From Internship to Career: An AV Journey

In the fast-paced world of event production, technical expertise and innovative problem-solving transform empty venues into immersive environments. My journey from intern to full-time professional at Bell Tree Productions has been filled with valuable lessons, technical challenges, and remarkable growth. This blog post explores my transformation and the experiences that shaped my professional development.

The Invisible Foundation: Event Preproduction

What many people don't see when attending a polished event is the enormous amount of preproduction work that makes it all possible. For every hour of actual event time, dozens of planning hours have already been invested. The sheer volume of emails, site visits, phone calls, and meetings that precede even a "simple" event is staggering.

During my internship, I witnessed firsthand how crucial this planning phase is to successful execution. For the OPTA conference with its multiple breakout rooms, weeks of advance coordination determined equipment needs, room layouts, and technical specifications. Without this meticulous preparation, on-site execution would have been chaotic regardless of our technical expertise. This invisible foundation of planning is what allows the visible aspects of production to appear effortless.

Technical Skills Development

As my internship progressed, I found opportunities to showcase and expand my technical abilities. One particularly satisfying day involved soldering XLR cables, allowing me to demonstrate skills beyond standard AV setup. This affinity for equipment repair became a recurring theme throughout my internship, as I was increasingly trusted with maintenance tasks.

My IT background proved valuable when I was tasked with re-imaging Windows computers for the company, demonstrating how diverse technical skills intersect in modern event production. I also explored PTZ camera equipment maintenance, expanding my technical repertoire further. Each repair project not only solved immediate problems but contributed to the company's operational efficiency by returning equipment to service quickly.

Adaptation and Problem-Solving

Live events rarely go exactly as planned, making adaptation and problem-solving essential skills. During the organization's house of delegates meeting, what was supposed to be a simple setup with just microphones suddenly required presentation capabilities five minutes before the event. As we scrambled to download presentations and configure computers for live document editing, the client's HDMI port failed mid-presentation. I saved the day with my personal USB-C adapter, turning potential disaster into a smooth experience.

These moments highlight how even the most thorough preparation can't anticipate every variable. The ability to calmly troubleshoot under pressure often makes the difference between event success and failure.

Lessons from Outdoor Production

The Bridgeway "Amazability" fundraiser taught me critical lessons about outdoor event production. When unexpected rain poured down on our tent setup (which lacked a floor), we had to quickly implement protective measures – taping all ground connections with electrical tape and placing power strips in plastic bags to prevent moisture damage.

This experience highlighted how outdoor events require specialized preparation and adaptability. Networking eight wireless handheld microphones through QLXD racks into Wireless Workbench became essential for reliable operation in an outdoor environment with different RF interference patterns than indoor spaces.

Unfortunately, I learned the most costly lesson when my high-end MacBook, left in my bag on the ground, suffered moisture damage that rendered it inoperable. This expensive mistake reinforced that equipment protection must extend beyond production gear to include personal devices – a lesson I won't soon forget.

From my first day to my last, this internship provided continuous growth and learning. Each event presented unique challenges that expanded my technical knowledge and problem-solving abilities. My dedication and performance ultimately led to a job offer, validating both my technical skills and approach to collaborative problem-solving.

As I transition from intern to full-time professional at Bell Tree Productions, I carry forward not just technical expertise but a deeper understanding of this dynamic industry. The blend of meticulous preproduction planning, technical knowledge, and on-site adaptability makes every successful event possible – even if attendees only ever see the final result.

My supervisor's evaluation highlighted my "strong work ethic, collaborative spirit, and positive attitude towards learning" – qualities that will continue to serve me well in this exciting field. I look forward to contributing to many more successful events and continuing to develop as an AV professional.