what is it?
Using the power of the web together we will produce the most groundbreaking event in Manchester. In 12 different themes 12 different flash mobs will be created involving genres such as art and design, dance, science to classical music. So if you have always wanted an idea to be seen at as festival but never found it, this is your chance to make it happen.
The Cutting Room Experiment is your chance to have your idea for a one off, professionally organised, mass participation event for hundreds of people to be put into reality. Think about flash mobs. Think about mass participation. Think about a collection of people in a space, at one time, all doing something together. That's what the Cutting Room Experiment is all about. Get involved.
So if you it want to be part of an enactment of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, the Mobile phone orchestra or the Tea Time Waltz, get involved. Alternatively submit your ideas and get them voted for and enjoy the experiment.
Cutting Room is a new public space in Ancoats which has just been launched by the North West Regional Development Agency and New East Manchester.
The experiment is being lovingly supported by the NWDA (Northwest Regional Development Agency) and urban regeneration company New East Manchester. Work has been completed on the site, and the Cutting Room Experiment is how the space is being launched to the public. We want to create 12 really exciting events at Cutting Room that will really put it on the map!
1 day. 12 events. You create.
where did the idea come from?
We are ultimately aiming to have 12 'Flash Mob' style events all taking place on the same day in the same place. With your ideas and an experienced production team, we're attempting to create one of the most unique events Manchester has ever seen.
The idea of user generated content and mass collaboration through the internet has been changing the way we think about communities. The Cutting Room Experiment is an attempt to use a new public space to bring together the creativity of Manchester. We want to let you, the public, take ownership of this space and create your own exciting event ideas, bringing as many people as possible together in the process.
It's an experiment in the sense that we're leaving the programming of what happens completely up to the audience. We need you to come up with ideas for mass participation events that are similar to "Flash Mobs", and we want you to tell us which events in each stream appeal to you.
The event will be filmed and broadcast around the world online, bringing global attention to Manchester and Cutting Room.
What is a Flash Mob?
Wikipedia has this to say:
"A flash mob is a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual action for a brief time, then quickly disperse. The term flash mob is generally applied only to gatherings organised via social media or viral emails, rather than those organized by public relations firms or for a publicity stunt."
The problem with flash mobs is that typically, they're poorly thought out and poorly arranged. This is where we step in. Our website gives you the platform to suggest your idea for a professionally organised Flash event, with the winning idea in each stream being put into production by a top events agency. For a bit of inspiration, take a look at this television advert from earlier this year to get a feel of what we're thinking about.
how does it work?
Cutting Room Experiment is the world’s first completely user-generated event. Each individual event throughout the day will be decided by you - the audience. The concept is simple:
Come up with an idea.
think of something exciting for loads of people to do together at Cutting Room in Ancoats this summer - like a thousand people all blowing bubbles at the same time.Post your idea on the site.
describe your idea and post a picture on cuttingroomexperiment.com making it sound great.Tell everyone you know about it.
email all your friends, create a Facebook event and tweet from the rooftops, with our help.get people to vote for your idea.
the 12 events with the most ‘count me in’ votes will be become a reality and will be broadcast to the world.Watch the ideas become reality!
witness the biggest user generated event in the world unfold in front of your eyes on 20th June.
Deadline for idea submissions is 29th May 2009. So what are you waiting for, get involved.
what makes a good idea?
Be inspiring
The best ideas will be the ones that other people can get involved with. Your ideas needs to inspire people that you don't know to take part.
Be innovative
Cutting Room is in the very heart of where the industrial revolution started. A revolution that made Manchester the original modern city. It is a city that invented the computer and perfected the album. The Cutting Room Experiment is about using all forms of social media to draw ideas and a crowd. Your ideas have to exceed this innovation.
Be participatory
The audience, the performers and the artists are the same crowd. Ideas such a put my band on and let people watch have a place but are too egotistical for this event.
Be unique
The Cutting Room Experiment is a radical development in event programming. We are letting you the audience be the programmers. Don't let us down.
Be kind
Ideas that can be deemed offensive to certain groups should not and will not be selected. We want events that are a kind to everyone.
Be realistic
Having a mass dance class hosted by Prince would definitely get a large crowd but unless you are Prince or you know him personally then it would be difficult to imagine it happening without a huge budget.
Be achievable
This event has the full support of Ear to the Ground, an award-winning production team. They will strive to make your event idea work in Cutting Room. From the organisation that has worked with everyone from Ringo Starr to Chemical Brothers to Alphabeat in the last 18 months, you will be assured to the very best in international quality production management. However, Ear to the Ground have yet to put a man on Mars so please be realistic.
Be cheap
You may have heard there is a credit crunch happening. So we not going to be able find budget for a Chris Brown and Rhianna reunion gig. However there is a small budget that can be used to make the events happen. There is around £500 available to make the best ideas work.
Be sustainable
The world has changed - no longer can we burn witches on a bonfire or other such events which emit greenhouse gases. Make sure your idea is sustainable for the planet and the space.
Be safe
We have a to make sure the event is safe for everyone taking part so events such as blindfolded knife throwing will obviously not be accepted.
Be achievable in Cutting Room
Go to Cutting Room and have a look. The public square can fit in about 400 people so ideas such as a an elephant race to understand who is the quickest of the Indian or African elephant simply won't work.
frequently asked questions
Who is funding this event?
Northwest Development Agency are generously funding this ‘experiment’ as part of their commitment to New East Manchester.
When is it on?
Saturday 20th June 2009. Starts at Midday.
Where is it?
Cutting Room is in Ancoats.
In between Blossom Street & Loom Street.
Directions
10 minute walk from Piccadilly train station and Bus Station.
Head up from Piccadilly Gardens up Newton Street and cross over Great Ancoats Street and head up Blossom Street.
Is there any parking?
There is no parking near Cutting Room.
We advise you make your way on foot. People who are organising the events will be able to use the staff carpark and there will be a drop off point for participants.
Do I have to organise my own event?
You will submit your idea and if it chosen Ear to the Grounds events agency will contact you and help to provide production support & event management for your event.
It's your challenge to get as many as possible to visit Cutting Room at the time when your event has been scheduled.
Who picks the winning events?
Events will be selected based upon a number of factors:
- The popularity of the event measured by the amount of "Count me ins"
- If the event fits Ear to the Ground health & safety requirements
- Audience participation and originality
- Overviewed by Northwest Development Agency
Is it a ticketed event?
The event is completely free and people wishing to attend just need to turn up.
Is there any food & drink available?
There will be a small food and drinks concession on site.
How long can my event run on for?
We have allocated up to an hour for each event.
Does it matter if my event is really short?
No. We have allocated an hour for each event but it is no problem if your event only lasts a few minutes.
Are there toilets available?
Yes. There will also be disabled and baby changing facilities too.
Is there wireless internet in Cutting Room?
No, there is no wireless internet within the area.
When is the latest I can submit an idea for an event?
29th May @ 6pm
Can I use all the equipment that is supplied?
Yes, everything is available for you on site.
Ear to the Ground will contact you prior the event to look at all technical elements to support your idea and have staff on site to deliver on the day.
What happens if it rains?
We have permission to move the event to St Peters Church which overlooks the Cutting Room.
The church can accommodate up to 400 people.
What is the capacity of Cutting Room?
Cutting Room can hold up to 1,000 people. This includes the main square plus surrounding streets.
We will have security around the site to control capacity and entrance/exit points into Cutting Room.
event production information
Ear to the Ground events agency will provide the following basic infrastructure to help to support your event:
- A performance stage
- Small PA System with playback for CD / ipod input and microphone
- A lighting rig which will wash the stage and audience area with different coloured moving lights.
- Power supply
- Crew to help set up your event if required.
- Running Water
- Toilets
- Security
