Before the tickets for a show go on sale, the production manager reviews sightline restrictions, stage size and position, mixing size and position, barricades, and any other production element that affects seating.
The production manager makes detailed advance arrangements with the technical manager of the venue as soon as the details of the show are determined. A checklist is customized to the contract rider to make sure every requirement is covered, because requirements vary from act to act. Once it has been established whether there are any problems setting up a show in a particular venue, the production manager can start to work on amending the setup to the venue.
A final check is done the day before each new setup to make sure the local staff is ready for the show and to deal with any last-minute changes.
Figure 5–1. Loading the truck.
Figure 5–2. Venue seating plan.