Vale Addam Crawford – 07/06/1978 – 04/10/2018

By Paul Collison

Addam Crawford was one of the most dedicated and hardworking people in the entertainment industry. A stalwart like no other who had the respect of all those he worked with. Despite what sounds like a cliché, Addam always put others first, even if it meant working an extra few hours, or days; just one of the traits that made him so likeable.

Addam started working early in life. Before he was even a teenager, he was working in his step-father’s restaurants. From washing dishes to serving food and drinks, his tireless work ethic started early. As a keen cyclist, he would traverse his home state Victoria and beyond in long road races. His professional career began at the Grand Hyatt in Melbourne as a keen-as-can-be loader who wanted to learn everything. It was here he began to hone his craft as an AV technician, eventually being offered a full-time role. Never one to stay in one place for too long, the Hyatt was followed by a move to Haycom in Melbourne, where he refined his video and lighting skills before expanding his horizons in the freelance market with Mediatec, Bytecraft, and Chameleon Touring Systems. Moving to Sydney in 2004, Addam started working with The Electric Canvas. As a projectionist he travelled the world for several years, before heading to London and later Las Vegas for short stints, before returning to Sydney in 2006.

It was a Hi-5 tour shortly after his return where Addam met his future wife Kellie. They were married in Melbourne in 2008. Not long after, Addam joined Big Picture in a full-time role as the head of their new LED screen division. During his tenure he developed their LED screen business and systems.

Addam re-joined the freelance marketplace in 2011. To try and pigeon hole his skillset would be to belittle his abilities. Addam was as adept in the lighting world as he was in the video world. His project management skills grew as did his CV. Production managing broadcast TV projects such as The Voice, more recently Dance Boss, Game of Games, and Take Me Out. He was the Screen Content Producer for several seasons of the X Factor, The Voice Australia, The Remix India, and Asia’s Got Talent, to name but a few. He was the television director for The Stage Challenge New Zealand and lighting project manager for a number of Singapore National Days. Addam was a jack of all trades, and a master of many. His selfless approach winning favour of all those who he worked with. With the demeanour of a true gentleman and thirst for knowledge like no other, Addam was a person that everyone wanted on their shows.

Addam Crawford was not a lighting designer to the stars, nor was he a famous sound engineer, or the owner of a multimillion-dollar production company. He was more than that. He was a genuine real life superstar, who brightened the lives of those he touched. He will be sorely missed by many the world over.