I just made my first post in the FX questions forum, and i thought i'd introduce myself.
I've been involved in tech theater for about 15 years, in various forms since i was in junior high school. Currently i'm doing mostly audio work, but i started primairly as a lighting guy. I then started doing some set carpentry, lighting design, stage managing, and just about everything else, but my specialties are lighting and audio.
Tech theater is not my full-time job (I'm a mechanical engineer at an aerospace company). These days, I work mostly small shows, community theater, semi-pro theater, high school shows, and that sort of thing (on the side, of course). I used to have my own (rather small) lighting company, and did lighting for bar bands, for several years, but sold my rig when i moved about 3 years ago, since I no longer used it. In addition, i worked house crew for 5 or 6 years at the local large concert venue. So, i've spent about half of my time around the music industry, although i've been out of most of it for a few years now, (and my ears are thanking me!)
So, with the exception of costuming, hair & makeup, i've done just about everything else.
Currently, i'm starting to get into special effects. People seem to hire me because i can seem to figure out just about anything. If someone's doing a show, and they need something out-of-the-ordnairy, they call me. Being that this is a side-business for me, my gigs aren't all paying gigs, and even the ones that are, don't always even cover my expenses.
I found this forum on google, looking for answers to special effects questions, and i forwarded the web address to all my techie friends. this place seems like a fantastic resource!
My username came from a username i've had for years, at the very first forum i ever joined. I've been using the same username at all the forums i belong to. If you frequent some automotive forums, you may recognize me, but probably not.
Mike Firnhaber
Hartford, Ct
I've been involved in tech theater for about 15 years, in various forms since i was in junior high school. Currently i'm doing mostly audio work, but i started primairly as a lighting guy. I then started doing some set carpentry, lighting design, stage managing, and just about everything else, but my specialties are lighting and audio.
Tech theater is not my full-time job (I'm a mechanical engineer at an aerospace company). These days, I work mostly small shows, community theater, semi-pro theater, high school shows, and that sort of thing (on the side, of course). I used to have my own (rather small) lighting company, and did lighting for bar bands, for several years, but sold my rig when i moved about 3 years ago, since I no longer used it. In addition, i worked house crew for 5 or 6 years at the local large concert venue. So, i've spent about half of my time around the music industry, although i've been out of most of it for a few years now, (and my ears are thanking me!)
So, with the exception of costuming, hair & makeup, i've done just about everything else.
Currently, i'm starting to get into special effects. People seem to hire me because i can seem to figure out just about anything. If someone's doing a show, and they need something out-of-the-ordnairy, they call me. Being that this is a side-business for me, my gigs aren't all paying gigs, and even the ones that are, don't always even cover my expenses.
I found this forum on google, looking for answers to special effects questions, and i forwarded the web address to all my techie friends. this place seems like a fantastic resource!
My username came from a username i've had for years, at the very first forum i ever joined. I've been using the same username at all the forums i belong to. If you frequent some automotive forums, you may recognize me, but probably not.
Mike Firnhaber
Hartford, Ct
