What should you do if you want to be paid?
Hey, this is Max writing this for you to explain the payment situation with tech crew and let you know what I'm looking for in a paid member.
First off, I'd like to explain why we can't just pay everyone and be happy. If you haven't noticed in the news or gossip, our school (and pretty much every other public school in America) doesn't exactly have a lot of money. It just so happens that 80-90% of the time, the school is the people who pay us. Basically, we have limits on how much we can charge each group on any one show. The only time that the school is not the organization who pays us is when an outside group rents out the Auditorium. So, we just can't pay everyone, say 10-15 people, $7.25 an hour for a show. We would wipe out the budgets and the District would decide to stop paying us. And that's not what we want.
Okay, now that you know that I can't pay all of you, it might be useful for you to know how I choose which members get paid.
Work Ethic - Tech Crew is one of the only clubs at the high school that actually does manual labor, hence the reason that we are the only ones that get paid. When you are at light sets, rehearsals, performances, etc. I expect you to be attentive and ready to do work. Ask for tasks to do if I do not assign them to you. Work efficiantly, do not whine about having to work and go slow.
Knowledge About Technology - We are the Tech Crew. Tech is short for technology. You really need to have strong knowledge in computers, basic electricity, sound operation and light setting/designing/programming. We do have training sessions throughout the school year to help strengthen your knowledge in these areas (especially the lights and sound as most people do not have theater systems in their homes), but I can only spend so much time teaching. Some of you may have to take extra time reading online to gain the necessary knowledge.
Social Skills - Just like any job, you need to have good social skills. Being a paid member means you will be working a lor more with me and other paid members. Quite frankly, if I don't like you or enjoy working with you, it's not likely that I will want you to be a paid member. I like a good sense of humor! But make sure it doesn't hinder the above two bold points too much.
Attendance - It is necessary for you to be at any event I announce or email you about. I believe you learn best when you do things hands on and observe other people working. If you are not in attendance, you will not keep up with the things you need to know. I understand people have sports and other activities, but sometimes you have to set your priorities. Mayeb tech crew won't work for you otherwise.
To summarize things, I want a few people who become good friends with me and each other, are excited about tech crew, ready to work, know what they're doing and are fun to be around. That's how we will operate best.
Written 8/31/09 by Max Peterson, Crewhead