Want more callbacks?

There's no shortage of talented freelancers in the corporate production industry. Plenty of people know their gear, can troubleshoot under pressure, and have an impressive resume. But technical ability alone doesn't guarantee you'll get the call for the next show.

Sometimes the difference between being everyone's first call and being quietly removed from the labor list has very little to do with how well you operate a console, switcher, or lighting desk.

It comes down to whether people actually want to work with you again.

That $50,000 console might not belong to you, but treat it like you wrote the check for it. Take care of the equipment, keep your workspace organized, properly pack cases, and don't abuse gear just because someone else is responsible for repairing or replacing it.

Production companies notice who takes care of their equipment. But they really notice who doesn't.

Even if you're hired for a single show, you're representing the production company that brought you in. Treat its client relationships as if your own business depends on keeping them for the next ten years.

Be professional, be helpful, and think about the bigger picture. The goal isn't just to get through today's show. It's to make sure the client wants the entire team back next year.

And remember, what you say on show site reflects on more than just you. It’s important to keep that in mind if you’re staying on property for the event as well. That stranger sitting in the booth behind you at the hotel bar has ears and very well could be the VIP that doesn’t need to hear you complaining about the attendees or on stage talent.

From the executive producer to the local stagehand pushing cases, everyone deserves respect. That includes hotel staff, in-house av crews, banquet servers, housekeeping (yes tip them), security, and the person working the loading dock.

You don't have to become best friends with everyone, but being courteous costs nothing. The way you treat people who have absolutely no influence over your next booking says a lot about your character.

In other words, don't be an ass.

Nobody expects an audio engineer to program a lighting console or a video engineer to mix front of house. But if your department is wrapped and another crew member needs help pushing a few cases, lend a hand.

The words "that's not my job" should be used sparingly. Being a team player doesn't mean abandoning your responsibilities or doing work you're unqualified to do. It means recognizing that everyone is working toward the same goal.

And yes, people notice who mysteriously disappears the moment load-out begins.

Just because there's an elaborate breakfast spread outside the ballroom doesn't mean it's for you. The same goes for the coffee stations, snacks, bottled drinks, and afternoon treats provided for attendees.

Unless you've been given permission, leave it alone.

It might seem like a small thing, but helping yourself to something intended for the client's guests can put the production company in an awkward position. Eat the crew catering, grab something from the hotel market, or ask before assuming.

That cold muffin or bag of granola isn't worth your reputation or losing this gig next year.

Every production has challenges. Gear fails, schedules change, clients make last-minute requests, and sometimes the plan falls apart.

The freelancers who get called back aren't necessarily the ones who never encounter problems. They're the ones who help solve them without complaining or making the situation worse.

Communicate clearly, own your mistakes, and don't turn every inconvenience into a complaint. There's a big difference between raising a legitimate concern and spending the entire show explaining why everything is terrible.

In this industry, word travels quickly. Production managers, crew chiefs, and other freelancers talk. Your next opportunity might come from someone who watched how you handled a difficult situation, helped another department, or treated a hotel employee with respect.

You can have every certification in the world, know every piece of gear on the market, and be technically brilliant. But if nobody wants to spend a fourteen-hour day working alongside you, none of that matters.

Be good at your job. Take care of the gear. Respect the crew. Look out for the client. And above all, try and be a good person.

The callbacks will take care of themselves.

-CTC Staff