Technically Managing Your Production Research/Target/Relationship

A bit about me Shepparton based Technically manage two very busy venues in North Eastern Victoria Production managed SheppARTon Festival for 9 years Production Manager for Short Black Opera Owner and Manager of Korova Have been involved in the Touring Forum since way back when it was just a group of around 30- 40 people

What do I need to know National Touring Selector Production Rating a simple guide to a production's technical rating, working from A, as the most complex to D as the simplest a quick and easy system, but is a guide only. Note that it does not match up with the A to D rating system used by many venues. http://touringselector.com/about/production_ratings The NTS Production Rating is a simple way to let venues/presenters know what level your show is at.

NTS Production Rating A B C D Bump-in across 2 days or more Bump-in longer than 1 day Bump-in between 4 hours and 1 day. Bump-in 4 hours or under Large experienced crew in all areas and probable overtime Experienced LX crew and mechanists - overtime may be required Experienced small crew 1 or 2 technicians Lighting rig - 120+ channels Digital desk Less than 120 channels Digital LX board. Moderate LX rig Show can use existing lighting rig with minor adjustments Complex sound such as radio mics, multiple speaker locations, not using house system Some additional sound equipment hired in addition to in-house system Can use in-house sound system with some extra items supplied by producer Show can use existing sound system Complex set - may involve water, special effects etc Experienced mechanists required, large set pieces. Simple set Simple or no set Requires full fly system May require flying No fly tower Requires experienced show crew Medium show crew, 2 - 4 staff. 1 or less venue crew to operate show Touring staff operate show Requires pre-rig Basic pre-rig -  Stage size 10m x 12m or more Stage size 10m x 12m or less Stage size 10m x 8m or less Stage size - flexible

NTS Production Rating D (no req to small) 1 to 2 technicians required Bump in under 4 hours Can use existing lighting stock with minor adjustments or none at all Can use existing sound system or no sound requirement Simple or no set No Flytower/system required Touring staff operate the show Stage size is flexible

NTS Production Rating

NTS Production Rating C (small to medium) Small number of experienced technicians required Bump in between 4 hours – 1 day (how long is a day?) Moderate lighting rig (36-72 channels) with a digital console. Can use in house sound system with extra being supplied by producer Simple set No Flytower/system required 1 or less venue staff operate the show Basic pre rig required Stage size 10m x 8m or less

NTS Production Rating

NTS Production Rating B (medium to large) Experienced lighting technicians and mechanists required. Overtime may be required Bump in longer than 1 day (how much longer?) Substantial lighting rig (120 channels or less) with a digital console. Some additional equipment hired in addition to in-house sound system Large set pieces, experienced mechanists required May require a Flytower/system 2 to 4 venue staff operate the show Requires a pre rig Stage size 12m x 10m or less

NTS Production Rating

NTS Production Rating A (large to massive) Large team of experienced technicians required in all areas. Overtime may be required Bump in across 2 days or more Exuberant lighting rig (120 channels and more) with a digital console. Complex sound. Radio mics/multi speaker locations etc Complex set with maybe water, special effects, automation Requires a full fly system (what is full?) Experienced show crew to operate the show Requires a pre rig Stage size 12m x 10m or more

NTS Production Rating

Where to from here?

How do I know what to pick Look at your show and start to break it into sections. Don’t be afraid to pick a higher rating if you think it may or may not be that one. Think about your show and what support you are willing to put into it. Workshop the ideas with the designers/creatives to see if you can reduce your requests.

Key elements of a smoother tour Be prepared Ensure you have a tech spec as soon as possible This can be a working document Needs to have everything you require or are touring in it Hire the right team (or staff member) that you trust with your show. If it is critical to have it in the show tour it (not all regionals can supply what you have in your head) Consider a generic email address. Show name or company name touring etc etc.

Key elements of a smoother tour Ask questions? From other touring parties Venues Industry specialists Communicate This is number 1 Most problems occur when there is no information flow from communication Consider a generic email address. Show name or company name touring etc etc.

What is in my Tech Spec Contact Details Venue Access Staging and Set Lighting Audio AV Wardrobe Dressing Rooms Other

What is in my Tech Spec Crew Requirements and Schedule How many crew is required What skill set is needed 3x LX, 2x MX and 1x SX or 6x Techs What are the times scheduled from start to finish Is there enough time Have I allocated breaks Is pre rig included or extra Who is operating the show

Requests for Venues What to ask for?

To tour or not to tour? What is reasonable to ask for? Regional Venues and Touring Destinations Less resources available In the venue Close by to hire Is the item crucial to the performance Would it be easier to tour the item/s

OH&S What do I need to do?

Safety Matters Comply with local state and federal laws and regulations Includes for example S28 of the OH&S Act 2004 (Victoria). Duties of designers of buildings or structures SWMS (Safe Work Method Statements) or SWP (Safe Work Procedures) This is the responsibility of the producer to supply to the presenter Fatigue/Stress Have I done everything in my power to reduce this 28. Duties of designers of buildings or structures (1) A person who designs a building or structure or part of a building or structure who knows, or ought reasonably to know, that the building or structure or the part of the building or structure is to be used as a workplace must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that it is designed to be safe and without risks to the health of persons using it as a workplace for a purpose for which it was designed. Penalty: 500 penalty units for a natural person; 2500 penalty units for a body corporate

Questions?

http://mobro.co/matthewschroeders