Setup and Tear Down Time

[Sween]

What is acceptable?

Here's my reason for asking... I have a gig where I have sold my "Gold" package and none of the guys I usually use as roadies/assistants are available. I CAN do it by myself... but it will take me more than 2 hours to setup (probably 2.5 to 3) and possibly over an hour to tear down. Double the time it normally takes.

Most of the places around here are accommodating on setup time about 80% of the time, but NOT on tear down. 1 hour seems to be cutoff before they get pissy and start turning off lights and saying they're gonna charge you.

Should I just do it myself? The idea of not having to pay someone is certainly tempting... I mean what are they gonna do? I know there are no other events that day, so setup is probably not an issue. And I'm thinking 1.5 hours for tear down.

FYI.. the Gold is (2) ST-132's stands with (2) movers, (2) scanners, and (2) colorbars all on DMX. I will also have to run remote speakers... uplighting around the stage, as well as wrestle in my LS801p. Oh and this place has you load in through the kitchen.

Oh... I did not sign any contract promising this venue I'd be out in a hour. (That doesn't mean the B&G didn't though).

[jazzyj]

I have free labor aka my husband so it's hard for me to say - although there have been some close calls where I didn't think he would be able to go. If you have lots of time for setup - I wouldn't worry about it. I have had to do a couple of setups on my own but then I had him come later to tear down. Of course tear down always goes quicker than setup but I would talk to the B&G and ask them. In most of the venues I've been in, they had the venue up until 11pm or midnight even though their reception only last til 9 or 10. 90% of the time no one from the venue is even there so it wouldn't have been an issue anyhow.

My husband would tell you to say fuck it and just do it yourself and if you run over an hour oh well. I'm the more cautious one that would say talk to the B&G and find out what their contract says with

[DJ Donnie Lewis]

Might be tough. Break down for my top package takes an hour with me and 2 assistants. Thats working slow.

We actually had an issue once where I had to DJ a party and had my booth rented 35 minutes away during the same time frame. MY wife and MC broke down while I ran to get the booth. When I came back the venue had bitched at my wife for not being done, this was about 50 minutes in. Boxes stacked by the door and everything cleaned up ready to go. Just needed to load it in the truck.

They made my wife and MC move everything into the parking lot. This was 50 minutes after the party ended. We were loaded and gone in about an hour 15. Not bad but the venue owner was a prick, I actually do not refer him to anyone and have pulled out of doing any genre based parties with him anymore.

After my rambleing I guess my point is yea you should be able to break it down in an hour. If need be just box the improtant shit quick then toss wireing into a bin and sort it at home.

[Djmike209]

It seams for me. Tear down in half the time of set up. For the Basic setup. 2 tops 2 subs, rack, tbar with 2 lights usually is about 30 min. 10-15 min of that is dragging everything in.

I have tired to make it as easy for the guys as possible and make everything plug and go. We have one venue here in town that makes you sign an agreement to be out 30 min after end time. So I have started to sell the small package at the large package price. Just because I dont care to work there.

The simplest thing is to ask. You know your venues, you have that relationship with them. I have found most dont care and most tear down and clean, sweep, reset for the next event so gives me enough time to get out. We did have a manager of one event ask us to "hurry up" after an event. I told him grab a speaker my trailer is out back. (he didnt)

[mrkleen]

I do lots of events on my own....but never have as big a set up as you. I have never taken more than 30 minutes to breakdown. I would imagine 90 minutes would be a problem with most halls.

[Djmike209]

Hire a nephew or neighborhood kid for the night. Show him the day before what you expect. how things go. The night of the event have him show up for clean up. Give him $40 bucks for his time.

[Sween]

Yeah... Tossing my brother in law $50 to come out for an hour at ending time just occurred to me... especially since he only lives 5 minutes away from this venue.

My Gold package is not my top package... that is Platinum, and I would never think of doing that alone. Takes 2 guys an hour to pack up. If this place didn't have me load through the kitchen and they had a door right behind the stage to the car I'd be able to do it no problem by myself...

[DJMC]

This illustrates why I chose to go without lights whenever possible.

My normal setup time takes one hour, teardown is about 20 minutes (or less).

[Mystic]

This is why I have a contract stipulation stating that I require a certain amount of time before and after the event for equipment load in and load out. It's the signers responsibility to make sure I have that allotted time slot. Any fees I may get from that would become responsibility of the signer.

[Sween]

This is why I have a contract stipulation stating that I require a certain amount of time before and after the event for equipment load in and load out. It's the signers responsibility to make sure I have that allotted time slot. Any fees I may get from that would become responsibility of the signer.

I have that too, but it says one hour for take down... I don't know if it would matter if I make it longer b/c most places seem to want to kick you out after an hour anyway...

[Mystic]

I give myself at least 2 hours. Things can happen and cause delay so it's best to cover yourself.

Plus, they can't boot you with your gear still inside the building. I've had a few people try when I've been a few newer places. I simply told them, "Look, I could sit here arguing with you, but it's not going to make this load out any faster. This will go a lot easier for us both if you let me do my job and we'll be out as soon as I can. You're not the only one wanting to get home and I still have to unload when I get there, so don't take offense when I tell you I don't really feel all that sorry that you're missing the latest episode of gossip girl because you have to stay and do what you're paid to do."

That usually works. If they make further problems, I simply tell them if they attempt to lock me out in between runs to my trailer, I'll be on the phone with the police. I'm sure their boss will love to hear about that one in the morning.

I don't like playing the mean guy, but I've got a job to do and it goes a lot easier when we all play nice.

[Ntertainment]

This illustrates why I chose to go without lights whenever possible.

My normal setup time takes one hour, teardown is about 20 minutes (or less).

An hour with out lights? Wow you must really lolly about. I can do no lights in about 20 minutes, top. And with a full light setup (trussing, t stands, and 8 lights) in about an hour. Everything is on wheels though and i have a box van. That helps a ton!