Burning
Man Fire Conclave FAQ
[last updated: waldemar: 080122]
This document provides answer to frequently asked questions about
the experience of Fire Conclave as seen through the eyes of GlitterGirl,
founder of Temple of Poi
(the school) and Temple of Poi Shin from 2003 until 2006. Waldemar Horwat is
the shin for 2007 and 2008.
How can I dance in
front of the Man the night of the burn?
Dancers may participate by applying as either the Shin of a new
group or as a member of a Fire Conclave group already managed
by a Shin. Members of groups apply to the Shin directly; Shins
apply to Crimson directly.
How does a Shin Apply
to Crimson?
First, determine who the Shin for your group will be. Your Shin
should:
- Use email effectively
- Be patient
- Possess excellent communication skills
- Desire to work as a support to Crimson and recognize spinning
in the circle is an honor and a gift
- Understand the importance of the limited and necessary rules
each conclave member must adhere to, including sobriety in the
great circle.
- Be willing to vouch for the members of their group.
Your Shin should then supply the appropriate applications:
- Phase One: "Tell Me" applications are due February
1, 2008. this application should include a rough estimate of
the number of dancers, types of tools, and nature of the overall
choreography.
- Phase Two: "Show Me" applications are due July 1,
2008. This application should include videos (DVD, VHS, or web
format accepted), of the performance that will be performed
on the playa. As there will be nearly 2 more months of preparation
time, the videos aren’t expected to be perfect by July
1. However, the video should show at least 80% of the completed
show.
Who can be a Shin?
Anyone can apply to be a Shin. Crimson has the sole authority
to grant or deny someone the honor of being a Shin?
How are Shin’s
organized?
All Shin’s receive their communication from Crimson who
directs their activities.
What does Crimson
require of Fire Conclave members?
- Sobriety: All conclave members are required to be
sober during the burn. This is for their safety as well as the
safety of everyone else in the circle. For example, if something
goes wrong with the pyrotechnics of the man an fireworks are
set off early, the sparks could potentially set the fuel fire
performers use ablaze.
- Check-in: Conclave members are required to check
in at Fire Conclave Convergence on the playa between 10 am and
5 pm Monday through Friday.
- Have/Be a Shin: Conclave members must work directly
with their Shin.
- No Ticket Misuse: anyone applying for a discount
ticket must use the discount ticket for themselves and only
themselves. Inappropriate and/or non use of discount and/or
gift tickets is grounds for expulsion from Fire Conclave - permanently.
I’ve never been
to Burning Man before. Can I still be in the great circle the
first year?
Applicants who are part of a group may participate in conclave
their first year, though individual applicants (not part of a
group) may not.
I heard you can get a discount
ticket if you are part of the conclave group. Is this true?
In 2006 conclave members who had performed in the conclave in the past and were performing again in 2006
were able to get staff price tickets for themselves at a price of $165. In order to qualify they must not already
have
purchased
a ticket in their name for 2006. In 2007 anyone who had not already purchased a ticket was eligible for the
discount tickets. I have not heard the official word from Crimson about 2008 yet.
How do I get
my discount ticket?
In 2007 your Shin had to submit your full
(legal) name to Crimson on or before mid-July once your conclave had been accepted by Burning Man. I have
not heard the official word from Crimson about 2008 yet.
I’ve been in conclave
before. Why do I have to go through all this each year?
In order to create a system which offers opportunities to new
artists, each year artists are required to submit their work.
This ensure the artists inside the circle will be performing the
most innovative fire pieces. Established artists are expected
to continue to improve if they want to remain within the circle
and must therefore show their improvement each year with a new
application.
When will I find
out if my group was accepted?
We should know in early July. Note that Burning Man's conclave admission process has become increasingly
competitive; a number of groups did not make it last year.
I don’t have access
to a video camera. How can I create the Show Me application?
The easiest way is to borrow one. Alternatively, all artists are welcome to arrange an in person show me
at the Burning Man offices directly with Crimson to take place in June or earlier. Any expenses incurred (travel,
fuel, etc.) are the sole responsibility of the artists auditioning.
Can you describe the experience
I would have if I join conclave?
- After joining a group and finding (or becoming) a Shin, you
will then create/learn/develop/revamp a choreographed performance
to be used the night of the burn.
- Ensure your Shin submits a Phase One: Tell me application
by February 1, 2008 to be considered in 2008.
- Ready your performance and film it for submission for the
Phase Two: The entire conclave's show-me application is due July 1, 2008; no late exceptions.
- Assuming your group is accepted and your Shin submits your
information to Crimson, your next responsibility is to check
in on playa between 10 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday in
BRC with Fire Conclave Convergence.
- The night of the burn, your group is expected to report to
the circle by no later than 7:30pm the night of the burn. In order
to get in the circle, you will need a laminates. Laminates are
given to the Shin of each group on Saturday afternoon. The number
of laminates given is determined based on the number of people
who signed in at Fire Conclave Convergence for that group during
the week. You will therefore need to both check in at Fire Conclave
Convergence and meet up with and receive your laminates from
your Shin prior to arriving at the circle. BRC Rangers will
be managing the perimeter of the great circle to ensure both
the appropriate people are in the circle and the citizens of
BRC are safe.
- Your group will be assigned a performance location within
the circle.
- Do not bring bikes into the circle.
- Do bring:
- Fuel
- Water
- Your gear
- Safety materials
- Your laminate
- Sobriety
- Each group will have a fuel depot barrel toward the back of
their space. The fuel depot barrel is a burn barrel cut roughly
in half with a lid on it. The lid is to remain closed as much
as possible to prevent it from accidentally catching on fire.
This is for everyone’s safety.
- Each group must supply a dipping bucket – a large pot
or big tub would work well – to be housed within the burn
barrel to hold the fuel.
- Dipping buckets should contain color coded glow sticks provided
to the Shin when the Shin receives the laminates. The glow sticks
not only light the fuel but also indicate the type of fuel contained
in the depot later when the fuel depots are cleaned up.
- All fire conclave members are forbidden to cross the no man’s
land line… for their own safety.
- Please note, your shin will likely have additional requirements
of you along the way. These requirements vary from group to
group.
How
big is the performance space?
Performers will have a performance area roughly 40 wide and 200
feet deep to work with. All static performances should fit within
this space.
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