Who are you?
I am Tamika, or Mika, and I’m from Geelong. I grew up with a massive love for music, and being a part of the music industry is very fulfilling!
Describe the work you do
I am a vision technician for Woohah & Powa Productions, so I build and program LED walls (still learning the programming side!) and operate cameras for shows around Australia.
What led you to your current work?
A friend got me a job with Gig Power, working as a stagehand for about seven years. I had decided I wanted to go into video, so I joined Woohah and then Powa. Now I do some really cool stuff and am involved in some wicked experiences.
What are you working on now or about to start work on?
Currently on tour with Turnstile, and then I’ll be working on the Red Hot Summer Tour with Paul Kelly!
What are the good things about your job?
I learn some really cool things, for example, how to build LED walls and program them, how the processors work and troubleshooting.
I also get to point a camera at the bands/artists and try to get some really cool shots. Just recently, I got to jump into the moshpit with a camera to get footage for the Turnstile show at Beyond the Valley.
The friends I’ve made and the networking I’ve done is invaluable and I enjoy making big experiences for punters with some rad people.
What are the worst things about your job?
The hours and time away from home. I absolutely love touring and wouldn’t want to do anything else but I definitely miss my bed and my cat. The long hours can really suck as you can be consistently exhausted.
What, so far, has been your career highlight?
Probably working on the Falling in Reverse tour and now the Turnstile tour too. Both fantastic tours with great crew and amazing memories. I cannot wait for more epic tours!
What is the most blatant example of sexism you have encountered at work?
Consistently getting belittled, ignored and harassed for being a woman. I have been told that I can’t do something because I’m a girl or I don’t know what I’m talking about. I have also been told that my sticking up for myself is “powertripping” and “acting like it’s my own gig” when I was just sick of being ignored. But it’s very satisfying to prove them all wrong.
What advice would you give any woman considering a career in the entertainment industry?
Don’t let yourself get discouraged! More and more women are joining the industry and I am so here for it. You’ll deal with some jerks and awful people but you’ll find the best friends & family you could ask for, and the memories you’ll make are some of the best ever.
What is your career goal?
My career goal is to become a freelance vision systems tech and tour the world, gaining the opportunity to work with bigger bands and in new places!
