> Look ahead a few years and this is a most disturbing thought,
> because the fewer players that survive translates into parts
> and material suppliers, roll makers, etc., also closing up shop,
> due to lack of market for products and services.
>
> What can we do?

Television.  I don't know how it could be done, but get your work
on television, somehow.  Use all the tricks that publicists use.
Try 'product placement' i.e., get someone's Ampico onto a popular
-- or even unpopular -- TV show.  Make up a video to be shown on your
local access cable station.

Anyone live in Vancouver, B.C., or Toronto?  I understand that about
one movie or TV show per week is made in those cities.

Worm your way into the spotlight however you can: get your instruments
to county fairs, flower shows, the center court of a shopping mall:
there might be TV cameras there.  Here in central Ohio, we have a cadre
of antique tractor restorers who seem to get their machines into every
shopping mall each year.

Pretend you're an aspiring actress: find friends of friends of cousins
who work in show business.  Keep in mind that while there's a great
demand for air time by people who wish for publicity, there's also
a great demand by TV producers for new and different material.

Make your work accessible.  Abandon all thoughts of 'trade secrets.'
Don't be crotchety, don't emphasize that it takes 'N' years of work
for a full restoration.  TV people are very young and dumb and have
to be shown everything, and cheerfully at that.  Find some kids who are
enthusiastic about your work and who are presentable on TV.  They are
the audience identification figures who can relate your work to the
target audience.

Mark Kinsler