Freelance Work - Design and Programming

First, let me say that I love freelance work.  It pays pretty well and you usually do not have to set up and strike the event.  Also it is pure profit.  I, like many other lighting programmers, will bring in my own board at no additional fee in order to insure the programming goes smoothly.  There is freedom in knowing that if technical issues arise all I have to do is troubleshoot then delegate to the tech.

There also seems to be a common problem with freelance work.  That is a lack of control over the entire production.  One of the aspects of a great production is the organization and implementation that is involved before the event ever starts.  When you come into a production after the set up crew you tend to walk into a scenario that you would not have allowed to happen.  Decisions were made that are contrary to what you feel are the best practices.

My solution to this is, I need to be involved from the beginning of the production.  I need to talk with the client, understand their needs and wants, develop the strategies, and oversee the tactics.  Then when it is time to program the show I am relaxed and confident in knowing that this is exactly the way I wanted it to be to better fulfill the clients wishes.  In cases where a producer is involved being seen as part of the producers creative team helps the event run more smoothly.

In most cases budget is a major concern.  So I, as a designer/programmer, need to be flexible with my rate, and quote based on the show and not on a day rate.  For instance the production I am working on now, a high school musical with a low budget, could have used the designer throughout the entire process, but the budget just would not afford it.  I decided to throw in 2 additional days...  Well I negotiated a $20 a day per diem for all 7 days.  Obviously this is not my standard rate, but it needed to happen for the good of the show.

Being A Lighting Production Company Owner

My world is a constant balancing act.  I started my business about 6 years ago while working for an entertainment agency.  There was a benefit to running my business that way but there were also major drawbacks.  I was constantly torn between growing my business and making a living as an entertainment agent.  Today I focus most of my energy on growing my business, with the hope of creating solid and consistent work for both myself and the people I hire.

The balance:

I must be knowledgeable, creative, aggressive, humble, and professional.  Constant research is the key to staying current and, hopefully, ahead of the curve.  Once I know what can be done, I must create new ways to apply those technologies.  Then, I must aggressively pursue new bookings to put this knowledge to work.  Once I have the job, I have to be humble and listen to my clients needs, making their goals for the event a priority when applying the design to the production.  All the while, my professionalism must be evident to everyone involved in the event.

I think my biggest hurdle is getting consistent work.  I am an artist who must be a businessman.  For years I was just an artist and thought that would be enough.  I guess it would be if I wanted to live in an artists’ commune.  I have split my focus in many different directions, almost given up several times, and failed on multiple occasions.  The one thing that I have always been able to fall back on is my work.  It is always unique, no cookie-cutter shows, no wholesale designs.  Always simple and elegant, clean and complete (at least that’s what the client sees).  I believe the client should never know how hard you worked.  It should all seem effortless.  A ballet of design with a little bit of jitterbug and break dancing thrown in at the right moments.

In the end it boils down to this common theme.  Always, Always, Always, be aggressive in getting the work, be creative and humble while doing the work, run every event in a professional well-conceived way, and, finally, be thankful you have the work.

Are You A Designer First?

I have a friend that is an excellent programmer, in fact he is a much better tech than I am.  He can tear apart a light fix, almost any problem on a job, and put it back together.  This is an extremely valuable skill.  He and I have worked together on multiple occasions, and it has always been a breath of fresh air when he is on a job with me.

but...

He has a problem...  He is a tech/programmer first.  He sees things differently from me.  I envision the scene and then figure out how to make that happen.  As a result my looks are more artistic in nature.  Now I know that in time he will develop this ability, he is very smart and creative.

To the point...

When I approach a scene I think of color combinations, fade times, whether or not I want to see the light move or should it move in black.  I then think about the next scene and the previous scene before I start to program.  It is very important from a technical stand point that I do this.  If I don't it can cause major problems when in tracking mode on a console.  In think about what i am trying to convey, is it a soft moment, is it frantic, is there video to think about.  Most importantly I think about the client.  Is this what they would want.  Many times I have programmed scenes or looks counter to my best judgement because the client would want it to look a certain way.

It is very important as a lighting designer/programmer to use your tools to bring your vision to life.  With the proper tools they will work for you.  Do not be limited by what you believe your equipment has to offer.  Its amazing what you can accomplish when you really put your mind to it.

So What Makes Lighting So Special Anyway

In most cases event lighting is viewed as the icing on the proverbial event cake.  Most decorators, event planners, and producers know that lighting makes a huge impact on the feel and mood of an event.  Most clients however just don't get it.  They think it is simply another add on or extra cost.

Both ideas are true to a certain extent.

We all know that there have been many research papers written on the effect color has on our psyche.  How warm colors convey everything from excitement to anxiety, and cool colors convey calm and even depression.  Many of us do not know however, that the feeling you get when you walk into a room that is well lit with a combination of color and intensity, can set the mood for the whole evening.  The opposite is true as well.  There is nothing worse than walking into a room that is supposed to be about fun and dancing and finding the room lights at Full.  It just seems so sterile and uninviting.

The trick is to offer a balance.

Imagine you are at a wedding and the room lighting is generally warm, there are beautiful patterns projected on the walls layered with complimentary up lighting.  The tables are adorned with gorgeous floral centerpieces that seem to really stand out because of the soft light that is focused on each of them.  There are votive candles flickering on the tables creating a warm glow around the centerpieces.  The band is lit in soft white with blue, lavender, and pink highlights.  The dance floor has a beautiful monogram displaying the bride and grooms initials in a swirly Victorian font.

Flash forward:

Lights come up on the MC as he announces the bride and groom have just arrived.  This is the reason we are all here.  The lights in the room come up a bit and the MC announces "Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce Mr and Mrs..."  Applause erupts as the beautiful couple make there way to the dance floor.  This is the first time they have seen their monogram too, they make there way to the center of the dance floor to start their first dance.  The room darkens while simultaneously the lighting on the dance floor comes up.  Everyone is focused on them.  They are in their own world...

Now imagine that same scene but with the house lighting at 80% or even worse full on.  All the drama and intimacy is lost.

Lighting can be designed to compliment an event.  It doesn't have to be the "Show".  There is a real art form to creating a beautiful cohesive theme and feel to an event.