From pushing boxes to Rigging Newcomer of the Year: Luigi Pandolfi’s story
There’s no single route into live production. For Luigi Pandolfi, it started with pushing boxes as local crew, took a detour into a completely different career during COVID, and eventually brought him right back to the industry he wanted to be part of.
Now a rigger with Squeegee Pandolfi, Luigi was named Rigging Newcomer of the Year at the Breakthrough Talent Awards, recognition that gave him a confidence boost and helped open another door into the industry.
Finding his way back to live events
Luigi started out doing what plenty of people in production will recognise: getting stuck in as local crew.
During COVID, things changed. He trained as an alterations tailor, but despite the change of direction, he kept finding himself drawn back to live events.
So he made the decision to go to university and pursue it properly.
One of the biggest lessons he’s learned since?
“Get stuck in and if you work hard enough someone will notice you and give you work.”
His advice is not to be afraid of taking a leap either, even if that means moving to a different city to get the opportunity you need.
From Mumford & Sons to Radio 1 Big Weekend
Luigi’s first ever gig was load-out crew for Mumford & Sons, pushing boxes and tipping trucks.
But his real pinch-me moment came later at Radio 1 Big Weekend in Liverpool 2025, when he was asked to operate the Robospots.
“It was a true full circle moment.”
It was a reminder of just how far he’d come from those first shifts as local crew.
What winning a Breakthrough Talent Award changed
Being named Rigging Newcomer of the Year gave Luigi something that can be difficult to build early in your career: confidence.
“There’s quite a bit I’d still like to learn, but being recognised for someone who is doing well in rigging has absolutely got me a foot in the door for the industry.”
For Luigi, the recognition also felt like proof that the work he had been putting in was paying off.
“It felt like a huge weight off my shoulders and all that hard work paid off.”
Keep learning, keep asking
Luigi is now focused on building his grounding experience, working towards his NRC and, hopefully, getting out on tour soon.
He also credits Rhianne Cheetham with helping him get into AM Drams, an opportunity he says opened the door to the rest of the industry.
His advice for anyone trying to make their own start is refreshingly simple:
“Get stuck in and don’t be scared to ask for help. Nobody can do or lift everything.”
Next up, Luigi has site visits planned with several companies, giving him more valuable experience as he works towards his NRC.
And if you want to follow what happens next, you can keep up with Luigi’s rigging adventures as Dave the Rigging Bear on Instagram.
Could you be next?
Luigi’s route into production wasn’t completely straightforward. That’s exactly the point.
You don’t need to have everything mapped out before you start. Sometimes getting stuck in, asking for help and taking the opportunity in front of you is what gets things moving.
If you’re building your career in production and have something you’re proud of, don’t wait for somebody else to put your name forward.
Nominate yourself for a Breakthrough Talent Award and see where it could take you.