New Venues
9th Sep 2009

Often new venues being built are brought to our attention after the early planning stages (including funding arrangements)are completed therefore leaving the industry few options to make good any design issues from a technical aspect.

How do we improve access to the planning process?
Can we produce a 'standard' by which City Councils and planners begin their planning process?

Any thoughts?
Grant

re: New Venues
9th Sep 2009

Involvement is the key.
It is essential that the people who will be working in the building are involved as closely as possible with the architects.
I have worked on new buildings from the design stage on several occasions and I've also worked in building that were built without industry input. The difference is astonishing.
F.O.H. lighting bars with angles of 75 degrees and 25 degrees, control rooms with one double socket. Control rooms with no view of the stage. House lights that can't be accessed with building a scaff tower to change lamps.
Every step of the design process should be discussed with the user. The position of every socket and every switch, every wall and every door.
Only then do you get the Theatre you want. And if it's still wrong, you have no-one else to blame......

Paul.

re: New Venues
9th Sep 2009

re: New Venues
6th Nov 2008

Excellent points Paul - I have also seen some shocking outcomes and refurbishments in recent times too. And some in the wind which have some scary proposals.
Is this something we should be actively working with Councils and building owners to avoid the problems. I have found one big issue being that once our theatre consultants become involved developers often do not want to hear what is being advocated because all they can see is an increase in costs without doing the sums. This can then see the consultants walking away from the project rather than being involved in something they cannot agree too. I would like to see a closer relationship somehow. How do we go aboout this?

Grant

re: New Venues
9th Sep 2009

re: New Venues
6th Nov 2008

Hi Grant,
I think that there is an assumption that we want spend loads of money on whistles and bells. The Councils and funders of this world need to be convinced that getting it right doesn't have to cost more. It's not about spending loads of cash. It's about putting the right bits in the right places. Only the building users can tell you why a light switch is better on wall A rather than on wall B. Or why a lighting bar should be at a particular angle to the stage. That's not extra cost, it's just a bit more talking.
The ongoing savings in staff hours / moral, access equipment and efficiency are well worth a few more meetings.

Paul.

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ETNZ is an organisation that recognises and supports the technicians, craft persons and designers working in the entertainment industry in New Zealand. We act as a central point to lodge or obtain up to date details on entertainment technology, health and safety issues, service providers and personnel. read more »