Timothy Welch Brad Otero | Electrical Rigger/Set Lighting Technician at IATSE Local 480 | DFM ’15 | New Mexico State University - BE BOLD. Shape the Future.
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Brad Otero | Electrical Rigger/Set Lighting Technician at IATSE Local 480 | DFM ’15

Brad Otero is an Electrical Rigger and Set Lighting Technician currently living in Albuquerque, NM.

When did you graduate from CMI?

Fall 2015

What was your area of emphasis at CMI?

LiveAction Filmmaking – DFM

Where are you and what are you doing now?

I live in Albuquerque New Mexico, and I am in the union 480 as an Electrical rigger and set lighting technician.

What do you like most about what you’re doing?

What I like most about my job is that I work with crews that work on some of the biggest productions ever to come out of New Mexico. Also keeps me in shape.

What are some projects/jobs that you’ve worked on since graduating?

After graduation I worked at a lighting rental company, became a PA on the Netflix show “Godless” . Decided to get into the Union as a grip or electrician. Got my 30 union days to apply for the union and got in. And have been working ever since, I’ll try and remember all the shows that I’ve worked on in the past 3 years.

Better Call Saul : Season 3,4, and just finished 5
The Night Shift season 4
“El Camino” a Breaking Bad movie
Chambers
Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Icebox
Daybreak
Midnight Texas
Cliffs of Freedom
Snatchers
The Kid

 

 

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What classes and learning experiences at CMI were the most valuable in building towards your current job?

Learning how to properly check out and check in rental gear is a huge part that is taken very seriously in my line of work. The cinematography classes is where I learned the basics for grip and electric and still use those methods I learned today.

What are you doing when you aren’t working?

I can’t really answer this question because I am always working. Productions come and go so quickly here in Albuquerque that I can usually find work, and I am a person who chooses to work over relaxing…also student loans are a pain.

What’s some advice you would give a CMI student (or maybe potential CMI student) about their time at CMI?

Cherish your sleep now. This industry can be rough but it is very rewarding if you are a dedicated worker. Learn your proper knots! Lift with your legs, not your back. One last thing, I heard this on my first day on set and it’s stuck with me and the meaning holds:
“It’s not what you know, or who you know. It’s who knows you.”

Where can people see your work?

Netflix

What’s next for you?

Keep working, I wouldn’t mind jumping to other departments, set decoration, greens, grip, crafty, anything that gives me a job.