Audio guide

“Sound effects can make a production by adding a convincing new texture and reinforcing the setting, atmosphere and mood.” (Fraser 1988)

Setting up a PA system

Most events will require audio accompaniment. This will vary from sound effects in a theatre performance, to something as simple as a microphone for a speech. 

The main steps to setting up a simple PA system are:

1.   Set up the speaker stand (Ensuring it is steady and secure)

2.     Place the speaker on the stand.

3.     Plug in the power lead (Use a clean power source!)

4.     Connect speakers to the mixing desk

5.     Turn on the mixing desk, followed by the speaker. (When turning off the sound system do the opposite)

Technical Specification

You can then set up a microphone or any other equipment you require. For more information please follow the video link

When touring, make sure you complete a technical specification, these are diagrams showing the specifics of what you require (e.g. where the speakers should be placed). This will allow the technicians to set up the venue ready for when your performers arrive.

Bibliography

BEAMWORKSPRODUCTIONS. 2013. How to set up a simple PA System Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmHvvf8UKfs [accessed 27 October 2016].

FRASER, Neil. 1988. Lighting and sound. Oxford: Phaidon Press.

PALMER, Scott. 2000. Essential guide to stage management, lighting, and sound. London: Hodder & Stoughton.

PHILLIPS, Scott L. 2013. Beyond sound: The college and career guide in music technology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Lighting

 The Lights:

· Wash- covers the whole stage in any colour of choice. The best position for wash lighting is a 45-degree angle from the side or the front of stage. This will light the whole area with some shadow and thus avoiding the stage or artist appearing flat and one dimensional.

· Spot- used to accentuate the performance area, usually positioned from the front or above the artist.

· LED- can be programmed to change colour live and without the use of a gel

· Movers- moving lights are used to follow artists that are constantly moving during a performance.

Power

The power used for lighting should be from a clean source. This is a source of power that is not being used for any other purpose.

Control

Lighting desks vary from very simple ones that can dim and brighten several lights to those more complex computer based desks can be linked to hundreds of lights and whole rooms of dimmer devices. More complex desks can be programmed in various and almost unlimited ways to create various effects.

Support

Scaffold Lighting

Trusses

 Grid Lighting

Bibliography

REID, Francis. 1995. Lighting the stage: A lighting designer’s experiences. Oxford: Focal Press.

REID, Francis. 1998. Discovering stage lighting. 2nd edn. Oxford: Elsevier Science.

Rigging

“The thing about rigging is, you can learn it if you become a master rigger but there's no book on rigging” (Serra 2016)

What is it?

Rigging is the act of positioning and focusing all of the technical equipment needed for any performance. All of the hardware used to lift, lower, and hold performance equipment on or above a stage. (Stage Craft Industries n.d.)

Health & Safety

Equipment should not be used if it is faulty. Always check the condition of equipment before use! Never overload rigging equipment. Labels clearly state how much weight each piece of equipment can hold.

The main priority of anyone rigging equipment should be safety. This includes electrical and mechanical safety, avoiding trip hazards and that ensuring everything is secured firmly and has secondary safety chains or wires where required.

The person rigging needs to make their own safety a priority, specifically if working at height. There are a lot of rules and regulations that need to be adhered to.  When rigging please follow the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act and the 2005 Working at Height Restrictions (WAHR). Please follow the links for more information.

Bibliography

GLERUM, Jay  O. 2007. Stage Rigging Handbook. Third Edition edn. SIU Press.

REID, Francis. 1995. Lighting the stage: A lighting designer’s experiences. Oxford: Focal Press.

REID, Francis. 1998. Discovering stage lighting. 2nd edn. Oxford: Elsevier Science.

SERRA, Richard. 2016. “Rigging quotes.” [online]. Available at: http://www.searchquotes.com/search/Rigging,/#ixzz4O0EFMjtr [accessed 18 October 2016].

STAGE CRAFT INDUSTRIES. n.d. “Glossary of theater & stage rigging terms.” [online]. Available at: http://www.stagecraftindustries.com/siteglossary.php#R [accessed 18 October 2016].

Working At Height

What is working at height?
Working at Height is a crucial aspect in the Entertainment industry. A place can be considered ‘at height’ if a person can be injured falling from it. This means whether you are working on a ladder as a technician or even as a performer on the stage you are working at height. (UCATT 2016)
  Working at Height should have workers (both at height and on the ground) full attention 100% of the time!

Legislation
There are many pieces of legislation surrounding Working at Height. When overseeing any preparation for an event keep in mind, the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act and the 2005 Working at Height Restrictions (WAHR). Please follow the links for more information.

Legislation  also states that workers must be 'competent'. 'You should make sure that people with sufficient skills, knowledge and experience are employed to perform the task, or, if they are being trained, that they work under the supervision of somebody competent to do it'. (Health and Safety Executive 2014)

Falls From Height

Injury	Employed staff	Self-Employed	Combined
Fatal	19	20	39
Major/ Specified	2895	422	3317
Over-Seven-Day	3038	127	3165
Total	5952	569	6521

Table showing Falls from height 2013/2014

77 cases were prosecuted by HSE under WAH 2005, 73 Convictions were made by HSE with an average fine of over £8000. (Health and Safety Executive (HSE) 2014)

Bibliography
UCATT. 2016. “Working at height.” [online]. Available at: http://ucatt.org.uk/working-height [accessed 15 October 2016].

HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECTUTIVE. 2014. “Work at height - frequently asked questions.” [online]. Available at: http://hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/faqs.htm [accessed 15 October 2016].

HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE (HSE). 2014. Health and safety executive slips & trips and falls from height in great Britain, 2014. Available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causinj/slips-trips-and-falls.pdf [accessed 15 October 2016]. For tables please look at page 3 and for information on convictions by HSE please refer to page 11

The Venue

Legislation for public venues

There are many different pieces of legislation that are crucial in finding a venue for your event.  These are some licences to look for:

Ø  Premises licence- building cover, it states what can be done e.g. opening times and entertainment. (Home Office 2016a)

Ø  PRS- A licence used to play music in public venues (TV, radio, CD and MP3). This is to comply with copyright laws. (PRS for music 2016)

Ø  Personal licence- grants a person permission to sell alcohol on and off premises.

Ø  Temporary Events Notice (TEN)- used for events that aren’t covered by other licences. Events with less than 500 people, lasting no longer than 168 hours (Home Office 2016b)

Plus, many more!

AMATA (the Academy of Music and Theatre Arts) 

“We are a vibrant performing arts hub within Falmouth University offering a diverse public programme featuring productions in music, theatre and dance.” (The Academy of Music and Theatre Arts 2010)

For information on upcoming shows and events visit their website or Facebook

Risk Assessments

Within all public venues risk assessments must be carried out. In a later blog, you will learn about risk assessments and how to carry them out.

Bibliography

HOME OFFICE. 2016a. “Alcohol licensing.” [online]. Available at: http://Gov.uk/guidance/alcohol-licensing [accessed 14 October 2016].

HOME OFFICE. 2016b. “Alcohol licensing.” [online]. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/alcohol-licensing#temporary-events [accessed 15 October 2016].

PRS FOR MUSIC. 2016. “Do I need a licence?” [online]. Available at: http://prsformusic.com/users/businessesandliveevents/pages/DoIneedalicence.aspx [accessed 14 October 2016].

THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC AND THEATRE ARTS. 2010. “Academy of music and theatre arts - about.” [online]. Available at: http://facebook.com/AcademyofMusicandTheatreArts/about [accessed 15 October 2016].

An introduction to Music, Theatre and Entertainment Management (Not for CMP110!)

What is it?

At Falmouth University the course Music, Theatre & Entertainment Management teaches students to "manage artists, companies and projects across the entire creative process". Over the course of three years I will be able to develop an understanding of cultural organisations while gaining a firm grounding in the music, theatre and entertainment sectors. As an MTEM student the cultural impact and entertainment law are integral parts for me to study.

The course involves work placements (both within the university and externally), technical inductions, managing resources and engaging with other organisations and creative individuals.



Where is the course based?
The course is based at the Academy of Music And Theatre Arts (AMATA). This building is also known the Performance Centre and is where MTEM students like myself will spend 90% of our time. I have a Venue induction to write about so you will get to learn more about this building and how much it has to offer to staff, students and members of the public.

Why am I writing this blog?
My first assignment due is to write a blog on inductions I will be having within the following weeks but then I am going to continue this blog through all three of my years at university.

What inductions will I do?

The course of study includes these inductions however for the assignment I will only be writing 5 different posts.

• Venue Inductions
• Working at Height
• Rigging Induction
• Lighting Induction
• Audio Induction
• Manual Handling

For more information on the course please visit:

https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/entertainmentmanagement