Wednesday, April 10, 2019

How A Live Event Production Company Works

By Sarah Reed


When it comes to producing concerts and other events, there are different ways in which to do so. In most cases, a live event production company takes care of most of the work. As such, this article provides information on the tools and techniques used to produce such an event.

In most cases, these companies work with large scale productions such as large concerts, theatrical shows, live bands, opera and modern dance. For, there are a lot of different areas which must be set up and taken down at each event. These include, staging, special effects, transport, lighting, packaging, sound, communications and at times, make-up and costuming.

Live events have long held a history of sound amplification and when it comes to concerts, a shorter history of visual presentations. Visual presentations include the many light shows which accompany concerts and laser light shows. While this technology and technique began in the film industry, it is now part of most live performances whether on a large or smaller scale.

In fact, sound reinforcement has been around since 1927 when sound was added to the Jazz Singer, the first talking film. Later, the first public address system which could be amplified in outdoor settings as developed, becoming the first large scale sound system in the 1930s.

Later, Bill Graham assisted the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco with a quick interchangeable speaker system so that stage changes could take place more easily. After which, Bill founded FM Productions, a local San Francisco production company promoting local bands such as the Tubes and Grateful Dead, many of which became famous recording and touring acts over the years.

Bands in the area became embroiled in a major debate over sound systems in 1976 with regards to whether horns or speaker arrays were a better option. Eventually, most bands began bringing sound systems along with musical equipment to avoid such debates in the future. One of the most impressive of these band created systems was that of the Wall created by Mickey Hart and Bill Graham.

The production business has changed a great deal since that time. For, basic standards now define a number of policies and procedures which most current production companies agree are the best in the business. Whereas, independent productions companies often work directly with musicians to create a scene akin to that of promoter Bill Graham.

The history behind how Bill Graham came to the United States is an interesting one. For, Bill first escaped the Nazi invasion at age 10. After which, the young Bill Graham relocated to New York and was placed in foster care.

Bill attended high school and college in New York and obtained a degree in business. Then, in the early 1960s, Graham relocated to the Bay Area of California and started a career promoting and producing live events. The first group to hire Bill Graham was a group of politically inspired comics, The San Francisco Mime Troupe in the early 1960s, a group that is still active and performing on a regular basis.




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