This week on The Production Channel, we explore the educational side of live event work. In Episode 10, Stephen and Clem interview Bob Murdock, the National Director of Education for the Evolve Media Group in Orlando, Florida. Evolve Media Group is a video equipment rental house specializing in short and long-term leases, however, the company also has a successful learning academy. Bob, a 37-year veteran of broadcast news and live events, currently leads the creation and development of the video technician training curriculum at EMG’s learning centers in both Orlando and Las Vegas.

Bob and his instructors all have extensive live show experience, and together they have instituted classes in basic projection and projection warping and blending. Their team also administers manufacturer-certified training classes for Barco and Analog Way. Bob says he’s really excited about a new offering that started earlier this year called the Trailhead Program. He states, “I really wanted to start a program where we could take somebody, maybe perhaps right out of high school, or right out of a two-year degree college program or maybe someone who’s gotten out of the military, and they need a direction.” The program is essentially designed to give young people a career path or to provide additional training to technicians wanting to learn a new discipline. Bob’s team also provides training in one of the most important skills to learn as an event tech–the proper way to troubleshoot. He says, “Nowadays, that’s just not learned, and it’s not taught so we target troubleshooting as a main part of our instruction.” Knowing just what to do when things go wrong saves time onsite for the crew, and in turn, saves money for the client.

Join the conversation to learn Bob Murdock’s plans to continue attracting young blood into the live event industry, his number one rule for freelancers, and that “teaching old dogs new tricks” can actually be done with proper instruction and a good work ethic.