The Kennedy Center Gig

One of the biggest challenges we faced when we started this company was our very first gig as a company.

We were hired on by a music non-profit to help produce a live fundraiser/musical performance at the Kennedy Center.

This gig was filled with a lot of interesting challenges, from documenting the performance and evenings proceedings, managing the live multi screen projections, and navigating audio challenges in post production.

Due to this projects footage being produced for a documentary that has not yet been released, we can't share too many details, but I think it would be fun to share 5 of the lessons learned from our first gig!

LESSON 1: Hit Record Everywhere! This gig was a friendly reminder that you want to make sure you are always recording backups. We had an issue with the house feed to our main camera, but because we had recordings running at each of our cameras, and ISO recordings at our video switcher we were able to walk away from this gig with useable audio and still ensure delivery to the client.

The Sony FS7 Looking Over the Terrace Theater at The Kennedy Center.

LESSON 2: A Good Contract = Better Expectations. I learned the value of having a clear quote, invoice, and contract system when working with clients as an independent producer. Many of the discussions I found myself having with this client have informed many of the terms and best practices we have implemented into our workflow.

LESSON 3: Don't under estimate the importance of a locked down but flexible script. Working in a union house like the Kennedy Center you have to communicate the run of show to a lot of people. Having multiple copies of the script for all of the staff is critical. What this gig taught us was the need to build in extra flexibility for last minute changes to speeches, and slides in any video presentation.

Evan Bowen making last minute edits to the presentations.

LESSON 4: It pays to have someone you trained working as your number 2. This show would not have been possible if we did not have Evan Bowen running the show from the booth. Evan and I had the great fortune of working together in our day job. We were able to set up the video engineering side of this show to reflect a process we both were very familiar with producing. When you need to be operating A camera it pays to trust the person in the booth who can see the entire show.

LESSON 5: Building a good relationship with the client makes all the difference in the world! It goes without saying but building trust is critical. Trust ensures that the Client knows you will see the project to its completion. If things come up you will get on it and make it work. You have to communicate, you have to be confident in your professionalism, but most importantly you and your client need to know you got each others backs!

When there is an opportunity to share more stay tuned!

Until next time!

-Andrew