Encyclopedia of Event Jobs

The Bass Technician takes care of the bass player in the band. Their duties include maintenance of the bass guitars and amps, ordering the proper gear necessary to create a complete bass system, dealing with bass guitar manufacturers, and making sure the bass player of the band has everything necessary to play the show. The Bass Technician is often times in rehearsals with the band as well.

Tools necessary - a full workbox of fun stuff and the ability to quickly troubleshoot and problem solve in a high pressure environment!

There are often several Camera Operators on a tour or event. They are usually Video Technicians on the tour that double up as Camera Operators during the show. Camera Operators operate cameras during the show and must be able to take direction from a Video Director during the event. They operate very expensive, broadcast grade cameras during the show!

Tools necessary - flashlight and the ability to take direction

Caterers are sometimes hired locally and sometimes brought on the road as touring chefs. They load in, set up, and tear down a mobile kitchen in every venue. Throughout the day they prep meals for crew and artists throughout the day.

Tools necessary - offset spatula, chefs knives, cooking utensils, cooking skills, ability to take direction from head chef

Content Creators work with the creative directors and production designers to create video content for the large video screens that you see at the show. They are either independant animators and video editors or work for a content studio. Content Creators work months leading up to rehearsals to design and create images for the screens. Once the tour or event starts, they work to edit any changes that arise.

Tools necessary - a powerful computer, lots of hard drives, video editing and animation software knowledge, the ability to take direction from creatives, the ability to quickly adapt and make changes to your creations without getting offended (art is a collaborative process in the touring and special event world)

The creative director works in directly with the artist and management for several months leading up to the performance. They are often involved in several aspects of the artists branding and marketing campaign to ensure a cohesive look and feel. The creative director must have the vision and ability to interpret the artists wants and needs. The must then convey those ideas to multiple departments to ensure they are correctly executed.

Tools necessary - the ability to collaborate and interpret abstract ideas. The ability to convey and direct multiple creatives to execute ideas.

The Drum Technician takes care of the drummer in the band. Their duties include maintenance of the drums, ordering the proper gear necessary to create a complete, working drum kit, dealing with drum and cymbal manufacturers, and making sure the drummer of the band has everything necessary to play the show. They also assist with loading and unloading backline trucks and trailers. The Drum Technician is often times in rehearsals with the band as well.

Tools necessary - a full workbox of tools to repair and maintain drums and percussion, ability to tune drums, and the ability to quickly troubleshoot and problem solve in a high pressure environment!

The Front of House Lighting Technician sits next to the lighting director during the show. They must be able to communicate with the lighting technicians backstage should any problems arise at front of house. They communicate the lighting directors needs throughout the show to backstage. Sometimes the Front of House Lighting Technician is asked to assist with focusing lights or calling spotlight cues. They also help by reseting moving lights and making sure that the lighting console is working. Often times, the Front of House Lighting Technician helps set up and tear down the lighting package.

Tools necessary - wrench, flashlight, ability to communicate effectively!

The Guitar Technician takes care of the guirtar player in the band. Often times there are more than one guitar tech on the tour. Their duties include maintenance of the guitar and amps, ordering the proper gear necessary to create a complete guitar system, dealing with guitar manufacturers, and making sure the guitar player of the band has everything necessary to play the show. The Guitar Technician is often times in rehearsals with the band as well.

Tools necessary - a full workbox of fun stuff and the ability to quickly troubleshoot and problem solve in a high pressure environment!

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The Keyboard Technician takes care of the keyboard in the band. Their duties include maintenance of the keyboards, ordering the proper gear necessary to create a complete, working with the keyboard system, dealing with keyboard manufacturers, and making sure the keyboard player of the band has everything necessary to play the show. The Keyboard Technician is often times in rehearsals with the band as well.

Tools necessary - a full workbox of fun stuff and the ability to quickly troubleshoot and problem solve in a high pressure environment!

The lighting director is in charge of making sure that the light show is operating properly during the event. They sit behind the lighting control console to focus lights and operate the lighting cues during the show. They also dictate spotlight cues to the spotlight operators (usually stagehands). The lighting director is often times the lighting designer of the show as well. It's helpful to know how to draw lighting plots or be able to dictate lighting needs to a drafter or technician in a clear and concise manner. Lighting directors also need to know how to use a light meter for larger shows that are televised or have a heavy use of video. A lighting director will usually be asked to program and update lighting cuing throughout the tour or event.

Tools necessary - light meter, flashlight, wrench, creativity!

There are often several Lighting Technicians on a tour or event. They set up and tear down the lighting system. They are also in charge of making sure the lighting rig is working properly by fixing lights and testing cables. They are ususlly hired several days or weeks ahead of the event to prep the lighitng system at the lighting vendor's warehouse. Most of the time, the lighting technician is employed by the lighting vendor.

Tools necessary - wrench, flashlight, harness, and the ability to quickly troubleshoot and problem solve in a high pressure environment!

The Monitor Engineer mixes the audio for the performers. Most artists have in ear monitors that provide them with a specific audio mix. Some artists use speakers strategically placed on stage so that they can hear themselves. The Monitor Engineer makes sure that the artist or performer can hear themselves and others so that they can perform correctly.

Tools necessary - the ability to work and solve problems under pressure, deal with multiple personalities in a calm manner, and great ears!

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A prodcution designer works directly with the artist or creative director to design the entirety of the show. They are hired very early in the process to work and meet the artist or creative director's visions. Often times, they also work with management and production management to help with logistics and budgeting.

Tools necessary - creativity, drawing/hand sketching, collaboration skills and the ability to translate creative ideas to reality!

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A stagehand is most typically a locally hired individual who assists the event or touring crew with set up and tear down of the show. They help unload the trucks, push cases, build scenery, trussing, lighting etc... Most touring and event crew technicians and designers begin their careers as stagehands. Stagehands are usually hired through a union or a labor force.

Tools necessary - wrench, flashlight, strong work ethic, and a will to take direction!

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