Twenty Crewsaders from around the country congregated in Birmingham’s Studio 202 for the 2013 calendar shoot. This year’s theme was ‘working on-site’. This was the first photo shoot for many of the boys, but your favourite Crewsaders from last years calendar helped them out on how to perform in front of the camera.

The day started with the load-in of the props. It was followed by dressing the studio whilst the photographer and videographer set up their equipment. Make up artist Katie Bird was on hand again this year. She made sure the guys looked their best. A fun day was had by all and we wrapped just after 5pm. We made this video to share our day with you. Many thanks to all the Crewsaders and the production team who made the shoot and the video a success. If you would like a Crewsaders Calendar 2013 for your office wall or Christmas stocking, please email your details to calendar@crewsaders.com

A CrewsadersTV Production
Photography: Chris Elkerton
Music and Videography: Matt Friswell
Producer: James Morgan

The video guide offers an insight and understanding of ISO 20121 Event Sustainability Management Systems. Crewsaders stakeholders, the DRP Group, Hawthorn Theatrical and Logistik as well as crewmen, talk about the different elements that need to be considered to create sustainability in the event production lifecycle and beyond. Case studies are used to highlight the basic principles behind the SEMS. Crewsaders would like to thank all our stakeholders that helped in creating an informative and thought provoking film for event professionals around the globe.

Credits:
Directed and Edited by: Chris Elkerton and Matt Friswell
Produced and Written by: James Morgan

Crewsaders puts in tens of thousands of hours work into hundreds of venues around Britain and Europe every year. The crew members have preferences on the venues they really look forward to working in, so we thought that we would list their favorites. The list is based on feedback from a survey that was sent out to over 300 event crew, event staff and security operatives that work across crew bases in Bristol, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, London and Manchester.

The best venue list is based on specific criteria that relate to working in various types of venues on specific types of live events. Crewsaders were asked which venues had the best ease of access, room facilities and production facilities, working atmosphere and environment, building design, helpful and friendly staff, and off course the most appetising crew catering. The results of the survey were published in Conference News.

The best venues for 2012 are:

Best Exhibition Centre: EXCEL, Docklands, London;

Best Conference Centre: The International Convention Centre, Birmingham;

Best Country House Hotel: The Celtic Manor, Newport;

Best City Hotel: Hilton Park lane, London;

Best Unique Venue: The Passenger Sheds, Bristol;

Best Concert Venue: Bridgewater Hall, Manchester.

Crewsaders and Roo Live have collaborated to produce June’s Crew Cut. Director Becky Allen drew her inspiration from the images made popular by Guinness advertisement ‘Horses’ made in 1999, which in turn drew its inspiration from English artist Walter Crane‘s 1893 painting “Neptune’s Horses”.

The spoof was filmed at the Fly By Nite truck yard in Redditch, West Midlands over a rainy weekend in May. Fly By Nite drivers and crewmen from Crewsaders braved the elements to turn in great performances. The video was shot and edited by Chris Elkerton and Matt Friswell. Check out the video on CrewsadersTV

Crewsaders were called in by Jelly Artists Bompass and Parr to assist on their ss Great Britain project in Bristol harbour.  The job involved putting down a lime green jelly on the glass surface surrounding the ship. It was illuminated from beneath to create a lime green glow and ‘floating in jelly like feel’ around the vessel. Organic materials were used in this innovative application of the Jellymongers expertise and flair. The event was aired nationally on the BBC and on other TV channels and reported on in the press. Watch the great vid made by the inimitable Bompass and Parr. Our stickiest moment ever.

Dirty Rigger and Crewsaders have tied up a deal for Crewsaders to be the official testing partner for Dirty Rigger products. The fruits of this partnership have resulted in the new SRT glove that is being launched this month.

The development process for the SRT glove started in August 2011. Developing a suitable update of Dirty Rigger’s Special Response Team glove has been a testing time. Designing and developing a new model to replace the SRT glove used by the Armed Forces, the Events Industry and other industrial sectors has required a fresh approach to development. 5 different designs tested on-site by Crewsaders have been put through their paces. The testing involved Crew Chiefs from London and Birmingham had to be comprehensive using a standardized feedback procedure. Each model was tested for more than 200 man hours in differing weather conditions, on different types of equipment and on differing jobs in order to maximize the testing of various design elements. A total of 1214 man-hours later and the new SRT gloves were ready for the final hurdle before being released to the marketplace.

A range of materials was strategically selected to provide exceptional durability and grip in all conditions. The palm and fingertips are made from 100% Daewoo International® branded suede synthetic leather.  This material was then treated and printed with an ultra-grip silicone layer on the finger tips and keys areas of the palm. The rear of the glove features an elasticated yet extremely durable material that provides maximum comfort over extended periods of wear. High-density absorbing pads and moulded rubber guards are integrated in key areas to reduce common hand injuries caused by impact. The SRT incorporates an all-black low profile finish making it ideal for tactical use and the events industry.

The British Standard EN 420:2003 multi hazard testing for abrasion, dexterity, puncture and resistance was a success. The result is the unveiling of the new SRT glove that has been put to the test on all sorts of events, on all types of equipment and in all types of environments. The finished article is a stylish and durable update on the original. Crewsaders Health and Safety Director Pat Fellows gave the glove his full backing. “70% of our onsite injuries are to hands. I am confident that being heavily involved in the development process of the SRT glove will ensure a significant drop in the severity and number of these injuries”. The glove is available to event professionals from Dirty Rigger this month.

Voted as 3^rd  best company to work for in last year’s Fab 50 by Event Magazine. The competition is being run again this year. To all crew – recommend your company again for Fab 50.

Working for Crewsaders is great. Rates of pay, working conditions, excellent training courses, a great uniform that’s envied by other crewing companies and many of our clients, crew socials and the staff travel incentive make us one of the best to work for. So show your support and vote for your company.

Click on the Fab 50 icon below to have a look at the article in Event Magazine. In the article is a link to a short questionnaire. It will take 5 minutes to fill out. Everyone that fills out the questionnaire will be entered into a prize draw. Go on guys! You know we are the best!

As we move in to what is going to be one of the biggest and busiest years in the events industry, Crewsaders has committed to increasing its staffing levels to meet client demands. New opportunities are available at our crew bases throughout the country.

To launch the recruitment drive, Managing Director Jeremey Berryman explains what attributes a new Crewsader should have, and covers the benefits of being involved with one of the most respected suppliers to the events industry.

Crewsaders sponsored Best Photography at the IVCA Awards 2012. The glitzy ceremony at Grosvenor House was attended by 800 international visual communication professionals.

Alex Reid of New Moon walked away with the Gold Medal for his work on Falcon & Associates ‘Connecting Minds, Creating The Future’ a promotional video for the United Arab Emirates current bid to host the World Expo 2020. You can tweet your congratulations to Alex on his win @newmoon

The Silver Medal went to Adam Etherington of TheFrameworks / Dassault Systèmes and the Bronze Medal went to Dominic Bartels and Simon Baker at Wilder Films.

You can see Alex’s fantastic film here:

Connecting Minds, Creating The Future

One of the biggest risks to event managers, technicians and event crew is the way in which they handle various types of equipment. Injuries related to the mis-handling of equipment account for the costs related to lost man-hours as well as productions falling behind schedule. As part of our information and education strand of Crewsaders communication strategy, we have produced an animated ‘Manual Handling for Events’ video to lower the risks involved when handling various types of event equipment.

This best practice training aid is aimed at new staff, as well as for experienced operatives that need a refresher on how to handle equipment. The script was written in consultation with a panel of our clients for two reasons. The first was that they wanted to be assured that Crewsaders were practicing safe working methods, and second that the video offered them an easy ‘show and tell’ training aid that could be used for their new staff on induction programmes.

The 9 minute video covers six main areas. The first section offers and introduction to manual handling and the way in which tasks should be approached in general. The rest of the video provides information on the handling of specific subjects – such as off loading, loading, flight cases, screens and flats – and best practice on how to handle equipment and other production items.

The video has now been incorporated into Crewsaders induction programme. It will prove useful for the wider events industry as all technicians, production staff and crew involved in production process (especially those that are new to the industry) will benefit from this training aid.