Dj Dunc Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 Good afternoon all. I've just spotted on our local news that Radio 1's Big Weekend will be held about 5 miles away from me this year. Does anyone know who the best person (or persons) would be to contact, regarding some paid, or unpaid work on the event, and if possible with the technical crew (I specialise in sound, however I am able to do lighting, video and assist with pyrotechnics as well). I can provide a full CV and several references if need be. Please PM me with any contact details you may have, if they are private numbers, or send me an email. Many thanks, Duncan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerry davies Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 Do you want to work in the industry or is it a hobby? Why do you want to take the bread out of the mouths of fellow technicians kids? We have been here so many times before, even as recently as this month. Don't even think about "specialising in sound with an interest in LX, video and pyro" can you dig in a multicore or unload a truck or shift portaloos in the dark, in the rain, after a 15 hour shift and not worry about sleeping through the gig? http://www.blue-room.org.uk/index.php?showtopic=46419&st=0&p=384773&hl=+work%20+at%20+festivals&fromsearch=1entry384773 (Should have stuck this in ROTD, nothing personal Dunc, just lost it for a moment there.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dj Dunc Posted March 30, 2011 Author Share Posted March 30, 2011 Thanks Kerry, I completely understand your rant, and agree with it. Yes I do want to work in the industry. I am currently working as a self-employed technician / doing various events at the minute, but Im trying to get as much experience under my belt to improve my CV, and increase my chances of getting more regular / permanent work. My reasons for saying "specialising...." is that I have experience in doing most aspects, though I wouldnt consider them to be something im particularly knowledgable about. As to your third statement, I find (perhaps because im such a green) I love digging in multis, unloading trucks et all in the rain. (Not tried portaloos yet that. Rain doesnt bother me in the slightest really, and a 15 hour shift really isnt the worst I could be doing in the future, Ive done much longer stints in the past at events. Hell as long as I dont poison someone, im perfectly happy just going to and fro catering if thats whats needed. Id much rather make tea & keep the professional paid crew happy, if times are tough and see the show go up, rather than get in the way. Hope this dispells some of your personal feelings :) Duncan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ynot Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 Also any such event of this type will take casuals on as pretty much general dogsbodies if at all - like kerry says, you'd be box-pushing, tea making, bog shifting most likely - thinking that you might 'specialise' in anything without solid experience in the field (pun intended) is expecting way too much.But as you say if you're prepared to do anything then good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tokm Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 box-pushing, tea making, bog shifting Unfortunately even those aspects of the job are already booked to some level and have been for a fair while. A pro crewing company (that only send 'crew' often not aspiring techs - which often just ends up causing problems when there is a few in the pack) for box pushing, a catering company (that may or may not be good but likely won't poison anyone) to feed the crew and the bogs, by one of the 100s of event toilet companies. The question is, why would people pay these companies when people might do it for free? Easy, to ensure some sort of quality and that it'll (probably) get done. As with the other posts DJ Dunc, nothing personal, but as a 'free helper' your still an unknown to them that could possibly be unreliable so why should they take the risk, just easier to pay people and there's some assurance to using them. Go sign up for a ticket, if your that local your more likely to get one. Have a look at the tech in between enjoying some fairly decent acts (I think so this year) and you'll more than likely have a much more enjoyable and easier weekend in the process! T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zonino Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 Hell as long as I dont poison someone, im perfectly happy just going to and fro catering if thats whats needed. you'd still be taking a job away from someone who would otherwise be paid. box-pushing, tea making, bog shifting The question is, why would people pay these companies when people might do it for free? Easy, to ensure some sort of quality and that it'll (probably) get done. As with the other posts DJ Dunc, nothing personal, but as a 'free helper' your still an unknown to them that could possibly be unreliable so why should they take the risk, just easier to pay people and there's some assurance to using them. well, to comply with the law as well! http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/39/contents Don't work for free! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dj Dunc Posted May 3, 2011 Author Share Posted May 3, 2011 Just a little bump to see if anyone knows any more? If anyone is working on the event on the BR and wouldn't mind me shadowing them, or carrying your tea/coffee, a PM would be much appreciated. I know that people have strong opinions about the subject, but those that don't ask, dont get. many thanks Duncan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zonino Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 all work experience (which includes shadowing) for BBC shows has to go through www.bbc.co.uk/workexperience - its to ensure the opportunities are as equally open to everyone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 These events are busy, hard work and stressful, and the last thing people want is a shadow. Looking after somebody is a job and a half. I always try to help if I can with what I do, and have a nice bloke with cerebral palsy as a kind of shadow/work experience person, but everything takes twice as long, from time to time you have to be quite rude to them, and occasionally yell. Keenness gets them into trouble, and you have to watch out continually for them doing odd things through ignorance. It's an awful lot of extra effort. In the past, I've also found that people who volunteer to work to effectively see the show, are also the most likely to clear off at the end and leave all the real hard work behind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacethebase Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 As Paulears says these shows are seriously stressfull! I know BRP are doing the mainstage probbily with K1 so you wanna hear that its bloody gurt lush! There is no hope in hell of getting in with them unless you have a link. They may have the best kit but there not the best to work for. Working for free is a BAD BAD BAD idea. You say you specialise in both lighting and sound? Can you program an Avo (to Channel) theres more chance of getting on a lighting crew than a audio crew! 4 Guys can fly and power a modern Line Array to cover 100,000 people in about 8 hours. When the shows running there will be one system tech at FOH to assist the Tour engineer. A monitor engineer generaly from the PA company with the remaining audio crew on as stage hands.But Lighting is a diffrent ball game all together all hands on deck! Plus most lighting riggers get to watch the show :) Im not sure who is doing the lighting as havnt spoke to any of the lighting boys recently but I would be suprised if its not Neg Earth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Diamond Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 The easy question to ask on forum is 'Does anyone know what production companies and contractors are working on the gig? Then approach them directly. They may say they have arranged their crew already and are using a crewing company to supply additional labour. Usually they employ the more experienced tech crew as freelancers from within their own ranks to fill the important roles and then add local crew to help with the in and out and various other roles. The follow on question is then to ask the production companies 'Do you need any help or what crew companies do you use?' And get in touch with their crew companies. Working for crew companies is becoming a primary route for individuals looking to get a opportunity in the industry. If you can't cut it with the demands that local crewing puts on your work ethic then there is little chance your real talent or aspirations for a more technical role will be appreciated. No 'newbie' should expect to avoid getting their hands dirty in the early years and land a specialised role because you just happen to have excelled in their advanced course at college. Good Luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dj Dunc Posted May 6, 2011 Author Share Posted May 6, 2011 Hi there John. Just to follow up on my research, I contacted both Adlib and Brit Row, and as expected, they said no. I then spoke to one of the production team who said try the crewing company, but the crewing company is actually just the casual crew from the local council venue, plus a few extras, and on speaking to their crew, they already have so many of their own people working on it that its like a bees nest, so very unlikely there I think. As for "being able to cut it", Id rather get my hands dirty in the middle of a field unsticking an artic truck that is bogged than push faders round a desk, so it doesnt bother me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benweblight Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 These type of events tend to use crewing companies in most cases as this means that insurance, NI etc. is taken care of and they don't have to worry so much about managing this crew. I have seen some events move from having volunteers (only payed expenses) to agency crew for this reason. Time is one of the biggest expenses in a production such as this; therefore having to deal with arrangements for lots of crew and giving training to less skilled crew is just too big an expense these days. The follow on question is then to ask the production companies 'Do you need any help or what crew companies do you use?' And get in touch with their crew companies. Working for crew companies is becoming a primary route for individuals looking to get a opportunity in the industry. If you can't cut it with the demands that local crewing puts on your work ethic then there is little chance your real talent or aspirations for a more technical role will be appreciated. No 'newbie' should expect to avoid getting their hands dirty in the early years and land a specialised role because you just happen to have excelled in their advanced course at college. Just to drift off topic abit...While I agree that 'hands-on' experience is very important and valuable(whatever form it takes) in my experience working for crewing companies is not necessarily the best way to get into the industry; getting whatever kind of experience you can from production companies, venues, being involved in the local music scene etc. are probably equally if not more valuable routes. There is a risk of getting into the habit of just getting crew work; which can make it hard to move up to the next level when theres other people that have more on their c.v. than just 'crew work'. I even know of one crewing company that has a clause in their contract stating that if a client makes an offer of employment to one of their crew within X months of using them then they will issue a fine of £0000's (though you could argue this is fair as it helps with staff retention). Also, if you want to use the company on your C.V. then you are taking on the reputation of that company; which may not reflect you well as an individual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zonino Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 a fine would constitute a penalty clause and thus be illegal under English & Welsh law, however they could sue for damages (which would be ~ the amount they would have charged the client for their services less that paid to the employee). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tokm Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 I would be suprised if its not Neg Earth.Nope, Siyan. T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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