justgina
Member
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New Member and New TD in Texas
- Thread starterjustgina
- Start date
Hey all! My name is Gina, and I'm the TD for a brand-new (getting the keys this week) PCA in Beaumont, Texas. I'm going to need lots of advice from those of you who have done this for a while. It's been several years since I've TD'ed and I've never started from the ground up before.
PCA = ?
Porsche Club of America
Poodle Club of America
Professional Cowboy Association
Am I close?
Whatever it is, welcome!
LOL! Closer than I was. That's what happens when you post before your Diet Coke kicks in.
PAC...Performing Arts Center, specifically the James F. Jackson Center for the Performing Arts at Ozen Magnet High School in Beaumont.
Welcome! You're in good hands here. There's so much experience on this board, it's scary. Feel free to ask questions...we're a helpful bunch.
justgina
Member
Welcome! You're in good hands here. There's so much experience on this board, it's scary. Feel free to ask questions...we're a helpful bunch.
Good to know since I'm going to need a lot of help!
I'm not a novice by any means, but this is the first official TD position I've held, and my theatre is brand-new, so I'll be starting from the ground up. Right now I'm trying to think through my basic light hang since all of my instruments are currently on the rails, but pointed straight at the ground, unfocused and ungelled. *sigh* Did I mention the first production/dedication of the space is on Dec. 12th, and the contractors haven't turned over the keys yet?
Good to know since I'm going to need a lot of help!
I'm not a novice by any means, but this is the first official TD position I've held, and my theatre is brand-new, so I'll be starting from the ground up. Right now I'm trying to think through my basic light hang since all of my instruments are currently on the rails, but pointed straight at the ground, unfocused and ungelled. *sigh* Did I mention the first production/dedication of the space is on Dec. 12th, and the contractors haven't turned over the keys yet?
Awesome! That means you get to shake down the place and find all the bugs!
On the bright side (no pun intended), you have new equipment to work with, you're free to set things up YOUR way, and you will have keys to everything.
You are the light czar...
Welcome, justgina. One of the first things you'll want to do, and you needn't wait until you take possession, is write the Technical Specifications Packet for your [-]PCA[/-] [-]CPA[/-] PAC.
We can help with that:
http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/...tions/24497-venue-technical-specs-packet.html
http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/...ty-operations/17349-show-your-tech-facts.html
http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/.../25102-check-out-new-website-my-facility.html
We can help with that:
http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/...tions/24497-venue-technical-specs-packet.html
http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/...ty-operations/17349-show-your-tech-facts.html
http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/.../25102-check-out-new-website-my-facility.html
justgina
Member
Awesome! That means you get to shake down the place and find all the bugs!
On the bright side (no pun intended), you have new equipment to work with, you're free to set things up YOUR way, and you will have keys to everything.
You are the light czar...
Yep! I'm as excited as a kid on Christmas. I'm ready to get in and get my hands dirty. It's just a little bit daunting to start from nothing.
As for the title, my kids have a different one: Technical Diva! (or as they say, "All Hail Queen Gina!")
Yep! I'm as excited as a kid on Christmas. I'm ready to get in and get my hands dirty. It's just a little bit daunting to start from nothing.
As for the title, my kids have a different one: Technical Diva! (or as they say, "All Hail Queen Gina!")
If you don't have your crew together yet, remember: Your kids = Free labor
If they're old enough to speak, they're old enough to cut gel!
My suggestions for a new space:
* Secure your perimeter. Know who has access to your space. The fewer, the better. Make sure others know this is YOUR territory. Own it. This is easier done in a new space.
* Try EVERYTHING. Make a list of any problems. Report them to the vendors ASAP. Know the vendors by first name.
* Find out what the warranties are for your equipment. Keep that paperwork under your control.
* Get your hands on any and all operator manuals for the equipment before they end up in a file cabinet somewhere in the main office. Make a copy of everything and put the copy in a binder. Put this binder in the booth. Lock up the original manuals.
* Label or engrave EVERYTHING. If there's room, include the facility's main phone #.
* Make an inventory of everything.
* Number your instruments. Keep it simple. For example: ELL#1,2,3... for ellipsoidals, FOL#1,2,3,... for followspots, FRE#1,2,3,... for fresnels, etc.
* Take pictures of expensive stuff. Take 2 pictures of each: one of the piece of equipment and another of the serial number plate. Print these pictures and put them in a binder with plastic sleeves. Keep this in your office.
* Find a place for everything. When something goes missing, it's easier to detect.
* Befriend the maintenance personnel. Try to avoid angering them at all costs. Feed them pizza if necessary.
* Lock microphones in a special cabinet, especially the wireless. Leave an SM-58 and mic stand out in your office in case it's needed by someone else and you're not around.
As far as a default light setup, you can't go wrong with the McCandless Method.
When marking instruments, I use Super Met-Al paint markers (not the fiber tip ones). You should have at least a white, black, and yellow one. Granger has them and you can get them through NAPA too.
Industrial Markers - SUPER MET-AL MARKER - Marking Tools - Grainger Industrial Supply
If you're good at stenciling, go for it. It looks professional, but I never had luck with it.
These suggestions are what I would do if given a new space. Feel free to use all, some or none of them!
If you don't have your crew together yet, remember: Your kids = Free labor
If they're old enough to speak, they're old enough to cut gel!
My suggestions for a new space:
* Secure your perimeter. Know who has access to your space. The fewer, the better. Make sure others know this is YOUR territory. Own it. This is easier done in a new space.
* Try EVERYTHING. Make a list of any problems. Report them to the vendors ASAP. Know the vendors by first name.
That's a dangerous assumption... hope they would be able to...
I would suggest having a second copy of keys for things like the booth and storage closets if possible. Then, you can always keep yours and still give keys out if needed. As long as you always know where they are and make sure the people who have them really need them.
Know vendors, local shops, and other TDs of nearby venues who may have things you may want to borrow if necessary. Friends in good places are ALWAYS nice!
Enjoy your new space! Welcome to CB!
The "using her kids" thing is tongue-in-cheek (that's why there's a smiley there). I doubt she'll be saying, "Put down your cookie Suzie and focus that S4!"
And "Owning the space" would be ideal. One person who is responsible for the space is much better than the confusion of several people sharing the responsibility or nobody taking responsibility. It's simpler to deal with only one person when you have a shared space. It all really depends on the chain of command in her department and what management decides.
Handing keys to students should wait until the dust settles, if it's ever done at all. Management tends to freak out when students walk around with keys, especially in a new space. Yes, it's more of a pain when getting things done, but it is a new space with lots of new expensive things that can be broken or taken.
justgina
Member
At this point, there are no students working with me. I have a team of guys that I've worked with for the last several years in a different venue that are going to help me get through this year until I can start training my kids next year. I won't actually have any tech classes until then from which to recruit. (I'm currently in the English Department, even though my degrees are both in theatre. English was my gateway!)
As for the keys to the space, the agreement right now is that I will have the keys, and there will be an additional set in the Fine Arts AP's office in case of an emergency if I'm unable to be reached. The only other person that will have keys to the facility at this time is the head of custodial services. People will not be able to go check out the keys or anything like that. For all intents and responsibilities, the space will be "mine," and I will liaise with the different fine arts departments (theatre, dance, choir, band, orchestra, A/V production) to facilitate and meet their needs for performance events. It's not supposed to be an assembly hall. They've been very specific about that.
I won't be handing off to kids for a while - not until I know for a fact that they are properly trained and trustworthy.
As for the keys to the space, the agreement right now is that I will have the keys, and there will be an additional set in the Fine Arts AP's office in case of an emergency if I'm unable to be reached. The only other person that will have keys to the facility at this time is the head of custodial services. People will not be able to go check out the keys or anything like that. For all intents and responsibilities, the space will be "mine," and I will liaise with the different fine arts departments (theatre, dance, choir, band, orchestra, A/V production) to facilitate and meet their needs for performance events. It's not supposed to be an assembly hall. They've been very specific about that.
I won't be handing off to kids for a while - not until I know for a fact that they are properly trained and trustworthy.
You are so lucky to have a space that is "yours" to rule over. I've seen a situation where no one person was in charge and it was just awful. Also, too many people had access to the auditorium. Most of the microphones went missing, equipment was broken, and even seats in the house were damaged. And this town is no crime zone - it was more like Mayberry. There was just a total lack of oversight.
It sounds like you know what you're doing and you have a great place to do it in.
Have fun on the 12th!
justgina
Member
Okay gang, I need the brain trust to kick in.
I've got to do an initial hang/focus for the 12th. I don't have keys yet, and I know that the 4 days prior to the show, I won't be able to do anything on the stage because of the final floor install. I'm still teaching 6 sections (out of 7) a day in English, so my time is incredibly limited.
What advice can you give me regarding the best basic light plot for a multipurpose stage? Keep in mind that I have yet to be given the inventory, although I know that I have a decent selection of lights, including a small handful of LED's. I don't have a lot of time to make dumb mistakes, since I'm working primarily on my own for the next week.
I've got to do an initial hang/focus for the 12th. I don't have keys yet, and I know that the 4 days prior to the show, I won't be able to do anything on the stage because of the final floor install. I'm still teaching 6 sections (out of 7) a day in English, so my time is incredibly limited.
What advice can you give me regarding the best basic light plot for a multipurpose stage? Keep in mind that I have yet to be given the inventory, although I know that I have a decent selection of lights, including a small handful of LED's. I don't have a lot of time to make dumb mistakes, since I'm working primarily on my own for the next week.
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