Old Lights

[Ynot]

*Warning - dubious analogy alert ...*

 

A lighting hire company with a hire stock consisting of old P23s, Sil30s, etc. bought from Ebay and refurbed - compare it to a van hire company whose rental fleet consists only of 20-year-old Transits and Renault Trafics with many thousands of miles on the clock. OK, so there might be the odd punter in the market for a cheap and cheerful rustbucket of a van to shift his three-piece suite a few miles up the road - but generally speaking, the vast majority of customers are going to choose to get their hire van from the company with the fleet of 6-month-old Sprinters or Ivecos, aren't they?

Hmmm...

Isn't that sorta what I said................

 

[saturnx21]

*Warning - dubious analogy alert ...*

 

A lighting hire company with a hire stock consisting of old P23s, Sil30s, etc. bought from Ebay and refurbed - compare it to a van hire company whose rental fleet consists only of 20-year-old Transits and Renault Trafics with many thousands of miles on the clock. OK, so there might be the odd punter in the market for a cheap and cheerful rustbucket of a van to shift his three-piece suite a few miles up the road - but generally speaking, the vast majority of customers are going to choose to get their hire van from the company with the fleet of 6-month-old Sprinters or Ivecos, aren't they?

 

The OP didn't mention hiring equipment and if that is what the OP wants to do then I agree totally with Ynot and Gareth but one still needs experience with the equipment so it still maybe a good idea to get some old kit to get used to how it all works.

The "old" kit that I have does not go out on hire it is used to help me learn and allow me to show other people how to maintain and repair the kit, and although some of the Martin Lights I have are 10 years old but a lot of the principles of maintenance and repair remain the same with the newer kit.

[Ynot]

Here's another handful of patt 123/23's.

[Ynot]

And a couple more lots on this guy's list.

[johnnypalmer]

Hey,

 

There is a lot of general negativity on your comments. Dont get down by these, there are other ways of looking at it.

 

I started started my production/hire business while at uni, buying old trashy gear and fixing it up. You need to start somewhere and using old gear is a great way - you develop a REAL understanding of how kit really works and what to do when it doesnt (something you will need further down the line even when using the best kit).

 

I came to uni with some battered old DJ gear and a few hundred quid in the bank (2001). SXS Events (www.sxsevents.co.uk) now employs four full-time employees, has a nice warehouse, turns over in excess of £300 000 and we have some wicked kit.

 

Starting a hire business with pat23s etc is not a good idea. Like any business ask yourself: "WHERE CAN I COMPETE?" At this stage, quality of kit is NOT an area you will be any good at - ask yourself what you ARE good at - good with people? Likeable? Good sales? Creative eye? Good manager? Good at developing industry relations?

 

All of these can help grow a business.

 

I would be really happy to help you out. Please drop me a line sometime.

 

Johnny Palmer

www.sxsevents.co.uk

 

 

BTW,

 

I have a load of old gear we are getting rid of as well - going cheap. Based in Bristol

[Newcollegetechyboy06]

Hi

 

thanks to a lot of people on here who have pointed me in the right direction, I now have a better understanding on where I would like to go, my main aim is concert lighting...

 

If anyone knows about this medium then any help would be greatly received.

 

thanks

 

rob

[paulears]

Hi Rob,

 

Perhaps it would be better if you told us what you want to know, as plenty of us know about concert lighting - what exactly is it you want us to tell you.

 

So - ask questions, but just asking us to tell you everything we know kind of doesn't work.

[StevieR]

As another thought on 'developing' the business...

 

At the moment you want to make money in the entertainment lighting business. However, you have no equipment and no money to buy the equipment. So, you need to work out a way of earning money with what you have got. Well, you have you - so hire out your services initially. Get yourself around all the local companies and get on their freelance lists. Also go around the local theatres, theatre groups and other venues. You will need some experience behind you before you start getting the better rates but it will get you off the ground.

 

HTH

 

Steve

[Newcollegetechyboy06]

yea I soppose it would generally help if I asked proper questions

 

sorry this is all abit new to me at the mo the forum that is, basically my main question is as music is a really big thing to me and I take my music very seriously along with the work I do, Would concert lighting be a good career path to choose or would I be better off going down the theatre and stage lighting side of things??

 

 

 

cheers

 

rob

[paulears]

Wow 100% change in question alert!

 

Concert lighting is a fine career choice, but if music is very important to you, I'm surprised you don't want to go down the sound route. Sitting behind the lighting desk isn't going to give you many chances to be invoved with sound?

 

That to one side, buying kit means you are a small hire company - not in itself, a problem, but to pay the bills you'll be involved in plenty of work that is not in any shape or form concert lighting. This particular variety of lighting is also very expensive in terms of kit and time - in fact, support equipment is also part and parcel, which adds to the costs. Getting a return on investment is unlikley unless you can find a niche where the big boys don't or won't) go.

 

Personally, I'd try to get in with people who are doing it. Once you have experience, and can say it really is the life for you, maybe then is the time to go to the bank managers.

[MrBoomal]

When your starting out just be grateful if anyone wants to hire your equipment for anything. Leave the specialisation for later.

 

Don't forget that along with Lamps you're going to need a reasonable desk. This will eat up a large chunk of your money.

 

Something like a second-hand Zero 88 frog would be a good start. But that will still cost about £ 700.

 

Good luck.

[Ynot]

Here's another couple of patt 123's on Ebay for anyone that's interested.

 

TD

[DMX Will]

If you are a music guy, sound may well be a better option for you, sound can be used in lots of different types of events, where lighting isn't always used. You could probably set yourself up with a small sound rig for about £1500, which might seem like a lot, but remember you can buy in bits, (i.e. one month a sound desk, next month a couple of mics and stage snake etc).

 

You could then advertise as a PA company, where, aswell as doing a band night in your local village hall, you could also be hired for a school sports day, or fairs etc, or any event that requires sound re-inforcement. Later on, if you choose to you could then go down the lighting route to compliment your PA services.

 

Regarding inssurance etc, have a look at the Muscian's Union, as they offer 10mil of Public libaility for free if you are a member (student rate per year is about £55) which covers you with working as a DJ sound/light tech I *think*.

 

I set up a company a few years ago, with similar aims as you have, so if you want a chat or some ideas drop me an email. (dmxwill@gmail.com)

 

Good luck!

[Bernie D]

sorry this is all abit new to me at the mo the forum that is, basically my main question is as music is a really big thing to me and I take my music very seriously along with the work I do, Would concert lighting be a good career path to choose or would I be better off going down the theatre and stage lighting side of things??

My suggestion is to stick to the area you know best whether that is theatre or concert lighting.

Some of the biggest lighting companies started with people getting shows and buying their own kit rather than always hiring. Finding people to hire your kit is not going to be easy until you get a reputation, but using your own kit on your jobs at least guarantees it will be looked after.

Even small gigs and amateur theatre are used to paying to hire kit. If you can make the show look good with your kit then you have a market.

[Rocket]

Regarding insurance etc, have a look at the Musician's Union, as they offer 10mil of Public liability for free if you are a member (student rate per year is about £55) which covers you with working as a DJ sound/light tech I *think*.

 

I'm *pretty* sure that they don't. I sent them a couple of e-mails, and the consensus seemed to be that if the band using the lights were insured (so all members of the MU), then they would be covered. However I don't think the MU covers light techs on their own.

 

Unless you claimed you were a DJ - who someone has told me can now join the MU? But as an out and out light tech, from what I could gather, you aren't covered.