How Production Companies Staff Events: Roles, Rates & Best Practices

Production companies live and die by their crew. A 3-day convention at the LVCC might need 80+ crew members across a dozen roles. A touring concert needs advance teams, local crew, and show-day staff. Here's how the best production companies staff their events.

Common Production Crew Roles

Audio Department

• A1 (Head Audio Engineer): $500-$800/day. Mixes front-of-house sound. Requires console experience (Yamaha CL/QL, DiGiCo, Avid).
• A2 (System Tech): $350-$500/day. Sets up and tunes PA systems. Cable runs, RF coordination.
• Monitor Engineer: $400-$600/day. Mixes in-ear or wedge monitors for performers.

Lighting Department

• Lighting Designer: $500-$1,000/day. Programs and operates lighting console (MA, ETC Eos).
• Lighting Tech: $250-$400/day. Hangs, focuses, and cables fixtures.
• Followspot Operator: $200-$300/day. Tracks performers with followspot.

Video Department

• Video Director: $500-$800/day. Calls camera shots for IMAG and broadcast.
• Camera Operator: $300-$500/day. Operates cameras for live switching.
• LED Tech: $250-$400/day. Builds and configures LED walls and screens.

Stage & Rigging

• Stage Manager: $400-$600/day. Coordinates all department heads and manages show flow.
• Rigger: $350-$500/day. Hangs truss, motors, and equipment from venue steel. Requires ETCP certification for arena/convention work.
• Stagehand: $200-$350/day. General labor: load-in, setup, strike. The backbone of every production.

How to Staff at Scale

1. Build a crew database — Track skills, certifications, availability, and day rates for every crew member you've worked with
2. Post crew calls early — Give crew 2-4 weeks notice. Same-week calls mean you'll get B-team availability
3. Use tiered pay — Department heads earn more than general labor. This attracts experienced leadership
4. Generate call sheets — Every crew member needs: date, call time, venue address, parking info, department head contact, dress code, meal plan
5. Confirm 72 hours before — Text/call every crew member 3 days out. No-shows happen — have backups ready

Using Vensho for Production Staffing

Vensho's Gig Board lets production companies post crew calls with role-specific requirements. Crew members can browse, apply, and get booked with escrow-protected payments — eliminating the invoice-chasing chaos that plagues the industry.