AusTex64
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2013
- Messages
- 526
I have earned my living from the entertainment business my entire career - musician, technician, recording engineer, product developer, now business owner. I co-own a company that provides very high level repairs for automated lights. Our customers are cruise ships, theme parks, schools, churches, concerts, A/V companies - crowds. Was listening to music while walking today and a live recording came on that started with applause. How long will it be before we ever hear that sound again? Perhaps some insight here: http://blogs.shu.edu/sportspoll/2020/04/09/nearly-3-of-4-americans-say-they-wont-attend-games-without-coronavirus-vaccine-developed/ I would bet substituting "concerts" or "theatre" for "games" would yield a similar result.
Even when social distancing is relaxed (I pray not before robust testing and contact testing has been implemented nationally), I just don't see people lining up to stand shoulder to shoulder to hear their favorite bands anytime soon. Especially when people learn that most flu vaccines only offer 40% to 60% effectiveness. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/vaccineeffect.htm And BTW, I could not find any evidence that a vaccine for SARS or MERS currently exists. Someone please prove me wrong about that.
At first I thought my company might be able to ride this out through the fall by cutting costs by over half (including staff, unfortunately), getting our PPP loan and using it wisely. Now I'm not so sure that will be remotely long enough. Based upon what I'm reading, it could be a couple of years before shows and cruise ships really start to happen again. If even then, and if so, how much?
I've been very bullish on the entertainment industry for many years, telling students at speaking events and on podcasts that "entertainment is one of the last things people want to buy from the US. Been to any Chinese movies lately? Attended any concerts by Chinese artists with production they brought with them? Entertainment is basically a service business that's hard to outsource to Asia, at least the labor portion." Now, in light of current circumstances, I'm very seriously considering what industry I am going to move to now that entertainment is basically dead in the water? I'm 55 years old with a high school education and no other real experience outside the entertainment business. Maybe selling cars or something?
Hoping one or more of you will explain to me how I'm wrong and how this might work out in a positive fashion for people like me in the live entertainment industry. 'Cause right now it looks pretty bleak to me. Ever read "Who Moved My Cheese?" I'm not going to sit around for a couple of years waiting for the cheese to come back, spending most all my savings/retirement funds to survive in the meantime. I need a plan B & C, methinks.
I look forward to hearing from you smart folks. Thanks.
Even when social distancing is relaxed (I pray not before robust testing and contact testing has been implemented nationally), I just don't see people lining up to stand shoulder to shoulder to hear their favorite bands anytime soon. Especially when people learn that most flu vaccines only offer 40% to 60% effectiveness. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/vaccineeffect.htm And BTW, I could not find any evidence that a vaccine for SARS or MERS currently exists. Someone please prove me wrong about that.
At first I thought my company might be able to ride this out through the fall by cutting costs by over half (including staff, unfortunately), getting our PPP loan and using it wisely. Now I'm not so sure that will be remotely long enough. Based upon what I'm reading, it could be a couple of years before shows and cruise ships really start to happen again. If even then, and if so, how much?
I've been very bullish on the entertainment industry for many years, telling students at speaking events and on podcasts that "entertainment is one of the last things people want to buy from the US. Been to any Chinese movies lately? Attended any concerts by Chinese artists with production they brought with them? Entertainment is basically a service business that's hard to outsource to Asia, at least the labor portion." Now, in light of current circumstances, I'm very seriously considering what industry I am going to move to now that entertainment is basically dead in the water? I'm 55 years old with a high school education and no other real experience outside the entertainment business. Maybe selling cars or something?
Hoping one or more of you will explain to me how I'm wrong and how this might work out in a positive fashion for people like me in the live entertainment industry. 'Cause right now it looks pretty bleak to me. Ever read "Who Moved My Cheese?" I'm not going to sit around for a couple of years waiting for the cheese to come back, spending most all my savings/retirement funds to survive in the meantime. I need a plan B & C, methinks.
I look forward to hearing from you smart folks. Thanks.