“The prospect of mass gatherings is negligible at best until we get to herd immunity and we get to a vaccine.” -Governor Newsom of California, April 14, 2020
"Large gatherings such as concerts and sporting events may not be approved in the city for at least 1 year... It's difficult to imagine us getting together in the thousands anytime soon, so I think we should be prepared for that this year," -Mayor Garcetti of Los Angeles, April 15, 2020
This is about what I was expecting, but for those of us who make our living in events, it means we’re likely out of work until mid 2021 or beyond.
I’ve honestly been expecting that timeline for a while now, so while it’s devastating news, it’s at least somewhat validating to have more official certainty on that point.
Our industry is extremely adaptable, extremely flexible, and extremely nimble. Show business will still exist now and in the future - there are too many of us addicted to the craft for it to disappear. Online productions will fill the gaps, creative technologies and solutions will be more and more common, and communication, education, and entertainment will continue.
But the kind of events we have had for the past few years in what was a growing and booming events market aren’t coming back for a long time. Many of our friends and colleagues will not be able to hold out for a year or more for events to come back, and will move on to other industries. I expect the integration market to boom as companies enhance telecommunications solutions, and I expect the broadcast sector to grow as more and more goes online. And I think many of our colleagues will leave production entirely for other different fields.
I am not optimistic about the viability of the live event production industry over the next few years. I think we have a lot working against us and I believe many production companies, big and small will be casualties of this pandemic.
I am however extremely optimistic about the futures of the people in this industry - my friends, my colleagues and myself because I know that we are as adaptable, innovative, and gritty as any industry out there. I am optimistic many of us will find opportunities in new production and AV market segments, and that those folks who move to greener pastures in other industries will flourish, bringing the skills they honed on the show site to new sectors.
I love event production and I want nothing more than to see the curtain rise again. I love the work and the stress and the exhilaration of that first “g-o”. I love the final cue and the curtain drop and that last slam of the last truck and the feeling of exhaustion and satisfaction of watching the show roll away. I love my colleagues and friends and brothers and sisters on the crew, who work tirelessly from load in to load out to make possible the closest thing I know to magic. And someday soon we’ll all have that again.
Until then, to all my production friends, I love you and miss you - please reach out. We’re all lonely and confused and need each other more than ever. Share with me - I want to hear your celebrations and your pains and the skills you want to learn and how you are celebrating your little successes in this time. Let’s share opportunities for work and jobs in and out of production that we can use to keep afloat or re build our careers. If folks leave the industry let’s leave room for then to re join us when we’re back in action and for those building opportunities elsewhere let’s build bridges to bring our production colleagues along with us.
Events are as close to magic as anything I have ever experienced, and that magic isn’t going away. The show will go on, and we’ll be there to make it possible. Until then, let’s please remember our community and build each other up. We all need a hand.
Tim Kerbavaz is the Technical Director of Talon Entertainment Audio Visual.
Talon Entertainment Audio Visual provides event AV production services for private, corporate, and community events across the United States. Serving a wide range of events, from political round-tables, to Silicon Valley Tech Company Conferences, to community festivals, to automotive-industry board meetings, Talon AV provides expertise and an exemplary attendee experience.
Header Image Credit: Photo by Anthony DELANOIX on Unsplash