Technical Riders

[Kingstech]

Evening all,

 

Right, I have been asked to do a DJ event at my old school and got asked to provide details on what I would need, I have submitted the details these included:

Technical Rider

Lighting Plan

Lighting patch Plan

Lantern Schedule w/Dimmer patchs

Focus notes

Power usages

 

I have gone in to details with this, as I am no longer a student there I have been asked to provide these details for someone else to get the gear ready, lights rigged and focussed, as I am no longer a student there and getting paid for it, I have been told by them that I will be classed as an external worker.

 

With regards to the rider, I specified everything I want/need, as I am an external worker and specified it, does it mean they can choose what I have from their gear, or do they have to go word by word on what I specify? What can I do if they dont provide it on the night? Also if things arent correct what can I do as there is only a 1hr 45min between when I arrive and when it starts.

 

What can I do to make sure things are correct before I get there?

 

Sorry if this seems simple but as I cant get there before the date of the event, I am worrying incase things are wrong as I am pre-programming the lighting desk at home.

 

Callum

[mark_s]

A rider is an invitation to discussion, not the exact to-the-letter list of what you will be provided for your event. If the venue have any problems, they should call you and discuss solutions. Of course, many don't and just assume it will all be good, which is where the problems start!

 

I'm not sure supplying the school with all of that paperwork will be productive though - approaching a school one-nighter in the same way you'd approach a professional theatre production is unlikely to have the same result, especially if there's no one at the school who can actually make sense of or do anything with the information you've provided. Try to be as flexible as possible, because undoubtedly something will be amiss when you arrive - if you're unable to be flexible and accommodate, you will find it very difficult to cope. Especially given the short amount of get-in time.

[AndyJones]

I think you are maybe putting too much thought into it? If it's a disco, as long as you have some lights that flash, and some speakers that make noise it really isn't an issue? I presume you are only getting paid for the day of the event, if so all of the work you are doing now is unpaid, and probably not really worth it?

[Kingstech]

I have said if there are any problems to contact me... before I left I showed them paperwork I did for previous events so they understand, they have a team that will rig the lights... but as its going to get pre-programmed blind, Its near enough crucial things are done correct up there as its a bugger to get the access up there within the get-in time.. as when I arrive I have to set the sound system up as well I dont want to play around with lights.. I have said that if things are difficult or alterations to contact me asap so I can alter the programming.. I may be putting too much effort in, and this wont sound professional, but I want things to be perfect for when I get there..

 

So is it just be flexible to what they provide?

 

 

[paulears]

Don't also forget that a rider is an addition to your contract. The contract sets out the amount you will get, the times, the expectation of what you will do and payment details. You can issue the contract to the school, they will sign it and return it, and once done, you send the rider and ask them to agree to it within a specific time, or contacts you, as mentioned above, so you can work it out.

 

I doubt if a school will even understand a performance contract - maybe the teacher who asked will sign it, not even realising the importance?

 

When you were a student, would instructions such as yours have actually been carried out?

 

To be very honest, booking a DJ is rarely any more complex than an email - and I've never heard of a DJ for a school event wanting all these things. Even well known touring bands with years of experience who use venue equipment, rather than tour lights - rarely issue lighting plans any more complex than a few circles denoting people and a few X marks the spots for specials?

 

I think you've over complicated something that really doesn't need this level of complexity.

[Kingstech]

Contract has been agreed for the night, and everything else mention in the first paragraph, and in reply to the second paragraph, they would usually be carried out, I know I am probably overcomplicating things but as I am only bringing the music I dont have any lights, I have asked the school to rig the lights so I can bring a disk with the programming on in to the school and load it on to the desk.

 

I am probably over complicating things but I am not taking anything with me apart from music, which means the school has to provide everything hence the rider.

[Ynot]

No two ways about it, you are DEFINITELY putting too much store into what the school will want, expect or even need!

 

To be perfectly blunt, as has already been said, it's a school disco - precisely what do you need to do to pre-programme? A handful of colour washes, some chases maybe...? As you say, you're just turning up with the music, nothing else, so there is no way you can insist on anything more than what you get. You'd perhaps get somewhere by giving them some idea of what you'd LIKE and where, but if you don't get it, you've absolutely no grounds for complaint.

 

OK - it's great that your old school are throwing you som pocket money for running a disco, but unless you're self contained with lights, PA and the rest, you literally get what you get.

 

There are some of us who can and do occasionally go in to run school shows but there's seldom any contract involved. Yes, some schools may ask for estimates of hire gear, maybe even spec something that they want to achieve, but then it's down to us to deliver their plans within budget. That is something completely different from a simple disco...

[Gareth A]

Wowsers. Ive seen less information for professional touring shows back when I was resident!

 

One company even had one bit of A4 paper that had every light on it in a different shape for what type of light it was. Then a nice straight line from the front to indicate focus!

 

In regards to the pre-focus and rig, to be honest, something will never be right and then either your pre-programming needs changing or you sit there and get annoyed with it as its 1 ft too far left. Especially as its a school event, I doubt they will have a production electrician who can totally understand a rider let alone full patch plans, power consumptions and focus notes.

 

Just ask them for lots of flashy lights - how many kids sit there and go ooooo lights (ok I'm sure there are a few), most of them just want to be shoving their tongues down the nearest person to them! sometimes without being seen.! So less lighting is even better!!!

[TonyMitchell]

@kingstech - when I read the first post, it gave the impression you were the lighting designer for an event, as everything you mentioned was LX related. Then in a subsequent post you say you're only bringing the music and you have no lights, indicating you're in fact a dj with no equipment.

 

 

Now, there's nothing wrong with being a dj with no equipment, however I've never seen a DJ's technical rider specifying desk patches and power requirements for LX! ;) A typical DJ rider will state how many CDJs they want in the booth, their preference of mixer, "loud monitors" and a couple of 13a outlets for their laptop, etc.

 

 

The rest is down to the promoter or left to the technician. If you're the DJ, you can't also be LX Op, so what fixtures, desk, etc are used and how it's configured is outside your remit.

 

 

 

If however this is just a school disco, then forget everything about riders, get a couple of chinese twirly moonflowers and and one of those led things that flashes coloured dots around the room, all of that can be hung from a single T-bar on a tripod stand...job done. In fact get two flashy led thingies, then your T-bar will be nicely balanced...:** laughs out loud **:

 

 

[Kingstech]

@kingstech - when I read the first post, it gave the impression you were the lighting designer for an event, as everything you mentioned was LX related. Then in a subsequent post you say you're only bringing the music and you have no lights, indicating you're in fact a dj with no equipment.

 

 

Now, there's nothing wrong with being a dj with no equipment, however I've never seen a DJ's technical rider specifying desk patches and power requirements for LX! ;) A typical DJ rider will state how many CDJs they want in the booth, their preference of mixer, "loud monitors" and a couple of 13a outlets for their laptop, etc.

 

 

The rest is down to the promoter or left to the technician. If you're the DJ, you can't also be LX Op, so what fixtures, desk, etc are used and how it's configured is outside your remit.

 

 

 

If however this is just a school disco, then forget everything about riders, get a couple of chinese twirly moonflowers and and one of those led things that flashes coloured dots around the room, all of that can be hung from a single T-bar on a tripod stand...job done. In fact get two flashy led thingies, then your T-bar will be nicely balanced...:** laughs out loud **:

 

 

 

 

I am usually a LD for the school hence all the documentation, I am running things off of a mac, and they asked me to sort everything out lights and sound wise in writing before. They only have generic lights, so had to come up with a design as well.. its only a few colour chases and flashy stuff...

 

I know im over the top with these things, but its the way I work.. on the night it is only me there running, +staff for numbers, but im the only tech there, so I had to have everything ready

[TonyMitchell]

on the night it is only me there running, +staff for numbers, but im the only tech there, so I had to have everything ready

 

 

as I am no longer a student there and getting paid for it, I have been told by them that I will be classed as an external worker.

 

Callum

 

 

Contract has been agreed for the night,

 

 

Slightly off-topic, but in view of the above and noting you're a minor, what's the position regarding your liability insurance?

[paulears]

More importantly, did they tell you how long they will take to pay - and have you got an order number. School's and college's accounts departments are amazingly rigid on systems - so when you submit the invoice, they'll check to see if the order was authorised, then get the person who holds the budget to sign, then they pass the invoice for payment, return it to the budget holder for approval, then put it on the pile, which by them may have ticked into the next month, then they sit on it for 30 days, then write the cheque, then when the pile is big enough, pass it to the finance director for signature, then, when there's enough in the pile, they post them, second class. It can easily be two months - and any small issue, costs a couple a days a query. Very often messed up by the teachers, who perhaps intend paying via a 'secret' budget, but then get found out and have to do it properly.

[boatman]

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I am usually a LD for the school hence all the documentation,

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Callum, according to your profile, you aren't even 17 until 23rd December this year. I doubt very much that you have been LD for a school, although you may have operated a desk, but that's probably about the limit.

 

Let's not try to overblow the ego shall we.

[Ynot]

They only have generic lights, so had to come up with a design as well.. its only a few colour chases and flashy stuff...

Oh, come on...!

At the risk of piling in on top of you with this off-topic stuff, 'design' for a school disco???

Let's be serious here - throw some lights up, beg steal or borrow some cheap disco tat wobbly bits and JFDI. Most discos don't even have anything hung at height, because that's not what most will want!!

[Kingstech]

More importantly, did they tell you how long they will take to pay - and have you got an order number. School's and college's accounts departments are amazingly rigid on systems - so when you submit the invoice, they'll check to see if the order was authorised, then get the person who holds the budget to sign, then they pass the invoice for payment, return it to the budget holder for approval, then put it on the pile, which by them may have ticked into the next month, then they sit on it for 30 days, then write the cheque, then when the pile is big enough, pass it to the finance director for signature, then, when there's enough in the pile, they post them, second class. It can easily be two months - and any small issue, costs a couple a days a query. Very often messed up by the teachers, who perhaps intend paying via a 'secret' budget, but then get found out and have to do it properly.

 

Paul, its being paid cash in hand on the night. I dont know where I stand with regards to insurance as this is a one off event, I have been told they are organising stuff like that.

 

Boatman, prehaps it wasnt the correct wording I used for it, I used to do most of the tech work at my old school.

 

Ynot, it is easier for me to ask for lights to be hung rather than to beg and borrow lights funky lights, we have one but its only very small (double disco derby), Its a usual rig for discos in the studio as it is where the proms are usually held and its the same rig but as its a multi-function room the rig has been moved around.

 

I will admit now, I am over complicating things.