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As
yet there is no formal training and qualification in the AV
industry or event industry. The standards of crew members
differ greatly. Below is a guide to what I would expect from
a senior engineer and a technical director working on an event.
QUALIFICATIONS
OF SENIOR ENGINEER
Minimum
Age 20
Minimum
experience in industry 3 years
Intelligent,
articulate with a sense of the importance of the occasion.
A
desire to provide excellent service and ensure the event is
a success.
A
sense of responsibility towards the equipment during set up,
operation and removal.
Dressing
appropriately for get in, rehearsal and show.
SOUND
Set
up sound system using various mixers, amps and speakers.
Knowing
the difference between mike and line inputs
Knowledge
of phantom powering for condenser microphones
Relationship
between balanced and unbalanced connections
Wiring
standards for balanced to unbalanced.
Use
of graphics
Speaker
positioning to avoid feedback
Speaker
positioning so the sound comes from where it is required (ie
from the screen for an AV or Video)
Causes
and elimination of hum
Use
of isolating transformers to eliminate hum
Connecting
to house systems.
SLIDE
PROJECTION
The
basic operation of a slide projector
Put
on and remove tray.
Use
of the correct condensers
Bulb
alignment
Line
up for multi projection shows.
Lining
up PC Lenses
Use
of remote controls from more than one point
Setting
up various dissolve systems AVL, Kodak , Datatron etc.
Preparation
of Speaker support slides and notes.
Ability
to extract the necessary information from a client so that
slides run smoothly during rehearsals and shows.
DATA
AND VIDEO
Lining
up various data and video projectors
Changing
projectors from front to rear to ceiling mounted.
Knowing
what computers can be used with what projectors and how to
connect them
Use
of multiple monitors and Video Distribution Amps
Understanding
the difference between PAL, NTSC, SECAM,
VHS, Super VHS, 3/4" Low & High band Umatics and
Betacam SP
Recognition
of earth bars and how to eliminate them
Ability
to take the initiative to mark up scripts with correct in
and out points for video
LIGHTING
Dealing
with venue lighting systems, removing and replacing bulbs,
fuses, chandeliers etc so that the area over the audience
is ‘ house lights’. The area behind a rear projection
screen is dark and the presenter is lit without that light
spilling onto the screen.
Understanding
power distribution and phase balancing
Running
lighting cables so as not to cause buzz in the sound system
Creative
set up and operation for atmosphere and effects.
SETTINGS
Setting
up so that if a screen is rear projection the audience can't
see behind it.
If
a front projection fast fold at least a bottom drape.
Lectern set up with a reading light
Ability
to set up a room to gain maximum effect for the event taking
place.
Ability
to look at a room and make necessary adjustments prior to
an event that make the room safe, and aesthetically pleasing
( Gaffer leads down, make sure tables are covered, the drapes
are hanging correctly)
QUALIFICATIONS
OF TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Minimum
Age 25
Minimum
experience in industry 5 years
All
of the qualifications of a senior engineer as well as -
DETERMINING
A BRIEF
The
ability to communicate with an end user client or producer
and extract all the information required to prepare a staging
specification and quotation.
SPECIFICATIONS
AND QUOTATIONS
The
ability to prepare a specification with drawings and quotation
involving all technical aspects of the event.
ON
SITE DIRECTION
The
ability to head up the staging team to on site and take responsibility
for all technical aspects on site wether supplied by the venue
or brought in specially for the event.
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