New World Rigging Symposium
ESTA and USITT announce the New World Rigging Symposium, taking place March 13-14, 2018 in conjunction with the USITT Conference and Stage Expo 2018 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The Symposium will provide a unique opportunity for riggers and those interested in the live entertainment rigging industry to network, discuss current issues and new technologies, and help shape the future of the industry.
In ten sessions over two days, participants will be given a wide range of opportunities to further their technical knowledge, keep up to date with codes and standards, and learn what it’s like to work as a rigger in other segments of the entertainment industry. Attendees will also hear from experts in related fields such as structural engineering and risk management. The Symposium will carry ETCP education renewal credits for re-certification.
The New World Rigging Symposium will include multiple opportunities for attendees to network over morning coffee, breaks, lunch, and evening cocktails. The final session on Day Two will offer an opportunity for USITT conference attendees interested in careers in rigging to meet and talk with professional riggers, followed by the USITT Opening Night Party. Symposium attendees will receive free show floor passes to the USITT Stage Expo opening on March 15th as well as a discount on the conference registration.
Bill Sapsis and Eddie Raymond are working with ESTA to help identify topics and panelists over the next few months and will moderate the New World Rigging Symposium. Both bring a wealth of industry knowledge, experience and contacts to the job. Bill serves as the chair of ESTA’s Technical Standards Program Rigging Working Group and as co-chair of the ETCP Rigging Subject Matter Experts. He has produced three North American Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conferences.
Eddie Raymond is the Vice President of IATSE Local 16 (retired) in San Francisco where he headed their acclaimed training program for many years. He is still actively involved in the industry conducting rigging inspections and providing OSHA entertainment safety training around the country. Eddie served as the President of ESTA for six years and as a co-chair of the ETCP Rigging Subject Matter Experts.
Please email riggingsymposium@esta.org to be notified when registration opens or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities.
2017 The Avocado Adventure: A Guided Guacamole Tour
The Long Reach Long Riders (LRLR) are happy to announce the success of their 14th annual charity motorcycle ride. The ride, which was dubbed The Avocado Adventure, by ride marshal Drew Wending, raised over $57,000.00 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Behind the Scenes Charity, bringing the total raised since the rides began in 2004 to over $600,000.00
Drew noted, “Putting this ride together, along with fellow organizers Patrick Wallace and Christina Smith, was a great experience. Even with the challenges of excessive heat, a sink hole the size of a pick up truck and a forest fire, we had a terrific time and raised a lot of money for our two charities.”
ETCP Certified Riders included: Bill “Uncle Bill” Sapsis; Drew “DBAD” Wending; Eddie “Buckwheat” Raymond; Greg “Chrome” Williams; Jean-Marc “Musketeer” Montmejat; Loren “Grits” Schreiber; Patrick “Hot Cross Buns” Wallace; Paul “Rev” Sannerud; with Joe Aldridge, ETCP Council Member as part of the Chase Car Team.
For 9 days the riders enjoyed the many twisting, curving mountain roads of southern California. So many curves, in fact, that they began to take on their own personalities and attributes.
Some of those were:
- The ‘no surprise’ curve. The tight curve around a rock outcropping that always had a truck coming from the opposite direction.
- The ‘on your toes’ curve. An S curve with gravel in the first curve and a car coming from the opposite direction in the second.
- The ‘sphincter test’ curve. An outside curve along the top of a mountain pass with a 500 ft cliff and no guardrail.
- And everyone’s favorite. The ‘gotcha’ curve. A right hand curve into a dip with an immediate switchback to the left with a wild turkey family crossing the road.
Newly Recognized ETCP Recognized Trainers
The following ETCP Certified individuals have become ETCP Recognized Trainers:
Thomas Hodder (Electrical) ~ El Segundo, CA
Kevin McKenzie (Rigging) ~ Lake Worth, FL
After Graduating High School Joined Upstaging Inc. as a Touring Electrician, Lighting Designer, Lighting Technician and assisted with rigging and special effects. These were the early days when a major touring production was excited to be carrying 20, 1 KW par 64s, lifted by Genie Pneumatic Air lifts. Two scene preset lighting boards were relatively new and we were happy to have one. Saw the transition from the early lighting truss systems lifted by Genie Mechanical Lifts to rigged lighting and sound systems leading to the massive rigged systems you see at today’s rock concerts. For the next 12 years worked with touring concert productions including Kiss, Styx, Bob Seger, Eric Clapton, REO Speedwagon, Cheap Trick, Dan Fogelberg, Hall and Oates, The Grateful Dead, The Eagles, Muddy Waters, Rush, Badfinger, Thin Lizzy, Uriah Heep and others. As a Local 476 member I have worked with numerous productions. Most recently involved with productions of The Chi, Shameless, APB and The Exorcist.
Kevin McKenzie (Rigging) ~ Lake Worth, FL
Gary Carone, Fourth Certificant to Gain All Four Certifications
Gary Carone, IATSE Local 476 member, received his fourth Certification this month. “I couldn’t be more excited,” said Gary, “I am very proud of my accomplishment but certainly couldn’t have done it alone. It began with a training program provided by and offered to Members of I.A.T.S.E. Motion Picture Studio Mechanics, Local 476 Chicago. It was an extensive program with all of the information packed into a week or less for each program. Expert instruction was provided by Bob Gomez, Mark Hogan, DonaldRio McNichols and Chris Schmidt. Although exhausting at times it was very rewarding. Especially enjoyed study sessions and interaction with my classmates and instructors. It seems like a bit of a blur now as the entire process was completed in less than four months. Especially surprised and excited to find I am just the third applicant to complete all four certifications. I am honored to be associated with the ETCP Certification Program.”
Gary began working with lighting and scenery in high school theatrical productions and went on to maintain, install and operate lighting systems for rock concerts sponsored by his high school. While still attending Elk Grove High School, he worked with Grand Stage Lighting and Theatre Associates Inc. assisting in specification, preparation and installation of lighting, scenery and special effects. Through Grand Stage and TAI he worked with local Chicago area theatres, high schools and colleges; at times installing and rigging entire productions including scenery, lighting and special effects. On weekends , he worked with local concert promoters as a followspot operator, in those days it was Carbon Arc Trooper and Super Trooper Spot Lights.
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