internship

[Pie4Weebl]

Hey,
so this summer I am looking for an internship with a lighting company which focuses more on concerts than theatre stuff. I am planning on either staying in Chicago or going out to NYC area. Two questions. 1. Any suggestions on who I should look into? 2. I have potential bites from Windy City in Chicago and BML in NJ does anyone have any thoughts on either of these companies about how well they have their shows together and how well they run their company? (If you would rather respond by pm to be more candid feel free)

Thanks!

[gafftaper]

Sounds like you need to be having some PM conversations with the Ship-meister.

Good luck setting it up Pie. That would be an great experience.

[Mirrai]

I know that Frost Lighing has a branch in Chicago that my friend worked at. I am not sure if there have a internships but I do know that they do on job training so you might look into a job with them.

[Footer]

Your a webster kid, right? Give grandstage a call, they have pretty strong ties to webster, ask peter.

[Pie4Weebl]

Originally Posted by Footer4321

Your a webster kid, right? Give grandstage a call, they have pretty strong ties to webster, ask peter.

haha, I guess you are tied in some how if you know who peter is

Grandstage is kinda theatry- while I'm looking for something more rock and roll, after a few emails it seems like the windy city thing is just about set, more suggestions and comments are still welcome of coarse.

[Footer]

Originally Posted by Pie4Weebl

haha, I guess you are tied in some how if you know who peter is

Most people in the midwest know of the plaid man, some may or may not like him, but his name is pretty out there.

As far as trying to break into the concert world...
If you are looking just to do the shop thing, call any company in chicago, Grandstage might be able to get you something better then an entry level gig, or PM ship. You might also want to look for some work in St. Louis, there is some work going around there. There are also plenty of small clubs that will let you work.

[ship]

thought summer was over? Definately fall type weather.

Off the top of my head... TLC, ILC, Upstaging, Frost, Performance Lighting, Show Department are the main production companies in the Chicago area with lots more of different types such as the Grand Stage, Design Lab and Chicago Spotlight also doing shows/rentals/retail. This in addition to lots and lots of other places. A while back the son of the owner of Movable Power joined the website in looking for an apprentice as it were - internship. He both works with his Dad on the big generators and power installs, and has his own lighting company that does shows. Have to search about for him and contact off line. Good guy, worked with him once in re-wiring a bunch of their sports lighter fixtures. Otherwise Len might be interesting to contact in getting advice and or a heads up of who else is out there in the area. Than there is always the IA route in working overhire for them. Contact Local #2 - they are always busy given they run most of all theaters and concert stages in the area.

Don't expect to get much glamor right away. If you want to do shows, go smaller than larger as a place to work. Benefits to slinging cable for a summer while learning lots, and benefits to getting your feet wet with adventure but often having a bit less steady income.

Also, where I work I don't do the hiring of other than my own assistants and I have enough of them at the moment. Otherwise, you get hired on your own merits and are given a full trial and all the chances in the world, plus help and training if you go for and are ready for it in mastering your current tasks and moving onto others - an aptitude and quality of work question. Difference between those there for a job or those there for a career amongst other things and it's huge in difference. Sky is the limit for how far you can go, but it's about you as a tech person and I wouldn't interfere with that even in getting anyone a job or helping them more than anyone else off the steet, other than train you where appropriate as anyone else, and or mention to those in charged of you your faults or benefits where appropriate as per my position in helping your boss' be your boss as with anyone else. In other words, no special favors to Controlbooth members, you stand on your own feet with a large support structure to help train you but not give you anything not earned, and hopefully that's what will set you apart in having earned what you get. Nobody taught me some stuff - learned it thru study on my own, on the other hand of those things I was trained in, the best training in the world once I was ready for it is what I pass on - not job hiring recommendations.

[Footer]

Well, if Ships not just going to hand out jobs...

As ship said, start calling people, there is also always the "I'll work 2 gigs for free" thing, that either works really well or totally backfires. You have connections at your university, using them is not a bad thing to do. At the same time establishing connections through your own hard work outside of education will put you miles ahead when you get out of school. Get a phone book, start calling, sending out your resume listing skills at the top. Your going to be doing some crappy work at first, but it will lead to better work. I don't know if I would start sending out resumes now but figuring out who you know knows might be a good thing to start doing.

Then again, you could always order some gear and stash away in the truck before they leave...

[Pie4Weebl]

haha ship, don't worry I'm not looking for special treatment, just doors to knock on. Through about ILC for a while as I have an in there, but they focus a little more oh high end clients and corporate stuff while I want to edge a little closer to rock and roll and concerts. Also who is TLC, google brings up the learning channel.

Also has anyone worked with Windy City? I've been e-mailing back and forth with them and they would like to have me so I'm thinking of jumping on that.

[Kelite]

TLC is http://www.thelightingconnection.com
Trade show work, corporate, and the occassional installation. LOTS of ETC product at this house...


(Oh, and before I forget your initial question again- Windy City has a Catalyst with DL1s and DL2s for corporate work. You would stand a good chance of learning some 'OTJ' training with any of the three companies you've mentioned. All are very solvent and in the market for the long haul...)