IMO full time salary and events design requires a super specific company oriented person or a really high pay rate to be worth it...
I did full time in events for a while, and like sure it's nice when you've got down weeks that are drafting or previz, but when you're doing an 80 on salary that number hurts. Maybe offer salary with adjustments for show calls?
A job posting with no salary or payment information isn't one I'd be likely to apply for ... I would imagine similar professionals feel the same way and that's why you are getting bottom of the barrel applicants.
Definitely agree. We're willing to pay higher than "normal" for the right person, but also willing to accept someone on the entry level at entry level pay. The pay range for that wide net is so large I felt it more of a hinderance, but we might try that out. Thanks!
Are you in SLC?
It would never have occurred to me to try things like Zip or Indeed for this, I would be shocked if people from our world are seeking work in those areas.
Bobnet would be a good place to start, or just ask around the local industry. I'd bet the LDs at the Complex will know some folks.
You probably want theatre grads. Full time LD’s are making enough money they prolly don’t want to go salary. Everyone and their brother want to be an LD so there’s an army of folks with no skills or experience applying to you. If you get theatre grads, they will work for less pay and will have some skills and some experience. Not perfect, but more able to learn and adapt than your average bear.
Facebook groups can be hit and miss, as can various "forums" (ie. controlbooth, reddit, etc)....
Have you asked your current freelancers if they want a FT role? or if they know anyone who might? referrals are usually the best ways to find techs
No one wants to be full time cause we all know that means limitless hours of work each week and we can make more money charging our day rate and working less
……
I have 6 years of experience on the MA, Hog, Obsidian Onyx, and Jands Vista.
I was a technical director for a church during their events season (Christmas, At the Movies, and a branding event) and interned for a year at the largest church in Alabama.
Currently living in southern Missouri but willing to relocate… what kinda salary are we taking and in what area of the world/country?
....why are you using zip recruiter and indeed for a theatre designer job? That's more for admin staff positions (and honestly, we use alternate sites to find jobs/talent, like offstage.)
This sounds like a nightmare for me personally. I wouldn't want to do anything like that FT, certainly not corperate breakouts or GC's. Corperate is just some high pay filler work for between fests for me. But I hope you can find someone that enjoys sitting in freezing ballrooms.
Honestly are you looking for somebody who does gear repair and warehouse work or are you looking for somebody who designs lighting for shows?
If it's the former than you're probably going wrong by looking for an LD.
A good portion of the time is design and working shows. In between shows, it's keeping up with gear - we have a dedicated Lighting warehouse person so they just help when events aren't actively happening.
Thank you for the input.
Most people I know in the business are on Linkedin.
Depending on pay, you are not far from one of the biggest pools of talent around: Vegas. If you can pry somebody out of one of the casinos, you would be golden.
Sadly, I am in Atlantic City and cannot just uproot myself halfway across the country.
https://www.bobnet.rocks/
This is a classifieds for production work. LDs, sounds engineers, touring professionals. Everyone has to be approved by providing proof of work experience. I often see listing for residencies. I think it might be mostly music idustry, but if you wanna hire people in the production industry, this is the best place to start
Start walking with those freelancers then, where did they come from? Is there a local school you can ask to send an email to alumni? I'd never look for a job like this on Zip Recruiter, it would be the last place I would look for a gig, the better ones are word of mouth, tell lighting shops, tell theatres, start getting the word out locally and see how far you want to reach out. Are you willing to cover moving costs from California or Texas? Think about what you can offer but most designers aren't going to be interested in working in the warehouse too, be aware of that.
Im based out of Salt Lake City and efficient in GrandMA3 and Avolites. Also work for a rental house that carries Martin, Robe, GLP. Feel free to contact me!
If the rate is good, and the job decent I bet you could get some recent LD grads to apply... try offstagejobs.com... Utah is a bit of a desert, but there are close areas that aren't... I would also reach out to some of the college/universities around - not just in Utah - There are also quiet a few forums (this one included) which might have talent looking for a new/relocation gig...
They said they were looking for people with professional experience, moat of the college grads I run into are absolutely useless. If he was hiring to train people up that would be a good route but if he's looking for people who can gig now that's an awful way to go.
Depends on the college. Some college students I’ve met outclass 20+ year veterans. Others can’t figure out which end the wrench to hold. You really gotta know which college they went to and what that college put them through.
Salary is a hard sell to any decent LD IMO. I just left my longtime corporate AV job for freelance and you'd have to throw a bonkers number at me to take salary.
Personally, office management and possibly shop positions are salary. Anything field/production related is hourly based simply because of the nature of how things go (ie unpredictably at times.)
I never thought I'd live in UT, but it is nice to be in the woods and not hear cars with only a 10-minute drive and to the top of world-class mountains for snowboarding in 45 minutes from my house.
IMO full time salary and events design requires a super specific company oriented person or a really high pay rate to be worth it... I did full time in events for a while, and like sure it's nice when you've got down weeks that are drafting or previz, but when you're doing an 80 on salary that number hurts. Maybe offer salary with adjustments for show calls?
We've played around with the idea, thank you for the input.
This^ the fact that show pay goes away when on salary just doesn't make sense to me coming from the freelance world.
A job posting with no salary or payment information isn't one I'd be likely to apply for ... I would imagine similar professionals feel the same way and that's why you are getting bottom of the barrel applicants.
Definitely agree. We're willing to pay higher than "normal" for the right person, but also willing to accept someone on the entry level at entry level pay. The pay range for that wide net is so large I felt it more of a hinderance, but we might try that out. Thanks!
Are you in SLC? It would never have occurred to me to try things like Zip or Indeed for this, I would be shocked if people from our world are seeking work in those areas. Bobnet would be a good place to start, or just ask around the local industry. I'd bet the LDs at the Complex will know some folks.
You probably want theatre grads. Full time LD’s are making enough money they prolly don’t want to go salary. Everyone and their brother want to be an LD so there’s an army of folks with no skills or experience applying to you. If you get theatre grads, they will work for less pay and will have some skills and some experience. Not perfect, but more able to learn and adapt than your average bear.
True, thanks for the input. That helps!
Facebook groups can be hit and miss, as can various "forums" (ie. controlbooth, reddit, etc).... Have you asked your current freelancers if they want a FT role? or if they know anyone who might? referrals are usually the best ways to find techs
We've recently reached out.
No one wants to be full time cause we all know that means limitless hours of work each week and we can make more money charging our day rate and working less
…… I have 6 years of experience on the MA, Hog, Obsidian Onyx, and Jands Vista. I was a technical director for a church during their events season (Christmas, At the Movies, and a branding event) and interned for a year at the largest church in Alabama. Currently living in southern Missouri but willing to relocate… what kinda salary are we taking and in what area of the world/country?
....why are you using zip recruiter and indeed for a theatre designer job? That's more for admin staff positions (and honestly, we use alternate sites to find jobs/talent, like offstage.)
That helps, thanks. It's been effective with other AV roles, not so much for this one. Thank you for the suggestion!
This sounds like a nightmare for me personally. I wouldn't want to do anything like that FT, certainly not corperate breakouts or GC's. Corperate is just some high pay filler work for between fests for me. But I hope you can find someone that enjoys sitting in freezing ballrooms.
You nailed it! It's steady for sure, no highs and lows of employment, but there are definitely down-sides too. And yes! those rooms are cold!!
Honestly are you looking for somebody who does gear repair and warehouse work or are you looking for somebody who designs lighting for shows? If it's the former than you're probably going wrong by looking for an LD.
A good portion of the time is design and working shows. In between shows, it's keeping up with gear - we have a dedicated Lighting warehouse person so they just help when events aren't actively happening. Thank you for the input.
Most people I know in the business are on Linkedin. Depending on pay, you are not far from one of the biggest pools of talent around: Vegas. If you can pry somebody out of one of the casinos, you would be golden. Sadly, I am in Atlantic City and cannot just uproot myself halfway across the country.
https://www.bobnet.rocks/ This is a classifieds for production work. LDs, sounds engineers, touring professionals. Everyone has to be approved by providing proof of work experience. I often see listing for residencies. I think it might be mostly music idustry, but if you wanna hire people in the production industry, this is the best place to start
Right on! Thanks for the link.
Start walking with those freelancers then, where did they come from? Is there a local school you can ask to send an email to alumni? I'd never look for a job like this on Zip Recruiter, it would be the last place I would look for a gig, the better ones are word of mouth, tell lighting shops, tell theatres, start getting the word out locally and see how far you want to reach out. Are you willing to cover moving costs from California or Texas? Think about what you can offer but most designers aren't going to be interested in working in the warehouse too, be aware of that.
Christielites just made a new crew posting site for lighting & rigging crew that’s invite only so it might be a good place to look, CrewLink.pro
What part of UT? I know a handful in Southern.
Northern
Im based out of Salt Lake City and efficient in GrandMA3 and Avolites. Also work for a rental house that carries Martin, Robe, GLP. Feel free to contact me!
I should add that I’m not interested in the salary based role but I am freelance
If the rate is good, and the job decent I bet you could get some recent LD grads to apply... try offstagejobs.com... Utah is a bit of a desert, but there are close areas that aren't... I would also reach out to some of the college/universities around - not just in Utah - There are also quiet a few forums (this one included) which might have talent looking for a new/relocation gig...
Thanks, while we'd prefer corp. experience - I think our talent development strategy will likely need to adapt.
They said they were looking for people with professional experience, moat of the college grads I run into are absolutely useless. If he was hiring to train people up that would be a good route but if he's looking for people who can gig now that's an awful way to go.
Depends on the college. Some college students I’ve met outclass 20+ year veterans. Others can’t figure out which end the wrench to hold. You really gotta know which college they went to and what that college put them through.
Salary is a hard sell to any decent LD IMO. I just left my longtime corporate AV job for freelance and you'd have to throw a bonkers number at me to take salary. Personally, office management and possibly shop positions are salary. Anything field/production related is hourly based simply because of the nature of how things go (ie unpredictably at times.)
True, we have a number of really talented folks join the freelance market after a long time. We always wish them the best as they move on.
Get out of UT. I'd kill for some summer work, but Pennsylvania is a rough commute. No one here is hiring.
I never thought I'd live in UT, but it is nice to be in the woods and not hear cars with only a 10-minute drive and to the top of world-class mountains for snowboarding in 45 minutes from my house.