You're running out of time before a live event starts. How do you prioritize fixing technical issues?
As the countdown to your live event begins, prioritizing technical issues is key. Try these strategies:
- Assess urgency: Tackle problems that will have the biggest impact on the event first.
- Communicate promptly: Keep team members informed about issues and progress.
- Have a backup plan: Prepare alternatives for major technical components.
How do you manage last-minute hiccups before going live? Share your strategies.
You're running out of time before a live event starts. How do you prioritize fixing technical issues?
As the countdown to your live event begins, prioritizing technical issues is key. Try these strategies:
- Assess urgency: Tackle problems that will have the biggest impact on the event first.
- Communicate promptly: Keep team members informed about issues and progress.
- Have a backup plan: Prepare alternatives for major technical components.
How do you manage last-minute hiccups before going live? Share your strategies.
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Event management is Crisis Management. 1.Ensure best technical vendors who have latest and well maintained inventories 2. Back ups....back ups... back ups 3. Ensure audio and video and lights on separate power 4. Use UPS 5. Technical run a must 6. Pre event meet with show run a compulsion
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When time is tight before a live event, I prioritize technical fixes by focusing on high-impact issues that directly affect the audience experience, like sound, lighting, and visuals. Clear communication with the team, a checklist of essentials, and fallback solutions are key. Drawing from events like HerRising 2024 and UGT, I’ve learned that staying calm, trusting your team, and improvising where needed ensures the show goes on smoothly.
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Kelly KL Chan
Games production 🕹
(edited)1. What is the issue? 2. Check with the crew where the issue comes from - hardware or software? Can we use a backup computer/ cable/ encoder etc? 3. Think of the alternatives with the purpose of delivering the event 4. Give the client high level updates and let them know we are solving the problem [The contract should include an onsite test at least 3 business days in advance. Ideally the crew can move in the day before, or at least early in the morning on the day and have a dry-run 4 hours before the event. This would prevent unforeseeable circumstances and prove to the client that what has been agreed is tested and working. If the client declines due to cost concern, they should be made aware of the potential risks.]
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It is really important to stay calm and clear headed. Prioritise the one key technical element of the event you can't start without and fix that first, then the next till all others are sorted.
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Firstly, quickly identify critical issues & then make a Triage (Critical, High & Low Priority), Delegate, prepare workarounds, try and stay calm (easier said than done) and always communicate with your team, because even the best laid plans can encounter hiccups. Become a chameleon and adapt to the situation at hand.
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When facing technical issues right before a live event and running out of time, the first thing to remember is don’t panic—this is key in overcoming any hurdle. We're humans, not machines, and technical problems can arise at any time, so it's essential to be prepared for them. Here’s Are some Solution, Stay Calm and Focused Identify Major Issues First Delegate and Distribute Tasks Leverage Backups Trust Your Vendors: A good vendor can be the Solution.
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1. It's important to remain calm! 2. Identify the most pressing problems affecting the event's core functions, such as audio or video quality. 3. Delegating allows you to tackle other issues or troubleshoot 4. Keep attendees informed.
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The seconds before a live event feel like standing on a tightrope—one misstep can ripple across the entire show. I remember when an audio feed failed moments before a high-profile speaker took the stage. Instead of panicking, I focused on what mattered: the audience’s experience. First, assess the most critical issue—like sound, visuals, or lighting—and resolve it immediately. Then, assign your team to secondary fixes based on their expertise. Preparation is key; backup mics or visuals can save the day. Above all, stay calm. A deep breath can steady not just your nerves but your team’s confidence. Live events are unpredictable, but every challenge strengthens your instincts and sharpens your resilience.
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Staying cool…work the problem for the best solution. This could be an item you can quickly handle otherwise work with your team…depending upon the situation this may be one on one or open to the team. All ideas are on the table to quickly address the issue(s). Prepare and test as much as possible prior to the event but realize unknown outliers will happen for any Live event.
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The team can have the host, the voice over artist, the spinner, an entertainment/band to stall some time while having the technical director check on the equipment and fix all technical issues prior to the start of the event. Also prepare a back-up plan in case the issues don't get fixes and the event needs to start.
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