Getting a foot in the door

[c.cam108]

Hi all

 

I am currently in my 4th and final year at university and am starting to consider where I want to be after leaving.

 

I am considering getting into the entertainment industry and would like some pointers from people who have been through this.

 

I am based in Glasgow and am studying Electronics with Music at Glasgow University. I am on track to achieving a 2-1 or a First class BEng joint honours degree. I have spent time dabbling in electronics from an early age.

 

I first became involved in live sound at the age of around 15 in my church, running sound for a full band for a congregation of around 150. Since then I have played a large part in upgrading and maintaining the sound system in the church and have experience in soldering cables and repairing equipment. I have also installed a small lighting system comprising a dimmer rack, removable FOH truss with 6 15A outlets & hard power, DMX flood wiring, 15A outlets around hall and Strand MX24 desk.

 

I run a small hire company with a friend supplying lighting and sound equipment for small gigs, discos etc. Our largest job is an annual school show where we supply and operate PA, radio mics, comms, supplemental lighting to the school's existing rig and followspots.

 

I am not looking to relocate as my wife is at university in Glasgow also but can travel.

 

I realise this reads a bit like a CV, but I am just looking for where to look to get started in this industry I am passionate about.

 

Thanks

 

Colin C

[w/robe]

Colin

 

I would advise that you try to work for other people as it looks from what you have said that most of what you have done has been on your own.

All the things that normally get said in this type of thread (have a quick search) such as getting on crew lists etc. may not fit in well with a final year at university.

[jonathanhill]

I am sure that this has been covered before, but in your case I would apply to work as a casual at the five big theatres that are fairly close to you, Glasgow Kings, Glasgow Theatre Royal, Edinburgh Kings, Edinburgh Festival and Edinburgh Playhouse.

[Dodgecaliber]

<br />I am sure that this has been covered before, but in your case I would apply to work as a casual at the five big theatres that are fairly close to you, Glasgow Kings, Glasgow Theatre Royal, Edinburgh Kings, Edinburgh Festival and Edinburgh Playhouse.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

 

In the nicest possible way, you are going to struggle to get work in Glasgow. There are 100 technicians for every show, it's like 400 people applying for 1 job in tesco at the moment.

 

Still, a CV won't hurt. Good luck!

[c.cam108]

Thanks for the replies everyone. My worry is that I won't be able to have a secure job or decent salary at first, whereas if I go into the electronics industry, which is not my first choice, I'm practically guaranteed those things.

 

What are prospects like in hire companies? I think that's something that might suit me better.

[ian_gibbs]

There has been a couple of hire companies recently (can't remember exactly who as it's not my thing) who have been looking for people to work in the warehouse maintaining kit, with your electronics knowledge it might be worth a quick e-mail/phone around.

 

Hope that helps.

[ramdram]

It might be better(?) for you to explore the career opportunities within the electronics industry first, possibly those with theatrical leanings, and get involved with as much amdram as you can find...and your other half will put up with, ** laughs out loud **...and even better if you can persuade anyone in the above mentioned theatres to let you through the stage door.

 

I fear the the degree will help only so much; from reading the posts on BR you will find that it the "work experience", if you will, that theatre employers are looking for. Reference any expectations of decent wages...well...

 

Your thoughts about hire companies; what sort of position would you be looking at? You may find that a degree makes you a tad over qualified...and some may feel you were "taking" the job of someone far more qualified to lump flight cases around...or if you were thinking of setting up the kit at a venue or touring, then there are already many folk, known to the hire company/end user, say, who would be employed.

 

If you have not scanned the job ads on this forum and the other sites then do so today. You might telephone any of the employers and find out their views on how they see your career prospects.

 

Hopefully you will find a job in electronics as easily as you mentioned above...or have you considered joining one of the Broadcasters?

 

Lastly, you mentioned your passion for the industry, but then you mentioned your marital status...I believe you BOTH have to be passionate about this industry...

[Jivemaster]

Looking to find TWO fully satisfying fully remunerative employments -one for each of you and your wife- is going to be HARD.

Having your degree use it! Get into your industry get in at graduate level and get a decent salary. The skills you learned and the contacts you made in the last four years will be worth a LOT more than an "interest" in theatre. Add to that the fact that IF you work in theatre you will work evenings just when your wife wants you at home with her -could get badly expensive-

 

Get a proper job, help your wife to get a proper job, then find a good and satisfying am-dram in your area to fill your evenings and annual leave times.

[kerry davies]

Colin, take note of the fact that nearly everyone posting is freelance and even Dodge has been, from memory.

 

If you want a secure job then Jive's advice is best. I ended up as a full-time freelance only after being head-hunted with skills and experience gained in wider industry the key recruitment factor. For many years I worked semi-pro at far higher levels of the arts/events/theatre business than I could ever have done trying to work through the game from scratch.

 

I have loved what I have done in this game and my pension, from outside, now allows me to do things I want rather than need to do ........ and not one of my wives went hungry!

[ralphy89]

Hi,

 

The others are right about the casual work in Glasgow at the moment. There are little to no people leaving the big venues, therefore no space for new people to move in and grab up the job opportunities.

 

I am going to be graduating from theatre school in Glasgow next year and the full-time job prospects for someone with a technical theatre degree like myself are even slim to none.

 

Try the hire companies, plenty in Edinburgh, whilst it's unlikely you would be gigging at first - your knowledge of electronics should secure you a maintenance spot in any warehouse.

 

Best of luck :)

 

Ralphy.