Site crew
Overview
The site set-up team is responsible for preparing the site before the event and for clearing the site after the event. This job includes erecting and dropping the scores of tents that are deployed as well as numerous other jobs like collecting benches and rubbish bags. We have a good sized team, but the more people we have, the faster the work goes, so if you're interested in getting involved in the physical logistics side of Empire then we're keen to talk to you.
Most of the site crew wear distinctive red crew caps, so the department is often referred to as "Team Redcap". If you need someone to help you with logistics at an event, you will often be directed to "ask for a redcap" - which means finding a member of crew wearing a red crew cap.
The head of the department is Chris Butcher and the deputy is Tom Butterworth. They are responsible for organizing and deploying the teams before and after each event.
Who are the Redcap Team?
Behind every Profound Decision event is a small army of guys and girls who give it their all to prepare the site for the players to trash in their desire to murderise orcs or each other.
Without the tents, cool sets, toilets, power cables, bins, benches, tables and yet more tents there would be no game because there would be no game environment . The site crew - otherwise known as the Redcap Team - are responsible for all aspects of site set up, maintenance, site security and take down.
It is hard work but it’s also tremendously rewarding to be part of the core team which makes the game site a positive, fun environment - it means so much to the players that attend and it means a lot to the Redcap Team too.
Being part of the the Redcap Team is extremely good fun and you’ll find a team of volunteers who are skilled, supportive and able to make a lot of fun out of hard work - but it isn’t for everyone. You don’t have to be very strong to be useful, but you do have to have a degree of stamina to keep going, especially when the weather is terrible and the work just keeps on coming. This means emotional, as well as physical stamina. It might sound odd, but morale is important and everyone on the Redcap Team shares the job of being committed and focused. We start work before other teams get to the site and may not finish setting up until time in, at which point you may be wet, sunburnt, cold or grumpy - perhaps a combination of all four.
What will I need?
Be prepared physically – a waterproof layer and solid footware are essential. Gloves are also likely to be very useful and we don’t provide those. Bring suncream. You’ll get a red cap of course but you might want a better hat for protection against the sun if you’re worried you might burn!
How much time/work is involved?
Before time-in and after time out, being part of the Redcap Team is a full time job. This means arriving on site and ready to work on Thursday morning (or earlier if you can make it) and finishing at whatever time the job gets done on Friday. This might be on or after time in, and might mean you are not able to be in character at the start of the game. Make no mistake, when it’s not in-character time at the event, you’re expected to be available to work on the Redcap Team.
During the weekend we’d love you to join us as full time crew playing roles for the plot team, but you are not compelled to do so. However, whatever you choose to do there may be times during the weekend that we need your help to work on site maintenance. This might just be for a few minutes helping with rubbish runs or repair a damaged tent but it may be for longer to help set up fortifications for a battle. So if you are playing a character, understand here and now that you’re Team Redcap first and a player second.
Take down begins shortly after timeout and normally continues the following day. It involves not just taking down the tents and packing them away, but also clearing up the site of benches, tables and litter.
We’d always prefer that you are able to undertake set up and takedown...if only so that you can stay and enjoy the staff party that takes place on the final night of the event! However, if you can only stay for set up please let us know.
How does the Redcap Team work?
Much of the work begins before the event. We have a big list of jobs to do, most of which involve putting up or taking down tents of all sizes, up to the larger marquees.
You will be part of smaller team of 4 Redcaps. Each team of 4 has a Redcap Team Leader, to whom you’ll be assigned before the event. You’ll be informed of who your team leader is before the event, either via the Empire Red Hats group on Facebook, via email or telephone.
This means it’s really important that we know when you intend to arrive on site – what day and also, if possible what time, so that we can put you in a sutable team with a list of jobs. Obviously this system won’t be perfect – traffic problems, transport problems, and other real life problems can and probably will get in the way of some people arriving on site when they say they will, but if we know what to expect we can plan for those problems.
Your Redcap Team Leader will have a list of jobs and, if you’re new to the Redcap Team, he or she will ensure you are trained up on all the different jobs you’re expected to do.
Training is on the job. Don’t worry, we’re all volunteers and every event poses new challenges and learning experiences for all of us!
It is your responsibility to make yourself known to your Team Leader as soon as you get on to site, and to find them and report for duty as quickly as you can after time out is called.
Your Redcap Team Leader will have a radio and your be working with other teams to complete bigger jobs, such as the large marquees or the larger sets.
When do we work?
We generally work from around 9am till dusk on Thursday and from 9am until work is completed on Friday. Take down runs from time out until dusk at the end of the event and starts again the following morning until completed.
But we keep going until everything is done!
PD provides food, snacks and soft drinks throughout set up as well as food tickets during the event. There is also a staff party at the end of the event.