An interest in night life and parties was how Sacha Savenkoff’s journey to technical director began. Playing with lighting and sound at the clubs led him to become an enthusiastic hobby technician. Until he found his way to one of Europe’s largest theme parks where a multitude of challenges quickly turned him from amateur to pro. It was there as well, where Sacha found his passion for ice shows. In this second part of our interview find out more about how Sacha’s career continued…
From hobby technician and DJ in the clubs of his youth, Sacha Savenkoff’s journey to Technical Director led him through theme parks, ice skating shows, to cruise ships. His first contract was with MSC. Then, in 2010, Sacha began working as a lighting technician for Royal Caribbean. In this final part of our interview find out how Sacha kept growing towards Technical Director…
Recently, Sacha Savenkoff and I met for a fascinating interview. So interesting, in fact, that we couldn’t stop talking and, instead of this being just one article, it ended up being a story in 3 parts. Sacha Savenkoff’s Journey to Technical Director started with one of the most natural things for any teenager: an interest in parties. In Part 1 of his life story, Sacha tells us what initially developed from that…
Circus has been Vladimir Antosik’s life. He has been a steady presence in the business for forty years – since 1980. His work and passion was only once interrupted – just recently, by the closing of shows due to Covid19. Afterwards, his show life is bound to continue. During our chat, Vladimir remembers how it all began…
Mike Broadhurst is a theatre stage technician in Manchester & has worked behind the scenes and on stage with established, visiting shows.
Jan Freese is a charismatic, successful (and I dare say brilliant) set designer from Berlin, Germany. Over the years, he has worked internationally for theater and opera with directors in Berlin, Vienna, and Zurich. Over the last few years, he has also started to work for the opera in Paris.
In my last blog post, I discussed the ways in which culture influences the media that we create, consume, and how we interpret it. Expanding upon that this month, I will explore how culture affects every aspect of our lives. Every single thing that humans do is cultural. We are a product of the culture that we are raised in – but that’s not to discount the existence of free-will. This means that everything that we do, from what that we eat, to the way we eat is all culturally defined. And there is more variation than you might initially think.
Chris Lose interviews Patrick Dierson, President of The Activity, a Production and Design Company for the Entertainment Industry on weapons, safety and considerations to take if and when you need to carry guns on tour. All answers in this interview are unedited.
In my last blog, I wrote about how thinking of artists and project managers as clients rather than bosses can really change your perspective for the better. An essential part of being your own boss is selling yourself to other potential clients, and networking on social media is becoming an even more significant part of that.
And we don’t mean alcohol! But, let’s start there. Post-show drinks, riders, opening night and closing night parties… The accessibility of alcohol while on tour can lead to challenges. If your touring party is keen to reduce the risk of harm from alcohol, start by looking for ways to shift the culture of drinking in the performing arts.
I went to see a play recently. Together with some girlfriends we decided to have a night out on the town, with a dinner and a show. Not all of us are theatre people, so I was going as a true audience member, not a theatre artist. We ate, we laughed, and with few minutes to spare, we made our way into our seats. The set was breathtaking, and included a full size oak tree, so we spent some time admiring it. Then the house went to half. And the house went out.
“We must continue to prove to the world that we can provide a rising standard of lighting for all people without loss of programmer rights or human dignity to any technician.
It’s hot, it’s dusty and there’s litter everywhere… What there isn’t is people.. Or signs.. Or civilisation.
We step out of the convoy of black Chevy Tahoe SUVs that could be mistaken for your stereotypical secret service convoy and out onto the street. Tool case in hand, we walk towards a lone warehouse, hopeful to see all our equipment awaiting us on the other side of its burgundy sliding bay doors.
My journey began when I announced to my science class students that I was leaving in two weeks’ time to work as a senior sound and broadcast technician at a new opera house in Muscat, Oman. A sea of blank faces and open mouths stared at me.
As a freelance stage manager living in New York, I have learned a few things in the past year. Here is my incomplete list of knowledge I have acquired in this time.
Most of us working in the music industry work with people who are overly competitive and they are often viewed in a negative light. We all desire a workplace where everyone works as a team, gets along and where the environment is productive and enjoyable. Co-workers who are overly competitive can create a hostile and negative work environment.
Today, the production manager just came onto our bus before load in to tell the entire crew that smoking pot is not allowed on this tour during working hours. Yesterday, he came on to deliver some fine gifts of cheese and wine from the venue and the whole bus reeked of marijuana cigarettes….. reefers.
Having a long-running show like the one for which I work, you’re constantly looking to improve equipment and processes. For us, changing large, flying scenic pieces from wired to wireless is one of those improvements. Over the years, I have, with the help of others, redesigned several scenic pieces to DC power and wireless DMX.
What can we do as lighting professionals to save lives in an emergency situation?
It is with the heaviest of hearts that I write the hardest article I have ever written. I would much rather write an opinion piece on my feelings about rainbow chases and load-in puppy play days.
Freelancers and artists speak a language that can be considered speaking in code because most “normal” or conventional people wouldn’t get it. Why? Because those with a more conventional lifestyle rely on schedules, systems, regularity, and predictability. I very much believe that there is no right or wrong in living an unconventional or conventional lifestyle. The most important question to ask oneself would be “What works for me?”
As an automation guy, the link between my job and rigging seems very obvious. I fly scenery and/or people above other people’s heads all of the time. So I recently decided to add some extra knowledge and got myself on one of UK Rigging’s basic rigging courses.
The New Year is upon us, and everyone at TheatreArtLife has their hopes pinned that 2018 will be a prosperous and fruitful year for our readers. As people kick off 2018, it is traditional that they should devote themselves to causes that will make them better, whether that falls towards heading to the gym more often or giving up their cancer sticks.
Many of us occasionally get a bit of jaded roadie syndrome. Maybe we get grumpy, and homesick, and miss our folks, and dammit if we hear that song one more time….. When life on the road feels a bit uphill, here are some of the great things about touring to remind ourselves of.
Cross training is inevitable in this industry. Whether it’s something that is sought-out by individuals, curious to learn new skills or something that circumstances make a necessity we will all encounter it at some point or another. The differences come when it’s a vocational challenge versus an operational demand.
