Brief News

Test run of the OB a success!

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning and Budgeting Tips

Equipment typically uses up to roughly half of the budget; the crew makes up the balance.

Good-quality TV/radio broadcast crews are worth paying for, and help avoid expensive production stuff-ups and gear-trashing, which YOU may end up paying for!

If some aspect of the job is really important, then hire a specialist to look after it. Don't hire juniors or "luggers" to do specialist skilled duties.

The best insurances against stuff-ups are: adequate crew levels; adequate equipment; sufficient preparation time; a good game-plan for doing the job.

A well-directed and well-switched coverage should require little or no editing later, saving on editing costs.

Don't do unfair day-rate deals on your crew; it isn't worth the aggravation or the rushing of the job.

OB pricing in Australia is very cheap on a worldwide scale, and the quality of service is usually very good.

Typical Crew Requirement

Crew usually charge a minimum half day call, (from an average $250 each plus GST), plus additional per-hour rate (range $40 to $70 per hour plus GST). Out-of-town and overnight calls may incur extra costs and per diems.

If we book the crew, we charge a booking fee as a percentage of the raw costs we pay to the crew. Some of our clients prefer to book and pay their own crews directly.

A Typical Schedule

OBs are quite labour and time intensive, but good preparation contributes to good results.

Draw up a realistic schedule, with time allowed to get everything right.

Week prior	Reconnaissance	Visit the site a few days in advance, for planning of event
Day before	Truck Preparation	Prepare, configure, test and pack truck (2 to 4 hours).
1100-1200	Truck Deliver	Deliver truck to venue
1200	Contact Tech Crew
1200-1500	Tech Crew Site Preparation	Load-in, cabling, pre-check van, set up audio and communication, site test. (2 to 4 hours approximately)
1500-1600	Crew Break	Crew break approximately every 4 hours; consider supplying meals for the crew on site, helps to keep them happy and working hard!
1600	Hand-over	The time from which the van is available for production operations.
1600	Operations Crew Contacted	8-hour call if rehearsals included 4 hour call if no rehearsals Director briefs crew
1700-1900	Rehearsal	Rehearsal with crew and equipment, troubleshoot any arising problems, playback cues, listen to the audio mix.
1900-1930	Crew Break	Once every 4 hours.
1930	Stand-By	Audience walk-in; crew in place by 1945
2000-2230	Show Production	Allow event duration plus 1/2 hour side of start and sinish
2230-0000	Tech Crew De-Rig	DE-RIG: usually 90 minutes with a good crew.
0000	Wrap Crew	RETURN van to base.
0000-0100	Truck return to base	Production crew on minimum 4 hour calls.

Out Town Locations

Most city and suburbs locations can be handled easily, both by the vans and the crew.

Our van travels to Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Newcastle, Canberra and the South Coast.

Be prepared for extra costs for out of town locations (say over an hour's travel time). Crew may charge for travel time. The Van may incur fuel, tolls and driving time.

When working interstate, crews can often be hired locally, saving airfare, transfers and motel costs.