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What to take on a FreeLance Job?
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<blockquote data-quote="David Stancomb" data-source="post: 145716" data-attributes="member: 9634"><p>Re: What to take on a FreeLance Job?</p><p></p><p>Don't want to go all Jackanory on you so I'll try to keep this short. I started out by helping out a buddy who was providing tech services (stage sound light video for presentations disco and small band) for small conventions ( up to 500 people). Most of the gear was relatively elderly so I started I take a few basic tools with me for repairing things should the provided equipment be a bit ropey, which has more than once saved the day.</p><p></p><p>water - never be too busy to stay hydrated. Imagine how much you think you will need then double it!</p><p>cereal bars - get the ones with dried fruit in. Better than chocolate and will keep your energy levels up</p><p>pocket flashlight</p><p>wire strippers</p><p>soldering iron</p><p>solder</p><p>electrical tape</p><p>Sidecutters</p><p>Hex wrenches imperial and metric</p><p>Leatherman</p><p>Small vice grips</p><p>adustable wrench</p><p>phone charger</p><p>batteries. They should have spares but if they don't you have just earned yourself future work!</p><p>a watch so you are not reliant on your phone for the time....</p><p></p><p>Other 'nice to have' things I bring are a laptop with a few extra relevant 'fillers' that can be thrown onto the screens or sound system when the actors are late on stage with a waiting room full of people; and I print out basic IMDb info on them so that if the audience runs dry I can keep the guests flowing by throwing in a relevant question or two.</p><p></p><p>On the subject of which probably the most important thing that you will need in order to shine is what you won't have when you most need it and that is TIME. Be there early because most problems are found during set up and testing. The more time you have in hand the better. The seven Ps come into play. Prior preparation and planning prevent piss poor performance.</p><p></p><p>THINGS TO BRING THAT YOU CANT FIT IN A BAG</p><p>ears for listening</p><p>brain for thinking</p><p>willing and positive attitude</p><p>integrity. We changed out the mic batteries as a precaution (we use them in flashlights and other not so critical stuff afterwards) and they disappeared into the bag of one of the 'volunteer' staff provided by the organiser. The volunteer got piqued when I politely asked where the batteries were and he said something about 'disposing' of them (when he produced them he had carefully bound them in electrical tape). Later on during breakdown he started damaging stuff that would have been expensivlve if not impossible to replace, by rough handling without engaging brain first. When I told to stop and then explained why I wanted something done a certain way I got an earful of "I don't need micromanaging I've been doing this professionally for 15 years I know what I'm doing". Well all he'd proved just then is that in 15 years as a 'pro' all he'd proved is what a bell end he was. That said, he did have some great technical knowledge, but with that attitude I can't afford to have him around in the future.</p><p></p><p>THINGS TO LEAVE AT HOME</p><p>Ego. Our job as tech guys is to make others look good. If the numpty on stage switches their mic off because they can't help fiddling with it, give them another one rather than point out their mistake in public (that can be discussed later with the organiser if needs be)</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="David Stancomb, post: 145716, member: 9634"] Re: What to take on a FreeLance Job? Don't want to go all Jackanory on you so I'll try to keep this short. I started out by helping out a buddy who was providing tech services (stage sound light video for presentations disco and small band) for small conventions ( up to 500 people). Most of the gear was relatively elderly so I started I take a few basic tools with me for repairing things should the provided equipment be a bit ropey, which has more than once saved the day. water - never be too busy to stay hydrated. Imagine how much you think you will need then double it! cereal bars - get the ones with dried fruit in. Better than chocolate and will keep your energy levels up pocket flashlight wire strippers soldering iron solder electrical tape Sidecutters Hex wrenches imperial and metric Leatherman Small vice grips adustable wrench phone charger batteries. They should have spares but if they don't you have just earned yourself future work! a watch so you are not reliant on your phone for the time.... Other 'nice to have' things I bring are a laptop with a few extra relevant 'fillers' that can be thrown onto the screens or sound system when the actors are late on stage with a waiting room full of people; and I print out basic IMDb info on them so that if the audience runs dry I can keep the guests flowing by throwing in a relevant question or two. On the subject of which probably the most important thing that you will need in order to shine is what you won't have when you most need it and that is TIME. Be there early because most problems are found during set up and testing. The more time you have in hand the better. The seven Ps come into play. Prior preparation and planning prevent piss poor performance. THINGS TO BRING THAT YOU CANT FIT IN A BAG ears for listening brain for thinking willing and positive attitude integrity. We changed out the mic batteries as a precaution (we use them in flashlights and other not so critical stuff afterwards) and they disappeared into the bag of one of the 'volunteer' staff provided by the organiser. The volunteer got piqued when I politely asked where the batteries were and he said something about 'disposing' of them (when he produced them he had carefully bound them in electrical tape). Later on during breakdown he started damaging stuff that would have been expensivlve if not impossible to replace, by rough handling without engaging brain first. When I told to stop and then explained why I wanted something done a certain way I got an earful of "I don't need micromanaging I've been doing this professionally for 15 years I know what I'm doing". Well all he'd proved just then is that in 15 years as a 'pro' all he'd proved is what a bell end he was. That said, he did have some great technical knowledge, but with that attitude I can't afford to have him around in the future. THINGS TO LEAVE AT HOME Ego. Our job as tech guys is to make others look good. If the numpty on stage switches their mic off because they can't help fiddling with it, give them another one rather than point out their mistake in public (that can be discussed later with the organiser if needs be) [/QUOTE]
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