5 Things I’ve Learned Working in the Live Entertainment Industry (so far)
Among other things I’ve learned like patience, how to cope with driving in Philadelphia in a sprinter van, and how integral towels are to the concert industry: here are five main themes I’ve realized working as a live entertainment production runner.
1.) Timing is key
Let’s start with how I got the job. Truthfully, I wasn’t going to go to the job fair where I interviewed for the position. I researched more about the event and my industry friend let me know that production was gonna be there on the very last session of the job fair. I was hesitant to go but my friends convinced me. I went in-between classes during my hour break and even did my online course in an Uber. I am so grateful that I decided to go and I look back on that choice often. Just a few minutes can be life-changing.
6.3.22 // Lake Street Dive is one of my favorite bands and working for them was an opportunity of a lifetime.
Timing is also essential in an everyday sense on a show day. If you’re not 15 minutes early, you’re late. Pretty much everything needs to happen at a certain time for a successful show. Rigging starts at 8 AM because sound check starts at 2 PM. The post-show pizzas need to be picked up at 9:30 PM because the show is over at 11 PM. When the audience commits to a ticket, they expect the show to start on time and to be entertained for a couple of hours. As a part of production, you commit to helping hit these deadlines.
So far no two days have been the same at work. The chaos of the unknown has been thrilling. In college, I had a couple of professors say that the music industry is a disease. In that case, I've caught the bug for the fast-paced environment and am always looking to better myself under pressure.
2.) Life is about moving money and s#!t around
As a local crew member, I have seen several tours pass through town. I am convinced that life can be simplified, at least in capitalism, to being about moving money and stuff around. This summer I’ve witnessed how much moving around really goes on in touring. There are even logistics people planning down to where, when, and how the semi-trucks arrive and park.
6.5.22 // Like many music industry jobs, I wear many hats every day. Some days I'm a tour guide, most days I'm an uber. On this particular day, I was a pizza delivery driver: Over 55 pies are pictured.
I’ve gotten a lot of great advice about life on the road (where I hope to be one day soon) from the diverse array of industry professionals I’ve met so far. One thing I always ask is where my passengers are from and more than once that's led to a conversation about real estate. With their advice in mind, I hope to ‘move’ the money I make from entertainment gigs and buy property someday.
I moved out of my apartment a couple of weeks ago and it reminded me of load in and load out, yet another parallel to everyday life. I think we can all agree that moving sucks- especially in the summer. Imagine doing that with backline and other gear at 4 AM every day. Send good vibes to your local labor union.
I have yet to get a taste of the touring life but I’m already dreaming and researching the fancy road cases I’ll be lugging all my crap in. I am trying to learn and network as much as I can before I officially get out there. I’ve already met some cool roadies but it’s important to remember that people come in and out of your life- so you can’t become too attached.
6.8.22 // Work bestie Sam and I! 1’m so grateful for an amazing crew this summer.
3.) Artists are people too
Artists are human. They SWEAT, eat, drink, and have emotions. They need their towels (I’m telling you-they are a integral part of this industry!!), special coffee, and lots of beer/alcohol. On stage, they may seem like untouchable stars, but when they walk past you they are only a couple of inches taller (which isn’t hard to beat- I’m 5’4” lol). They put their pants on one leg at a time just like us but I do still fangirl a little inside every so often.
4.) It’s all in who you know
If you have family in the industry you’re looking to get into- use it. I’m telling you that many others have no hesitation in using their connections to their advantage-so why can’t you? If you don’t have those familial connections, you need to network like crazy- especially linearly with your peers! I am very grateful that I've put in the work with a friendly and honest demeanor in the past and I continue to try and do so. I technically wouldn't have known about the job if my friend didn’t tell me about it. My web is already paying off!
5.) It’s a man's world
Recently, Amplify Her Voice published an infographic with statistics featuring data from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative about women in the music industry. My heart sank when I saw that women only make up 6.7% of live entertainment. I have been witnessing this statistic as most of my bosses and supervisors have been men. However, there have been more and more non-male managers and executives that I have worked with and it gives me hope. I am also grateful for the diversity within my immediate team and coworkers- things are changing.
Special thanks to Marie Vassallo and Angela Rogers for editing
