Behind the Beam

Spotlight on Agganis Arena

2009-06-12T17:13:00.003-05:00

Long time no post! Here's a couple of photos from a spotlight job I did recently. This was for the Berklee College of Music Commencement which took place at Boston University's Agganis Arena. This is a fairly new venue where I enjoy working very much. But, we only occasionally work here because the union does not have a contract here. Currently, the labor for each event is hired by that event's promoter, however we are working towards securing a contract with the venue in the future.

Boston House of Blues & the Live Nation 'Family'

2009-03-28T00:00:00.008-05:00

THE LIVE NATION “FAMILY” PAYS THEIR UNION STAGEHANDS AREA STANDARD WAGE AND BENEFITS AND THEIR NON-UNION STAGEHANDS LESS…

DAN AYKROYD
Was recently quoted in the
BOSTON PHOENIX

“We’re all wary of chains,” says Aykroyd.
“But we’ve opened 13 of these and they’re grossing
$400 million a year.

HOUSE of BLUES
&
LIVE NATION

ARE NOT PAYING
AREA STANDARD WAGES AND BENEFITS TO ALL THEIR EMPLOYEES!

THE HOUSE OF BLUES IS USING A
NON-UNION WORK FORCE
WHO THEY FORCE TO ACCEPT SUB-STANDARD WAGES AND BENEFITS

IATSE LOCAL 11 STAGE EMPLOYEES SAY
“SHARE THE WEALTH WITH YOUR WORKERS
PAY
AREA STANDARD WAGES AND BENEFITS!”

IATSE LOCAL 11 STAGE EMPLOYEES, SERVING BOSTON’S STAGES SINCE 1893
MEMBER MASSACHUSETTS AFL-CIO, GREATER BOSTON CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL
www.iatse11.org
CALL THE HOUSE OF BLUES MANAGEMENT TO REGISTER YOUR CONCERN

Signature of Approval

2009-02-22T01:18:00.009-05:00

"Share the Wealth.

Corporate greed is the problem.

Unions are the solution."

IATSE Local #11 union stagehand organizing leaflet signed by actor Jim Belushi outside the House of Blues in Boston, MA. Click the pic for more information. Thank you for your support!

IATSE Union Organizing Effort @ Boston House of Blues

2009-02-20T13:53:00.009-05:00

THIS IS NOT A PICKET LINE.

* Local #11 is looking to speak with the current Live Nation/House of Blues stagehands and offer their representation.
* Local #11 does not want to take away the jobs of the already hired workers.
* They would like the opportunity to represent the stagehands who work there today and help to ensure they are paid fair wages & benefits.
* By paying substandard wages Live Nation/House of Blues diminishes what they have negotiated for with their good and loyal employers.
* They are ready, willing and able to provide labor to the venue.

This is stagehand work and should be done by stagehands.

Local #11 is not speaking for other unions.

If you have any questions, please call IATSE Local #11 office.

Wang Center

2008-02-08T11:37:00.001-05:00

Just a quick view from the spot booth at the Wang Theatre in Boston. I took this pic with my mobile phone during a load-out when I had to go up to get the com out of the booth. The Wang is probably my favourite theatre to work in. Before the Boston Opera House was restored, this was THE theatre to attend in Boston. But, now that has all changed, and the Wang has less and less shows booked every year. :(

Nutty Nutcracker

2007-12-17T11:53:00.001-05:00

Just a glimpse of the ballet I worked all last week. I worked the same show last year, but this year, I had a lot less cues. Not a bad thing at all... :)

Sign of the Times

2007-11-12T17:26:00.001-05:00

I.A.T.S.E. Local #1 in New York City held the following news conference regarding their current strike:

Local One stagehands have not struck before in their 121-year history. If this is happening now, it is not a good sign for us here in Boston... :/

Caution... Hot!!

2007-11-01T10:12:00.001-05:00

Van Halen
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
TD Banknorth Garden
Boston, MA

Enjoy the show!

Soul Sista

2007-03-31T12:10:00.001-05:00

Christina Aguilera

March 30, 2007

TD Banknorth Garden

Boston, MA

Last night I ran a truss spot for Christina. Here was my view of the stage when I climbed up to my spotlight. My light was positioned upstage-right.

Here is a photo of the band riser that was just below me. The musicians were getting ready for the show to begin.

When the show began, I was on Christina most of the time. I believe the above photo was taken during her performance of 'Beautiful'.

Here is the band during the show. Above is the stage-left riser, and below is stage-right.

Below you can see some more of Christina's performance. The band riser that is located upstage center was a moving riser that came out just for this song. And, there is a piano on the lift that is located center stage. Many shows bring these lifts, or elevators, and I personally like to call them 'pop-up toasters' :)

And, here's Christina dancing on top of the piano=:)

All in all, I'd say this show was okay. I'm not into this type of music at all, so I found it to be very boring, despite all of the theatrics. I also noticed that the crowd didn't seem to be into it either; most of them were just standing there the entire time. I was also a little disappointed that my favourite song, 'Genie in a Bottle', was not on the set list. So, I have to listen to it now. Enjoy=:)

Sexy Stage

2007-02-07T12:35:00.000-05:00

Justin Timberlake

February 6, 2007

TD Banknorth Garden

Boston, MA

This was my view of the Justin Timberlake stage from my truss spot. This stage was in the round. The band played on hydraulic lifts, and each musician had their own riser that moved on a track when the lifts were in their raised position. It was a very interesting stage, but I didn't see the point of the moving risers because none of the musicians played any solos during the show.

I had to go up early to spotlight the opening act, Pink. Her set was pretty cool, but I couldn't see a lot because there was a black curtain which covered up a video screen that was right in front of me.

A chain motor hoisted us up to our spotlights, which was sweet. It is much better than having to climb a rope ladder.

And, this was my view of the downstage portion of the stage. The small sections that are lit up with neon lights are bars where people sat to drink.

I lucked out during Justin's set. During the 3rd song, every light was being used, and it caused a voltage problem. A few of the spotlights went out, and mine was the only one that never came came back on. (I think it blew a bulb.) So, I took a much-needed nap during the second half of the show=:)

Rockin' in the Round

2007-02-04T12:46:00.000-05:00

Rod Stewart
TD Banknorth Garden
Boston, MA
2/3/07

2005 NFL Kickoff

2007-01-08T19:51:00.000-05:00

Just a couple of photos from the archives...

2005 NFL Opening Kickoff Pre-game Show @ Gillette Stadium, Home of the New England Patriots, Foxboro, MA.

The above photo was a daytime rehearsal for Carlos Santana on the main stage. This stage was rolled out by approx. 200 National Guardsmen during the televised live performance. Michelle Branch performed on the tiny football-shaped stage in the upper left hand corner. That stage was actually built on top of a golf cart and driven around during her performance.

Below, is the helmet stage that Ozzy Osbourne performed on. The top half of it flipped open, and Ozzy and his band were inside. He performed 'Crazy Train' for this show.

Eight spotlight operators were used for this event, and both of these photos were taken from my spotlight platform. So far, we have been lucky enough to get this event twice in a row. Go Pats!!

More Than a Concert

2006-12-26T11:16:00.000-05:00

Boston set up onstage @ Symphony Hall for the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism charity event. Monday, November 13, 2006.

Hi-Def Scoreboard

2006-12-15T17:05:00.000-05:00

TD Banknorth Garden
Boston, MA
October 19, 2006

Getting ready for the Boston Bruins Home Opener.

Urban Nutcracker - Act II

2006-12-12T19:32:00.000-05:00

Urban Nutcracker

at the
John Hancock Hall
Boston, MA

Angels dancing in fog...

Arabian Dance
(view through my Telrad)

View through my spot window

Polka Dot Kids

Bows

Urban Nutcracker - Act I

2006-12-11T17:49:00.000-05:00

Urban Nutcracker
at the
John Hancock Hall
Boston, MA

Taking pictures at the Christmas party

Dancing at the Christmas party

Rats play while Clara sleeps.

Battle Scene

Snow Fairies

Inside the Spotbooth

2006-12-11T00:21:00.000-05:00

Just a few things that can be found inside the booth at the John Hancock Hall in Boston, MA.

Spotlight

Old Movie Projector

Old Movie Reels

Old Power Box

Let the show begin...