War of 1812 Introduces John Terence, Chief Warrant Officer (Ret'd) MMM, CD Producer

Photo by Gary McWilliams, Ontario Visited
"The Battle" at the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival
Interview with Mr. John Terence, Producer, Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

WAR OF 1812 & the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

“EMBRACING YOUR AUDIENCE” …. FESTIVAL/EVENT VISITORS …

One major aspect of the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival’s goal is to try to get the audience emotions going. John Terence, Producer, “tries to present the show in such a way that people’s emotions become sad and reflective, and then build up again to excitement”. The Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival is renowned for their spectacular finals ending with a huge impact, leaving the audience thunderous applaud, tears, cheers and heart filled emotions. He “takes great consideration into how the audience responds”. Although John Terence is the Producer and looks after many details, he also works with Mr. John Dinsmore, Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret’d) John Dinsmore, CD, Member of the Board of Directors is the Tattoo’s announcer and script-writer. A little history about Mr. Dinsmore …“Born in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, he began his military life as an RAF Cadet. After moving to Hamilton, he joined The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, served in the regiment for 30 years and is a former Commanding Officer. He narrated the Argylls’ act at the 1986 Edinburgh Military Tattoo and his interest in tattoo production has continued since that time. He is a founding member of the Canadian International Tattoo Association and has served as Chairman. Col Dinsmore has been the announcer for the Hamilton Tattoo since its origin in 1992.”

(To Be Continued)

War of 1812 Introduces John Terence, Chief Warrant Officer (Ret'd) MMM, CD Producer

Photo by Gary McWilliams, Ontario Visited
"The Battle" at the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival
Interview with Mr. John Terence, Producer, Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

WAR OF 1812 & the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

 

“CRITICAL STRATEGIC PLANNING” …

John said “Strategic Planning” is CRITICAL! He chuckled when I asked him if he had a “system” to keep organized. John states emphatically, that “good staff makes my job a lot easier”. He is prepared and “does his homework”!  Mr. Terence gets the “lay of the show and other details regarding lighting, sound, and then tucks these ideas away for a few weeks”. Then he re-visits to see if his thoughts and the thought process are the same. Certain “Acts” he pays more attention to than others. John explained how much planning, learning and expertise went into a show a few years ago. The Afghani soldiers were portrayed in a spectacular exhibit of bravery and courage. John said “the lighting was “pretty complex” and “was vital in the presentations itself”. In the performance for the Afghani scene, John realized he know very little about the people. He said he had no idea or experience on this subject, so, he hired and worked with an Afghani Show Producer to put the scenes together. John said … “You talk about emotional moments, the Afghani Flight of Soldiers was heart filled”. He was grateful for the valuable resources to help relate the Afghani Soldiers experiences.

(To Be Continued)

War of 1812 Introduces John Terence, Chief Warrant Officer (Ret'd) MMM, CD Producer

Photo by Gary McWilliams, Ontario Visited
"The Battle" at the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival
Interview with Mr. John Terence, Producer, Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

WAR OF 1812 & the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

“BEHIND THE SCENES - PROBLEM SOLVING” …

I asked John... "As a producer, I would imagine you are good at problem solving and managing people! As hectic as it is with all the chaos and details, how do you maintain your professionalism and composure?

What goes on behind the scenes is truly remarkable. I had no idea how technical planning was required for such a larger scale show/performance. Here's what he told me… John has a large staff, with two “trouble shooters” who sit in the VIP booth on top of the concourse. There are just 3 technical directors who deal with lighting, sound and when required video technician. There are seven (7) entrances/exits to the coliseum floor John has and five (5) main players on the benches on the sidelines. Mr. Terence has a Production Staff and 4-5 others to assist with moving the podium on/off the coliseum floor and specific people to pull the curtains back on cue. I asked John how importance a job this was. Again, John said that he tells his team that no matter how small or minute their tasks may seem, they are critical in the grand picture. COMMUNICATIONS are Critical for a show of this magnitude. John told me he has two ear pieces in/on during the entire production. In his left ear he can talk directly to the Sound, Lighting technicians, in his right ear the headset he is in direct communications so he can speak. John can speak simutainuously or independently as required.

(To Be Continued)

War of 1812 Introduces John Terence, Chief Warrant Officer (Ret'd) MMM, CD Producer

Photo by Gary McWilliams, Ontario Visited
"The Battle" at the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival
Interview with Mr. John Terence, Producer, Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

WAR OF 1812 & the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

“The IMPORTANCE OF SPONSORSHIP” …

With the economic challenges today, it would seem it critical to obtain/maintain Sponsor funding and Other Sources of funding. How you go about obtain funding? How do you keep “Sponsors” interested in supporting your efforts and “keep them happy”? As an aside, Mr. Terence reiterates how important Corporate Sponsorship is to the funding of this event (and festivals and events alike). Because of the scope of the show and the costs, this festival relies on sponsorship and grant funding to help make the shows viable. John shares his vision and sells the concepts and conveys his message to these groups because once they believe in what you are trying to accomplish they are more apt to assist.

“OUR YOUTH TODAY … OUR HISTORY TOMORROW” …

The Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival encourages the youth of today to attend performances and take part. Mr. Terence tells me that the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival helps create Public Interest because “it tugs the heart strings a little for all groups and ages of people”. The Cadets are very involved in this Festival. John tells me “the youth of today are learning from the efforts of this Festival”. They give opportunities for secondary school and university students to volunteer and learn about history and music through their commitment. On the Friday prior to the “big day” all elementary schools in Hamilton are invited to bring the children to view a special dress rehearsal and meet the performers. They put on a show for the children where John (the Producer) and others (including the script writers) can answer some of the questions from the kids. It gives the children exposure to this unique educational technique of “history”.

(To Be Continued)