- How long do you need for setup and tear-down? How long is Think Fast?
- What are your power requirements?
- How much room do you need to setup, and should we use the floor or chairs for seating?
- We have a stage in our gym, why don’t you use it?
- We have a theatre in our school. Can we use it?
- How many people are there on your team?
- Isn’t your show a bit LOUD for some teachers?
- What ages is your show best suited for?
- Will students have the chance to meet the band and Absolute team?
- What about doing the presentation for only half the school?
- Do you need an introduction?
- We had your show last year in our school and loved it, how much does it change each year?
- Why don’t you address the topics of alternative lifestyles, abortion or religion?
- Who funds you? How can you run such a large scale presentation and charges such low prices?
- Where do you get the great bands? Are they part of Absolute or are they their own band?
1. How long do you need for setup and tear-down? How long is Think Fast?
Our presentation is 1 hour long and we need about an hour for setup and one hour for tear-down. During setup you may feel like it is not possible for us to be ready in time, as it seems like there is just too much equipment. Don’t worry, we are good at it! Please don’t delay in calling your students early enough to start on time (this usually takes longer than one calculates). Our presentation is 1 hour long after the time that students are in and we are given the go-ahead. We are always ready to start on time, but there is normally no problem at Absolute’s end if the school needs to start and end the presentation a few minutes late for extra time to get all the students in.
2. What are your power requirements?
We much prefer a 220 volt plug-in (stove plug or a dryer plug) within 100ft of the venue. This is normally already in the gym or found in a cafeteria, staff room, or home-ec lab.
If there is no 220 volt power, we will still be able to make the show happen (we haven’t been stumped yet!). All we need in this case are 6 - 110v outlets on 6 separate 15amp circuit breakers. We have a lot of extension cords to get to these. If a custodian would be able to number which outlets are on which breaker beforehand, that would be great! If they are not able, please inform us so that our team can plan on arriving a few minutes early so that our technician can map out the breakers for you.
3. Do you need any other equipment from our school?
We do not need your sound system, just 3 tables for our displays and merchandise, and about 15 bottles of water to prevent the serious disease of on stage parched mouth.
4. How much room do you need to setup, and should we use the floor or chairs for seating?
Our stage is about 50ft wide and 25ft deep. Students will need to sit in front of the stage and not directly on the sides/behind. Our stage sets up against the long wall of the gym.
Bleachers, chairs or floor for seating is fine. Sitting on the floor, they might have a bit better view, sitting on chairs they might be a little more comfortable. Your choice, schools are about 50/50 on which option they use.
5. We have a stage in our gym, why don’t you use it?
Acoustics are already so poor in most gyms, that if we setup to project our sound length-wise (where the stage is normally), it greatly compounds this problem. Setting up to project width-wise not only gives better sound, but it gives a better view also.
6. We have a theatre in our school. Can we use it?
Provided your theatre stage is not too small (about 25ft deep), theatres can be a great option because the acoustics are much better and the seats more cozy. About 20% of our shows are performed in theatres, often with back to back shows.
7. How many people are there on your team?
Normally about 8 to 12 people, including our band and Road Team Managers .
8. Isn’t your show a bit LOUD for some teachers?
We have a decibel meter with us and our volume level is ONLY up to 100dB occasionally for about 12 minutes of the show. Health regulations allow 100dB for 2 hours and 115dB for 15 minutes. What this means is that our sound levels are 4 to 8 times safer than already conservative occupational health and safety standards! The poor acoustics in gymnasiums is what causes the volume feel loud, when in reality the actual sound intesity is nowhere even close to being dangerous.
9. What ages is your show best suited for?
Grades 6 up to Grade 12 is what we recommend. At both middle and secondary schools our show is equally well received. We have done as low as grade 5 quite often, and have always had positive feedback with this, but our show is best suited for Grade 6 and up.
10. Will students have the chance to meet the band and Absolute team?
Yes! Throughout each Think Day, students will have the opportunity to meet Absolute and the band, get autographs, buy merchandise (CD’s, T-shirts, stickers.. all school-safe content), check out our humanitarian project info and child sponsorship opportunities, or just talk. Students really love this, and we frequently get commended by schools for taking the extra time just to meet students. We feel this time is valuable in reinforcing the values that we talk about throughout the day, and show that we really do care.
If you have booked just our 1-hour presentation, we have found that it is most effective to schedule Think Fast before lunch or a recess to give students a chance to visit without being late for class. It is also best to announce in advance of the day of the show that there is cool band merchandise available incase they would like to bring money.
11. What about doing the presentation for only half the school?
This is completely alright, but we have found that once students get word about what is going on (”there’s this band!” “whoa, did you see that bus?”), they actually want to be in the assembly and some will skip class to do this. They might also be a little miffed that they weren’t allowed to have such a “cool show” too (especially when it is the younger grades that get the show!). No major problems with this idea though, it is better to motivate half your students versus none!
12. Do you need an introduction?
This is totally optional. If you would like a sample introduction: “This is Absolute from Hamilton, ON. They have spoken to over 1/2 million Canadian students and they exist to empower your generation to change their world. Enjoy the show, give it up for Absolute!”
If you are doing an “outroduction,” or exit intructions, let us know so we can invite you back up at the end.
13. We had your show last year in our school and loved it, how much does it change each year?
Each Think Fast presentation follows a similar format that consists of mixed elements (live band, team members sharing personal stories, light show, and multi-media all mixed together). We have found this to be very effective and well received. This, along with our core message of purpose and hope, will remain consistent. In order to keep the content fresh, the featured character values (and corresponding video segments) covered by Think Day change every year along with many of the personal stories. Check out this year’s theme on the details page.
14. Why don’t you address the topics of alternative lifestyles, abortion or religion?
These topics are simply too controversial and political. Bullying is generally accepted as bad. So is suicide or substance abuse. To “be a hero” and reach out to and include those around you no matter who they are, is generally viewed as good. To voice personal opinions on topics that have a rather diverse range of views would not be wise and would damage our innate ability to connect with all students.
15. Who funds you? How can you run such a large scale presentation and charges such low prices?
We raise support for our charitable youth work through general fund-raising efforts, the occasional business sponsorship, but largely from schools providing a donation in return for our services.
16. Where do you get the great bands? Are they part of Absolute or are they their own band?
We contract, for 2 to 6 months at a time, professional up and coming bands that share the same desire as us to give a positive message to today’s youth. The bands we have used in the past are:
- Manafest
- Kiros
- Hello Kelly
- Sunday Night Cruise
- Rides Again
- Accepting Silence
- Article One
- The Reception
- Stereotrap
- Hundredfold
- Beauti
