In the Spotlight: AV Team Provides Lights, Camera, Sound and Action for LADWP
By Paola Adler
Have you watched an engaging LADWP video, viewed a Board meeting in person or online, or attended a Department event and admired the crystal-clear sound? All of these functions and more are the work of the Department’s Audio Visual (AV) Services team. LADWP's Audio Visual Technicians Serena Beltran, Reggie Brewer, Jason Cleanthes and Oshin Manoukian use their technical skills and creativity to set-up, operate and maintain audio systems, while also helping to promote LADWP programs and services through video and audio production. The four-person group, managed by Media Relations Manager Ellen Cheng, is part of the Communications and Corporate Strategy division.
Day-to-day work is varied and challenging, as job duties can include handling set ups for conference rooms and the JFB auditorium, setting up press conferences, ensuring a clean video and audio feed for LADWP Board and Retirement Board meetings, producing videos and providing AV solutions like digital signage at facilities. AV Technicians are often deployed to different LADWP facilities or project sites to provide audio visual services and set up sound systems for Department events. Behind the scenes, team members are also completing pre-production work, such as scouting locations, selecting equipment, researching and scripting, and production and post-production work, like editing and enhancing hours of raw footage.
“AV Services is a full-service, in-house video and live event production company. Our team has over 101 combined years of experience in project planning and video production. We are a one-stop-shop for everything you need to create a powerful video message, or to put on a compelling event.”
Reggie Brewer
Audio Visual Technician
Having proper equipment is extremely important to the job, as AV Technicians can focus on the creative aspects instead of worrying about technical issues. The group uses professional video and audio equipment for all of their projects, including speakers, amplifiers, mixers, mics, cables, cameras and lights. Staff members have different preferences for manufacturers and lens makers, so while their hardware varies, the content they create is still polished and professional. Team members also use Adobe Creative Suite for their post-production process.
Aside from handling assignments to meet the needs of their own division, the AV team works with employees across the Department that request AV support for a wide range of projects, promoting connection and collaboration among various work groups. The team’s important work also helps promote Department programs and services through the videos they produce, helping form public perception and understanding of LADWP and promoting transparency to the public.
The pandemic has not slowed down the AV Services team, as they have completed many impressive projects over the last few years. Last year, the team completed work to modernize LADWP’s Board Room, creating one of the most advanced multi-camera, live switching board rooms in city government. Starting in 2019, the group worked with different divisions within the Department to introduce digital signage to JFB, installing and operating 26 screens to provide direct messages to employees on Department information, upcoming events and employee appreciation. Expansion to other facilities, like the Pacific Stock Exchange and Power workplaces, is being explored. Video production has also continued at a steady pace, with over 150 videos produced just in 2022 including recruitment videos, marketing reels and training videos. AV Technicians also provided sound amplification for some of the Department’s biggest recent events, such as the 2022 Fallen Workers Memorial and the 2023 Women’s Career and Wellness Expo.
“The projects I am most proud of are the ones where we can put together a video to either inform or protect the workers that are doing the front-line work here in the Department. To know that some of our projects could save someone from serious injury, or worse, is a great feeling.”
Jason Cleanthes
Audio Visual Technician
How to Request AV Services
Rather than trying to film your project with your personal camera or cell phone, let the AV team help you visually communicate your message by requesting video production from the pros. AV Technicians produce videos that are sophisticated and match our brand of excellence and professionalism as the largest municipal utility in the nation. Videos can be created for many types of projects, from trainings to program promotions. See the quality of their work at www.vimeo.com/ladwp.
Submit a request to audiovisual@ladwp.com and cc supervisor Ellen Cheng. Be ready to explain the objective and target audience of your request and let the AV Technicians offer you solutions, whether it is for a video project or an audio setup.
Careers
The AV Technician position requires experience in the development and preparation of audio-visual materials, as well as the operation, use and care of audio-visual equipment in the production of audio-visual materials or live events.
You can learn more and check for current, upcoming and all job opportunities at www.joinladwp.com.
Photos by Chris Corsmeier
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This publication is written and published by the Communications and Corporate Strategy Division. For other 2022-23 issues, click the three horizontal lines icon next to the Contact logo at the top left of the document. Then click the “Editions” tab. For issues from 2000-2021, see Intranet page MyDWP/.
