Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Fuentes.
Hi Anthony, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
After high school I went to the Media Tech Institute of Dallas for my certification in Recording Arts and graduated in 2014. From there I join the local 127 stagehand union in Dallas and Freeman AV has a contract worker. From there I started my freelancing journey in live production.
I had to learn the skill of networking and worked with many different companies. Two years later I would start my job as a stagehand/audio assist at the Gas Monkey Live and Gas Monkey Bar & Grill. Probably my favorite job with a crew that I still talk to this day. 2018 I stepped foot into corporate production and that has been my main source of work to this day.
Not only was I working live audio but I was also gaining experience in video, lighting and scenic set design. With this knowledge I have gain over this last ten years I am slowly starting my own small production company with the focus of helping local artist and podcasters to have an affordable and professional recording for them to share.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Haha it was definitely rough the first few years. Freelancing is a very freeing experience as far as not having to work Monday-Friday. That being said it is a hustle! I was one of the youngest stagehands in the DFW area starting at 18 so I had to learn how to take criticism from my older collogues but also still be able to speak my mind. Also it took me years to realize how important it is to meet new people in your field of work and make networking connections. It was hard to find new clients until I figured this out.
2020 when the Covid Pandemic happen and I was out of work. I was too nervous to wait on unemployment because the phonelines were always down at the time, so I ended up doing warehouse work and home AC work. That was a very humbling experience but fortunately for me I was about to continue my work back in 2022.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I like to refer to myself as a “Live Audio/Visual Technician” with a specialty in audio. Depending on what position I am hired for my job is to make sure whatever event I’m working for is loaded in, set up, work the show, tear down the show and load the trucks back up. I am usually behind a audioboard as the A1 or assisting the A1 as their A2. This means I will be miking up the talent and communicating any of the A1’s concerns to the talent.
I am very proud of the fact I have been able to make a living out of a career I love and to be able to make my own schedule for my life. I have been able to do this by opening myself to other opportunities outside of audio. This has helped me stand out when the audio positions are filled. I can still be placed in any other department.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Late nights playing games with my buddies! Mainly halo 3!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: anth0nyf44
Image Credits
Headshot was taken by Bob Ralph form Denton Texas.
