EMPLOYER INTERVIEW THIS WEEK RICHARD (RM) MARTIN TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, MARTIN PRODUCTION
ABOUT RM
RM’s technical career commenced in 1979 with Opera Australia, progressing in 1989 to Cameron Mackintosh Pty Ltd as Technical Manager, touring throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia and South Africa. Founding Martin Production in 1999, Richard provides technical direction and supervision of major productions & events throughout the world, including the West End and Broadway.
Notable recent credits include: King Kong Live Onstage – Broadway and The Lion King, International Tour. In 2021 Richard will provide Technical Direction for upcoming productions of Hamilton and Moulin Rouge.
Richard also consults on the development of entertainment venues and productions for theatre, arena, stadium, theme parks and events.
INTERVIEW
SHOWLOOP: When did you start working in Theatre/Events?
RM: I started working as a theatre technician in 1979.
SHOWLOOP: What was your first job?
RM: I was a stagehand at the Sydney Opera House and was assigned to whatever production came in for companies such as Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Dance Company, Australian Opera.
SHOWLOOP: Did you have any industry specific education or training?
RM: Not when I started but back then the SOH offered training in certain disciplines such as rigging, forklift driving, automated machinery operation. By far the best training was achieved by hands-on experience and working with industry legends such as Norman Parker, John Mascetti. In the early 90s under Mort Clark at Cameron Mackintosh Pty Ltd industry specific training was offered to up-skill technical staff with a view to broadening the knowledge of back-stage workers.
SHOWLOOP: What have been your career highlights?
RM: Being offered a Touring Mechanist position with Opera Australia at 19yrs of age, touring The Phantom of the Opera around the world for 28yrs, working as TD for Dirty Dancing around the world including the West End, working on King Kong Live Onstage on Broadway, and of course successfully running Martin Production Pty Ltd since 1999.
SHOWLOOP: What production staff or show crew positions do you employ?
RM: I currently employ staff in all Technical Departments in Theatre & Events.
SHOWLOOP: What do you look for when employing a staff or crew member?
RM: I always look for aptitude and a good attitude along with basic ability for the role to be filled. You can always teach the right person if they have the right approach to begin with.
SHOWLOOP: What have you been doing during the industry lockdown?
RM: Due to the pandemic, a lot of rescheduling & adjusting budgets for existing and future productions, collaborating with Will and Dawn on launching the ShowLoop website, catching up on years of missed sleep and enjoying unexpected but welcome extra time with my family.
SHOWLOOP: What are your thoughts on the recovery of the Theatre/Event industry post-Covid?
RM: History tells us that Theatre & Events do well in hard times/post recessions, therefore I truly believe as soon as Government allow us to have a full house then it will be back in all its glory.
SHOWLOOP: What projects are you currently working on?
RM: I am currently in pre-production for Hamilton opening in Sydney in March, 2021, and Moulin Rouge, due to open in Melbourne in July, 2021.
SHOWLOOP: What can ShowLoop do for you?
RM: ShowLoop is a much-needed industry resource for the constant need to secure the right staffing for theatre & events as well as industry services and suppliers. It will mean no longer using word of mouth or checking the old black book but simply checking in one online location.
