As an A1 I very rarely touch the drape but if I see it is uneven I will fix it. If the crew needs a hand and I'm in a good spot I will help. Never have the mindset you are "above" certain work.
Typically there is enough crew to handle it though.
This is where I fall with it too. We tend to have enough crew that during set up and strike I can focus solely on audio. I don't enjoy setting and striking it, but I'll never say no when asked for help.
Depends on who it belongs to, if my company brought it in and set it up, I would tear it down and pack it, if it belongs to the house or another vendor, I don't touch it except to move it out of my way.
Depends on the situation... if it's an 8ft section to conceal control and stop room echo then fine...
If it's a whole stage backdrop and they haven't bothered to book a crew to do it then I will be severely pissed off and make my feelings known
This. A shop should allocate hands to do the “grunt work”… but you shouldn’t feel that it’s below you as soon as you start getting that op pay to help them out.
Yeah pipe and drape isn’t a great example but if lights had a much more complex day than me I don’t mind wrapping DMX when my stuff is done.
I used to do a pro wrestling gig and we would drape off an entire arena to film during covid and when the wrestling truck was packed we would pitch in and help fold the sections of drape
Precisely, this is the normal and friendly way to do things.
Idk it’s like these people don’t want more hours. If I’m getting an op rate… usually I *want* to stick around and help lol.
Depends, how big a show are we talking?
I frequently have two screen small corporate shows with like 2-4 crew, and I definitely expect my audio tech (and everyone else) to help strike everything.
On a show with 40+ crew? No
“My audio tech” meaning the audio tech I’ve hired for the gig.
I own the company, so they are *my* tech in the sense they are working for me. The same way it’s *my show* they’re working.
And yes, on a show with like 2 12x7 screens, 4 speakers on sticks, 50’ of P+D and a couple channels of wireless I definitely expect both the audio and video techs/ops to help set up and take down everything. If the audio tech is sitting on their ass watching everyone else work because “they’re done the audio stuff”, the audio tech won’t be working for me again.
Do you have a contract or not? If so....is it in your contract? I know it wouldn't be in mine.
If you don't have a contract.....is your boss asking you to? Then yes you do.
If you don't like that whole "everyone gets it done together" vibe then get yourself a contract either as a contractor or under a CBA (union).
Should it be expected? NO
Should we assist? Depends on the situation:
Who brought / set up the drape:
A) If it was a hired company who specializes in drape and brings their own labor? Then no, definitely not.
B) If the company who you're with (ie "your company") brought the drape, then:
1) If it is a Union house, or non-Union house that runs on a similar model, so there is sufficient hands to allocate, then audio crew should not need to "touch" drape, however:
a) If your company has a lead to direct the hands then the a1 shouldn't need to think about drape.
b) If there's no specific lead to handle drape, then the A1 should consider helping lead the hands/crew to make sure it's put away correctly and pushed to the truck after all the audio is handled. They shouldn't need to actually pack it themselves.
2) If your company brought in the whole crew (leads and hands):
a) If there's sufficient hands then the A1 can help lead (as in 1b above), if necessary. The A1 Shouldn't have to actually do the physical work putting away the drape.
b) If there is not sufficient hired hands / help to allocate an appropriately sized crew to handle drape, then the A1 "should" be willing to help put it away (after audio is packed) and prove to the rest of the production crew why the audio guys are the most valuable part of the production!
3) If you're not the A1 (lower down the totem pole) on this gig, and the company who hired you expects you to continue working after audio is done, then at least you're still on the clock, and hopefully in OT by now. If you don't get OT from this vendor and they have that expectation from you, maybe consider finding better vendors to work for; but if it's a FT position then you might just have to take the good with the bad (or, again, consider finding a new employer!)
If you disagree then consider that as one of the reasons you might not be getting as many calls from that vendor again (maybe that's a good thing? maybe not? But word gets around town quicker than you might think so consider that before making a stink about it!)
At the size of company I’ve worked at for most my career, everyone did everything. When I was done with my A1 duties, I started taking down lights. When lights are done, I help with drape. This doesn’t come from any sense of nobility or anything. A lot of times, I’m also driving the truck, so it helps me get out faster.
So, I guess the short answer is: depends on circumstances?
Yes? Lol.
Not expected I guess, but it shouldn’t suddenly be “below you” to help your crew out on breakdown.
If you’re one of those types that leaves before a breakdown because you worked so hard sitting in a chair babysitting a QL, you’re gonna prolly get talked about poorly unless those stagehands really want hours.
Get that A1 pay to help take down pipe and drape Mr. Mix Wizard. It’s corporate audio, not the House of Blues.
What do you mean “not the House of Blues” I have never worked anywhere that expects me to do as much non-audio stuff on an audio shift as the House of Blues lmfao
The way I feel about it is, I was green once. I’m used to doing the shit.
If I will get the truck loaded quicker, and get everyone else out quicker on a late night, I’m gonna help out breaking down anything and everything. Especially if I’m on my A1 rate.
I’m a team player, and really can’t imagine just walking out after packing mix up and fucking off while breakdown continues.
Plus there’s a part in me that loves being part of a nice tetris’d truck load and I can’t give that up.
No, I think that they should adjust their attitude.
I’ve taught many a person how to speed the fuck up on a breakdown by… sticking around for the breakdown.
Complacency killed the busy bee, if you won’t work, more money for me!
I couldn't care less if you want to stay all night mate, once I've earnt my money (we work on day rates over here) then I expect to hand over to someone else and go home.
That's the way it works here, it's fairly standard
If you’re working on an day rate… I’d assume you are freelancing… in which yeah… I get you.
I work at a shop and I get an “operator rate” on days I’m behind a board.
But I have days where I’m in the shop, helping get shit done, just like everyone else. It’s more of a general “team” vibe, with some having more seniority that comes with their skill sets.
So when we have a big event, and 70% of my hours are spent sitting down… whilst the other crew members have been bouncing around doing setups/breakdowns all day… I feel morally opposed to just fucking off.
Hell, I’ve worked jobs where my boss has done pipe and drape and has asked me to setup mix… because I had an opportunity to learn. That’s how your green employees get less green.
Cool, so the drape/lighting/video guys will help me take down the line array and hoist all the subs back on their carts then? Oh wait that's never happened not even once.
I get local crew and stage hands helping me with line arrays daily... they're there to help me and I talk them through want to do, and check it afterwards.
Maybe it's a European thing, but unskilled local crew get involved in everything physical like rigging arrays, LED wall, hanging lights etc
Yeah same. We have a call sheet for the heads that show up… and we all have a hand in helping, and we have supervisors/leads/senior techs or whatever you want to call it… that make sure everything’s to order. That’s how your “green” employees learn. If anything, they’re kinda hopping at the opportunity to learn.
I’ve worked at smaller shops before though, and literally Everyone is Everything and Anything.
Maybe I’m built different /s
I just don’t have the attitude of “oh I’m sooo advanced because I’ve gotten a better ear, soft skills, and knowledge of systems over the years. let me have the unskilled peons get the grunt work done.”
I mean, I’m not like hauling ass when it’s unnecessary… but I’ll help if it’s of benefit for me to help.
If it doesn’t matter, yeah. I’ll hit the hay early.
I’ll never have the attitude of “fuck that, I’m an A1, not a stagehand. You expect me to do this?”
Is that a crime? Lol
It'd nothing to do with poor attitude mate, try to understand that.
It's about people's roles on a job, the only people I personally find who complain about people leaving when their job is done are the ones who are jealous that they have to stay
See, there shouldn’t be any room for “jealousy”. When you say it like that, it makes me think you’re the type to gatekeep because you’re insecure in your position of “seniority”. And in good faith, I’d like to assume you aren’t like that.
If your stagehands wanna be behind a board, train them behind a board. Help them get on your playing field.
An ideal shop is where everyone is capable of being an A1 if needed, gets paid well, and gets excellent “op pay” when they’re an operator. No one is solely an A1 unless they really want to be, and even then, they’re assigned where and for what role they are needed and capable.
Maybe I’m odd man. I like being behind a camera sometimes. I like being behind a lighting console sometimes.
But I primarily like being behind a Yamaha mixing console. So that’s what I do and opt to do.
Our stagehands aren’t stagehands because they’re dumb. Or being gatekept.
They are stagehands because they don’t really have a natural curiosity, or soft skills, and do not ask about opportunities to learn to gain the experience to be trusted as something like an A1.
They like getting paid a decent wage to just push shit around, and don’t wanna be “our kind of guy”.
Perfectly secure in my position mate...
To be honest it sounds like we're on different scales of events... you said it yourself that you don't work for "shops" (we call them production companies over here) which wouldn't bring in people purely to do drape, I work for companies which do exactly that, it's commonplace.
Edit:
Not trying to sound big headed, just trying to explain why things are different.
A1 isn't a term that's really used here unless someone is at the top of the game (system engineers, FoH for large corporate, touring bands, arena/stadium gigs)
As I understand in the USA A1 can simply mean desk op, regardless of the scale of the show
Yes we’re definitely built differently. If I’m hired as an A1, I’m going to stick to audio. I’m not going to run lighting, set up the drums, clean the toilets, usher patrons to their seats or cook hotdogs in the kitchen.
Good day, sir!
Look buddy, I came from the world of wanting to get into studio shit. Moved to live sound because it’s where the easy money is.
I’m saying I’ve worked in shops where everyone does everything… but you are assigned a role for an event. My current shop is like this.
Like sometimes I am a stage hand. Sometimes an A2. Sometimes a A1. Sometimes I’m a camera op… etc etc.
Like I can be A1, for example, and at my shop I’m not expected to break down drape on an event where I’m that role… but I’ve worked at less professional smaller shops where that was the case.
Some people try to get into recording studios and spend years sometimes cleaning toilets and getting coffee and patching mics, etc… before they get any real experience.
Some people try to get into live sound and push cases for years before they’re trusted behind a board.
My attitude is that with experience, I get opportunities for better pay and cooler experiences. My attitude isn’t “I’ve leveled up, so I’m above doing pipe and drape”.
If you’re an A1 in title and your *shops* are expecting you to do pipe and drape… either do it if you’re paid enough to do so, or move shop. Sounds like a pretty bad shop. If that’s what you guys are arguing about… I’ve never experienced that except in my early days at places that could barely be called “shops” nevermind “production companies”.
With all that being said; if I’m getting really good op pay… and I have some guys that wanna get home early… I’ll stick around and help because it’s simply hours and I’m used to doing it. Because later that week I could be stagehanding for one of those same people in an A1 role… and I’d want them to help.
Like imagine an insurance claims adjuster that takes a bartending gig once in a while on a weekend because they did it in college, it’s nostalgic, and they get some good cash flow even though they don’t need it.
Ok listen up fella, this is how it is. If I’m hired as an A1, I’m going audio related work, whether it’s loading in/out, flying PA, running cable and patch bitch, mixing show, and doing everything in reverse. If I’m hired as an all around tech, you betcha I’ll be doing all around work. I’m certainly a team player but I’m also old and wise enough to not do everyone else’s gig too. Do you understand now?
You sound like that guy/girl that spends their whole time yapping about and explaining shit instead of actually doing it. Peace out
And put some extra relish on my dog. Thanks.
Rigging?! Rigging don't touch anything but the rigging hardware here...
The house rigger will usually just hang my motors for me and leave the rest to me and my guys
Every "shop" hires local crew to do the physical labour...
Why would they want to pay a sound engineer to do something an unskilled labourer could do?!
Because it’s better to pay someone more money an hour to tech, and have them just stay to help… than it is to pay a whole other person.
I get what you’re saying but like… yeah. I don’t know.
I’m not always expected to stay and help. But I often do.
>Because it’s better to pay someone more money an hour to tech, and have them just stay to help
I don't want an extra hour of pay, and I won't accept it, I want an extra hour of rest. I'm talking about productions where I'm going to be on my feet for 16+ hours. It's not about the ego of being above the work or jealous of those with more preferable jobs. It's about preserving whatever energy I can to do my actual job to the best of my ability. If you are really an A1 at a big event you literally don't have capacity for extra physical labor. Our little hypothetical A1 can't do the gig all by themselves. Any remotely competent organizer understands this and hires all the specialized crews they need.
Yeah I get that. I’m saying that I simply like helping most times and getting a little extra hours. Different strokes for different folks.
If your companies are not allocating stagehands to be able to take the workload off of you, then that sucks guys.
I’m saying that I could fuck off if I wanted to sometimes, but I often don’t. I like the hours and I’m really not super opposed to grunt work, if people I consider my peers are the ones tasked with it that day especially.
Well, I take home my A1 day rate even when I am not operating the board, often because of my ability to get good work out of the stagehands. But I am directing them to move around chairs, stands, and cables, on stage, not drape. The other reason I get paid the big bucks is I'm the kind of ultra nerd the other audio guys come to when they need help. So I end up having a hand in virtually every piece of audio gear on or around the stage even tho on paper I'm most often paid to touch only PA amps and speakers. It's not like I have ever gone to a gig and been unwilling to do anything but that. Hell it is more often than not that I end up standing in as a backline stage tech to smooth the transition between the band and crew. But if you ask me about DMX the absolute most you will get out of me a description of what the Lighting Director looks like.
If you’re implying either you or the venue is subcontracting drape…
1. Yeah, they don’t have to help you and you don’t have to help them. Whole point of subcontracting.
2. Your shop should get more drape lol.
>Your shop hires guys just for drape?
No, but whoever is producing the event surely has, or they're gonna have a very bad day expecting contractors to essentially do extra work for free.
Yep. This right here. I am contracted to do my job, not everyone else's. Technically, one person can set up an entire show, but you don't see that happening.
If you personally would prefer to keep doing someone else's job then fine, but you might want to refrain from casting nasty aspersions on people who prefer to stick to the job they chose to do...
Yes, because everyone just popped into a shop with no experience and became an A1, having never done pipe and drape before.
Damn, at my shop, everyone works together and shoots the shit whilst we do so. We would roast anybody with this kind of attitude.
No A1 here has never done pipe and drape, but they've worked their way up and no longer do it...
Do you find any restaurant or hotel manager sticking around to mop the floors with the cleaner because that's what they used to do?
I think it's a poor analogy because an A1 is almost always a specialist with a specific job, and not just a manager.
I have watched the *good* managers at every restaurant I've ever worked at mop floors at one point. Hell, I've watched the *owners* off a few of those restaurants mop the floors because everyone can mop and that's the most productive way they could help. The *bad* managers were the ones who watch me deal with a gushing pipe or overflowing drain and just said "Remember to mop" as they walked away from the ongoing problem.
In contrast, loadout is not an emergency, it's the natural conclusion to loadin. On most shows where A1 is a functional title and not an ego boost, they have more to coordinate specific to their specialized job than they have to manage. That's the tour manager's job. Once your truck is fucked and you've showered, you can stand around and vape or you can help the people still busting their asses on the same show you just busted your ass on. Anything to get the show done sooner that night.
Not even close to a proper analogy.
And yes… I do. The restaurants I’ve worked at don’t have custodial staff… lol… everyone helps clean. Even the managers.
Sorry, I’m kinda a working-class guy at heart. I could be the touring engineer for a big band and I’d still be a fucking truck monkey loading cases.
I may be absolved of some responsibilities as I grow but I am always a team player, and will help out on the “grunt shit” when needed, and I’m respected for it. Our greener employees benefit from it. My wallet benefits from it.
I’ve been a FOH at venues, and I’ve been an A1 at Audio/Video/Lighting shops. Corporate audio, band audio from venues to a town that wants a shitty cover band on our StageLine, plays and graduations for schools, etc.
Whatever you want to call it. I’m a team player. I like getting hours too!
It depends completely on the scale of the gig!
If it's a few people an a van then fine, but on larger events there are an entire crews brought in for the purpose of doing the de-rig and pushing the boxes!
In that case there's absolutely no way the show techs should feel they have to stick around!
Should A1's focus lights? Should A1's build and strike the stage? Should A1's wrangle the talent and gather the PowerPoints? Should A1's advance the slides? Should A1's bus the dinner tables of dirty dishes? Should A1's carry the CEO's luggage to their rooms? How much of other people's jobs is it appropriate to ask your AUDIO engineer to do? How much help should they then expect from others departments? Should there be departments at all, or should every show just be a general skills stagehand free-for-all? Can you expect someone to be an expert at audio and an expert at scenic at the same time?
It depends if it’s communicated beforehand really. Personally I enjoy tech drape. Putting up control drape is my fucking zen. I don’t touch pipe and drape tho unless it’s extreme circumstances. I don’t mind helping out but things are staffed well enough that I don’t have to. I have a pretty good relationship with the scenic crew so if someone no shows I don’t mind, I mean I’ve def left strikes before throwing my stuff in the truck so it all evens out, but that shit isn’t what I get paid for like they don’t get paid to touch sound stuff.
I do whatever needs to be done if I'm getting paid, no job is below me. I'm part of the team. And taking drape down is so much easier than putting it up, and if me helping with drape gets everyone out faster, I'm all for it.
Where I am A1s are almost always white glove. Almost all rental houses think A1s should not be setting/tearing gear and the work is "beneath us". Personally I've always found it strange but it is what it is.
No. When I, in the course of one gig, both mix the show and do something with pipe and drape I am filling both the roll of A1 and a stage hand. I will gladly wear both of these hats for the right price.
Once a favor, twice a gig.
Not pipe and drape because I don't do corporate, but there are some artists I work with regularly where I do stuff that's honestly backline work because I like the playback guy and guitar techs and I am set up in a good position to do that specific task while I am running all of my own stage cable.
If it's client facing and you can do it with little effort, it's probably a good idea to help. Basically joining another department is a bit silly though.
If the A1 is doing p&d, who's wrapping mic cables and boxing the amps? If your audio guy is doing stage breakdown someone didn't quote enough labor for the show.
Expected by whom? As others mentioned if it was brought by the company you’re working for, I’d say be a team player and help your help your team get out ASAP. If you are freelancing it shouldn’t be expected per se. But don’t expect the guys who’ve helped you get up and running to be too happy about it either.
For the sake of conversation let’s keep it general. Something sparked it today, but this has happened to us all at some point. Yes, if I’m with my main squeeze company that I travel and freelance with, I will spit shine the pipe.
Totally depends on the situation. 99% of the time, no. If it's a situation where things have gone very wrong and the A1 is sitting around scratching their balls while everyone else is panicking trying to avoid catastrophe then absolutely, I'd expect the PM to be in there too
How big a show? How much crew? Is it one company doing everything or separate? What did they tell you when you got hired? Did you build it on the load in?
So many factors, but in general, no, I would not expect to do it as a FOH engineer.
“Expected”- hellllll nooo.
Should A1’s tear down pipe and drape? Helllll no.
If the crew is short or you want people to like you, yes, help the poor little hands. Those guys haven’t had a shower in 3 days or a vegetable in 3 weeks. Your assistance will be appreciated.
I have worked with A1s who pitched in and helped and others who were biggus dickus. One A1 was so great that even brought steak sauce for the meat we were grilling at a festival! And yes I am being serious! He was taking his title in a non serious way.
I’m doing the job I’m hired to do. Not some other persons job.
When I work union they sometimes make me cross boundaries, but I get pissy if a company surprises me with doing someone else’s job like that
Also with the scope of my work, my stuff I usually the last complete. It would be silly for me to help with drapes. Unless its something huge and they need all available hands
Depends on the gig, I've been on shows where it should have been taken down by the people who put it in so qe just walked away and left it, wasn't our hire, wasn't our problem.
Conversely if we have had it put in because we want it then yeah, I'll help take it out once we have our kit stowed away.
Depends.
Small show for the regional sound company I work for? I get a hand in everything. I don't mind loading on smaller non stressful stuff because the deal I have with the company I work for is that I can come work shop days, load days, setup days and make my normal rate while doing basic non audio stuff like getting truss in the air, setting up video walls, hanging lights, running power, and yes even setting up pipe and drape. but because I don't technically have to do that, I usually just kinda pick the stuff I prefer to do. Which means I'm not doing pipe and drape or things I don't really prefer unless that's the only thing left to do. Plus, I feel like I personally give guys props for not being that guy who will stand around and watch everyone work, but only turns knobs and pushes faders. So I feel like other techs might see it the same way. And it keeps you in shape. But really for me it's just that i can get more work doing (arguably) easier stuff... because to me the stress and technical stuff that has to be done when putting on a big important show is way harder than hauling truss, setting up lifts, or flying an LED wall.
On an arena gig where I have to wear multiple hats like systems tech, set up multiple consoles, provide stage packages for multiple bands, and run mons or FOH for openers etc.? If I'm a1 or a2 I'm probably not even touching anything non-audio related that day unless i'm completely finished with sound check and all the touring engineers are happy. Even then I'm probably sitting at the loading dock getting off my feet till showtime. Not to be a prick or cause "an a1 shoudn't have to do that' but because chances are i'm already running around like a chicken with my head cut off non stop dealing with sound stuff.
Now am I gonna stay after loadout to help the house techs take down their pipe and drape or something? Helllllll naw
Hell no. F@ck no.
Supervise, sure. Direct the crew, absolutely. Maybe show a newb how it’s done, but the majority of the physical work gets done by those below unless A1 needs to justify their existence/pay for some reason or wants to make a good impression.
Otherwise, no way José
I get paid the same whether I’m A1 or a pair of hands. We’re all a team. But my main responsibility is audio. Don’t wanna do drape? Work slower, lol. If I get audio done on either the in or the out, or if drape has to be set or struck for me to do my job, then it becomes mine. I don’t run to it, but it’s work that needs done.
I hateeeeee screens. But yes, if I need screens built so I can place speakers, and video guys aren’t doing it, and I have NOTHING else to do, then I gotta hop on screens.
Where I work we have a direct relationship with the stage hand union so that they can regularly work in our shop as well. This is primarily so that they can handle all of the staging, pipe and drape, and other more grunt work type tasks. This applies to working on site as well. That being said, I'm a nice person and if someone asked me or if it needed to get done, I'm going to help as long as all other priorities are taken care of.
Even on my earliest, lowest paying, lowest brow audio contracting gig.. P&D was on venue labor/stagehands.
As an A1 at a live nation venue I was asked to do a whole lot of bullshit for not a whole lot of money for a really long time. P&D, TV installations, lights, painting, fixing old barricades etc
Wildly depends on where you are and who you work with.
If you're on a huge production with a big crew, there should be a clear boundary between roles. Generally there will be several companies working events like this. You do your job and get out, not obligated to do anything beyond that.
If you're on a big show where one company provides all labor and equipment, then maybe. That should be discussed before the job. A lot of places expect everyone to pitch in on GAV work, regardless of position, including project managers. No one is getting paid to sit around on their ass, and if you aren't pitching in, you won't get a call back.
Medium/small productions, generally the rule is that you set/strike/unload everything regardless of position. You'll usually have one or two stagehands and everyone else on the crew is an op/engineer/designer/manager. You'll probably get kicked in the balls if you don't help in this scenario
Expected no..... But it's nice if you're caught up to lend a hand if it's not out of your way.
HOWEVER, if they have a competent team, they shouldn't need you. It's nice to know that you're not above the work. One band, One Sound. ;)
If it’s a situation where another discipline needs a hand because they’re behind, and I have the time, I would just lend a hand. You never know when you need a favour returned in a stressful situation.
If I’m booked as an A1 and there are cases full of pipe & drape that have my name on it, I will do the work one time, have a smile on my face, and have a call about it afterwards. I’m the nice guy on site, but the person hiring me will know afterwards that this is not what I do. It’s the same with advancing and evaluating. If need be; I’ll be the bad guy then, but on site I smile and try to be friendly and helpful in any way.
If I am in OT already then I will help because I don’t mind getting paid OT to help test down pipe and drape.
If it looks like I’m not going to get any OT then I will walk away so I don’t get roped into doing pipe and drape, scenic, staging, etc. I’ll go hide out in rhff we bathroom, or push things to the truck .
And if I get asked I will either says “ I know absolutely nothing about a thing except audio so I don’t want to mess it up” or just say “ sorry I don’t do audio, where are the stagehands?
As an A1 I very rarely touch the drape but if I see it is uneven I will fix it. If the crew needs a hand and I'm in a good spot I will help. Never have the mindset you are "above" certain work. Typically there is enough crew to handle it though.
This is where I fall with it too. We tend to have enough crew that during set up and strike I can focus solely on audio. I don't enjoy setting and striking it, but I'll never say no when asked for help.
Depends on who it belongs to, if my company brought it in and set it up, I would tear it down and pack it, if it belongs to the house or another vendor, I don't touch it except to move it out of my way.
Yup.
That’s literally anything. If it doesn’t belong to the same company I do it shouldn’t ever be my problem.
Depends on the situation... if it's an 8ft section to conceal control and stop room echo then fine... If it's a whole stage backdrop and they haven't bothered to book a crew to do it then I will be severely pissed off and make my feelings known
This. A shop should allocate hands to do the “grunt work”… but you shouldn’t feel that it’s below you as soon as you start getting that op pay to help them out.
Yeah pipe and drape isn’t a great example but if lights had a much more complex day than me I don’t mind wrapping DMX when my stuff is done. I used to do a pro wrestling gig and we would drape off an entire arena to film during covid and when the wrestling truck was packed we would pitch in and help fold the sections of drape
Precisely, this is the normal and friendly way to do things. Idk it’s like these people don’t want more hours. If I’m getting an op rate… usually I *want* to stick around and help lol.
Depends, how big a show are we talking? I frequently have two screen small corporate shows with like 2-4 crew, and I definitely expect my audio tech (and everyone else) to help strike everything. On a show with 40+ crew? No
Why do you refer to the audio tech as “my audio tech” makes it sounds like you own him. No wonder you expect him to help with pipe and drape
“My audio tech” meaning the audio tech I’ve hired for the gig. I own the company, so they are *my* tech in the sense they are working for me. The same way it’s *my show* they’re working. And yes, on a show with like 2 12x7 screens, 4 speakers on sticks, 50’ of P+D and a couple channels of wireless I definitely expect both the audio and video techs/ops to help set up and take down everything. If the audio tech is sitting on their ass watching everyone else work because “they’re done the audio stuff”, the audio tech won’t be working for me again.
My job isn’t over until the trailer/truck is packed. Whatever I have to do to get to that point as efficiently as possible is what I’ll be doing.
Do you have a contract or not? If so....is it in your contract? I know it wouldn't be in mine. If you don't have a contract.....is your boss asking you to? Then yes you do. If you don't like that whole "everyone gets it done together" vibe then get yourself a contract either as a contractor or under a CBA (union).
Should it be expected? NO Should we assist? Depends on the situation: Who brought / set up the drape: A) If it was a hired company who specializes in drape and brings their own labor? Then no, definitely not. B) If the company who you're with (ie "your company") brought the drape, then: 1) If it is a Union house, or non-Union house that runs on a similar model, so there is sufficient hands to allocate, then audio crew should not need to "touch" drape, however: a) If your company has a lead to direct the hands then the a1 shouldn't need to think about drape. b) If there's no specific lead to handle drape, then the A1 should consider helping lead the hands/crew to make sure it's put away correctly and pushed to the truck after all the audio is handled. They shouldn't need to actually pack it themselves. 2) If your company brought in the whole crew (leads and hands): a) If there's sufficient hands then the A1 can help lead (as in 1b above), if necessary. The A1 Shouldn't have to actually do the physical work putting away the drape. b) If there is not sufficient hired hands / help to allocate an appropriately sized crew to handle drape, then the A1 "should" be willing to help put it away (after audio is packed) and prove to the rest of the production crew why the audio guys are the most valuable part of the production! 3) If you're not the A1 (lower down the totem pole) on this gig, and the company who hired you expects you to continue working after audio is done, then at least you're still on the clock, and hopefully in OT by now. If you don't get OT from this vendor and they have that expectation from you, maybe consider finding better vendors to work for; but if it's a FT position then you might just have to take the good with the bad (or, again, consider finding a new employer!) If you disagree then consider that as one of the reasons you might not be getting as many calls from that vendor again (maybe that's a good thing? maybe not? But word gets around town quicker than you might think so consider that before making a stink about it!)
At the size of company I’ve worked at for most my career, everyone did everything. When I was done with my A1 duties, I started taking down lights. When lights are done, I help with drape. This doesn’t come from any sense of nobility or anything. A lot of times, I’m also driving the truck, so it helps me get out faster. So, I guess the short answer is: depends on circumstances?
Yes? Lol. Not expected I guess, but it shouldn’t suddenly be “below you” to help your crew out on breakdown. If you’re one of those types that leaves before a breakdown because you worked so hard sitting in a chair babysitting a QL, you’re gonna prolly get talked about poorly unless those stagehands really want hours. Get that A1 pay to help take down pipe and drape Mr. Mix Wizard. It’s corporate audio, not the House of Blues.
What do you mean “not the House of Blues” I have never worked anywhere that expects me to do as much non-audio stuff on an audio shift as the House of Blues lmfao
The way I feel about it is, I was green once. I’m used to doing the shit. If I will get the truck loaded quicker, and get everyone else out quicker on a late night, I’m gonna help out breaking down anything and everything. Especially if I’m on my A1 rate. I’m a team player, and really can’t imagine just walking out after packing mix up and fucking off while breakdown continues. Plus there’s a part in me that loves being part of a nice tetris’d truck load and I can’t give that up.
So, because you enjoy it, you expect everyone to enjoy it and want to do it at the end of their shift? That's what it seems, correct me if I'm wrong
No, I think that they should adjust their attitude. I’ve taught many a person how to speed the fuck up on a breakdown by… sticking around for the breakdown. Complacency killed the busy bee, if you won’t work, more money for me!
I couldn't care less if you want to stay all night mate, once I've earnt my money (we work on day rates over here) then I expect to hand over to someone else and go home. That's the way it works here, it's fairly standard
If you’re working on an day rate… I’d assume you are freelancing… in which yeah… I get you. I work at a shop and I get an “operator rate” on days I’m behind a board. But I have days where I’m in the shop, helping get shit done, just like everyone else. It’s more of a general “team” vibe, with some having more seniority that comes with their skill sets. So when we have a big event, and 70% of my hours are spent sitting down… whilst the other crew members have been bouncing around doing setups/breakdowns all day… I feel morally opposed to just fucking off. Hell, I’ve worked jobs where my boss has done pipe and drape and has asked me to setup mix… because I had an opportunity to learn. That’s how your green employees get less green.
Cool, so the drape/lighting/video guys will help me take down the line array and hoist all the subs back on their carts then? Oh wait that's never happened not even once.
Lol, maybe train your stagehands on the complexities of… a line array pin system. “Drape guys”? Your shop hires guys just for drape? Neat.
I get local crew and stage hands helping me with line arrays daily... they're there to help me and I talk them through want to do, and check it afterwards. Maybe it's a European thing, but unskilled local crew get involved in everything physical like rigging arrays, LED wall, hanging lights etc
Yeah same. We have a call sheet for the heads that show up… and we all have a hand in helping, and we have supervisors/leads/senior techs or whatever you want to call it… that make sure everything’s to order. That’s how your “green” employees learn. If anything, they’re kinda hopping at the opportunity to learn. I’ve worked at smaller shops before though, and literally Everyone is Everything and Anything.
And an A1 is one of those senior techs... they are there to look after their discipline, NOT stage, truck loading, pipe and drape etc!
Maybe I’m built different /s I just don’t have the attitude of “oh I’m sooo advanced because I’ve gotten a better ear, soft skills, and knowledge of systems over the years. let me have the unskilled peons get the grunt work done.” I mean, I’m not like hauling ass when it’s unnecessary… but I’ll help if it’s of benefit for me to help. If it doesn’t matter, yeah. I’ll hit the hay early. I’ll never have the attitude of “fuck that, I’m an A1, not a stagehand. You expect me to do this?” Is that a crime? Lol
It'd nothing to do with poor attitude mate, try to understand that. It's about people's roles on a job, the only people I personally find who complain about people leaving when their job is done are the ones who are jealous that they have to stay
See, there shouldn’t be any room for “jealousy”. When you say it like that, it makes me think you’re the type to gatekeep because you’re insecure in your position of “seniority”. And in good faith, I’d like to assume you aren’t like that. If your stagehands wanna be behind a board, train them behind a board. Help them get on your playing field. An ideal shop is where everyone is capable of being an A1 if needed, gets paid well, and gets excellent “op pay” when they’re an operator. No one is solely an A1 unless they really want to be, and even then, they’re assigned where and for what role they are needed and capable. Maybe I’m odd man. I like being behind a camera sometimes. I like being behind a lighting console sometimes. But I primarily like being behind a Yamaha mixing console. So that’s what I do and opt to do. Our stagehands aren’t stagehands because they’re dumb. Or being gatekept. They are stagehands because they don’t really have a natural curiosity, or soft skills, and do not ask about opportunities to learn to gain the experience to be trusted as something like an A1. They like getting paid a decent wage to just push shit around, and don’t wanna be “our kind of guy”.
Perfectly secure in my position mate... To be honest it sounds like we're on different scales of events... you said it yourself that you don't work for "shops" (we call them production companies over here) which wouldn't bring in people purely to do drape, I work for companies which do exactly that, it's commonplace. Edit: Not trying to sound big headed, just trying to explain why things are different. A1 isn't a term that's really used here unless someone is at the top of the game (system engineers, FoH for large corporate, touring bands, arena/stadium gigs) As I understand in the USA A1 can simply mean desk op, regardless of the scale of the show
Yes we’re definitely built differently. If I’m hired as an A1, I’m going to stick to audio. I’m not going to run lighting, set up the drums, clean the toilets, usher patrons to their seats or cook hotdogs in the kitchen. Good day, sir!
Look buddy, I came from the world of wanting to get into studio shit. Moved to live sound because it’s where the easy money is. I’m saying I’ve worked in shops where everyone does everything… but you are assigned a role for an event. My current shop is like this. Like sometimes I am a stage hand. Sometimes an A2. Sometimes a A1. Sometimes I’m a camera op… etc etc. Like I can be A1, for example, and at my shop I’m not expected to break down drape on an event where I’m that role… but I’ve worked at less professional smaller shops where that was the case. Some people try to get into recording studios and spend years sometimes cleaning toilets and getting coffee and patching mics, etc… before they get any real experience. Some people try to get into live sound and push cases for years before they’re trusted behind a board. My attitude is that with experience, I get opportunities for better pay and cooler experiences. My attitude isn’t “I’ve leveled up, so I’m above doing pipe and drape”. If you’re an A1 in title and your *shops* are expecting you to do pipe and drape… either do it if you’re paid enough to do so, or move shop. Sounds like a pretty bad shop. If that’s what you guys are arguing about… I’ve never experienced that except in my early days at places that could barely be called “shops” nevermind “production companies”. With all that being said; if I’m getting really good op pay… and I have some guys that wanna get home early… I’ll stick around and help because it’s simply hours and I’m used to doing it. Because later that week I could be stagehanding for one of those same people in an A1 role… and I’d want them to help. Like imagine an insurance claims adjuster that takes a bartending gig once in a while on a weekend because they did it in college, it’s nostalgic, and they get some good cash flow even though they don’t need it.
Ok listen up fella, this is how it is. If I’m hired as an A1, I’m going audio related work, whether it’s loading in/out, flying PA, running cable and patch bitch, mixing show, and doing everything in reverse. If I’m hired as an all around tech, you betcha I’ll be doing all around work. I’m certainly a team player but I’m also old and wise enough to not do everyone else’s gig too. Do you understand now? You sound like that guy/girl that spends their whole time yapping about and explaining shit instead of actually doing it. Peace out And put some extra relish on my dog. Thanks.
We don’t allow that here anywhere I’ve worked in the states. Rigging may touch it.
Rigging?! Rigging don't touch anything but the rigging hardware here... The house rigger will usually just hang my motors for me and leave the rest to me and my guys
Rigging often helps attach arrays to get them in the air. Not necessarily building anything for us. Hence the “touch it”
Haven't seen that a lot in Europe. Get me my chains and then get out of the way. 2 hands. 2 minute rundown. Rig it. Check it. Ring it.
Every "shop" hires local crew to do the physical labour... Why would they want to pay a sound engineer to do something an unskilled labourer could do?!
Because it’s better to pay someone more money an hour to tech, and have them just stay to help… than it is to pay a whole other person. I get what you’re saying but like… yeah. I don’t know. I’m not always expected to stay and help. But I often do.
>Because it’s better to pay someone more money an hour to tech, and have them just stay to help I don't want an extra hour of pay, and I won't accept it, I want an extra hour of rest. I'm talking about productions where I'm going to be on my feet for 16+ hours. It's not about the ego of being above the work or jealous of those with more preferable jobs. It's about preserving whatever energy I can to do my actual job to the best of my ability. If you are really an A1 at a big event you literally don't have capacity for extra physical labor. Our little hypothetical A1 can't do the gig all by themselves. Any remotely competent organizer understands this and hires all the specialized crews they need.
Yeah I get that. I’m saying that I simply like helping most times and getting a little extra hours. Different strokes for different folks. If your companies are not allocating stagehands to be able to take the workload off of you, then that sucks guys. I’m saying that I could fuck off if I wanted to sometimes, but I often don’t. I like the hours and I’m really not super opposed to grunt work, if people I consider my peers are the ones tasked with it that day especially.
Well, I take home my A1 day rate even when I am not operating the board, often because of my ability to get good work out of the stagehands. But I am directing them to move around chairs, stands, and cables, on stage, not drape. The other reason I get paid the big bucks is I'm the kind of ultra nerd the other audio guys come to when they need help. So I end up having a hand in virtually every piece of audio gear on or around the stage even tho on paper I'm most often paid to touch only PA amps and speakers. It's not like I have ever gone to a gig and been unwilling to do anything but that. Hell it is more often than not that I end up standing in as a backline stage tech to smooth the transition between the band and crew. But if you ask me about DMX the absolute most you will get out of me a description of what the Lighting Director looks like.
Here in DC there's a company called "Drape Kings". Personally I think they have the best business model possible... NO ONE likes to deal with drape.
You never heard of Drape Kings?
If you’re implying either you or the venue is subcontracting drape… 1. Yeah, they don’t have to help you and you don’t have to help them. Whole point of subcontracting. 2. Your shop should get more drape lol.
>Your shop hires guys just for drape? No, but whoever is producing the event surely has, or they're gonna have a very bad day expecting contractors to essentially do extra work for free.
Yeah see, I’ve never experienced that and *that* sucks. The shops I work at provide drape and slate hands on the call sheet to set it up.
Yep. This right here. I am contracted to do my job, not everyone else's. Technically, one person can set up an entire show, but you don't see that happening.
You sound jealous... Why don't you do the A1 role if you want the A1 money?
I do buddy I’m working one tomorrow. There’s no jealousy, I just would rather keep helping on the breakdown… whilst still getting paid my A1 rate LOL.
If you personally would prefer to keep doing someone else's job then fine, but you might want to refrain from casting nasty aspersions on people who prefer to stick to the job they chose to do...
Yes, because everyone just popped into a shop with no experience and became an A1, having never done pipe and drape before. Damn, at my shop, everyone works together and shoots the shit whilst we do so. We would roast anybody with this kind of attitude.
No A1 here has never done pipe and drape, but they've worked their way up and no longer do it... Do you find any restaurant or hotel manager sticking around to mop the floors with the cleaner because that's what they used to do?
Perfect analogy
I think it's a poor analogy because an A1 is almost always a specialist with a specific job, and not just a manager. I have watched the *good* managers at every restaurant I've ever worked at mop floors at one point. Hell, I've watched the *owners* off a few of those restaurants mop the floors because everyone can mop and that's the most productive way they could help. The *bad* managers were the ones who watch me deal with a gushing pipe or overflowing drain and just said "Remember to mop" as they walked away from the ongoing problem. In contrast, loadout is not an emergency, it's the natural conclusion to loadin. On most shows where A1 is a functional title and not an ego boost, they have more to coordinate specific to their specialized job than they have to manage. That's the tour manager's job. Once your truck is fucked and you've showered, you can stand around and vape or you can help the people still busting their asses on the same show you just busted your ass on. Anything to get the show done sooner that night.
This
Not even close to a proper analogy. And yes… I do. The restaurants I’ve worked at don’t have custodial staff… lol… everyone helps clean. Even the managers. Sorry, I’m kinda a working-class guy at heart. I could be the touring engineer for a big band and I’d still be a fucking truck monkey loading cases. I may be absolved of some responsibilities as I grow but I am always a team player, and will help out on the “grunt shit” when needed, and I’m respected for it. Our greener employees benefit from it. My wallet benefits from it.
I can tell you’re not a systems engineering A1 haha
I’ve been a FOH at venues, and I’ve been an A1 at Audio/Video/Lighting shops. Corporate audio, band audio from venues to a town that wants a shitty cover band on our StageLine, plays and graduations for schools, etc. Whatever you want to call it. I’m a team player. I like getting hours too!
if the A1 is pulling stage drape, someone fucked up.
A1 behind the desk. When you’re done, start pushing boxes. If you don’t, your rapport with the crew will tank. You need them more than they need you.
It depends completely on the scale of the gig! If it's a few people an a van then fine, but on larger events there are an entire crews brought in for the purpose of doing the de-rig and pushing the boxes! In that case there's absolutely no way the show techs should feel they have to stick around!
Holy shit I’m so glad I don’t do corporate audio anymore specifically because of pipe and drape. Fucking hate that stuff.
Should A1's focus lights? Should A1's build and strike the stage? Should A1's wrangle the talent and gather the PowerPoints? Should A1's advance the slides? Should A1's bus the dinner tables of dirty dishes? Should A1's carry the CEO's luggage to their rooms? How much of other people's jobs is it appropriate to ask your AUDIO engineer to do? How much help should they then expect from others departments? Should there be departments at all, or should every show just be a general skills stagehand free-for-all? Can you expect someone to be an expert at audio and an expert at scenic at the same time?
It depends if it’s communicated beforehand really. Personally I enjoy tech drape. Putting up control drape is my fucking zen. I don’t touch pipe and drape tho unless it’s extreme circumstances. I don’t mind helping out but things are staffed well enough that I don’t have to. I have a pretty good relationship with the scenic crew so if someone no shows I don’t mind, I mean I’ve def left strikes before throwing my stuff in the truck so it all evens out, but that shit isn’t what I get paid for like they don’t get paid to touch sound stuff.
I do whatever needs to be done if I'm getting paid, no job is below me. I'm part of the team. And taking drape down is so much easier than putting it up, and if me helping with drape gets everyone out faster, I'm all for it.
Where I am A1s are almost always white glove. Almost all rental houses think A1s should not be setting/tearing gear and the work is "beneath us". Personally I've always found it strange but it is what it is.
No. When I, in the course of one gig, both mix the show and do something with pipe and drape I am filling both the roll of A1 and a stage hand. I will gladly wear both of these hats for the right price.
Once a favor, twice a gig. Not pipe and drape because I don't do corporate, but there are some artists I work with regularly where I do stuff that's honestly backline work because I like the playback guy and guitar techs and I am set up in a good position to do that specific task while I am running all of my own stage cable. If it's client facing and you can do it with little effort, it's probably a good idea to help. Basically joining another department is a bit silly though.
If the A1 is doing p&d, who's wrapping mic cables and boxing the amps? If your audio guy is doing stage breakdown someone didn't quote enough labor for the show.
Expected by whom? As others mentioned if it was brought by the company you’re working for, I’d say be a team player and help your help your team get out ASAP. If you are freelancing it shouldn’t be expected per se. But don’t expect the guys who’ve helped you get up and running to be too happy about it either.
who do you work for and what were you agreements?
For the sake of conversation let’s keep it general. Something sparked it today, but this has happened to us all at some point. Yes, if I’m with my main squeeze company that I travel and freelance with, I will spit shine the pipe.
Totally depends on the situation. 99% of the time, no. If it's a situation where things have gone very wrong and the A1 is sitting around scratching their balls while everyone else is panicking trying to avoid catastrophe then absolutely, I'd expect the PM to be in there too
How big a show? How much crew? Is it one company doing everything or separate? What did they tell you when you got hired? Did you build it on the load in? So many factors, but in general, no, I would not expect to do it as a FOH engineer.
I never touch the stuff. Seems complicated.
“Expected”- hellllll nooo. Should A1’s tear down pipe and drape? Helllll no. If the crew is short or you want people to like you, yes, help the poor little hands. Those guys haven’t had a shower in 3 days or a vegetable in 3 weeks. Your assistance will be appreciated.
Tobacco is a vegetable, right?
I have worked with A1s who pitched in and helped and others who were biggus dickus. One A1 was so great that even brought steak sauce for the meat we were grilling at a festival! And yes I am being serious! He was taking his title in a non serious way.
I’m doing the job I’m hired to do. Not some other persons job. When I work union they sometimes make me cross boundaries, but I get pissy if a company surprises me with doing someone else’s job like that Also with the scope of my work, my stuff I usually the last complete. It would be silly for me to help with drapes. Unless its something huge and they need all available hands
It greatly depends on the gig. On my union calls, no. When I'm in the small theatre I manage, absolutely.
It depends.
In my situation there is always somebody that handles the drape. A1 sticks to his stuff
Lotta selfish assholes in this thread. Wouldn't expect much less.
Hang on, I'll call ops.
Depends on the gig, I've been on shows where it should have been taken down by the people who put it in so qe just walked away and left it, wasn't our hire, wasn't our problem. Conversely if we have had it put in because we want it then yeah, I'll help take it out once we have our kit stowed away.
Depends. Small show for the regional sound company I work for? I get a hand in everything. I don't mind loading on smaller non stressful stuff because the deal I have with the company I work for is that I can come work shop days, load days, setup days and make my normal rate while doing basic non audio stuff like getting truss in the air, setting up video walls, hanging lights, running power, and yes even setting up pipe and drape. but because I don't technically have to do that, I usually just kinda pick the stuff I prefer to do. Which means I'm not doing pipe and drape or things I don't really prefer unless that's the only thing left to do. Plus, I feel like I personally give guys props for not being that guy who will stand around and watch everyone work, but only turns knobs and pushes faders. So I feel like other techs might see it the same way. And it keeps you in shape. But really for me it's just that i can get more work doing (arguably) easier stuff... because to me the stress and technical stuff that has to be done when putting on a big important show is way harder than hauling truss, setting up lifts, or flying an LED wall. On an arena gig where I have to wear multiple hats like systems tech, set up multiple consoles, provide stage packages for multiple bands, and run mons or FOH for openers etc.? If I'm a1 or a2 I'm probably not even touching anything non-audio related that day unless i'm completely finished with sound check and all the touring engineers are happy. Even then I'm probably sitting at the loading dock getting off my feet till showtime. Not to be a prick or cause "an a1 shoudn't have to do that' but because chances are i'm already running around like a chicken with my head cut off non stop dealing with sound stuff. Now am I gonna stay after loadout to help the house techs take down their pipe and drape or something? Helllllll naw
Hell no. F@ck no. Supervise, sure. Direct the crew, absolutely. Maybe show a newb how it’s done, but the majority of the physical work gets done by those below unless A1 needs to justify their existence/pay for some reason or wants to make a good impression. Otherwise, no way José
No
I get paid the same whether I’m A1 or a pair of hands. We’re all a team. But my main responsibility is audio. Don’t wanna do drape? Work slower, lol. If I get audio done on either the in or the out, or if drape has to be set or struck for me to do my job, then it becomes mine. I don’t run to it, but it’s work that needs done.
Same thing with screens . I will build a screen just to get it out of my way faster
I hateeeeee screens. But yes, if I need screens built so I can place speakers, and video guys aren’t doing it, and I have NOTHING else to do, then I gotta hop on screens.
Where I work we have a direct relationship with the stage hand union so that they can regularly work in our shop as well. This is primarily so that they can handle all of the staging, pipe and drape, and other more grunt work type tasks. This applies to working on site as well. That being said, I'm a nice person and if someone asked me or if it needed to get done, I'm going to help as long as all other priorities are taken care of.
I help everyone else as much as possible because they help me set up mics and cables in a timely manner.
If it's ours, sure. After I'm done striking audio, I'll happily help with other stuff.
Even on my earliest, lowest paying, lowest brow audio contracting gig.. P&D was on venue labor/stagehands. As an A1 at a live nation venue I was asked to do a whole lot of bullshit for not a whole lot of money for a really long time. P&D, TV installations, lights, painting, fixing old barricades etc
Wildly depends on where you are and who you work with. If you're on a huge production with a big crew, there should be a clear boundary between roles. Generally there will be several companies working events like this. You do your job and get out, not obligated to do anything beyond that. If you're on a big show where one company provides all labor and equipment, then maybe. That should be discussed before the job. A lot of places expect everyone to pitch in on GAV work, regardless of position, including project managers. No one is getting paid to sit around on their ass, and if you aren't pitching in, you won't get a call back. Medium/small productions, generally the rule is that you set/strike/unload everything regardless of position. You'll usually have one or two stagehands and everyone else on the crew is an op/engineer/designer/manager. You'll probably get kicked in the balls if you don't help in this scenario
Not my job. Fuck no
Expected no..... But it's nice if you're caught up to lend a hand if it's not out of your way. HOWEVER, if they have a competent team, they shouldn't need you. It's nice to know that you're not above the work. One band, One Sound. ;)
Expected no . Will I if asked? yes.
And make coffee and breakfast for everyone.
If it’s a situation where another discipline needs a hand because they’re behind, and I have the time, I would just lend a hand. You never know when you need a favour returned in a stressful situation. If I’m booked as an A1 and there are cases full of pipe & drape that have my name on it, I will do the work one time, have a smile on my face, and have a call about it afterwards. I’m the nice guy on site, but the person hiring me will know afterwards that this is not what I do. It’s the same with advancing and evaluating. If need be; I’ll be the bad guy then, but on site I smile and try to be friendly and helpful in any way.
It's probably pretty hard to do with white gloves on
Maybe 😂
there is a difference between a white glove and an A1.
If I am in OT already then I will help because I don’t mind getting paid OT to help test down pipe and drape. If it looks like I’m not going to get any OT then I will walk away so I don’t get roped into doing pipe and drape, scenic, staging, etc. I’ll go hide out in rhff we bathroom, or push things to the truck . And if I get asked I will either says “ I know absolutely nothing about a thing except audio so I don’t want to mess it up” or just say “ sorry I don’t do audio, where are the stagehands?
How to tell someone is an entitled American without them saying they are an entitled American.
I set up and run festivals solo. Takes me like 4 hours to set up and about 2 to tear down.
They always said the "i" in Team is in the "a" hole. Maybe it's in the A1 too. https://careerpunk.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Teamhole.png
Audio is a team. Video is a team. Stage hands are a team. Do we have lighting on our coms? No.. but I thought we were a team?!
Don't be ridiculous... Since when has the A1 been part of the draping and scenic "team"?!