The Technical Side of Event Production

Behind every successful event lies a complex web of technical expertise that most attendees never see. During my recent internship at Bell Tree Productions, I've discovered firsthand how technical knowledge forms the backbone of live event production. From repairing essential equipment to troubleshooting under pressure, the technical aspects of event production represent both its greatest challenges and most rewarding moments.

Equipment Repair & Maintenance

One of the most valuable skills I've developed during my internship is equipment repair and maintenance. During a particularly rewarding day, I had the opportunity to solder XLR cables and demonstrate my technical aptitude. This seemingly simple task is actually critical—audio failures often come down to faulty connections, and knowing how to repair them quickly can save an entire production.

The repair bench has become a familiar home during office days. Each piece of equipment I fix represents not just a technical victory, but a contribution to the company's operational efficiency.

Troubleshooting Under Pressure
Live events wait for no one. When technical issues arise, they demand immediate solutions. During The Links event, we experienced "ghost popping" in the speakers—an intermittent audio issue we traced to a problematic AES50A connection. Later, our projectors unexpectedly powered down, likely due to people stepping on our cable runs.

These experiences highlighted a critical lesson: proper cable management isn't just about aesthetics—it's about reliability and signal integrity. In a subsequent team meeting, we discussed improvements for future events, concluding that "having a longer SDI cable run" would help mitigate similar issues.

Technical Systems Diversity

The technical side of event production spans numerous specialized systems:

During the OPTA event, I served as a "floating technician," going around to each breakout room helping presenters with their technology needs. This role required familiarity with audio, video, and computer systems all working in harmony.

My experience re-imaging Windows computers showcases how IT skills increasingly overlap with traditional AV knowledge. Modern event production relies heavily on networked systems, specialized software, and digital interfaces.

Recently, I've begun exploring PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) camera technology, which represents the intersection of video, control systems, and networking—demonstrating how specialized technical knowledge continues to expand the capabilities of live events, including taking them apart!

Continuous Learning
Each event presents unique technical challenges requiring adaptability and growth. The OPTA event was particularly educational due to miscommunications about setup that required quick adjustments to meet best practices.

From the TedX event at BGSU to Cristo Rey at The Fives (where pouring rain complicated our setup), each production has added new technical skills to my repertoire. As technologies evolve and events grow more complex, technical expertise becomes increasingly valuable—making the learning process one of the most rewarding aspects of this field.

James is a technical specialist at Bell Tree Productions with expertise in AV systems, equipment repair, and live event production.