Electrician

[Charc]

So my understanding is, maybe I've been WAY wrong, that in entertainment/production an Electrician is synonymous with "The lighting guy". (Or "The guy that's never around when you need him".) Which can cause confusion at times.

I just called a large concert venue in Philly, as I have been poking around, thinking about things for this summer if my main plan falls through. It took me awhile to even get a number for this place, I finally got a number, spoke to a real person, and had a conversation with a woman who seemed pretty obnoxious / high-on-herself. I asked if it would be possible for me to get in contact with either human resources or their ME (master electrician). She then went on to say something to the effect of:

"Electrician? We don't have one on the payroll. Like we have a contract with a company."
(So now I'm thinking, okay, IATSE contract, or something like that.)
"Oh really, so--"
"Like, so, what are you trying to do?"
"I'm trying to get in contact with human resources or master electrician to discuss the possibility of internship or employment."
"What do you want? Those are two diff'rent things. Like if we have a problem with our power we call someone, we don't like have an electrician around. We have like sound and lighting guys though."
"Oh, right, sorry. In entertainment production a 'lighting guy' is referred to as an electrician, so--"
"Um, electrician? No, okay that's totally different that's not even right."
"Oh okay, well can I get in contact with your 'lighting guy' for an internship--"
"We don't like do internships in this building. The internships are like during the summer, and like for like when we book like administrative stuff, not like stuff in the building."
"Oh, okay... nevermind. Bye."

[Drmafreek]

Yes, I would say that this woman did not have the lingo down. The way I've been able to differentiate for laymen is the theatre version is called the theatre electrician, while the "real" electrician is referred to as the facilities electrician. That too can be problematic at times, but I've found that helps people who don't know a lot about theatre.

[punktech]

i'd say call back or go into the venue's offices. i HIGHLY doubt that they hire only administrative interns. if they hire any kind of intern they hire tech interns too. i actually had this problem with NTI (specifically the O'Niell(sp) campus). a recruiter came into my college last year and i asked him if there were tech internships available during the summer and he said no. another recruiter (this time a woman that was by far more knowledgeable about tech than the guy) came this year and was supposed to send me info, but alas i have gotten anything from her in weeks, so i'm gonna e-mail her again. it's NTI, Circ, or Williamstown Theatre Festival for me this summer.

[Footer]

Odds are they contract out to a production company for their stage techs, they could also contract out to IA, whatever it may be. Many venues will do this and put the burdin of getting people and paying people on the production company and the production company will get payed a lump some for the gig. Also, in the R&R biz the person you are trying to talk to is rarely ever called a Master Electrician (its a dying term anyway...). Most of the time they are either a lighting director or head electrican. These are both seperate jobs, but sometimes combined. Also, if this is a larger venue that has shows coming through regulary, you will want to talk to the house electrician. I would stay away from contacting the venues directly for tech work because odds are the people that you will talk to really don't have a clue as to what is going on onstage. Call the local rental houses/production companys. Even calling the local sound companys and asking "who is in charge of lighitng at such a such venue" will help. Usually the sound companys are much "localer" then the lighting companies.

[BillESC]

Why not just "shape up" for work at the IA Union Hall in Philly. I'm sure there's plenty of work during the summer.

I did it in NYC for Local 1 and got plenty of work back in '72.

[gafftaper]

I know the big theater in town here is a union house and thus they have very strict rules about interns doing tech work (If an intern does the job for next to nothing that's taking away from the paid work of a union member). They are allowed some tech interns for summer stock but even then its very strictly regulated. Most interns there are administrative. You might try calling the local union office and asking for a list of Union houses and then approach the theaters NOT on the list about internships.

[icewolf08]

Gaff has a very good point. Many venues that are "concert venues," or road houses that bring in touring shows are, more often than not, union venues. Also, Most venues that bring in touring rock shows or theatre productions don't have a full time tech staff. The show brings it's crew with it, and then they hire what they need from the local union or non union pool depending on what they need. If you are looking for internships in theatre, you should look into local summer stock houses. If you are looking into R&R internships, well that is going to be tougher.

[Footer]

Originally Posted by BillESC

Why not just "shape up" for work at the IA Union Hall in Philly. I'm sure there's plenty of work during the summer.
I did it in NYC for Local 1 and got plenty of work back in '72.

Agreed, you would be amazed how many 18 year olds with shiny new wrenches show up for calls. Give your local union a call, it can't hurt... and you can make some pretty good cash.

[Charc]

Originally Posted by Footer4321

Agreed, you would be amazed how many 18 year olds with shiny new wrenches show up for calls. Give your local union a call, it can't hurt... and you can make some pretty good cash.

Sadly, I'm not 18, so I've been trying not to go the IA route.

[fosstech]

That's what I did this summer when I wasn't working for the production company. It's some pretty good money for a college student at least. I was making about $25/hr doing load ins and outs for stuff in Seattle. Did a couple things for Microsoft at a couple hotels downtown among other things.