Its 7:00pm, the guests start pouring in. Off in the corner sits the event lighting guy waiting for the action to start. The event lighting techs job must be easy, right? After all you never see him move with the excption of pushing a few buttons here and there. Why is the tech paid so much to when all he is doing is just sitting there? This couldn’t be further from the truth, Seemingly countless hours of hard work are spent before and after what might be considered a 3-5 hour event.
The work begins from the minute you get the job (some times before) It starts with site visits and drawing the lay out and control configuration. Then comes the equipment preparations. In general the equipment is in the warehouse ready to go at a moment’s notice, but there is always things like cleaning, organizing, Fixing & acquiring new equipment going on. So much work and its not even event day yet!
With 3-6 hours on the clock till the event starts(sometimes even more for the bigger events) the lighting crew is busy at work. Starting with loading the equipment and getting to the event. Once arrived and the logistics of where to unload are figured out the real work beings. The truck is unloaded and lights are set up and programmed based on the plan
In a perfect world, thats where it ends-Time for the event to start. Unfortunately arriving early and having enough time for the unexpected is a necessity. Mabey the design or effect looked better on paper and changes are needed. Equipment failures or trouble shooting can crop up at the worst possible time. Lets not for get about the time it takes to tape down the wires and light position and programming check. Post Event the process is reversed.
Some will wonder why anyone would want work so hard for something that will be enjoyed for such a brief period of time. Sure a little work never hurt any one and its always fun to express your creativity for the enjoyment by others. Truth be told, The real reason is as event lighting tech we get paid to sit in the some of best seats in some of the best events around. It doesn’t get any better than that.
The work begins from the minute you get the job (some times before) It starts with site visits and drawing the lay out and control configuration. Then comes the equipment preparations. In general the equipment is in the warehouse ready to go at a moment’s notice, but there is always things like cleaning, organizing, Fixing & acquiring new equipment going on. So much work and its not even event day yet!
With 3-6 hours on the clock till the event starts(sometimes even more for the bigger events) the lighting crew is busy at work. Starting with loading the equipment and getting to the event. Once arrived and the logistics of where to unload are figured out the real work beings. The truck is unloaded and lights are set up and programmed based on the plan
In a perfect world, thats where it ends-Time for the event to start. Unfortunately arriving early and having enough time for the unexpected is a necessity. Mabey the design or effect looked better on paper and changes are needed. Equipment failures or trouble shooting can crop up at the worst possible time. Lets not for get about the time it takes to tape down the wires and light position and programming check. Post Event the process is reversed.
Some will wonder why anyone would want work so hard for something that will be enjoyed for such a brief period of time. Sure a little work never hurt any one and its always fun to express your creativity for the enjoyment by others. Truth be told, The real reason is as event lighting tech we get paid to sit in the some of best seats in some of the best events around. It doesn’t get any better than that.
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