Booking the Right Live Production Crew

There are several factors that come into play when crewing a live production. Building a strong team can be a challenge, but it’s a key component of a successful show. Here are some of the factors we look at when trying to book the right live production crew.  

The Right Background

We specialize in live production, so our crews must have live production experience (duh). It’s that simple. Shooting live in a remote production location is much different than shooting from a studio (though studio productions can be just as challenging) and it requires a specific mentality. You only get one bite at the apple with a live show, so there’s a certain level of adrenaline that comes with the territory. We need adrenaline junkies. When we’re crewing a live production, that’s one of the first things we look for: live production experience.

The Right Kind of Live

Not all live productions are created equal. Shooting for sports is different than shooting for entertainment. Shooting for music is different than shooting for news. When we look to book live production crews, we need to make sure they have the experience to match the needs of the production. Every production is unique and poses its own set of challenges, so we need people who are accustom to those specific challenges.

Who Do You Know?

In all our major markets, we have a core team of people that we like to work with regularly. They know us, and we know them. Consistency can help lessen anxiety and that’s a huge plus in a live environment. But, of course, it’s rare that everyone will be available when you’re trying to crew a production. In the event we have to work with someone new, we always like to get referrals and we make sure those referrals know some of our other team members. The production community is a small community, so we want people who are known among their peers and who others can vouch for.

The Right Attitude

Live production is not for everyone. Days are long and conditions can be less than ideal, but it’s a team sport and we need people with the right attitude. We have simple criteria: Be positive, speak up when there’s a problem, and watch your words in front of clients.