#elecblr

Day 1

Hello, my name is Isabelle "Loariya-Fiaba" and I go by both Izzy and Loa (more leaning towards Loa), and I will be learning electrical engineering and robotics on my own.

So this happened today! Allie at Energy Tattoo in Santa Barbara did a wonderful job on my Source 4 tattoo!

For radical-technical‘s kit-gathering post! (based off my idea here)

As an electrician/board op/lighting designer I’m very much so a creature of habit, so I tend to have a favorite set of clothes to wear to calls.  In the photo, I’m wearing a Uniqlo breathable shirt, which is awesome when you’re working in a boiling hot grid! The pants are Dickies slim fit double knee pants, and they last forever! (They also have a really convenient leg pocket that’s great for stashing my ratcheting ultimate focus tool!)

My kit itself is an RTP Small Combo Pouch! I keep my Crescent brand ratcheting crescent wrench in one side pocket, and my leather rebar in the other. A tiny thing of Lush’s Karma solid cologne goes under the leatherman, cause sometimes you feel gross after 12 hours of hang and focus! Inside the pouch are a gam check jr, a standard led flashlight, Milwaukee wire stippers/cutters/reamers (LOVE THEM), a silver sharpie for writing on gaff tape circuit labels, a reusable zip tie to help hold down big cables while I tie them up with tie line (which I store in the measuring tape pocket). I also use a nifty little Source 4 shaped USB stick to carry a show file with me that I can merge into a show I’m going to program. It doesn’t have any cues or channels in it, just a set of macros and a magic sheet that I can import and use to make my life easier on any show!  My gloves are a new purchase, but I’m liking them so far! Dirty Rigger sells these fantastic “Phoenix” high heat gloves. Be aware that they’ll take a few days to break in, and I strongly suggest softening them yourself before working with them! 

For software, the ETC iRFR is helpful if you have an EOS board, but it’s pricy at $50. Hold off on that if you can, because touchOSC is now available for those boards, meaning you can make your own lightboard remote in an app!  I also use Lee Swatch, and “Stagehand” a gel comparing app, extensively.

Reading material-wise, I started by reading “Designing With Light” when I was in high school, and it’s a great introduction to lighting. And though it’s meant for the movie industry, “The Set Lighting Technician’s Handbook” is AWESOME when it comes to power distribution, techniques, and odd tricks you wouldn’t otherwise know. 

Brands to avoid? I hate cheap Chauvet stuff, and ANYTHING by American DJ. Just don’t. Also, try to talk your LD out of using those cheap portable dimmer packs. They will break. 

As for other good things to have? Kneepads are a must when working on a tension grid, and a water bottle with fresh fruit soaking inside is a nice pick me up! I try to also always pack a granola bar or two for when you can’t take a real break! Packing a couple of your favorite pain pills is always good, just in case! 

So it seems to be a trend (and an awesome one at that!) for stage managers to post their kits, and guides to what should go in them. That’s super helpful for new SM’s, or the more experienced ones who want to restock, BUT:

What about all the other tech careers?

I’d love to see sound engineers, props artisans, assistant stage managers, electricians, carpenters, riggers, costumers, scenic/lighting/sound designers, and the rest of us lovely folk post what WE carry with us to every gig. 

I feel like a lot of high school/new theater techs see stage management as the main/only career in theater, cause it’s what’s talked about most. But I think it would be great to show Tumblr that the rest of us exist, and have awesome jobs too! 

It was kinda amazing. The people rock, the space is amazing, and the show was beautiful (until we tore it to shreds...) 

So on Sunday I start work at one of the largest theaters/theater companies in the Bay Area, and I’m super nervous... Place seats 1600. Like it’s huge, and way fancier than I’m used to.

Then on Tuesday, I sign paperwork to start work a school district on overhire, which is like totally normal for me, except that they just opened 8 massive theaters, all state of the art... I’m really excited, but nervous.

At least at both gigs, I get to work with the first boss I ever had, who’s an amazing guy! 

TL;DR: Mitchell does big theater for first time, is scared but excited.