurs. So I'm hoping to bring my laptop, plug in somewhere, connect to the net, and update my site as things are happening.
Is there seperate camping for those with Media Passes? I was told I'll be parking in the general campground, so will I also be camping in the general campground or is there a special camping area for those with media passes?
Will I be able to come in contact with any musicians, backstage access? I mean, something like this would be a f*cking huge and obviously a dream come true...
Thats really all I can think of now, hope someone can help...
Will I be able to come in contact with any musicians, backstage access? I mean, something like this would be a f*cking huge and obviously a dream come true...
Congratulations on getting your pass... You're about to have your dreams come true for an entire 4 days. There are musicians backstage in the media area just milling around at all times of the day. We do most of our interviews at the picnic tables backstage, or at the tents.
It was definitely a very cool moment when we saw our first big headliner standing right next to us. Embrace it, but follow proper protocol. Contact musicians through their publicists and set up interviews. A great thing about Roo is that they have daily press conferences with middle to headlining status. You'll be able to get amazing pictures, and may even get a chance to speak with them.
Most importantly, remember that you're at Roo on assignment, and so are all of the other people that are wearing media bracelets. Working behind the scenes at on of the world's premier music festival will be something that you'll never forget as long as you live. Do great work while on-site (and afterward) so you be approved for next year!
Sorry I didn't address your other questions, but I'm about to fall asleep. See you in the tent!
You WILL have access to the media tent which has WiFi access (well most of the time - LOL!) It IS much more dependable than the rest of roo for sure....BUT there ARE a limited number of outlets available so be considerate and don't HOG an outlet for more time than you ABSOLUTELY need it to charge your camera/phone/latop and submit the story...then free it up for another fellow reporter/photog in the same sitch as you....the main goal is courtesy. There just aren't enough outlets and tablespace to go around. You can also store your laptops/cameras in the Bonnaroo Beacon trailer during the day and early evening hours if you don't want to lug it around Centeroo all day...they don't guarantee anything but it's much safter than leaving it in the press tent or any other place at Roo as there is usually ALWAYS someone in the Beacon trailer but when they lock up for the night anywhere between 2-4 am ...that's it...if you don't get your stuff you are stuck til someone opens it the next am...
Also...while you can and WILL run into some celebs and performers in the media area.....you CANNOT go backstage with a media pass....that is NOT allowed. Whomever wanders back to the media area/press tent is fair game though they might not be too happy about talking to you unexpectedly so be prepared to be brushed off or even acted rudely towards if they are so inclined. Not that most artists are EVER like that but it can and does happen from time to time. It DEFINITELY is better to get in contact with the artists PR reps ahead of time and set up an official interview intstead just to make sure..... Most of all....realize you are on the clock...act professional and HAVE FUN! ;D
Post by BrokenLight on May 6, 2009 18:05:56 GMT -5
where all on the farm is there internet/wifi access?
having a media pass, would it be better to take my own laptop, and make my updates from the media tent, or could i just not take my laptop and update from the computers they have available in centeroo?
would i be able to take my laptop with me to a show, sit off to the side of the stage and log onto the net without connecting to anything?
Some have said they have wifi access in other places on the farm, but the only place I have ever gotten wifi from my laptop is in the media area....I have never gotten a connection from near a stage...and I wouldn't risk NOT taking your laptop and just using the computers in Centeroo....in 2007 they were down more than they were up and the lines were AWFUL! If you are seriously going to file stories and blogs....be independent and prepared! Also....there are a VERY LIMITED amount of outlets in the media tent so you have to share....so you have to be fast, thrifty and play nice with others...there are THOUSANDS (no exageration!) of us covering this festie at ALL levels but we are ALL on equal footing when the rubber meets the road for meeting our deadlines and we all have a job to get done at the end of the day.....
Post by elmorejames on May 11, 2009 9:07:42 GMT -5
Buy a Blackberry 8700 and forget the laptop altogether. I'm picking one up next week just in time and really looking forward to not having to lug around anymore gear than my Nikon D70.
Post by rolandtheheadless on May 12, 2009 17:07:38 GMT -5
Just got the all go on a press pass and photo pass. I am psyched - this is my second time at 'roo but first time where there's a pretense of getting work done.
For anyone doing interviews: have you already started contacting publicists to set that up? And is it best to go through the artists directly or did you have the Big Hassle people forward your request, or at least help you figure out how to get in touch with?
(And does anyone know what to expect from the conference call tomorrow, if you're in on it?)
Post by elmorejames on May 13, 2009 10:25:27 GMT -5
They just sent out the schedule. It looks like a half hour with each artist and everyone should get to ask at least one question. Everything has to pertain to Bonnaroo, which kind of sucks.
They just sent out the schedule. It looks like a half hour with each artist and everyone should get to ask at least one question. Everything has to pertain to Bonnaroo, which kind of sucks.
what? what's this? is this something including all media personnel?
I've only checked out the pre-selected media interview session once or twice. Our show always sets up interviews in advance, and take place all over Centeroo. Since we have to keep a lot of appointments, we usually seem to miss those sessions due to scheduling conflicts... However, they are definitely convenient for those who haven't pre-arranged their interviews. Bonnaroo always makes a great selection of artists available to the media.
B and I always send our interview requests to publicists about a month or so before the event. Artists seem to have more concrete schedules as the dates draw closer. I'm shooting for a lot of headliners, but we are also very selective on who we will interview. If we don't have a genuine interest in interviewing the artist, we won't send a request. I plan on doing between 5 and 15 interviews over the weekend... I'll keep you all updated with how the prospects develop!
If any of you are photographers, we'll be doing a lot of interviews at the backstage picnic tables. There could possibly be good opportunity to shoot some pics if the opportunity arises. (On occasion, some artists don't like their pictures taken while being interviewed.)
what? what's this? is this something including all media personnel?
I think they're limiting it to certain outlets that they're targeting for preview coverage, etc.
bamabelle, you sound way prepared for this thing. Way more prepared than I am, anyway. Can you offer any other hints about being on the ground there?
I'm going to have to negotiate live Tweeting, live blogging, photos, and FlipCam stuff. Should be a fun challenge.
LOL! I've been through it a few times....and done a few other festies too so....you get a routine down after a while
The best thing I can tell ya is just to do your research ahead of time...try to set up any MUST HAVE interviews ahead of time, but be prepared for the "we aren't doing any interviews at Bonnaroo" line and you WILL find a way to make do with the scheduled press cons and esp if you are doing live blogging and tweets from the festie you'll be fine! I was on the pre-Roo tele-con last year...I think they try to mix it up from year to year...who was it this year? It's a fun thing....a great PR thing for the festie...
Just have plenty of memory cards for your camera...an extra battery/charger for your PC/PDA...and most of all...just have fun! ;D The more fun you have and can convey to your readers...the better it will be...the most important thing...don't concentrate SOOO much on the artists and music that you forget to cover THE FESTIE!! Make sure you get across the VIBE of Bonnaroo to your readers....so often that is what we miss ....
