Would it be cheating if?

jbelson · Post by **jbelson** » Sun Jun 27, 2004 3:18 pm

I just bought a pop-up tent trailer that is in fairly ok condition. The question is would it be cheating if I got a TV show to give it a "Makeover" for burning man? Maybe a monster garage or pimp my ride type show and have them hook it up with a bunch of goodies.

I know a lot of the whole thing is what "you" do and Contribute yourself" and making your projects your own. But I know that one of those shows could do it a million times better and put really kewl extras in it.

I haven't found a show yet, but I'm really thinking of looking in to it.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sun Jun 27, 2004 3:39 pm

Weak.

Tancorix · Post by **Tancorix** » Sun Jun 27, 2004 3:57 pm

About the first time you mention BM it's going to open up a legal can of worms you don't want. If you happened to get picked for the makeover show and won the approval of the org...then go for it. Otherwise I'd be looking at other arrangements for fixing it up.

Plus not to invoke the BM spirit thing but the community imho would value your work more than if someone else, ie: a tv show makeover group did it for you.

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Sun Jun 27, 2004 8:42 pm

Hm. Maybe if it was a community access cable show..., or somehow connected with a local tech-college or high school...?

I think that many of those "make-over" type of shows primarily get their money by pimping the products they are using. Plus, the ones I have seen for home decorating I wouldn't allow anywhere near any place I planed on living even if you paid me!

poeticphoto · Post by **poeticphoto** » Sun Jun 27, 2004 8:52 pm

I think it'd be a nice idea... not so much because it's easier or they could do it better, but because to me art is art. The artist... well, isn't really important to me. We all interpret differently so why does it matter what the source is?... Some people like to look at art while others would rather make it. Burning Man as well as art is different for everyone so there's NO SUCH THING AS CHEATING. Poeticphoto.

Steven bradford · Post by **Steven bradford** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 1:25 am

If you have to ask....

Seriously, it wouldn't be cheating. First of all there's no rule against who you get to pay for your car or your camp or whatever. This is Bring Your Own Event. Make it happen. Why should a dot com millionaire who pulled their money out earlier be able to build what ever they want, but you can't get some help from a tv show? If they want some coverage at the event, there's simple rules the media has for journalists.

Monster garage has covered other art cars, don't know if they've ever funded one though. They videotaped the Oasis of DeNile last January.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 2:41 am

None of the people you might want to impress get cable.

Steven bradford · Post by **Steven bradford** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 6:59 am

wtf??

jbelson · Post by **jbelson** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 10:24 am

My thing is that I work in Reality tv, and constantly see people get a lot of really great stuff, all for giving some good sound bites.
I could do the trailer myself and make it okay, which is fine with me. But then I think of some professionals doing it and maybe putting a flame thrower on the top, or a pair of 12" subs with plasma screen somewhere.

here's a link (hopefully it works) to foto's of it and my art bike in it's middle stages.

http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?& ... rt_order=0

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 10:57 am

all for giving some good sound bites.

The Slippery Slope.

You can bet that if you go soliciting for a modified ANYTHING - especially from a media related venue that it's not going to come without a price. Sound bites, advertising, plugging the product in ANY way so that there's an association with the event is likely to get your ass in hot water.

Count on it.

Seriously.

I wouldn't EVEN try doing an end run around this issue. Sounds like if you have questions about 'cheating' or anything else as it relates to you heading up to the event that you need to scour the BM web site, read it and then read it again.

The project takes such matters quite seriously and playing dumb or claiming ignorance probably won't be looked upon as an excuse for violating rules and conditions CLEARLY STATED throughout both this web site as well as other publications that the event puts out.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 11:31 am

Stick... ass... PLEASE REMOVE...

My point is it's weak in a tech-weenie sense, rather than a Burnie sense.

In any case, DPW has already set the precedent of creating kustom art cars for certain LLC members. Too bad we didn't get it on video.

poosie_kat · Post by **poosie_kat** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 11:57 am

First off I would like to know if you're planning on having this done AT burning man? I didn't get that from reading your original post, nor your second. However, it seems that some have taken that way, so I want to be sure about that.

If that IS your idea, don't even think about it.

However, if it isn't and you are just trying to feel out the "community" to see if they think if it's cheating to have it done by someone else, then here's my response to that:
a) Do what ever makes you happy
b) You wouldn't really be making it "yours", just pimping it out
c) Don't mention burning man AT ALL when getting it done

I wouldn't do it, but I'm not you. That's just my two cents.

jbelson · Post by **jbelson** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 12:06 pm

Disclaimer: This would not be done at burningman. That would be rediculous in my book. Just done FOR the event. I'm gonna have plenty other things to do while on the playa.
Basically looking for someone else to do a fantastic job, for FREE. It's the free part that I'm looking for.
Basically I'm trying to not add another large project to my summer.
But I completely understand the D.I.Y. part. I find it to be a great part of BM, which is basically why I started this thread to get some feedback. My initial concern was in making the event "commercialized". I frankly would rather not see coverage of the event on TV and especially on "Wild ON", but I figure if they do the work and send me on my way, that wouldn't be too bad. Maybe?

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 1:05 pm

Basically looking for someone else to do a fantastic job, for FREE.

Are you planning on soliciting others to set up your camp for you? Shop for your supplies? Maybe I'm just not getting your need/want to have someone do something creative for you rather than muster your own creativity and come up with something you can rightfully claim is yours.

I could probably get a lot of folks wowing a cration that I contracted some Hollywood set maker to do in order for me to bring it to the playa and pass it off as original. Personally, I'd feel like an imposter.

But that's just me.

Do what you need to do but keep in mind the above posts re. sponsoring/advertising/soliciting.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 3:35 pm

Why would you want to spend good money on a tent trailer?? When your just going to BM, set the thing up and watch the wind shred it. Was that a joke about using it for other gatherings?? It's going to take all year to get the dust out in time to return to BM.;>(

jbelson · Post by **jbelson** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 4:49 pm

Well, by buying it I've already save $250 on what it would have cost to rent it.
But you bring up a good point about the cleaning. I was planing on puting fur on the inside, but Now I just picture it full of dust and never coming out

The thing is, I cant go there with it as-is. Way too boring!!!

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 6:12 pm

Having seen the pictures, I think you need to do something about those floral print seat cushions.... (bleah!). All in all, it looks like a nice camper. (A bit off the shelf, as you say, but it looks like you got a nice one anyway.)

...and, yes, fur would be nearly impossible to get dust out of. The same goes for shag carpeting.

Good luck!

P.S.: I don't blame you for wanting to get some work done for free, it is just the potential for breaking the "no advertising" rule which worries me.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 9:00 am

I'm not completely up on the exact terms of the "no commerce" policy, but I believe that pimping the Burning Man name is a violation. (Unless, of course you are the LLC itself.) I find it unlikely that a make-over show such as described would forgo the name drop. NOw if you gave 10% of your makeover to first camp. . .

jbelson · Post by **jbelson** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 9:29 am

The floral print is the first to go, as well as securing the canvas around all the boarders. It was designed so that the canvas just tucks-in all the way around, which will not stand up to prolonged wind.

At the l.a. decompression I saw an airstream trailer completely covered in pink fur on the inside. This was a month at least after the event and It looked very clean and didn't have that playa dust smell either. Thats where I got the idea from, but Not sure I'll go that route. It has wood paneling which I want to cover, and all the cabinets and drawers have kind of a contact paper finish which needs to be redone.

At least I finished my art bike yesterday.

poosie_kat · Post by **poosie_kat** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 12:26 pm

Do what you can and forgo the worry that it wasn't enough. I'm positive people won't be bitching you out for not getting around to really pimping out your tent trailer.

If it weren't for the fact that it's so hot out there I would suggest doing a retro diner look for the inside. Crome (sp?), sparkly red vinyl and white seats, awesome speckled (or coffee cup and saucer outline) table top material that fails to come to mind, checker board "tile" floor....well, you get my drift. Wouldn't have to worry about the dust not coming out. But that's a lot and now I'm just ramblin' and fantasizin'.

Good luck.

madmatt · Post by **madmatt** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 12:38 pm

You'd be much better off sending out messages asking for contributions of work or stuff to make your project a kickass one. One way to do it, get some people to camp with you and everyone contribute some money and help build the shit. That way, your camper trailer can be rolling thumpin boogie woogie machine!!

KellY · Post by **KellY** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 12:52 pm

jbelson wrote: Basically looking for someone else to do a fantastic job, for FREE. It's the free part that I'm looking for.

Weak. Deeply weak. Speaking as a person who works in the arts and who's married to an artist, if you don't want to pay for it, do it yourself. Making art for the creative joy of it gets old after a week of ramen (not that we've been that bad off, but then she's not doing art full-time, either). If you don't want to pay for it, try getting friends interested in your project and wanting to contribute instead of looking for handouts.

I frankly would rather not see coverage of the event on TV and especially on "Wild ON", but I figure if they do the work and send me on my way, that wouldn't be too bad.

Yes, it would.

Maybe?

No.

shitmouse · Post by **shitmouse** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 2:08 pm

with including the above said,
i don't think a 'show' could do the right kind of "art" for the playa. it would be something 'popular', and most likely cheesy.

the beauty of creating art that's fitting for BM on some levels is that you can kern the art direction to something more playa fitting.
-(rough, sarcastic, dark, slap-jaw silly, funky, etc.).
I would bet a show would offer up some serious frat-boy style IMHO, that you just wouldn't want. -- cause then you'd have *those guys* hanging around. oy... <shudder>

now if you could meet and talk to David Best (he's done some great art cars besides the beautiful temples he does) or some of the cool Art Car folks like the cathedral-goth car it would at least have some ripping style.
-b

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 3:18 pm

c. 1960

jbelson · Post by **jbelson** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 3:40 pm

I'd love big daddy roth to do my trailer, but that aint gonna happen.

Any ideas on where to look or how to go about finding people that might want to help with ideas or whatever?

shitmouse · Post by **shitmouse** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 5:23 pm

this might be too obvious, but try posting on:
www.craigslist.org

bet you could scare up something from there? not to mention some cool new friends in the process.
-b

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 7:52 pm

I like that idea. It would be great to throw a party. Provide pizza beer what raw materials you can afford and pot luck for the rest.