Showtime

Our call ended at 10:00 pm last night. The dinner was held in the Admiralty room which we are using as the break out for this morning. We rocked in there with an LCD projector and a couple wireless mics, and within a half hour, AV was pretty much set. We didn’t tape any of the cables down because the hotel had not moved the tables around from dinner.

 

This morning, we walked into the room, and go figure. The hotel not only had not moved the tables around, but they also ignored the fact that the room was going to be used as a break out today and set it for dinner this evening. After asking, begging, and pleading for them to reset the room, and move the tables from the very front. Our meeting planner Tina gave up and started moving tables and chairs herself. Meanwhile, there were two housemen sitting in the room, at the tables Tina was moving. Not bothering to help even in the slightest. When she got to the table that they were sitting at… They just stared at her. Finally when they didn’t get the idea, she looked right at them, and said “MOVE”

They figured that one out, but never helped us move the tables and chairs.

Finally after Rick, Tina, and I finished moving all the Tables and Chairs, some supervisor woman came up to us and asked if they could help. We said, “No, not now” and then she snapped something in Russian to the Ivan and Igor, and they started moving some chairs. Igor, being about the laziest houseman I have ever seen is dragging a chair across the floor, and nails the power cable that is taped down feeding the projector. He cut the thing right in half. What a pain. I then had to go find another extension cable, and although that seems like it should be easy, here in Russia, nothing is easy.

Let me make myself very clear!

The Russian TD came up to Rick and asked what time did their techs need to be here in the morning. 

Rick - 7:30 am. 

TD - 7:30 am

Rick - Yes

TD - Ummmmm 8:30?

Rick - (with his face turning red faster than an Astronaut on the sun with nothing but a speedo)

Rick - NO.... Let me make myself very clear! Everything we have asked for has not happened on time. This is why I asked for everything the first day when we talked. The crew hasn't eaten, we are going to be here past 10:00 pm.  7:30 am... Not 8:00 am, Not 8:30 am, Not, oh... I hope they show up at 9:00 am.... 7:30 am!

TD - uuhhh... ok

Rick - Do I make my self clear? 

TD - (blank stare) yes

AV in Russia

After we met with the equipment vendor yesterday we felt pretty good that we had avoided some major issues. They had intended to provide us with a Video switcher that was a 4 channel composite switcher. We told them that we needed a seamless VGA switcher that would handle a minimum of 4 computers. 

They understood, and told us they would get one.

This morning, this is what showed up.

So those of you in the business, will know that when we asked for a Seamless VGA switcher... we were expecting something a bit different. 

Oh, and the power Tie-in... it speaks for itself!

Hours later after waiting for a new switcher, this epic piece of equipment showed up. A crash switch. Strike 32-45 

There has been so many lost in translation moments so far that it would be impossible to keep count.

Everything from the basics like no gaff tape, to a $200 lighting board instead of the Whole Hog II that we finally were able to get. 7.5' x 10' screens in a room with a 10' ceiling. Pipe and Drape is not a few uprights and cross bars. It is 40' of lighting truss with gray cloth gaffed to it, and the list goes on and on.

The other part of the equation is that the hotel has just gone through a major renovation. So, amidst the carnage of our AV setup, there is the constant sound of hammer drilling, dust everywhere, and Hotel staff that could never find a reason to smile at a guest even if they worked at Disney for the next 35 years.

Last night, Eric decided to take a photo of the flowers in the lobby. He was instantly harassed by a security guard and asked if he was a guest. Then he was asked for his room number, and then that just wasn't good enough. The security guard then told him he had to go to the front desk. When he asked why, he was just ignored and told to go to the front desk. 

It was a mess and pretty annoying.

The sun doesn't set here till 11:15, and that makes it hard to get adjusted to sleep.

The show starts tomorrow, it is almost 6:00 pm and right now.... we are just rounding the corner to start the climb up success mountain.

Sunday Afternoon Sushi... in Russia

We landed in Russia, and stood in line in passport control. Anxiety rising just a little... I walked up to the booth and handed my passport and arrival/departure card to the woman behind the glass. She didn't even look up. She took my documents and started pounding on a keyboard that I couldn't see, and when I say pounding... I mean you would have thought she was using a hammer!

After a short time, which felt all together too long, she looked up, stared me in the eyes, and then looked down and pounded some more. Then I heard the sound of the rubber stamp slamming it's way onto the pages, and she all but through the passport at me and I was halfway there.

We went over to the baggage claim area and shortly received our bags, and now was the final test.

Russian soil, or Russian Rubber glove.

There were two doors ahead. One door was green, and one was red. Green was nothing to declare, and Red was declarations. The green door had a sign that said, "If you hesitate, you should use the red door." Well, thanks for the advice! Without hesitating, I put my head down, and started walking at the pace of a New York Commuter. Like I owned the place.

Once you go through the green door, there are X-ray machines, and they can randomly pull you out of the line and run all your luggage through a security check. 

The distance between the sweet free air of Russia and ending up in a concrete room trying to find answers to questions that you don't have is only about 20 feet. 

There were official looking people in uniforms pretty much ignoring me, as I crossed the threshold into Russia. I was in!

I heard footsteps behind me and some dude say "Sir, please, your bags on the X-ray. I looked back still rolling forward, and Rob had gotten snagged for a random bag check.

I couldn't wait right there for him, so I walked outside the secure area, and waited. 

About 3 minutes later, Rob came out and had no problems. Woo hoo, we are all in Russia now.

The transportation was a bit insane, as we seven people and luggage for about 30.

Rick and I ended up in some ones car with Luggage on our laps, and basically Rick sitting on top of me. He was in the middle and I was against the door. 

This guy drove so hardcore and fast, that there were a couple of times that I was sure we were going to clip another car or slide into a bus on the way through an intersection.

Apparently, we were not the only ones that had a crazy ride either. Eric and Evan had about the same experience although maybe a little bit worse!

We got to the hotel, met with the AV Vendor. Straightened a few things out, and then all met down in the hotel bar. After a few drinks, and many laughs, a few of us decided to go to the restaurant in the hotel and eat dinner. I had a great chef's salad, and a really tasty club sandwich. And then off to bed. Rob, Eric, and I agreed to meet at 8:00 am for breakfast and photos starting at 9:00 am. 

I went to my room, climbed into bed, and had to close the drapes, because the sun doesn't set here till about 11:15 pm. I fell asleep for about a half hour, and then woke up and was up till about 1 or 2 in the morning. 

The alarm went off too early today and I went down for breakfast and there was no sign of Rob.

Eric and I went off on our own, and saw some cool churches and buildings. We tried to get some good photos, but it was cloudy and then it started to rain. We ended up finding a cool little souvenir fair, and bought some little stuff. Then we were hungry. So, we walked back to the main drag, and found a hip Japanese place. I ordered some sushi and Eric got some soup and then a cool dish of chicken and pineapple. I was still hungry after my sushi, so I got the same dish. It was really good, and we headed back to the hotel.

The boys had arranged for a bus tour around the city at 3:00 pm. I wanted to go, but I was just feeling exhausted after my night of not much sleep. So, I bailed on the tour, and went to my room and slept so deeply, I am feeling a lot better than I was.

Scotty called me up and we both walked around the corner and hit the Russian McDonalds for a Big Mac meal.

It was really tasty. I mean... you gotta eat McDonalds around the world. It is like a little slice of home heaven!

After we got back to the hotel it was about 5:00 pm, and we went to check the ballroom. The vendor had told us that starting at 1:00 pm, they would be bring gear into the ballroom for our setup tomorrow. 

At 5:00 pm... the ballroom was a ghost town! Not one piece of equipment or anything at all has been loaded in so far. I have a feeling, this is the kind of place where it really doesn't matter what they say... You get what you get when they decide to give it to you.

Scary!

Last day in Prague

After we finished tearing down the show and putting it back in the trucks in the rain, the sun came out, and we all hung out in the loading doc and had a party. Upon Evans suggestion, Scotty, Horst and Andrea went to a market and bought 3 cases of beer, Sausages, Cheese, Bread, Peppers, Tomatoes, Proscuito, Chips and I am sure other things that I am forgetting.

We all had a really great time, filled with laughter and stories. 
It was really a great way to end the show.

I tried to leave the party as soon as I could, so I could get to my room and pack. It was still around midnight before I went to bed. I really need to learn how to not over pack!

 

The alarm went off at 6:30 and I snoozed for a bit. I was already packed so, it didn’t take long to get up and out of my room.

As I was checking out, Rick showed up, and then George.

Pretty soon, the rest of the group was all down, and we got on a small bus and headed to the Prague airport. Check in was really no big deal, and we ended up sitting in a restaurant having a drink and waiting for our plane. 
I am now on the plane writing this brief update, which I am sure will have some interesting stories, as we are landing in St Petersburg Russia. 

Heading to Russia

In about 45 minutes we head to Russia. Because we ran out of time, some of us did not get a business visa to enter Russia, so we are traveling on tourist visas. The rule is that on a tourist visa, you are not allowed to preform any tasks that would be considered work. 

So, the official line is that we are attending a meeting.

I hope this works. I am not ready to sit in a room and be interrogated by the Russians.

Maybe the 20 pounds of camera equipment will be enough to make them believe I am just an American tourist.

So, if this is the last post you ever see on Life in the Corporate Theater, you will understand. I don't think they will give me Internet access in Siberia. Someone should really pick up where I have left off. 

Today should be an experience, that is for sure!

some photos finally