Beyond the Back Row: The Breakthrough Potential of Digital Live Entertainment and Arts

by Jim McCarthy

Are you and your organization ready for the future of live entertainment?

The pandemic hit live entertainment harder than any other industry—but also revealed tantalizing new possibilities. Online, streaming, and hybrid events opened the door to bigger audiences, better finances, and more innovative content for live producers.

And now is the perfect time to start.

Beyond the Back Row breaks down the why, how, and what of online, streaming, and hybrid live events. It helps you understand the opportunities, avoid the pitfalls, and learn what you need to master. Wherever you are in your live entertainment career, even if you're just getting started, start here. There's even advice for powerful incumbent organizations on how to prevent yourself from being "Napstered."

In a few years, digital capabilities for live producers will be a given. Until then, Beyond the Back Row will give you a major head start.

140 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 19, 2022

About the author

I have been a live entertainment pioneer and innovator for two decades. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Goldstar, I led a team that generated a billion dollars in ticket sales for live venues and producers and helped tens of millions of ticket buyers find and purchase tickets to shows.

During the pandemic, I co-founded Stellar to help make the new medium of digital live entertainment a reality.

I am the co-organizer and lead curator of TEDxBroadway and an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at the University of Southern California. I live in Pasadena, California, and serve as a trustee of the Pasadena Playhouse.

Reviews

[Hugh Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect Timing for My Event!

Yes Jim's book comes to me at the right time for producing my Spring 2023 event to raise funds for helping to get US military homeless veterans into a rehab program lasting 6-9 months and also teaching them job interviewing skills.

My background includes owning both a video and TV production business in the 1980s through 2000 when I also became a certified Comcast TV producer. I also had a successful public relations consulting business during that time.

Jim's book brought me up to date on how to combine a live event with a simultaneous online one. I had thought about doing that but did not know the step-by-step procedure. Now I do. I also realized I needed to shorten the time of the event.

I have produced several live events including my SpyFest 2003 with over 60 film, TV and real spies including George "007" Lazenby, Robert "I Spy" Culp and David "Kill Bill" Carradine. I wished I had known what I learned in Jim's book as I would have also offered this simultaneously online!

I will assure you that online event production along with the live one is only going to get bigger and better in the future.

I plan to be what he calls a revolutionary in this exciting new niche even at 76 years young!

[Allie Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really unique and interesting read! This book talked about adapting from live events to virtual events, and how to create and market your own events. I felt like I was having a conversation with McCarthy and he was explaining it to me, a style I prefer over a writer simply spitting out facts. As someone who has no experience with planning and marketing events, it was still easy to understand and I felt I had a good grasp on what McCarthy was saying.

[Lilly Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely an interesting read! The book felt as if you were talking to him directly. The book was easy to grasp and an enjoyable read.