RAVP'S HISTORY
How It Started – Where We’re Headed
RAVP has been in business since 1976. I started purchasing equipment with paychecks from my job as an electrician, a job I held for 15 years. I videotaped all types of events, including pageants, festivals, theater productions, weddings, fashion shows, and radio and television promotions.
In 1980, with the advent of cable television in Phoenix, I sought to showcase my videos by reaching out to television stations, but without success. Undeterred, I negotiated with Store Cable/Camelback Cable to lease Channel 150 in Glendale and Channel 32 in Phoenix. Over the next four years, my videos aired on these channels, alongside programming I contracted from Black Entertainment Television (BET) and other affiliates. Initially, I produced four hours of content; when BET expanded to eight hours, RAVP increased its programming to six hours.
On June 1, 1981, RAVP embarked on a 24/7 cable television venture, broadcasting a diverse array of local and national prerecorded live shows. Our programming lineup featured community calendars, news, sports, movies, cartoons, music videos, gospel programs, soap operas, family hours, cooking and exercise shows, beauty and health tips, music specials, and the iconic "Soul Train." This continuous broadcast service was maintained until 1985.
RAVP has also contributed to the film industry, working on notable movies such as Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Just One of the Guys, Midnight Run, Raising Arizona, and Waiting to Exhale.
In 2002, I had the opportunity to work in Los Angeles with Berry Gordy as his editing specialist for Avid's newest video editing system, Symphony, being installed in the recording studio. As we worked together, I became his studio manager. When the contract was up, I came back to Phoenix.
In 2007, I joined the Thunderbird School of Global Management as the Media Manager, Producer, and Technical Engineer, overseeing production and technical direction for distance learning initiatives. My responsibilities included maintaining and controlling satellite uplink equipment for live broadcasts to 14 Latin American cities across three countries. I also edited various projects for course facilitators, students, and staff using Final Cut Pro, ensuring content was converted to all necessary formats.
In 2012, I was brought in to help Audio Video Resources boost sales in their rental department. Within five years, I advanced to the role of Director of Events and Rental Services, increasing event and rental sales by 40% while leading a team of five A/V Technicians.
In 2017, I joined adScope Media to help develop their events and rentals division. This role required me to learn LED video wall programming using Linsn and NovaStar. I managed both in-house and freelance crews for events while overseeing warehouse inventory and troubleshooting equipment issues on-site.
In 2019, I founded RAVP Events & Rental Services, investing in equipment for live sound and stage lighting. By partnering with a network of vendors, RAVP Events offers clients a wide range of services, including staging, tents, chairs, tables, generators, two-way radios, video walls, podiums, video recording, projection, light towers, video conferencing, and online video streaming.
Today, Rideau Audio & Video Productions, LLC. is capitalizing on my past experience to become a vastly talented and stronger company.
RAVP's expanded events and rental services offer clients access to a diverse pool of skilled freelancers and cutting-edge equipment for every type of event, including live broadcast streaming.
We are excited to help our clients stage events that will be enjoyed and remembered. It’s just another way RAVP is contributing to our community.”
- Steven Rideau