For our Professional of the Month, one of the challenges of being in the audiovisual industry since its inception has been to be at the forefront with respect to technology.
Richard Santa
During the last years, Colombia has become a leader in the events industry in the region, because its cities are experiencing a great boom of national and international artistic shows that before it was not common to be included in the tours of renowned artists.
This positive outlook is both a challenge and an opportunity for companies in the audiovisual industry, which must prepare to meet the demand for the technical requirements demanded. And this opportunity has been taken advantage of by Nelson Vargas in his company Shock Producciones.
He assured AVI LATINOAMÉRICA that the high demand for Colombian artistic talent abroad and its staging, as well as the large international productions that are being carried out in the country, contribute to the growth of the AV industry both in technology and professional technique.
Nelson Vargas declared himself passionate about technology, creativity and innovation. He has developed these passions since he was 18 years old when he began working at the Tequendama hotel in Bogotá, where the best concerts and corporate events of the time were held. This would be his first school and allowed him to begin his studies in hotel management, which he would later complement with a postgraduate degree in production and organization of events, specializations in marketing and advertising, and even seek certification from the Icontec OPC for operators of congresses, fairs and conventions.
Today, after 28 years of uninterrupted work in the events industry, including working independently in different sectors of the industry and in mass events, he has a great experience that he applies every day in the AV rental and event production company that he founded and currently directs, Shock Producciones.
Beginnings in the industry
The Professional of the Month invited for this edition recalled that his beginning in the audiovisual industry was with cameras and video projectors in social events working independently. Since then his challenge has been to be at the forefront of technology.
"I have not stopped buying everything I like, I am passionate about and that complements the service of this industry: ceilings and structures for concerts and events, audio, video and professional lighting systems, LED screens, software, cameras, special effects, ephemeral scenography elements, furniture and all the resources that complement a 360 of an event", Indicated.
One of Nelson Vargas' anecdotes about his beginnings in the industry is related to his first investment. "It was when a friend convinced me to buy him his camera, the latest technology. My first job was to take pictures on a walk and sell them to club tourists. I was paid money for the photos, but when I went to develop the roll none came out, they were all out of focus because it was not easy to handle the functions, the iso, the handle, etc ... I didn't take any out and returned the money. But that day I learned that we must always train ourselves to handle any technical team."
The challenges ahead
His trajectory allows the founder of Shock Producciones to affirm that Colombia is on the path of development and digital transformation and in the implementation of new technologies according to the needs of the market in the field of advertising, mass and corporate events.
"The evolution of the audiovisual industry has been constant, but in recent years it is making giant strides with the technological revolution, in which wireless communication, robotics, digital signage, automation, virtual reality and artificial intelligence are already part of our lives in each team, to name a few of them," he said.
Therefore, he assured that for the development of the industry it is essential for local companies to have alliances and participation in international associations and associations that contribute to the expansion of the industry.
"The technological challenges we face in our organization are to remain and lead by being at the forefront of the market. We try to be competitive and pioneers in implementing systems. In addition, working as a team and training our staff is the day to day to be in constant evolution of good service and new experiences, turning the use of technology into an element close to customers, "he said.
Long days
In his day to day, Nelson Vargas maintains a fairly busy schedule, which includes work appointments with clients. In addition, in his role as manager – producer, he has many issues in each field of the company: he reviews traffic with work cells and commercials, creative meetings, review of renders, proposals, and meetings with producers.
"I visit every area of the company, accounting, costs and budgets, purchasing, administrative and personnel area, carpentry, sound, lighting, pavilions and structure, video, post production. I try to listen to each person's every concern and stay on top of what's going on in general. I have no departure time, many times we are the last with my wife to leave," he said.
He also said that his main objectives as a manager of a company in the AV industry are to be at the forefront of technology, market behavior and customer needs, being innovative, creative, leader and motivator.
Between family and training
For Nelson Vargas, his family is his great engine and motivation. His wife, Diana Rojas, works by his side day by day in the company as commercial director. In addition, he has 3 children: Sebastian, 7, Daniela, 14, and Camilo, 18.
In his spare time he likes cinema, good food, listening to music and, above all, mixing. He has been an amateur DJ since its inception. In his house he has a mini studio in which he practices and gives him space to be inspired. He also likes to play soccer, he is a fan of América de Cali (the mechita) team that captivated him since childhood.
"I really like to travel, to know good hotels, restaurants, tourist places. I participate in different international fairs, I attend the big music festivals and shows that inspire me, to reinvent myself. I seek to train in the different shows, researching each field of AV production and visiting companies or technology factories," he concluded.
