BACKSTAGE MANAGEMENT

BACKSTAGE MANAGEMENTFashion Shows & The Theory

John Jossifakis, MSc, PMPRegional Director

Backstage Management Have any of you done backstage management ?

Backstage – Fashion Week 2014

Backstage at DIPF 2009

Who needs a Gym? Work Backstage !!

See who you can meet backstage @

DxB Jazz Festival with “The Wanted”

Already an expert in Technical

Taking a 5 minute break

while working on DIFF !

Forget Beckham.. I like the Jacket.

Fashion Shows Backstage

Jan 29th – Dubai – Burj Park

Roberto Cavalli – Men’s Fall 2016

Did you recognize the lady ?

Backstage Management

Lets try to identify the elements which are required backstage during an event:

Awards Ceremony

Fashion Show

Concert

Theory of Backstage Management

When all eyes in the stadium are on the stage

• The artist takes over

• Directly aided by the backstage team, FOH team

and the Show Director.

• And supported by the rest of the team - venue,

security, etc.

The Core Team

• Backstage manager.• Stage Manager In charge of the main cues (PSM)• Assistant stage manager (ASM)• Stage Left, Right, Center Manager. • Stage hands• Technical crew - backstage sound tech, light

tech, set tech, etc• Roadies/ stage techs • (TV shoot - Floor manager)

• Artist manager

• Runners/ messengers

• Costume/make-up manager

• F&B

• There are event companies that specialize

in only “Backstage Management”.

• Security for artists backstage, bouncers in

front of stage.

The Core Team

Backstage Areas

• Backstage venue entries and exits• Green room and dressing rooms• Quick change rooms on stage or offstage. • Toilets & Showers• Technical equipment base - Sound, lights,

Stage/set, Pyros, tv.• Stage monitor mixer area• Show Caller Area• On Stage positioning (Do we know what this is ?)

Stage positions

• When you are on stage and facing the audience then your left is referred to as “Stage Left” and your right as “Stage Right”

• When you are in the audience (front of house) and facing the stage then your left is referred to as Front House left - “House Left” and your right is referred to as “House Right”

• How about up and down ? Which is which ?

.Venue diagram.

Backstage Crew for a Film Award show.

• Main cues Stage manager.

• Show host manager.

• Award trophy manager + hostesses

• Artist performance entries. Artist manager.

• Nominee / award presenter. Presenter manager.

• FOH stage manager. Getting artiste from audience to the stage.

Qualifications

• A good backstage manager needs to be a good overall event manager with a lot of production experience to take quick well informed decisions.

• Identify priority. Decision making. Thinking well under pressure. Managing adrenaline rush.

• Needs to have experience with different AV -playback formats.

• Command respect of all concerned

Essential tools

• Communication network. Walkie-talkies.

Wired comms. Better than wireless.

Clearcom network.

• Cue sheet

• Teleprompter

• TV monitors / Preview Monitors

• Dress code – Show Blacks

• Kit. Production Jacket. Torch. Mobile phone.

Show Calling

Cues & Sheets

Show Time Cue Sheet

• Process flow for any cue is as follows

• Backstage ensures artist/backstage technical ready and gives all clear signal to FOH.

• FOH then signals back that technical cues ready at their end and gives a signal for example - “standing by” / “standby” / “GO”.

• The cue sheet table - serial no; time; activity; artists; sound; lights; props; effects; entry point; exit point; standby for next activity.

The tasks

• Provide Cue sheet /song list copies to all concerned – artist/

production crew/ technical crew.

• Artist’s Stage positions and markings

• Always pay attention to what is happening on stage. No

distractions strictly.

• Keep the MC as standby act for any mishap.

• Manage changes in the script during the show.

• Access of the artists

• Keeping Artist’s relatives under control

• Ensure basic backstage lighting – Blue lights

• Ensure backstage safety markings - white gaffer tape on

edges of steps and stage - and danger zone markings

The tasks (contd.)

• Manage Backstage access badges – stars/ crew/ vips/ star relatives.

• Prop movement with the help of stage hands.

• Musicians keep requesting for their own monitor changes.

• Bearing the brunt of all performance problems.

• Keeping relatives at bay.

• Clearing the access areas to the stage. Set/equipment protrusions.

• Police liaison.

• Communication with the FOH desk.

The tasks (contd.)

• Maintaining discipline. People/personnel not required should not be allowed backstage. Better safe than sorry.

• Vigilance against alcohol / substance abuse.

• Set crew/technical crew on standby for any mishaps during show.

• Ensure that the backstage area is out of sight from the audience with proper masking.

• MC special announcement notes. Lost and found.

• Artist venue entry and exits. Encore drill.

The tasks (contd.)

• Emergency services stationed backstage. Ambulance. Firebrigade (Civil Defence)

• Calling the show. The Show Start. Managing star entries. Left or right or back entry per sequence. Tip - Rehearse the first few sequences well. A perfect start instills confidence for the rest of the show.

• VIP security checks at the last moment can disrupt power/signal/pyro cables.

• Leave space behind the stage for movement.

• Double check stage curtain mechanism, house lights access, blackout.

• Press photographers manager.

The tasks (contd.)

• Communication with the artistes. FOH. Monitor mixer. Dressing rooms. Stage crew. Security. Messenger Runners. General runners.

• Ensure proper space backstage. Leave space for movement between the wall and the stage. And leave space between the backdrop and the edge of stage for free movement from left to right.

Common problems to be prevented

• Artist not ready as per cue.

• Props not ready or props table or reset

• Sound equipment needs changing (Batteries)

• Lighting gel catches fire (rare)

• Stage floor board loose or slippery (Coke)

• Floor needs to be cleared of pyro debris/residue midway into the act. (Show delays)

• Artist goes too close to pyro. (Why dude)

• Security slip. Fan escapes and climbs on to stage.

• Communication with FOH faulty.

• Artists change song sequence at last minute without realizing that props/technical/ dancer/mc script changes are difficult to match.

• Security breach backstage fence.

• Last minute requests by artist – make up/ costume/ food/ refreshments.

• Stones pelted onto stage / Water Bottles

• Equipment lost or robbed.

• Egos of artistes.

• Complacency on a long tour.


• Exceeding time/venue/sound levels. Police stop show due to time limit.

• TV cameras catch backstage movement.

• Audience can see backstage activity due to bad masking.

• Artist name called and does not appear on stage.

• Wrong sound track played. Skips beats/ repeats/

• Light blinds the artist. Smoke affects artists voice.

• Costume gives way on stage.


• Non authorised personnel uses artist/crew refreshments. Or occupies the dressing rooms.

• An artist leaves the venue after finishing act. Absent when acknowledgements happen during the rest of the show.

• Mics getting misplaced by artist. Artist enters without mic.

• Security breach. Crowd surging backstage after show.

• Awkward moments. Telling an artist that his act is cancelled.


• The backstage manager can get cramps

during show.

• Audience can see through backdrop cloth

under certain conditions.


The pre event planning and

preparation

• Attend early practice sessions/Rehearsals / technical/ sound check/

• Develop rapport with the artists and backstage crew and gain their respect. (They see 500 of you a year)

• List out any problems that can affect backstage.

• Backstage requirements should be included in the technical rider usually called a “hospitality rider”.

The event day and set up day

• Ensure a clutter free stage. Masking. white tape/ black tape./ stage markers.

• Stage show rehearsals / technical/ sound check/

• Plan artist entry and exit into the venue.

• Go through the drill - sudden VIP public appearance on stage.

• Supervise stage set up/ backline

At the end of the day……….. What

can go wrong ??

• Know the venue layout

• Understand the materials your

working with

• Rehearse, Rehearse & Rehearse

• See the following video and make

sure this doesn’t happen at your

events

Supermodels.wmv

Documents

BACKSTAGE MANAGEMENT