OPPORTUNITY OR DISTRACTION: CHOOSING THE RIGHT GIG
The pressure to find the next gig can be the catalyst of poor decisions, made in haste, causing us to accept jobs that for whatever reason aren’t right for us. Speaking from experience, taking part in a tour or production that you don’t want to be a part of is not pleasant. So I’d like to dissect the decision-making process a bit with the hopes of making it easier for you the next time around.
Wide and shallow
Early in our career, we don’t have people knocking down our door to offer us gigs, so the decision-making process isn't too tough. Work is work, and you should take what you can get. For example, your sights might be set on being an audio engineer, But you may need to take a merch gig at first, just to get on the road. This is wide but shallow. The scope of work you’ll accept is wide, but if the gig that gets you on the road isn’t your primary interest, then your focus in that position will be shallow.
Narrow and deep
As we become more established, opportunities become more plentiful and we’re able to be more selective about the job offers we accept. It’s helpful at this stage in your career to focus on your priorities. Maybe at first you simply wanted to be an audio engineer, but after a few tours you realize your interests are best served mixing monitors. So narrow your focus from audio in general, to strictly being a monitor engineer. Learn all you can about wedges, RF, in-ear monitors, and anything else specific to mixing monitors. This is narrow and deep. Your scope will be narrow, but you’ll dig deep to become very proficient in that area of focus.
Twist the lens
Regardless of your status in the industry, you should always have a clear picture of what matters most to you. These are some of the primary considerations when deciding whether or not to accept an offer.
· The team you’ll be working with. On tour you’ll be living in tight quarters, spending nearly every waking minute with these people. The impression left by a tour is based on the crew as a whole, not just you individually. Are these the type of people you want to align yourself with?
· Longevity. A tour may offer a high pay rate but only last a short time. Maybe it’s worth taking a lower paying steady gig that will provide you with job security and a steady income.
· Quality of life is always an important consideration. Are you going to be riding in a van, or sleeping soundly in a tour bus? Will you get quality catering each day, or free bar food after sound check? Will you get your own hotel room in luxury digs, or share a room in a budget hotel?
· Is there an opportunity for networking and growth? A great way to turn a single tour into more work is to work for a management company with a great roster. If management enjoys working with you they’ll want to make sure you don’t get scooped up for another tour. So they’ll offer you work with another artist of theirs to keep you on their team.
· Consider the music and the show. Do you believe in the artist and what they stand for? It’s great to work with someone you align with. Even better if you actually enjoy the show you’re watching every night.
· There are factors outside of work to consider as well. The position may pay great and have an amazing team, but does it require you to be away from home more than you’d prefer? Maybe it’s to demanding of your time. Perhaps it doesn’t allow you to focus on other interests you’d like to pursue.
It's these types of things you should consider as new opportunities present themselves. What matters most, and which factors carry more weight will undoubtedly change over the years, along with your priorities. Like a photographer, adjust your focus when necessary. This is twisting the lens. Remember that a great opportunity that isn’t right for you is just a distraction, taking your focus away from what really matters. Don’t let flashy gigs or a big payday take you away from what matters most, do what makes you happy.