TEAM MEMBERS: Production

Jim Ablard
Project Manager, Video Engineer

Since coming to Charlotte in 1995, Ablard has been an integral part of the multimedia industry.  With extensive experience with video projection, audio reinforcement, multimedia support and rigging, Ablard is well suited to assist any client with the development and implementation of their corporate events, large or small.  His corporate portfolio includes NASCAR, Ford Motor Company, Wachovia Championship and the Charlotte Bobcats.

A specialty for Ablard is using state of the art audio and visual design and implementation, helping the client provide the best possible presentation environment for meetings or conventions.  After working for Total as a contractor since 2004, Jim joined the team in 2006 as Project Manager.

Mike McCallum
Project Manager, Lighting Designer

Mike has been working in theater and entertainment both onstage and backstage since the age of five. While he no longer performs onstage, he continues to work in entertainment, building on his already diverse set of skills.

Mike is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a B.A. in Theater. Prior to his time at UNLV, he spent three years studying lighting design for theater at Central Michigan University. While attending school full-time, Mike worked as a freelance stagehand, electrician, and lighting designer. Two of his lighting design credits during this time include: ESPN Friday Night Fights for ESPN 2, and Battlebots, Las Vegas 99 for Pay-Per-View. Shortly after completing his degree, Mike joined Production Resource Group at the Rio Hotel and Casino Pavilion Convention Center and then later the Rio Samba Theatre as the lighting director. While employed at the Rio Hotel, Mike designed events for corporate clients such as Suzuki, Denny’s Restaurants, Gillette, and La-Z-Boy, as well as weddings, concerts and parties.

After taking a three year break to work for the U.S. Government, in 2005, Mike decided to return to his roots of entertainment and theater by joining Centennial Hall Convention Center in Juneau, Alaska. In the summer of 2006, upon moving to Charlotte, Mike joined Total as a technician and now serves as a Project Manager. Even though he specializes in entertainment lighting, he is capable in the entire variety of production that Total provides.

Ash Munro
Project Manager

Ash Munro has been in the live events business for nearly 20 years, having started in technical theatre during high school because it was an easy way to play with power tools. He continued in theater through college, worked at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, and spent his summers working his way through the ranks at Wolf Trap Opera Company from Intern Carpenter to Technical Director. Ash’s interest in theater waned about the same time he finished proper schooling at UNC Chapel Hill (with an MFA in Technical Production.) Through his college years, his mother worked in the meeting and events department of a local hotel, and his father was an engineering instructor with the phone company, so he naturally decided on a career playing with wires and buttons in hotel ballrooms.
After a few friends convinced him to move to Charlotte and join the circus known as Audiovisual Rental, Ash spent the last eleven years working for several of the AV and Event Production vendors in the area as Project Manager and Rental Division Manager.

Owing to his theater days, Ash has specialized in generalization, and is equally at home working in all disciplines of the event production business. He has had the pleasure of working with nearly all of the major companies and organizations in the greater Charlotte area, and considers many of his clients and fellow vendors as friends. In the summer of 2007, he decided to return to his roots as a Project Manager and joined the team at Total Event Production. He looks forward to continuing the relationships built over the last decade, and is excited to be a part of the growth at Total Event Production.

Debbie Frye

Audio Engineer

How do you get 25 years of experience in 12 years? Do a LOT of shows wearing a LOT of different hats.

Debbie started out humbly as a board op on a 30 can lighting rig in a small club, but, showing both skill and an unstoppable work ethic, she quickly rose through the ranks at Fanelli Sound & Lighting in Utica, NY. After touring extensively as the Lighting Director and Moving Light Programmer for a prominent regional act, as well as designing light shows for the Utica Symphony Orchestra, she was ‘coerced’ (i.e. pushed kicking and screaming) into audio because of need for a monitor tech. Taking on FOH and monitor duties for international artists such as Richie Havens, John Sebastian, Steve Turre, Jane Monheit and many others, she quickly developed a reputation for being observant, patient and cool under fire. In between gigs, she found time for a degree in

Theater from MVCC and worked extensively as a

stage hand for the Stanley Theatre in Utica NY.

Debbie has worked the entire gamut, from rock and roll, jazz, and theater, to corporate events with several Presidents (and Presidential hopefuls), and understands the diverse needs that each event dictates. Her skill sets cross-pollinate and give her the ability to pitch in wherever needed to help keep an event moving smoothly. Her attention to detail and organizational skills help to maintain the integrity of a client's vision, and experiences allow for a novel approach to solutions.

Joseph B. Landeene

Editor

Joseph comes from Washington State, where he got his start in video at NBC affiliate KNDU-TV in Kennewick, WA. He began as a production assistant, eventually becoming Director of their morning show, Northwest Today.

In 2005 Joseph moved to an independent TV station in Milwaukee, WI, where he produced, shot, and edited spots, and other programs. He directed a local TV talk show, where he also served as the art and set designer. Joseph also shoots and edits in high definition, and enjoys maximizing the potential of this new format and art form both on the job and in his spare time.

Joseph came to Total in December of 2007, where his passion as an editor is to produce compelling and beautiful video that leaves a lasting impression on its viewers.

Shaun Joseph Berry

Production Technician

Shaun Joseph Berry comes to us from Berrien Springs, Michigan. He received his Associates in Electronics from Manatee Technical Institute in Bradenton, Florida. Then in 2006, he moved to Charlotte and began working as an Independent Production Technician with Total Event Production in their Event Production department specializing in lighting, audio and video. “Joe” is currently attending the University of Phoenix working towards a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology-Software Engineer.

In February, 2008, Joe officially joined the team at Total Event Production maintaining, organizing, repairing equipment in addition to the set up and operation of large corporate meetings and events. Joe’s favorite shows include: Fields of Steele and the Nextel Cup Race.