Production Industry Origins and Advice From the People Who Make the Show

TL;DR:

• We asked our followers how they got their start in live events. Lots of lore was dropped in our comments.
• The most-liked origin story: "Was smoking a cig near load in and someone yelled at me to get back to work." (125 likes.)
• The biggest takeaway is that nobody planned for it. Church, nightclubs, high school theatre, a friend who needed one more set of hands, and one guy who just had a van.
• We also surveyed industry pros on the career advice they'd give and the one thing they'd change. The advice: ask questions, keep learning, say yes. The change: better work-life balance, better pay, and getting paid on time.

Recently, we posted a simple question: How did you get your start in live events?

Some notable characters: Self-taught VJs. Former hair band bassists. Twin brothers who got assigned lights and sound because nobody could tell them apart. A wind energy tech who loaded out WWE one Friday night and never looked back.

Our survey had two hot seat questions: What career advice would you give someone getting into the industry? and If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?

Read on to find out where many of our industry's unsung heroes came from, what they learned along the way, and what they want to fix for the next generation. Once again, we read every response, grouped them into themes, and pulled the ones that hit hardest.

Part 1: Where It All Started

Music scenes and a well-timed invite tied for the most common way in, with theatre and school programs close behind.

THE TOP 5 ORIGIN STORIES BY LIKES

"Was smoking a cig near load in and someone yelled at me to get back to work." - 125 likes

Odd way to bum a Camel Crush.

"Started in church! That should be a category! There's a lot of us who got into it that way!" - 40 likes

Noted. Loudly. More on this below.

"Sound guy for Rammstein asked me what I think of the sound while I was watching the show from FOH and something clicked in my head: 'Wait, this is a job?!' I was 18." - 30 likes

All it takes is one conversation at FOH.

"I said yes to the wrong person." - 20 likes

Or the right person, depending on what day of the tour you ask.

"Got certified for wind energy, and the projects got delayed. A buddy asked me if I was busy one random Friday night, and if I wanted to load out WWE. The paycheck for 2.5 hours was obscene, and the rest is history." - 15 likes

Those delayed wind energy projects were a blessing in disguise. Your buddy is a real one. And so are you, for agreeing to load out something that huge. 
 

👀 "WYD Tomorrow?"

For a lot of you, the way into this industry was through just somebody asking. A friend, an uncle, a sister's boyfriend, an ex-girlfriend's brother.

"Sister's boyfriend called me and said 'what are you doing tomorrow?'"

The most dangerous question in live events.

"1978. Homeless, literally living under a bridge. Ran into an old friend who needed a runner for a show. Wait. You'll pay me $50 to be backstage at a concert? Asked a lot of people a lot of questions, gradually moving up to different positions, finally settled on sound."

Never underestimate how quickly your life can change overnight.

"I was minding my business, and one day I was asked to move a sandbag :)"

Sometimes, it's that simple.

"I helped out an uncle that liked to walk away and let me mix. Left me to mix not knowing what I was doing. 30 plus years later I came off the road from touring worldwide and still work in audio engineering. I learned how to mix before I could tech. My uncle taught me not to coach people the same way."

Uncle's method was definitely extreme, but we enjoy the fact that he welcomed you to be a beginner.

"At 37 I volunteered to work a cancer benefit for a local sound engineer that I knew from way back. The lady running it found out I was a musician and put me as part of the stage crew. End of the day she asked if I was interested in other gigs. Moved into audio a couple years later."

Proof there's no age limit on getting the call. There's always time.
 

⛪ The Church Crew

It only took one comment for the church techs to make themselves known. Dozens of likes, multiple replies, and a lot of people saying "yup, right here."

"Did church tech from a young age and fell in love with lighting after trying video and audio. Doing it full time now and loving every bit of it."

There truly isn't a better feeling than discovering something you immediately connect with.

"My older brother got a new job and couldn't cover the church service on Thursday night, so he asked me... after turning a couple of knobs on the old Mackie, something clicked inside me."

Another amazing case of a substitute becoming a permanent member of the industry.

"I expected church to get the highest percentage."

We're also surprised that it isn't, based on the comments.
 

🎧 DJs, Bands & Nightclubs

A big chunk of the comments came from people who started on the other side of the stage: DJs, musicians, and club kids who discovered the gear was more fun than the gig.

"Started as a self-taught VJ after going to raves. Then got into stagehand work, gained some LED skills and started to learn other media servers as well. All freelance since the start & no prior experience or background in entertainment, just a girl who wanted to tour the world." - 13 likes

Being a student of life takes you everywhere.

"Was playing bass in a hair band in Hawaii in the early 80s, and started working at a little lighting company to pay off our production debt."

Now we're curious about how many former hair band members are now part of the crew. We have a feeling the number is higher than we expect.

"I was hired as the house LD at The Wetlands Preserve in NYC in 1998, then went on the road with the band that played there often."

House gigs have launched more touring careers than we can count.

"Was the only one in my loose collective of college DJs who could Frankenstein our various home theatre systems for house parties. Kinda just spiraled upwards from there; curse of the competent people pleaser."

"Curse of the competent people pleaser" might be the most accurate job description we've ever read.
 

🎭 Theatre Kids & School Programs

High school auditoriums, community theatres, and college stagehand crews. 

"I helped move a piano from our music room to the stage in high school. Then I figured out how to work those levers that turned the lights on and off in this metal cage."

It's interesting how a lot of these stories start with doing a simple favor for someone.

"Honolulu community theater in 1970."

Some of you have been doing this for over 50 years. Respect.

"Ballet dancer turned stage manager turned audio tech turned lighting technician!"

Truly a hero with a thousand faces!

"Part A: Started coming out to Orlando live events to get to know the area. That led me to becoming a FIRST Institute graduate. Part B: 1 month before graduation, ran into a friend who happened to be my neighbor and it turns out he was a production manager and gave me my first gig!"

Sometimes, an industry connection is closer than you think.
 

🎪 Started at the Bottom (And Loved It)

Some of you started pushing cases, sold tickets, or ran away with the literal circus.

"Pushed cases around for 2 years before my mentor asked: 'Do you want to learn lighting, video or sound?'" - 9 likes

Probably one of the best questions ever asked.

"I joined the circus back in 1999 when I was 21 years old and toured for six years. This was before chain motors and LED fixtures. As a master electrician, I put upside poles, laced tents over 40 feet in the air, drove stakes into the ground with sledgehammers, and connected Cam-Lok power while my assistant held a 4x4 next to me."

How far we've come. This kind of rigging could be its own live act.

"I can't play an instrument to save my life but absolutely love music! So I found a way in as a stagehand in Austin, then local stage manager, then tour manager, promoter rep, venue production manager, festival stage manager, and finally back to being a touring stage manager, which I love the most!"

So what you're saying is that you're the headliner backstage, then!

🔥 The Honest Answers

And then there were the answers we didn't see coming.

"My parents were stagehands. They told me not to be a stagehand. I said 'screw you, mom and dad. This is my rebellion.' Now I'm a stagehand." - 9 likes

Pulled a reverse-UNO on not listening to your parents. Love it.

"Lost a bet."

With how many people commented this, we're curious about what the bets were actually on.

"I had a van."

When a fellow commenter asked if it was white with no windows, the answer was even better: yellow with flowers. "The Flower Plower."

"I sold my soul for a piece of baklava... the rest is history."

Worth it.

"I am not really in the event industry... I just do this until my acting career takes off."

We've heard that one a few times. Either way, we'll see you at the show. ;)
 

👀 Still Trying to Get In

Not everyone in the comments has made it in yet, and they deserve an answer too.

"I've been trying to break into the industry as an accountant for a few years now and it's been impossible. Everyone I know that works in the industry has all just 'fallen into it' so I'm clearly going about it all wrong."

"I'm not sure, I'm still trying to get in."

If that's you, keep reading. We asked the pros exactly what they'd tell you.
 

Part 2: The Advice They'd Give

We asked: What career advice would you give someone getting into the industry? If you read our How To Break Into Live Events post, some of this will sound familiar. When the same advice keeps coming up from different people, it's worth listening to.

❓ Ask Questions. Then Ask More.

One of the most repeated pieces of advice. Nobody expects you to know everything on day one. They do expect you to ask.

"Work with a really good team and don't be afraid to say, 'I don't know how to do that, can you help me learn?' (the second part being the big thing). You can always learn something new."

While many may disagree, when it comes to learning on the job, there's no such thing as a stupid question.

"Always ask questions if you don't understand the task you are asked to do."

This isn't a place to pretend to know what you're doing. It's better to overcommunicate.

"Enjoy it all and always ask questions about anything you are passionate about."

Love this one. Stay curious.
 

📚 Never Stop Learning

Gear moves in and out of fashion. Workflows switch up. The people who last are the ones who adapt.

"Keep learning. The technology changes and if you don't keep up, you're done. We can teach skills; your momma should have taught you how to play well with others."

Skills can be taught. Attitude can't.

"Learn every discipline that you can to make yourself invaluable."

"Be patient and learn a little of a lot."

A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one!

"Be eager to learn new things every day as the industry is constantly changing. AI will not take your job. Be prepared for a new adventure every day."

We need this printed and framed everywhere immediately.
 

✅ Say Yes. Take the Call.

Remember the comment section? Most of those careers started with one yes.

"Say yes. Take the call. Be a sponge. Find the department you like the most and stay glued to the head and always be learning."

Print and frame this one everywhere too, actually.

"Don't be afraid to take a job because you feel unqualified. A lot of it you will learn on the job. That being said, don't take a job you know you can't do."

Do it scared. Even if you're afraid of what you'll hear, ask the question. While knowing your limits, of course.  

"Try all kinds of work, because you'll be surprised at what you enjoy the most."

Plenty of LDs in the comments started in audio, and plenty of A1s started pushing cases.
 

🚪 Getting Your Foot in the Door

For everyone in the comments still trying to get in, these were the most practical answers.

"Hardest part is getting your foot in the door. Join a union overhire list if you can, say yes if and when you can."

"Reach out and ask questions. Contact your local theatres, churches, AV companies. AV apprenticeships are hands on and teach you the basics: cable pulling, setting up for a show."

Remember: people want to help you more than you think.

"Work for a local A/V company. Freelance as a stagehand while learning gear. Learn how to deal with clients, pivot on things, and take direction."

"Make connections and ask questions. Start somewhere small and exchange contact info with people as you go."

Someone you meet on a small gig today might be the one asking "are you busy tomorrow?" next year.
 

🤝 Find Your People

Mentors came up in the comments and the survey alike. Behind almost every career is someone who took the time to teach.

"Always pick up the phone and get yourself a mentor or someone you can learn with and help each other out."

"Listen to people that have been in the industry for years. Try to work as many gigs as you can, even if some are for free or not much pay. Good pay will come later with knowledge and experience."

"It's a small world. Don't make enemies unnecessarily."

Very small. Everyone knows everyone, and everyone's at the same shows.
 

💪 Be Someone People Want on Their Crew

"Be persistent, work hard, be joyful, be an enjoyable person to be around."

You'll spend 14 hours with these people. Be someone they want to spend 14 hours with.

"Don't tell people you know how to do the job, show them."

"Keep learning, keep growing. Anyone can do your job, but no one can do your job like you can. You still bring something unique to the table."

"Don't give up. Your next opportunity is just around the corner."
 

⚠️ And a Few Honest Warnings

Not every answer was a pep talk, and we respect that.

"Don't be afraid to ask questions. Understand that there will be long hours and many days of hard work."

Certainly not the coziest jobs in the world, after all.

"Run... unless you want to be married to your career!"

Which brings us to the next question.
 

Part 3: What They'd Change

We asked: If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be? The answers were pretty consistent.

😴 Work-Life Balance (and Actual Sleep)

This was the biggest theme, and it wasn't close.

"The culture around overworking yourself to the point of burnout. In a lot of places it seems almost like an expectation and it's not healthy for anyone."

"The normalization of a terrible work-life balance."

"Lack of sufficient rest."

"Overnight load-ins."

We've all worn a 20-hour day like a badge of honor. Crews are increasingly saying it shouldn't have to be one. A rested crew is a safer crew, and a safer crew puts on a better show.
 

💵 Pay, Benefits & Getting Paid on Time

If this sounds familiar, "getting paid" also made the top 5 in our What Looks Easy But Is Actually Difficult post.

"NET 30 should be banned."

Freelancers, this one goes out to you.

"Normalcy. Get paid on time."

"All of us should be paid better, with insurance and the kinds of benefits other business folks get."

"More diversity and health insurance."

🎓 Better Training & Room to Learn

Remember all that advice about asking questions and finding a mentor? Respondents want the industry to meet new people halfway.

"Letting young talent make mistakes on big shows, as they'll learn from it, rather than being spoken down to."

Everyone in the comment section had a first show. Somebody let them learn on it. It's an unspoken rite of passage.

"Better mentorship and training."

"Accessible education."
 

🌍 Open the Doors Wider

"40 years and we're still fighting for women, POC and LGBTQ folks to be treated respectfully."

"Elitism, nepotism, gatekeeping."

"I'd like to see more diversity and collaboration... and better hours."

The comment section proved there's no single path into this industry. Church, clubs, circus, community theatre, a van. The more doors that stay open, the better our crews get.
 

📞 Communication (Including With Job Seekers)

"Preparation and communication."

"Stop ghosting people that are looking for gigs. I don't know how many people I've talked to that told me 'we need video engineers' and I send them my resume just to never get a response."

Reaching out to someone urgently, only to leave that person hanging isn't a cool move. It takes only a couple of seconds to reply.
 

🔧 Respect for the Craft

"The idea that what we do is not specialized and anyone can do it."

We'd love to see anyone who says this to use a grandMA3.
 

🎲 Honorable Mentions

"Healthier catering options."

Catering wins again. It always comes back to catering.

"How expensive lights are."

As a rental company, we have no comment. 😅

"More manufacturing stateside of production equipment."

"Not a thing. This industry is very niche. It's the best job I've ever had."

We'll let that one speak for itself.

 

It's safe to say that this industry's like the Wild West, and that everybody's nebulous, yet sweetly simple origins all boil down to one common denominator: we didn't expect to be here.  

Someone asked, someone taught, someone gave them a chance. And now, the advice they pass on is the same thing that worked for them: ask questions, keep learning, say yes, and be good to the people next to you.

The changes they want follow the same logic. Better training, so the next person gets a real shot. Better hours and better pay, so the people who got in can afford to stay and live well. More open doors and opportunities, because this industry has always been built by people who came in sideways.

To everyone still trying to get in: keep asking. The church tech, the circus electrician, and those who have toured the globe have all been in your shoes once.

Tag us on social media and tell us: how did you get your start? And if you could give one piece of advice to your first-day self, what would it be? We might feature your answer in a future post.