Archive notice: This article was originally published on January 25, 2010. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Starting in May, SAE Institute Hamburg is launching the SAE LIVE course, a series of courses on event technology. The four-month course provides a comprehensive insight into the various areas of work relevant to the audio-technical implementation and execution of an event. Participation is open not only to SAE graduates, but also to career changers with comparable prior knowledge.
They used to be called “roadies” – today they are skilled professionals
Since hardly any money can now be made from CD sales in an increasingly digitalised world, more and more artists and labels are moving towards generating additional income through live concerts and merchandise. This trend will continue this year – artists’ tour schedules have long since been completed and the venues booked. The events sector also benefits from this development and is interested in appropriately trained staff. But the trend towards events is not limited to music – the SAE LIVE course therefore considers other event formats from the arts and industry, such as theatre productions and corporate and industrial events, alongside music events.
SAE has created a concept for the LIVE course that contains an optimal blend of theory and practice. For this reason, partnerships have been established with various event venues, technical-service providers and concert agencies so that practical work can actually be carried out under realistic conditions. All areas of potential events, with their respective special requirements, are covered. The individual topics include event conception and production management, setup and dismantling, and the working methods and duties of the stagehand, backliner, stage manager, PA operator, systems technician, wireless operator, live recording engineer, FOH engineer and monitor engineer.
Özgür Sönmez, Institute Director of SAE Hamburg, emphasises the LIVE course’s practical focus: “The course provides for the execution of several real live events. These events are organised and carried out completely by the students. In this way, we achieve the best and most memorable learning success and at the same time give participants the opportunity to build contacts in the industry.”
The SAE LIVE course runs for four months with 20 hours per week and is limited to a maximum of 15 participants. The monthly course fee is 490 euros.
