Tag Archives: training

FREE Training Opportunities to consider during Self-Isolation

Brother Joe Martin writes, “I hope this finds everyone safe and well. During these trying times, the downtime we have recently acquired is shocking. With a lack of public places to go, Im sure a lot of us are going a little bit stir crazy. While this crisis is keeping the public at home, many companies across the industry are offering their online training programs, free of charge!

“Lets all take advantage of these services, and make good use of the downtime we have. Included below is a link that lists all the free services available to entertainment professionals during COVID-19. Free and training aren’t two words you see together often, so lets jump on it! I hope the classes offered will be to the benefit of everyone, and we can come back stronger than ever once all this madness blows over.”

Link: http://www.magnumco.com/learning/every-free-event-technology-training-class-tutorial-and-workshop-being-offered-during-covid-19-updating/

Intro to Arena and Convention Rigging

The dates for the class are May 20th-22nd.

This is an introduction to general work methods, terminology and math involved in arena and convention rigging. This is not meant to be a comprehensive course, but will give you a better idea about what rigging is and how it is done. Space is limited and the event is expected to fill up fast. Please email to reserve a spot or if you have any questions about the class.

Unionism Class Oct 28th

Growth = Strength
Growth = Strength
Sunday, October 28, 2018 at 2 PM – 4:30 PM IBEW Local 520 Meeting Hall (3rd Floor) 4818 E Ben White Blvd, Ste 300, Austin, Texas 78741 Interested in becoming a member of IATSE Local 205 – Austin Texas? Or would you like to learn more about IATSE and the Labor Movement? Attending is your first step! This 2-hour discussion will introduce the importance of unions, the benefits of membership, and the history of the IATSE. You can RSVP on the Facebook Event or contact the Vice President about about attending.

Pre-Meeting Seminar: Lighting Paperwork

Sister Katy Hallee will be presenting a pre-meeting seminar before the regular membership meeting on January 30th.  The seminar is open to all Austin area stagehands.

The topic of the seminar is “Lighting Paperwork”- primarily how to read and interpret light plots and paperwork.

Light Plot Example

The seminar will be held in the IBEW 3rd floor meeting room from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.
4818 E Ben White Blvd #300, Austin, TX 78741

To sign up, please fill out the form at: https://goo.gl/forms/UzOPUtmOPa3Ar8E82. You should receive an immediate confirmation that your sign up request was recorded.

The January regular membership meeting will begin at 7:30 pm.

In Solidarity,
Todd Drga
IATSE Local 205 Vice President

Training Seminar Monday Dec. 19th

Brother Joe Martin will be presenting a short seminar before the regular membership meeting on December 19th. The seminar is open to all area stagehands, but we request you sign up first.

The topic of the seminar is “Safety”.

stickman-tree

The seminar will be held in the IBEW 3rd floor meeting room from 5:00pm to 5:50pm.

To sign up, please fill out the form at: https://goo.gl/forms/ZohoKmSVFLlNEKNg1. You should receive an immediate confirmation that your sign up request was recorded.

As a reminder for 205 Members, the Special Meeting to discuss the 2017 Budget will occur at 6:00pm, immediately following this seminar. The Regular Membership meeting (which will include elections) will begin at 7:30 pm that night.

Training Seminar Monday November 28th

Austin Stagehands,

Brother Paul Arebalo and Ian “Micky” McGuane will be presenting a pre-meeting seminar before the Local 205 regular membership meeting on November 28th.

The topic of the seminar is “Essential Knots” and it will feature hands-on practice and visual presentations.  This seminar is open to ALL Austin area stagehands and is free.

This is a “very” basic class.  If you have a moment of panic and uncertainty when asked to tie a bowline or a clove hitch, then this seminar is probably for you.

Knots Tying

The seminar will be held in the IBEW 3rd floor meeting room from 6:00 pm to 7:30pm.
Please RSVP using this form.

Since there was a huge turnout for the last seminar, I’m trying a different sign up process. To sign up, please fill out the form at: https://goo.gl/forms/Q2mxAslkmrWzstFG3. You should receive an immediate confirmation that your sign up request was recorded.

If you cannot make this seminar, there are plenty of online resources for self-learning, just ask another stagehand what knots you should know and consult Grog’s Animated Knots page (or smartphone app).

Training Seminar Monday Oct. 24th

IATSE Local 205 is starting an educational seminar program to help raise the skill levels for all workers in Austin. These are short seminars on basic crafts and skills, presented by IATSE Local 205 for any and all Austin stagehands.

The first educational seminar will be held on Monday, October 24th from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the IBEW Building, 3rd Floor meeting room, 4818 E. Ben White Blvd, Austin TX 78741.

The topic of October’s seminar is basic audio- connectors, equipment, signal flow and gain structure.

audio-cables

There is no cost to attend the seminar, however you must RSVP to so that we can plan for how many people will attend.

Todd Drga
IATSE Local 205 Vice President

Lynda.com Subscriptions (New or Renewal)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

If you were signed up for a Lynda.com subscription that just ended on 8/31, you may renew your subscription for $25.  See this flyer for what the courses are like or browse all of them on lynda.com.

New subscriptions also cost $25. See the attached flyer for more information on Lynda.com and the online training that is offered.

All year 2 subscriptions will last until 8/31/2017.

You must be, and remain, in good standing with all financial obligations to Local 205 in order to sign up for Lynda.com.

To sign up or renew, please follow the following procedure. Please note that the IATSE office in NY wants to receive ONE check from Local 205 for all people who sign up, so we must follow these steps.

  • Email and let me know that you want to renew or sign up.
  • If you are signing up for the first time, please include your date of birth (required by Lynda.com) and the email address you would like to have associated with the Lynda.com account.
  • Renewing members will continue to use the email address that they signed up with last year.
  • Send a check for $25, payable to “IATSE Local 205” to Treasurer Kelso. Please put “Lynda.com” on the memo line so she knows what the check is for.
  • You may mail the check to PO Box 142, Austin TX 78767 or pay at the monthly meeting.
  • Your subscription will be activated when the IATSE office in NY receives and processes the subscription forms. Lynda.com will contact you directly to complete the sign in process at that time.

In solidarity,
Todd Drga
IATSE Local 205 Vice President

Stewarding II Training Oct 5th and 6th

Via Sam Chesney, Steward Committee Chair:

Brothers and Sisters,

Local 205 will be offering Steward 2 training and testing again in October. This course is open to all members who have completed previous Stewarding courses. There is no charge associated with this class.

Dates: October 5th and 6th from 9am to 5pm
Location: IBEW 3rd Floor Meeting Hall
Please RSVP to

The Steward 2 course is for members who have completed Steward 1 training and offers additional instruction in writing grievances, investigating complaints and incidents, dealing with management, CBA analysis, Call Steward, Hiring Hall paperwork, and a lot more. In addition, the second day, October 6th, we will be offering the Steward exam.

Note that the Business Agent is under standing orders from the membership to appoint and crew stewards who have passed this test and attended these classes above other considerations. Also note that in order to keep your qualified steward status you are required to re-certify bi-annually.

Sam Chesney
Chair, Steward’s Committee