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Information Request :: Industry Electricians

Thu, 28 Aug 2003, 10:37 am
Chris Hocking4 posts in thread
Hi Everyone!

I am in the processing of searching for a licensed Electrician that primarily does work in the Entertainment industry. I am thinking about doing an apprenticeship as an Electrician, but would prefer not to only work on domestic jobs.

I have a strong interest in the industry, and have been involved in Lighting, Sound, AV, General Stage Management, Rigging & Animatronics. Although I am still currently completing my VCE in Melbourne, I have completed several short courses including my CIII in Entertainment (Lighting). I have toured around Australia on several occasions, as well as overseas (specifically, the UK).

Any information you can provide me would be a fantastic asset.

Thank you!

Best Regards, Chris Hocking.

Re: Information Request :: Industry Electricians

Fri, 29 Aug 2003, 08:27 am
Joe,

Thanks for your advice!

I would prefer to get a full electrical qualification for a few reasons:

a. It will help me stand out from the rest. If I have an electrical qualification, as well as all the usual skills (ie. lighting, sound, AV, etc.), qualifcations (ie. test & tag, EWP, forklift, etc.), attitude, etc. I think it will really help me stand out in the industry.

b. It will also act as a backup plan. For example, if the entertainment industry has a really, really, really bad year, I there is no work to be found anywhere, I can do domestic work.

c. I also have an interest in electronics and general electrical *stuff*, so it may help me later in life, when I start to work on creating new technology for the industry.

d. There is always a need for electricians or more to the point people with A grade (or whatever its called now...) qualifications. Most Best Boys & Gaffers I know have the qualification, so I can do live entertainment as well as Film & TV.

SO...

I am going to contact Commercial Theatre Companies such as the ‘Mariner Group’ and see if they can offer any pointers...

I am going to investigate the "Limited or Restricted License"...

I am going to contact my "local Electrical Supply & license Authority"...

I am going to continue looking in the Yellow Pages and contacting more, and more, and MORE people...

The thing I would really like to know is, everyone says that venues, and most large hire companies like Bytecraft hire in electricians for specific jobs, but how to I find these electricans? Are they just domestic electricians that come when called or is there a group of "entertainment" electricans that are hiding from me?

In regards to joining local theatre companies...I will eventually, but I'm a bit booked up for the rest of the year! I have to finish VCE (Year 12), then fly off to England to do a tour there, fly back and work out what's happening next year...hopefully I'll have an electrician to do an apprenticeship with! Else, I guess I just hope I have got into Boxhill, RMIT or NMIT. I have also been offered a few jobs and traineeships, so it's all go-go-go!

Thanks again for your help Joe!

Chris.

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