Automated Fixtures ML Tech

[photoatdv]

Okay, so on a tour, exactly what/ how much would a moving light tech do? Especially if the gear is rented, wouldn't most of it be sent back to the shop if there were problems.

So, what would be the normal practices? Are they just there in case a light breaks? Or do the tours pretty much re-tech the lights between cities?

 

[soundman]

It depends on the size of the rig. If a show only has a dozen movers there might not be a moving light tech, someone might act as one but they would have other duties. On a big show there are enough issues to require a person whos main focus is to fix the moving lights, they might have another track like a simple truss or setting up FOH too.

Think about all the things that can go wrong with moving lights from a lamp not striking to motors failing. If you have 4 lights that aren't working and you don't find out about it till Friday after the UPS pick up you will not see new lights will Monday at the earliest. Not to mention the shipping bill.

 

[mstaylor]

As soundman says if the tour is gig enough to require a tech they will carry extras and change out bad ones. Then the tech willl work on those and then trade them for others. On smaller shows it will be a second tech that will other duties on the show. Usually he will assist in the load-in and then while the LD is programing he will go fix MLs. Banging movers around a truck day after day takes a toll on equipment.