Live Event

Commencement

Celebrating graduates with top-notch production values.

As of May 2021, I've directed the live streams of 66 consecutive Commencement ceremonies for Biola University.

A lot has changed over the years, but I'm always passionate about ensuring Biola's Commencements are fitting celebrations of the hard work that our graduates have put into their degrees.

Commencement has moved venues and changed sizes somewhat — at one point being one large event with nearly 10,000 in attendance, but now a series of smaller events to allow for distancing in our current era.

My role shifts a bit each semester, but tends to involve the following:

• Directing each live event.
• Creating a massive fiber and SDI network to support 8 or 9 (or more) cameras, as well as LED or projection screens, overflow venues, fill TVs, confidence monitors, etc.
• Working closely with the lighting engineer to ensure the events are lit well for broadcast.
• Providing feedback on program elements, to ensure the program stays focused and moving.
• Ensuring the live stream can be viewed by all — including those utilizing our closed captions option.
• Drafting physical plots for staging and seating, accurate to within an inch.
• Overseeing (portions of) the crews setting up technical and production equipment.
• Driving some heavy machinery or climbing some truss (if I'm lucky😛)

I love working with the team of dedicated event professionals at Biola University who make events like Commencement happen — and are always seeking to improve wherever we can.