There are all kinds of job titles for what I do in the production management area. Let’s face it, sometimes it's confusing.
Production Managers are usually the person who oversees all the technical details for a production including the production budget, staffing, and logistics. In some settings this person is also called a Technical Producer.
In large corporate events a Technical Director tends to work under a Production Manager and manages all the on-site technical details. But in theaters the Technical Director manages the scene shop, in television they control the camera switcher, and in radio they are mostly Audio Engineers. So confusing.
And don’t get me started on why they call theater lighting technicians “Electricians” Not to be confused with commercial Electricians who someone would call to fix the wiring in their home or business.
Stage Manager is a title I have frequently, but sometimes in corporate events I'm referred to as the "Show Caller" and work at front of house calling all the cues for the show, as opposed working on the stage. In the theater world the Stage Manager calls the cues for the show, but frequently they have an Assistant Stage Manager (ASM) who works physically on the stage. Sometimes in corporate events the ASM is called the Stage Manager. Confused yet? I know, it's kinda nuts. But when you have your feet a little bit in each of these worlds like I do you sort of get used to switching gears and knowing what all these positions do. It makes keeping stage right and stage left straight seem easy.
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