Paul J Need Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 <_< Would be great to hear of any suggestions for a 20 questions "quiz" to ask potential technicians.......... I don't mean the obvious ones like the colour of three phase cables..... but REALLY meaty, mind bending ones..... go one peeps.. give it your best show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 Okay, here's one: You've just spent the best part of a morning crawling around the dirty old wooden grid rigging up some strang rope trickery and winch thingy for the director to 'have a look at an effect he might like' . You show him said effect and he decides he doesn't want it and it's cut. And he doesn't give a word of thanks for trying.Do you A] Drop the biggest bloody shackle you can find on his head. B] Go over the road to 'Trader Joes' and drink as much as possible. C] Say to your self ' oh well, thats showbuisiness' and sit down with a cuppa waiting for your next menial task... Guess how my day's been.... <_< Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun Foster Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 Maybee you should make thta into a poll? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 I assume this is a general theatre technician without any specialisation 1 <show the applicant an input channel module from a sound desk> What is this?Describe the basic function of the various parts of the strip?What use could these functions be in a theatre application.? 2 <Ask the applicant to sketch out a simple system overview including distribution, wirinf and adresses of a theatrical lighting rig DMX network for a show with say 72 dimmers, 6 moving wash fixtures, 6 moving profiles and 12 scrolles. > What are the most likely places for failure to occur? 3 Describe the basic operation of a counterweight fly line, how the forces balance and the important safety considerations when using one. 4 What is the relationship between the roles of Technical Director, Stage ManagerLighting DesignerSound Designerand DSM, and what stages of the production process do they get involved in. 5Describe the basic operation of a robotic fixture of the applicant's choice. 6Describe the difference in operation function and usage of LDCSDC DynamicLavalierRibbonPZMPCC Microphones. 7Describe the basic overview of a video distribution system showing the importance of correct termination and distribution amplifiers. 8 Think about project managing an installation of a whole new theatre upgrade from cabling dimmers -amps - control whilst the theatre stays open with a full schedule of production runs. and what considerations should be made from the project management end to make sure everyone is happy all the time. 9How would you light a black box set - proscenium production of Hamlet with 12 conventional lights of your choice? 10What are the important considerations when winding splicing and lacing 35mm com-opt film? These are 10 questions off the top. You could think of more or insert 10 case studies of situations you have been in where you have really had to think and or control yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Need Posted June 24, 2003 Author Share Posted June 24, 2003 Good start James.... however I was hoping for some questions which would stretch most of the people using this forum...... afterall...... don't a lot of people entering this business now have degree??? <_< Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 Good start James.... however I was hoping for some questions which would stretch most of the people using this forum Some of that stretched me quite a bit! What's Com-Opt film?And as for how a ribbon mic works?! But hey, I'm a lampie! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryson Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 Perhaps a 20 questions for theatre design graduates would be good. Questions like: (Show them a fresnel) What kind of lantern is this? (Give them a cable) Coil that. Properly. What does the Grand Master do on a lighting desk? (To explain: I had some 3rd year Theatre Design Degree students in this week. They would have failed all of the above questions. One student had a modelbox showing a set that would have been about 100 metres wide and deep, and about 150 metres high. Not sure which venue that was going into...) Micro-rant over. Bryson (Who has a Degree in Theatre Design! And a Job. <_< ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 don't a lot of people entering this business now have degree??? I don't know, I know I don't have a degree. But then again I don't know that I have got an entry into this business yet. <_< Is this scope for another poll? who has degree in ........... However I was hoping for some questions which would stretch most of the people using this forum Sorry I mis-understood, I read the bit on your OP about "potential technicians" and missed the "REALLY meaty, mind bending ones" Hmm One of the best interview questions I saw was, Combine three RS422 data streams, using just 74 series logic gates. Or if you want a meaty one, L202 is the most useful gel ever, discuss EDIT : Sorry - Mozilla doesn't like clickable smilies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryson Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 Quick disclaimer: My above post isn't everybody, or every course. But a worryingly large percentage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Need Posted June 24, 2003 Author Share Posted June 24, 2003 Combine three RS422 data streams, using just 74 series logic gates.hoooooooorah!!!! That's more like it........... not all electronic questions now please!! <_<L202 is the most useful gel ever, discuss that is quite perfect!!! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark b Posted June 25, 2003 Share Posted June 25, 2003 How about... Without any electronic aid calculate the delay time for these positions 10mtr from stage front and 27ft 6 inches from the fist tap? please show all working. You have four speakers that are rated at 16ohms how would you configure them for safe use on one amp channel? what differances will there be between the cabinets? You are working a tour in europe what frequencys should your radio mics work on? You are working a tour going through eastern europe. What considerations do you have regarding useing your own equiptment on the show? you are working a show in paris when you plug in your 125a 3q it sits there without a drop of juice. :angry:I n the last venue in england it work fine why? <_< I have awnsers for all exept the first one I would need to go away and look up the formula. me memory aint what it used to be! :) (and I have omidrives which negate the need to use the math that often!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thirdtap Posted June 25, 2003 Share Posted June 25, 2003 <_< How about: What do you want to do when you grow up? I can think of two good answers1) Don't want to grow up2) Beer or wine taster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted June 25, 2003 Share Posted June 25, 2003 Without any electronic aid calculate the delay time for these positions 10mtr from stage front and 27ft 6 inches from the fist tap? That's cruel. combining metric and imperial like that, urgh.... <_< Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark b Posted June 25, 2003 Share Posted June 25, 2003 Yep it always gets em evry time donated that question to a friend who lectures at a university in my local. He used it in a seminar and only 7 out of the fourty students picked up on the change. needless to say not many got the 20% that question was worth! on my second question there is a slight omission I should have asked what the differance in wattage would be. oops! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew C Posted June 25, 2003 Share Posted June 25, 2003 How about: You reach the bar first after a fraught technical rehearsal. You see the Set Designer, Director and Stage Manager approaching deep in "we'll just change" discussion. Do you:- a) Hide under the nearest tableb) Offer them a soothing drinkc) Wait, looking thirsty, to see if they offer you a soothing drink, because it will be you doing the work to rectify whatever the fault is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.