How to get Experience

[Brian Busch]

Went to FOH mag, read the review - I have a "barely-on-topic-question" for all:

how does one get a behind the scenes tour, help, aid, assist, stand-in-the-way on "real" stuff like concerts, productions, and the like outside of church?

How do you get to know the right people?

[kerwin kanago]

Originally posted by Brian Busch
How does one get a behind the scenes tour, help, aid, assist, stand-in-the-way on "real" stuff like concerts, productions, and the like outside of church?

Spot someone working tech who looks like they have a clue, wait till they are NOT BUSY (e.g. afterwards). Walk up and say something nice about their equipment or performance, or ask how they like that mixer, etc. Maybe ask if they have time to show you their stuff. Now you probably have them talking about something they love. Introduce yourself at the right moment and see what happens!

[BryanRamsey]

Hey Brian -

If you are looking to hang out with touring guys - one way to do that is simple.

Next time a Christian concert comes into town....give the promoter/church/artist's home office a call. Most Christian concerts tend to have local people help out. You can help out with moving equipment in and setting it up/tearing it down.
Most of the time they assume you don't know anything about it and you are just there to help out wherever needed, but sometimes they ask to see if you have experience in any area. If you do...most likely they will stick you in that area to do something.

Most of the time you will get a free ticket as well as backstage access and maybe a t-shirt or two for helping out.

Hope this helps.

Hey Brian,

I think you will find Music Dealers ( not the stores ) but the companies,
like Yamaha, Electro-Voice/Telex and many others have area Sales Reps.
These Sales Reps, if you call them, will offer times and places when they
will be in your area and they will often times get you in behind the scenes
as a guest to various functions. Let them know your interests and ask for
their help.

When you get to the Gig, blend in and soak like a sponge, ask lots of questions
but don't get in the way. A friend of mine (who recently passed away) was an
EV dealer and he recently invited me to a EV XLC line array demonstration.
It was actually a complete load-in and concert set-up for a Christian Evangelism
concert. The 'rocket scientists from Telex/EV ( Monty ) and Chris Jones from
Jones Sales Group were there to answer questions and give product overviews.
Your local music stores can also lead you to Manufacturer Reps and events.

Seek and you shall find. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Another suggestion, and it has been mentioned here before..... volunteer
to be a stage hand, or better yet, get paid to be a stage hand. If you have
a concert promotion company in your area, call them. Let the company know
you have some stage or sound experience and tell them you are available to
work. A friend of mine did this and he ended up being a monitor mixer and working
for some very large names like Billy Joel, Pat Benatar, etc.

All the Best,

Steve M

[[Director] drew ryan]

I have created this thread so that you all can discuss this topic some more. There are some great ideas here, some that I have personaly used. Enjoy.

[stevegoad]

Well, one way to get started is to contact some artist agencies... no doubt they will be most interested in getting some of their performers to your local area for concerts, but that will be a good foot in the door.

The one that I have worked with in the past is Jeff Roberts and Associates. He is the largest Christian Representive in the country, and handles numerous stars like Rebecca St. James, Steven Curtis Chapman and the likes.

They are good folks to work with, and will be glad to help you.

[kgriffin]

I got started in live audio outside of the church through the church. I told the media guy and the worship pastor when I was 16 that i wanted to do see how working as an audio engineer for a living would be. They said hey go talk to the guy behind the console. I did and he told me he would put me to work. I started out at 16 learning over under over under over under. (hahaha) that is me wrapping cables after a show btw. There is always a need for someone who is willing to work hard and doesn't care that all he is doing is wrapping a cable. Start at the bottom and work up. All it takes is asking. There are Christians in the entertainment industry and now a days with the higher expectations for audio at churches it is very likely the christian sitting behind the desk can put you in touch with someone in the industry who can put you to work. Don't fake your way into a conversation about audio cause if the person your talking to is a pro they will tell and then your chances of getting experience with them is shot, if they don't notice than i would avoid working with them.

[Esoteric]

I got started lugging boxes at local roadhouses/theaters. They saw one day that I could use a wrench and wasn't afraid of heights and soon I was an electrician, and then eventually an apprentice rigger.

Whatever you do, don't bug the guys working, and after the show don't stick around too long, these guys want to load up and go home.

Mike

[tedanderson]

This has to be the OLDEST thread to be revived after it was first originated.

But I would have to agree with the cable rolling. A good cable roller can go far in the industry. What I find is that there are more people who want to push buttons and turn knobs than there are people who want to load equipment and roll the cables. And anyone who is willing to roll my cables is worthy of my time to show them other things.