Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 8:48 — 5.7MB) | Embed
Behind the scenes, backstage, and back of house is a fascinating place and hold many lessons.
Personal Fact:
I always loved to look behind closed doors and in hidden spaces.
Fun Fact:
The “Utilidor” tunnels under Walt Disney World are over 74 miles in length and cover over 9 acres.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney_utilidor_system
http://www.themeparktourist.com/features/20140414/17536/15-things-are-hidden-underground-disneys-magic-kingdom
Lessons Learned Behind The Scenes:
I have always been fascinated by secret passages, tunnels the hidden places. That is why I enjoy TV shows that delve into the hidden things. “Cities of The Underworld” aired for several seasons on The History Channel. The host Don Wildman took us from the underground tunnels in Washington, D.C. to the World War II underground in Europe. I’ve seen ever episode at least twice.
I’ve love reading stories from former cast members at Disney. The Disney parks are intentionally built and maintained to keep people in story. The people are so caught up in the wonder that they do not realize what goes on behind the scenes. So getting to learn some of those behind the scenes stories, gives me such insight to what happens front of house.
I think I’ve always been fascinated by the activity that goes on behind the scenes because of my personality. I’m not a naturally outgoing person, and I’m not one who thrives in the spotlight. But I have always known that it takes a group to make things happen.
In my soccer playing days, I was a defender. In intermediate school and junior high, I worked in the library. In junior high through college, I was a videographer for sports teams. I found my place behind the scenes. I was not envious of the folks out front, but content that the part I played behind the scenes, combined with theirs made the whole better.
Over the years, I had fun learning about the people who work in secret in those hidden tunnels, hidden rooms, and back stage areas. I’ve learned that they make things happen. So it has been such fun to join the team behind the scenes.
In college worked on the staff at my church camp. I have worked doing work behind the camera and in the editing bays for a mission organization. I ran sound and did work on sets for theater productions. I work in the office of a school.
Truthfully working behind the scenes is hard work. It means laboring hard to help the group or team succeed but being out of visible picture. I love the theater tech t-shirt that says, “If you see me something has gone horribly wrong.”
So let me share some lessons learned behind the scenes.
First of all I believe it is important for everyone to take roles and positions up front and behind the scenes. My times being out front are not necessarily the most comfortable or smoothest times. But being out front gives me a great understanding of what those out front go through. The same is true for out front people taking the behind the scenes rolls. When we experience both sides of things we can then serve in our natural roll with greater strength. It helps the team succeed in greater ways.
I’ve learned that just because you are behind the scenes, does not mean you can’t be a diva. I mean that in the positive and negative ways. I have had to learn to check myself and examine my intentions. I’m I serving for my own gain? I’m I doing it for the praise of others? On the other side, am I doing it to see the team succeed? Am I excelling at my service in a way that builds others up? I’ve quickly learned that selfishness is human issue not a front of house only issue.
Another lesson I’ve learned behind the scenes is seamlessness. The goal of front of house and behind the scenes folks it to be seamless. When we work together supporting and serving each other, the effort draws those watching in to the story. Years ago I wrote a document to help others who were running sound. I wrote, “Your job is to help the story be told seamlessly, so that no on recalls anything about the sound. They should be so drawn into the world of the story that they forget they are in a theater.”
What I Learned Yesterday:
So what did I learn? I’ve learned that being behind the scenes is fun but a lot of work. I’ve learned that each person has a part and every part is important. Being behind the scenes, you may be hidden, but you’re essential. I’ve learned that each of us has to examine our hearts to see why we serve. But most of all I’ve learned through teamwork, each person is special and essential to success.
I’m Geoff Gentry and this has been Stuff I Learned Yesterday.
Send in your contributions for this week’s Friday Forum. Head on over to https://www.goldenspiralmedia.com/feedback and use the form on that page to submit your written or audio message. You can also use the Speakpipe widget to record something using your devices microphone. And of course you can call our voice feedback line at 304-837-2278. We’d love to hear from you.
Join our Facebook Group at Facebook.com/groups/stuffilearnedyesterday.
You can Follow Golden Spiral Media on Twitter at GSMPodcasts and Facebook.com/GoldenSpiralMedia. If you’ve enjoyed this episode of Stuff I Learned Yesterday, I would be grateful if you’d leave a review in iTunes.
[sc:stuff]