Meet this week’s Women in Event Production Highlight: Dani Wells

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Nancy Hart works as a Producer with Zoom7, a nationwide event production company. Nancy began her career in the world of theatre then transitioned into live events as a project manager, producer, and stage manager during the 1980’s. With 30 years of experience in event production and management, Nancy is a true professional that brings a keen sense of storytelling to event production. She was kind enough to sit down with us between shows for a little chat.

How did you get started in the industry?

If my mother were here, she would tell you I was born knowing what I was supposed to do.

The theater is where I started. It’s been in my bones since I was a small child, and I’ve been able to make that into a career. It’s stayed with me all this time, even getting past the childhood ideas of being a ballerina and a firefighter and all of that.

I was the high school theater geek in a great high school theater program, and I’ve been a very fortunate woman to have had an opportunity to have people mentor me along the way. Each of them pushed me along and guided me to the next place and the next person.

In college, I was actually the sound intern at one of the regional theaters in Minneapolis, where I discovered I have a good ear but I’m a lousy technician. I think you’re born with that DNA to be able to make that sort of thing happen. My real passion was directing, coaching and leadership.

My kindergarten teacher wrote to my mother and said, “She will be a leader.” What did I do, organize Legos? I don’t know. I have no earthly idea, but she saw something. So, the passion to create and direct, all of that, has been onboard since the get-go. And I found a way to channel it. It just happened to start with theater, progressed to theme park work, and then with my current company, into corporate business theater and special events.

What has been your biggest challenge as a woman in technology?

 In my early days, being taken seriously as a woman was definitely a challenge. We were assigned, often, to the softer side. I tried to play the game as a young woman very early, and discovered I wasn’t very good at it because I didn’t like it. I realized where my skillsets were, in seeing the bigger picture, and developing that, and bringing the right professionals who loved what they did, who were great at the technology, could not only create but also loved the technology side.

When I discovered the ability to do that, and have that kind of relationship, the world opened up, because I played to my strengths, and they were allowed to play to theirs. We developed mutual respect that way.  I have, over time, developed quite an understanding of the nuts and bolts and the core of things, but I don’t demand that I know every plug and widget. I appreciate that there are people who do it better than I do. And that’s a gift, I think: knowing what you’re good at, focusing on it and then bringing in the right professionals to support that initiative, to create. We are here to create a story. Whether it’s a corporate client or the ground breaking for a giant bridge for the city. First, I ask, “What’s the story and how does the technology help us support that story?” and then I hire the right professionals.

I got a lot of pushback early on. I eventually earned respect. “Oh, she knows how to deal with this, she knows how to talk with us.”  “Yes, I do.”

How do you think women have an advantage in the technical world of events?

I feel that many women have a greater understanding of the ways that technology in all forms needs to support the story. It goes into the creation of the event but also how we operate. And when it comes to my partnership with Heidi at Technisch, it’s wonderful to have a partner that understands the bigger picture and can bring great skill to serving the story with their technology.

What is your favorite tech tool?

My favorite tech tools are my measuring devices: a small high-end laser measure, a 25’ tape and a pocket-sized tape measure. There’s nothing like a good laser measure on a site survey. The small size is a great asset particularly when traveling to multiple venues and hopping on and off planes. The 25’ tape measure is invaluable to me for all of those tight spots where the laser won’t work. The pocket-size lives in my purse. I can’t tell you how many times it’s saved my bacon when nothing else was available. I am also exploring new show calling tools and am currently enjoying working with Shoflo.

What advice can you give to young women considering a career in technical production?

Develop and maintain strong partnerships as they are the key to success on any project (client focused or personal). Be generous. Stay curious. Step out and try new things.

The post Women in Event Production: Nancy Hart, Zoom.7 Meetings and Events appeared first on Technisch Creative.

Janet Taylor is a powerhouse Event Producer, traveling the world to put on shows for corporations, associations, and nonprofits. Here at Technisch, we’ve loved working with her on a touring show for a cosmetics company over the last five years, and we look forward to many more projects together! Let’s get to know a little bit more about Janet.

Back in the day…

How did you get started in the industry?

I have been in theatre since I was a teenager, but I promised my father that I would get a degree “to fall back on” – so I got a B.S. (how appropriate) in Journalism with an emphasis in Radio/TV/Film.  I’ve essentially outlived the radio industry and have been able to make a living in business theatre.  I tell my friends who are still in “legit” that I usually have the advantage of much bigger budgets and the challenge of much shorter rehearsal schedules.    I’m still performing, but in a different function.  My lines are “yes, let me check on that,” and “of course, I’ll update you on the budget impact as soon as possible.”

I began my life in business theatre in 1984 when I came off the road from a tour with a professional theatre for young audiences based in Boston and took a temp secretarial job to keep the bills paid at home in Chicago.  My boss for this assignment was a national Director of Corporate Programs for Arthur Andersen & Andersen Consulting (now Accenture).  When she discovered that I had been touring as a Company Stage Manager, her eyes widened, her smile got very big and she informed me, “Your temp job ends Friday.”  Before I could ask her why she continued, “If you give me first option on your time, I’ll give you 20 hours a week at $20 an hour (I was being paid $12 by the agency), a phone, a desk and a computer.”  She taught me corporate production and I never looked back.

I’ve always seen myself saving the day.

What has been your biggest challenge as a woman in technology?

My biggest personal challenge was to respond with humor and a smile when the inevitable on-site issues/muck ups/snafus occur. I was very lucky to learn those coping mechanisms early in my career.  Now, I pride myself on that skill set.  Practicing yoga helps.

How do you think women have an advantage in the technical world?

Because we are trained from childhood to be fearless, save the day and enjoy multitasking. My internal soundtrack is often the William Tell Overture or the Sabre Dance.

What is your favorite tech tool?

Either my smartphone or my netbook – I don’t know how I did my job for ten years without them in my hands at all times and I can’t really separate them – especially when the phone is my only source of wifi.

On the job!

What advice can you give to young women who would like to begin a career in production?

Keep doing it.  No matter what.  Now especially is a terrific time to join the industry and ride the upswing in business and jump in with both feet.  Find a company: an agency, a supplier of gear or services, an association, a corporate events department and begin to learn the business by doing the job.  As far as I know, the only training available is either through university theatre departments or for-profit technical schools, neither of which really teach you corporate production.  My industry-specific training was all OTJ.  I bring a great deal of added value to my projects because I have been a stagehand & technician, an event manager for a venue, and a producer/technical director/stage manager for experiential marketing agencies so I know all sides of the business.  I love mentoring with new PA’s.  My number one goal with them is the same as any show I take on — work to foster collaboration for the best show product.

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Stephanie Jayko is a passionate creative and an accomplished event operations/production manager who is well known for her leadership of theatrical productions and live events. She specializes in corporate event management and high-profile productions.

How did you get started in the industry?

I actually came to the events industry from having worked in theater. I went to school for, and later worked in, production technologies and management for theater. I was mostly working as a Stage and Production Manager for different companies. While I was working as the Production Coordinator for a regional theater company, I was given the task of handling the production for their annual fundraising Gala. I got to be a part of the process all the way through from design to execution. It dawned on me after my second year doing this event, that of all the productions I was working on every year, the Gala was the one I enjoyed working on the most…and it wasn’t actually a theater production, it was an EVENT. I soon after decided to leave the theater world, and have been working in the events industry ever since.

What has been your biggest challenge as a woman in technology?

I’ve found the biggest challenge is getting people to take me seriously. Not only am I a woman, but I am also on the younger side. These two things put together make the uphill climb even steeper. Despite my education and extensive experience (which can be proven by my resume and portfolio at any time) getting the people around me to recognize my expertise is not as easy a task as it should be. I constantly get second-guessed, fact-checked, taught how “how things work”, or completely cut out of technical conversations altogether. It’s frustrating because I’ve spent so much time and energy learning and perfecting my craft, it would be great to be able to do the job without such hurdles.

How do you think women have an advantage in the technical world?

Women are (generally) better at multitasking and handling stress. And this is the ultimate advantage in the technical world, especially where events are concerned. There’s no telling when something might go wrong or change mid-show or any number of “oh crap” moments might happen. Being able to keep your cool, think on your feet and track changes through, all in the same breath makes you an invaluable asset to a tech team!

What is your favorite tech tool?

I’m a BIG fan of Show Flow! It’s a production software that keeps changes in event documents in one place and accessible to your entire team in real time. No more having to print 30 copies of the Run of Show or wondering if you have the most current version. Can you say lifesaver?!

What advice can you give to young women who would like to begin a career in production?

My biggest advice would be to get out there and DO! No matter what discipline you’re looking to get into, whether it’s specific like Audio, Lighting or Projection, or more broad like Production Management, get your hands dirty in every department. The more you know about all the different equipment, needs and uses for it all and how things work, the more valuable you will be to any tech team. Also, remember that any experience is good experience! Whether it’s a paying job or you’re volunteering, your resume lists where you’ve worked, not what you got paid.

The post Women in Event Production: Stephanie Jayko appeared first on Technisch Creative.

How did you get started in the industry?

I’ve been playing music my whole life, since I was a little kid. At 17 I taught myself the guitar and started writing songs. It was a natural progression to move into production when I decided to attend Full Sail to become a producer. While in my recording arts degree I met Gregg Mandigo. He took me under his wing in live sound reinforcement and I caught a bug for live events. I’d spend Friday and Saturday nights downtown on Wall Street with him, and Sunday mornings at a church where he was the audio director. My first professionally paid gig while still in college was as a stagehand for Beyoncé with Black Onyx Event Services. Now I specialize in both audio and video disciplines as I’ve expanded my career and knowledge base.

What has been your biggest challenge as a woman in production?

The obvious stigmas. I’ll still get the “hey honey can I help you lift that?” Mostly it’s a factor of men not taking me seriously. I also look pretty young so people assume I don’t know what I’m doing, but I usually win them over by asking the right questions. Eventually I get the respect I deserve for my experience level. I don’t let those stigmas affect me. When I was starting out, I messaged Sylvia Massey, a well-known audio engineer and asked her advice. She said “Just ignore the stigma and do your job and show that you know what you’re doing.”

How do you think women have an advantage in the technical world?

The fact that we don’t have that typical male bravado. We don’t come in there straight out with an ego like a lot of men do. As women we help each other a lot. We counteract our physical weaknesses in comparison to men by sticking together and working as a team. We see more details than men do sometimes, that comes from a woman’s psyche in general. We tend to clean up those little details, the minute things that most people seem to overlook. We’re more able to talk to clients and convey what they’re trying to do through our technical skills.

What is your favorite tech tool?

For video, measuring tapes, laser distance measuring tools, and a multi-tool are my ultimate go-to’s.  I also rely on vector scopes and waveform monitors. We don’t always get chroma charts on show site, but it’s a treat when we do. And for audio, I like to use Tweaker, Q-box, adapters, and headphones.

What advice can you give to young women who would like to begin a career in production?

Ignore the stigmas, put your pants on one leg at a time like everyone else and do your job to the best of your ability. Know what you’re worth. Ask questions when you’re unsure of something you’re doing. Work safely. Walk with purpose, and hustle! Don’t try to lift anything more than you’re capable of just to prove something to the men around you, and always lift with your legs!

The post Women in Event Production: Jamie Jacobs appeared first on Technisch Creative.

Today we start our new series, taking a look at the powerhouse women working in the technical side of events. And who better to kick off the series than our very own CEO, Heidi Brumbach? We sat down with Heidi to learn more about her experience.

How did you get started in the industry?

I grew up a dancer. I was lucky enough to work professionally in some great productions that exposed me to some very advanced technology. I also worked in venues with practically NO technology! But I learned production from both experiences.

What has been your biggest challenge as a woman in production?

I’ve had times when crew members that don’t know me assumed I couldn’t be in charge, because I’m a girl. It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten that vibe, so maybe times have changed!

How do you think women have an advantage in the technical world?

As a woman, I think I’m more approachable to a lot of meeting planners than some of the techs. Having a CMP helps, too

What is your favorite tech tool?

My iPhone! I couldn’t live without it.

What advice can you give to young women who would like to begin a career in production?

Always learn. Keep your eyes open and watch how things are done. Get your hands dirty and be prepared to do some heavy lifting. Never wait for someone to do the hard work for you.

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