1. Technically Managing Your Production
Research/Target/Relationship

4. A bit about me Shepparton based
Technically manage two very busy venues in North Eastern Victoria
Production managed SheppARTon Festival for 9 years
Production Manager for Short Black Opera
Owner and Manager of Korova
Have been involved in the Touring Forum since way back when it was just a group of around people

5. What do I need to know National Touring Selector Production Rating
a simple guide to a production's technical rating, working from A, as the most complex to D as the simplest
a quick and easy system, but is a guide only. Note that it does not match up with the A to D rating system used by many venues.
The NTS Production Rating is a simple way to let venues/presenters know what level your show is at.

6. NTS Production Rating A B C D Bump-in across 2 days or more
Bump-in longer than 1 day
Bump-in between 4 hours and 1 day.
Bump-in 4 hours or under
Large experienced crew in all areas and probable overtime
Experienced LX crew and mechanists - overtime may be required
Experienced small crew
1 or 2 technicians
Lighting rig channels Digital desk
Less than 120 channels
Digital LX board. Moderate LX rig
Show can use existing lighting rig with minor adjustments
Complex sound such as radio mics, multiple speaker locations, not using house system
Some additional sound equipment hired in addition to in-house system
Can use in-house sound system with some extra items supplied by producer
Show can use existing sound system
Complex set - may involve water, special effects etc
Experienced mechanists required, large set pieces.
Simple set
Simple or no set
Requires full fly system
May require flying
No fly tower
Requires experienced show crew
Medium show crew, staff.
1 or less venue crew to operate show
Touring staff operate show
Requires pre-rig
Basic pre-rig - 
Stage size 10m x 12m or more
Stage size 10m x 12m or less
Stage size 10m x 8m or less
Stage size - flexible

7. NTS Production Rating D (no req to small) 1 to 2 technicians required
Bump in under 4 hours
Can use existing lighting stock with minor adjustments or none at all
Can use existing sound system or no sound requirement
Simple or no set
No Flytower/system required
Touring staff operate the show
Stage size is flexible

8. NTS Production Rating

9. NTS Production Rating C (small to medium)
Small number of experienced technicians required
Bump in between 4 hours – 1 day (how long is a day?)
Moderate lighting rig (36-72 channels) with a digital console.
Can use in house sound system with extra being supplied by producer
Simple set
No Flytower/system required
1 or less venue staff operate the show
Basic pre rig required
Stage size 10m x 8m or less

10. NTS Production Rating

11. NTS Production Rating B (medium to large)
Experienced lighting technicians and mechanists required. Overtime may be required
Bump in longer than 1 day (how much longer?)
Substantial lighting rig (120 channels or less) with a digital console.
Some additional equipment hired in addition to in-house sound system
Large set pieces, experienced mechanists required
May require a Flytower/system
2 to 4 venue staff operate the show
Requires a pre rig
Stage size 12m x 10m or less

12. NTS Production Rating

13. NTS Production Rating A (large to massive)
Large team of experienced technicians required in all areas. Overtime may be required
Bump in across 2 days or more
Exuberant lighting rig (120 channels and more) with a digital console.
Complex sound. Radio mics/multi speaker locations etc
Complex set with maybe water, special effects, automation
Requires a full fly system (what is full?)
Experienced show crew to operate the show
Requires a pre rig
Stage size 12m x 10m or more

14. NTS Production Rating

15. Where to from here?

16. How do I know what to pick
Look at your show and start to break it into sections.
Don’t be afraid to pick a higher rating if you think it may or may not be that one.
Think about your show and what support you are willing to put into it.
Workshop the ideas with the designers/creatives to see if you can reduce your requests.

17. Key elements of a smoother tour
Be prepared
Ensure you have a tech spec as soon as possible
This can be a working document
Needs to have everything you require or are touring in it
Hire the right team (or staff member) that you trust with your show.
If it is critical to have it in the show tour it (not all regionals can supply what you have in your head)
Consider a generic address. Show name or company name touring etc etc.

18. Key elements of a smoother tour
Ask questions?
From other touring parties
Venues
Industry specialists
Communicate
This is number 1
Most problems occur when there is no information flow from communication
Consider a generic address. Show name or company name touring etc etc.

19. What is in my Tech Spec Contact Details Venue Access Staging and Set
Lighting
Audio AV
Wardrobe
Dressing Rooms
Other

20. What is in my Tech Spec Crew Requirements and Schedule
How many crew is required
What skill set is needed
3x LX, 2x MX and 1x SX or 6x Techs
What are the times scheduled from start to finish
Is there enough time
Have I allocated breaks
Is pre rig included or extra
Who is operating the show

21. Requests for Venues
What to ask for?

22. To tour or not to tour? What is reasonable to ask for?
Regional Venues and Touring Destinations
Less resources available
In the venue
Close by to hire
Is the item crucial to the performance
Would it be easier to tour the item/s

23. OH&S
What do I need to do?

24. Safety Matters
Comply with local state and federal laws and regulations
Includes for example S28 of the OH&S Act (Victoria). Duties of designers of buildings or structures
SWMS (Safe Work Method Statements) or SWP (Safe Work Procedures)
This is the responsibility of the producer to supply to the presenter
Fatigue/Stress
Have I done everything in my power to reduce this
28. Duties of designers of buildings or structures
(1) A person who designs a building or structure or
part of a building or structure who knows, or
ought reasonably to know, that the building or
structure or the part of the building or structure is
to be used as a workplace must ensure, so far as is
reasonably practicable, that it is designed to be
safe and without risks to the health of persons
using it as a workplace for a purpose for which it
was designed.
Penalty: 500 penalty units for a natural person;
2500 penalty units for a body corporate

25. Questions?