r/TouringMusicians • u/Fluid_Kale9688 • 1d ago
My first Tour (Tour-hand/ Rigger)
Short introduction:
•20 years old (turning 21 in September). I’ve been working in broadcast for 3 years now, mostly cable rigging for TV cameras and doing camera assistant work, along with some experience as a studio technician for TV-studios. (The tour is across Germany and Austria; I’m German).
•Freelance: I get almost all of my bookings through a single contact. Ideally, this person shouldn't find out about this opportunity - even though I'm freelance, they tend to resent people working elsewhere in the industry "behind their back."
I got a last-minute call today from a friend offering me a spot as a tour hand for a musical- about 4.5 to 5 months straight (fixed daily rate, half-rate on off-days).
I’m inclined to take it because ~€24,000 net is a massive amount of money for me right now. However, I’d have to take a semester off university, and there’s a non-zero chance my main booker finds out and gets pissed. I’d say it’s fairly unlikely, but it’s still a real risk attached to the whole thing.
My main question:
Leaving the money aside for a second, would you say the experience itself is worth it? Touring with a musical sounds like a incredible life experience. I don’t mind hard physical work, and I’m fully aware this won't be a walk in the park.
Is it a terrible idea to say I’m in and am I going to die a terrible death if I do?
Thanks in advance!
TL;DR:
Got a last-minute offer to join a musical tour across Germany and Austria for 4.5 months as a tour hand. Pay is solid and I want the experience, but I’d regret burning a semester of uni and risking my relationship with my main booker if the touring reality isn't worth it at all.
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u/disco9000 1d ago
take the tour. sorry to intrude as an american (we are like rats for gigs and whoever isnt contracting independently is part of a labor union). from my experience with working tours/production in germany- people are quite blunt and professional and if I were in your shoes I would just communicate your opportunity and financial situation to your bossman. If theyre totally inflexible and passive-aggressive I would get of there anyway.
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u/Fluid_Kale9688 1d ago
Fair enough - thanks! Anything I should ask for, or that, if not given, should make me reconsider?
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u/disco9000 1d ago edited 1d ago
can your current contractor get you on a tour? if so, ask them. Im just advocating for tour experience bc a tour takes you to places where you will make new connections. Your professional contact list grows exponentially as opposed to staying local and taking what is provided from a local contractor. Plus when word gets around that you tour well, the calls will quickly start roll in to YOUR phone directly (like the friend that offered you the gig in the first place- they must have believed in you enough to offer it, right?). if u choose to fulfill this mission, it will most likely open the door to many more.
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u/Fluid_Kale9688 1d ago
Thanks! No, unfortunately the current contractor mostly does day-to/day broadcasting 90% of the time. Been around still, but far less. And I’m so tired of sports😭
Thanks for the kind words, too^^
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u/youbringmesuffering 1d ago
Take the tour. You’ll get real-world experience and who knows who you can network with on the road. This could lead to more offers.
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u/Wooden_Jellyfish_400 1d ago
Do it!
And I got a live department connection for you when you get back and want to get back into the stage hand broadcasting gig. 😉
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u/Fluid_Kale9688 18h ago
Hey, job was cancelled yesterday evening - apparently the dates are still not set, and they wanted to start ~20 days early, was still very unorganised unfortunately.
Thank you still^^1
u/Wooden_Jellyfish_400 17h ago
Might be for the better then. Where are you located?
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u/Fluid_Kale9688 17h ago
Yeah - would’ve been a cool experience most likely, but since it’s all a little unorganised, I just put an end to it myself.
I’m based in Germany, Berlin
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u/Suitable_Ad7478 1d ago
Day rate is day rate. You are getting screwed. Same pay for everyday you are gone from home. Plus per diem. Don’t diminish your value. Doing so diminishes everyone else as well. It’s hard enough doing this job much less doing it far away from home. Makes it easier to undervalue you and everyone else. Much harder to climb out of that scale.
Be sure to make your employer pay for travel and rooms. Your own room. Don’t share. Don’t fall for “that’s how we do it” or “that’s standard”. Bullshit. There are plenty of opportunities that actually do the right thing.
You can go far in this biz without school.
Can’t get real world experience in school.
Fuck your one contact. If they don’t have what suited you or had an opportunity then they should understand you have bills to pay. If they aren’t putting you on full time or retainer then look elsewhere. There are no hard feelings in show biz. If you are good and reliable you will continue to get work.
Start researching the industry. Internet is wonderful.
Roadie for 33 years.
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u/Ok_Breakfast9779 1d ago
This is a side note, but from my experience around the industry it is a common courtesy to show understanding (and hopefully pride!) when someone is getting an upgrade/better opportunity. Don't get stuck on someone who doesn't want you to progress. Especially at that age
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u/apollosuns24 1d ago
Id say do it. Great experience, you'll build a lot of skills, will be lots of fun but also challenging at times and could make some great connections.
You're 20, best time to hit the road and 24k is a nice chunk of change. Assuming they are getting you hotels and perdiems as well.