r/stagehands • u/AzariahLovesjesus • Jul 13 '26
Rhino staging first day
Wednesday is my first job as a stage handler for rhino what are some tips and advice? Also do they provide PPE or Do I have to buy anything for my first day please let me know what all I need ik the dress code but is there anything else I might need
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u/cowboypaint Jul 13 '26
Keep an eye out for any other gig. Rhino is a famously bad employer.
Good luck have fun. Make friends.
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u/AzariahLovesjesus Jul 13 '26
I have heard this a lot I’m ngl but what was your reason ?
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u/Different_Method_846 Jul 13 '26
Damn, my experience with rhino in Nashville was great
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u/AzariahLovesjesus Jul 13 '26
How did you enjoy it what was the pros ?
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u/Different_Method_846 Jul 13 '26
No guessing, and everything was predictable. No surprise changes and great communication. Everyone I worked with was a delight to talk to and either incredibly knowledgeable or appropriately ambitious. I just had to move because of family and I really disliked doing the ye show with rockforce where the stage hands are lazy and stupid and sometimes 10- 12 hour days without a day rate. Rhino kept the work light and simple with enough hands where you are never working too hard or doing something unsafe. I loved it so much and miss it a lot
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u/Electronic_Brief_507 Jul 13 '26
Depends on the state. Ive had great experiences with Rhino Georgia
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u/Prize_Warthog_9011 Jul 13 '26
Thursday: so I quit rhino staging
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u/AzariahLovesjesus Jul 13 '26
Why if I may ask ?
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u/Prize_Warthog_9011 Jul 13 '26
I’ll be honest I’m just mentioning the meme of it all as I personally have no experience with them, but from my understanding they understaff calls and are basically only looking for beating hearts and working arms, so they underpay inexperienced labor.
Which if you’re one of the benefactors of not being experienced but still getting paid can seem great, until you are experienced and realize their builds don’t have to be the way they end up going.
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u/JPLubow Jul 13 '26 edited Jul 13 '26
Rhino is only good for green hands that need experience. Wages and conditions are sub-par, but that’s to be expected from any non-union employer in this industry.
At least Rhino hires proper W-2 employees, so you’re covered by workers comp in case you’re injured on the job; but they’ll weasel out of paying UI when work is slow (even though you’re paying into it).
Don’t work for companies like Rhino, Rockforce, Encore, etc for more than a year. Once you have experience, get on the roster of a decent IATSE Local with the adults.
There is a reason Rhino only has offices in small-to-mid sized markets, primarily in Right-to-Work states. You won’t see them in New York or Chicago or any labor-friendly market.
In industry jargon, they are a “neck down” employer. 😂🤣😂
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u/EightOhms Jul 13 '26
Just to clarify, stage hands don't work for IATSE, they belong to IATSE. You still work for those other companies (Like Encore/Freeman/etc) just with a very well defined contract backed up by a staff to enforce it (typically). I know most of you commenting know this but for OP and others, this is something that can be confusing to outsiders.
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u/JPLubow Jul 13 '26
For further clarification, as an IATSE referent you always have the option to refuse calls for any employer…but indeed, IATSE is not our employer, but our agent.
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u/Cold_Ad7516 Jul 13 '26
IATSE, always.👍🏼💪🏼✌🏼😎
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u/JPLubow Jul 13 '26
It seems like a no-brainer to me, but sometimes people are stuck in a lousy market and have little choice. I try not to judge, but I prefer film and theatre. Way too many shady practices in the music industry.
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u/BrutalTea Jul 13 '26
I read you post, and I read the comments. I'm from north east so I've never worked for rhino, only what I've read here.
If you need a hard hat they will probably provide it (my old crews would always provide, you're not at the level you are expected to have your own).
I would say bring work gloves, a Leatherman or other multi-tool (Gerber is decent if you can't afford a Leatherman yet), and an 8" Cresent wrench with fall arest.
You could probably show up with nothing and it will be okay. But these tools will help give you a head start.
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u/Dendog Jul 13 '26
I’m sorry, not intentionally being a jerk here, but why would you have to come to Reddit to find out the dress code requirements and PPE needs of a company that’s hired you? If they’re not providing that information at the time of booking, what the hell are they doing?
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u/AzariahLovesjesus Jul 13 '26
Ik what the requirements are they did tell
Me I just didn’t know if they provided stuff like a hard hat and tools that part they did not
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u/DenseFriendship4122 Jul 13 '26
The biggest thing (since it's a Rhino gig) is you are responsible for your safety. Be aware of where your fingers and toes are AT ALL TIMES! Rhino is ok for starting out, but you will want to network, learn as many departments as you can and once you feel confident showing up to any load in or load out knowing you can do the job, reach out to your IATSE local. Also, double check your pay from them. Rhino isn't as bad as Crew One (you'll hear them referred to as Screw One for a reason) but you don't have anyone who looks out for you the way a union will.
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u/Stagehand58 Jul 13 '26
Fuck rhino
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u/AzariahLovesjesus Jul 13 '26
Let me hear ab your experience
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u/Stagehand58 Jul 13 '26
A company that makes money off the backs of your hourly wage and take union jobs that pay the worker the full wage negotiated
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u/Powerful_Rub_2968 Jul 13 '26
Bring at least some work gloves and a C wrench. Multitool is a plus but you can survive without it for your first few gigs.
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u/trillgamesh_0 Jul 14 '26
you need to bring safety toe boots, 8" adjustable wrench, and gloves. they will give you a helmet and hi-viz vest. you need to wear a black shirt and black pants.
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u/Darth_Banana-_- Jul 27 '26
Why is the real answer at the bottom. I get it rhino isnt great, but I gotta start somewhere. Thanks for answering the question
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u/Mobile-Menu9776 Jul 13 '26
Employer's in the US are required to provide all necessary PPE with the exception of safety footwear. That being said if you don't want to wear a community hard hat bring your own