Mahinda Karunarathne - BMR 2007_2nd post

Dear All,

Thank you for your interest and making valuable comments about BMR. I think BMR BLOG is a great idea to keep all info at one place. I have added some more comments we have received to BMR BLOG today .

As Buddhi has rightly pointed out BMR is a huge project with over $200,000 direct and indirect expenses. We have many groups (Admin(SCF), Production, Technical, Marketing, Media, Ticketing, Venue Management, Logistics, Item Producers, performers Etc. totaling over 400 people ) and an audience of over 1000 people associated with this project. Dedication and commitment from all groups/teams are very important to run this project smoothly. When we implement a project of this magnitude in a short duration of time each group/team try their best to deliver tasks allocated to them and they have no time to communicate with other groups. Therefore, it is very important to get views/comments from all parties and analyse them to get the right balance regarding the views on BMR.

BMR is not just a show. It is a major cultural event with many objectives. So we also need to understand that there is a conflict of interest among groups contributing to BMR.
For example, if we look at from the audience view point, the best achievement for them is to watch a good quality show at a cheaper price without any interruption ,delays etc. This can easily be achieved by staging a show with few professional artists. However, if we do this, other BMR objectives such as providing a complete stage with modern facilities to our children, youth and artists in NSW with Sri Lankan origin, transfer of knowledge to locals from professional artists, promoting SCF etc. can not be achieved. (these objectives compromise the quality of the show).
Therefore SCF committee faces a real challenge when organising BMR to get the right balance to ensure all its objectives are met. But one thing is clear. During this balancing exercise things are compromised , measurement are subjective, and as a result one can always find something wrong unless he/she can understand the broader objectives of BMR.

Sam has rightly stated in his comments "The majority of people in SL community do not have the slightest idea about the mental and physical agonies of the people who work hard in these committees.". SCF committee members who have closely associated in organising BMR in this year as well as in the past know how true this is !!!
Regards.
Mahinda