Re: What the Pro's Don't Do

"michael gaster" <gaster@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
news:i6WdnT5y2PdZH4LVnZ2dnUVZ_r6rnZ2d@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> "Chas Gill" <Chas.Gill@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
> news:gLadnVFrpqZ-uILVnZ2dneKdnZydnZ2d@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> Thought I might share this weekend with you, just in case you're 
>> interested - and to invite some constructive comments.
>>
>> Picture the show;
>>
>> 28 kids between 8-11 years, each with a line or three and a part in a 
>> song. The client wants all the Mums and Dads to hear every word that 
>> every little angel performs (and they WERE great, actually).  Problem
is 
>> budget - can't afford more than 16 radios, to share between 28 kids. 
Oh, 
>> and by the way, there's actually twice that many, i.e. 2 performances -

>> different kids in each.
>>
>> Many long hours spent working out a mic swap schedule that volunteer
mums 
>> will understand.  More hours spent fabricating headsets for small heads

>> (using Lavs, Alice Bands, garden wire and spiral cable wrap) that won't

>> fall off but that are quick to change in the wings.
>>
>> More long hours spent constructing a show soundtrack, including 23 
>> backing tracks and 13 or so sound effects.
>>
>> Even more long hours spent rehearsing all of this lot with the kids.
>>
>> Come the day, soundcheck reveals (no surprise) that setting trim gains 
>> via the PFL meter is a waste of time - they will do no more than
whisper 
>> during the soundcheck - and when they have a solo line or song to sing
- 
>> but will YELL THEIR HEADS OFF when they're all singing together. 
Client 
>> can't afford 16 channels of compression (yours truly slightly thankful
- 
>> could I manage 16 channels of compression?) so compression is done on
the 
>> fly - re-trimming and fader jockeying.
>>
>> All seems well, except that swinging belt packs from lav cables tends
to 
>> be terminal (thanks, volunteer mums) so several mild panics when lavs
go 
>> on the blink and get very noisy.  (thank God I provided spares - they
all 
>> got used!).
>>
>> So we got through two performances (just) and everyone was delirious. 
I 
>> got to exercise my new L.U.C.A.S. system for the first time and it 
>> exceeded all of my expectations.
>>
>> I am now knackered and having a quiet day off, but with a warm glow. 
>> Will I do it again next year - probably.
>>
>> But I think I might insist on a rack full of 
>> compressors........................... just to save my nerves.
>>
>>
>> Cheers
>>
>> Chas.
>>
>> ps: No, I didn't get paid - at least not with folding money.  But
somehow 
>> I feel rewarded....................
>>
>>
>
>
> Ive done this show.... it sucked, and I was very glad when it was over. 
> and yes very rewarding when you know you presented those children in the

> best possible way they could have been presented. knowing that during it

> all you wanted to kill everyone one of them their parents and the
audience 
> some how there is a great reward in the end. For me its all "ok" when I 
> remember to remind my self that these are not professionals I am working

> with, and for most of them it will be the only time they will ever be on

> stage, I then remember back to my first time on stage and what an
awesome 
> feeling that was, and how much better it would have been had there been
a 
> pro as a part of it.
>
> -- 
> Michael Gaster
> Gaster Engineering
>
Thank you, Michael.  My feelings exactly.

Chas