LD-at-Large Podcast

with:

John Featherstone - Founding Partner at Lightswitch Inc.

Hailey Featherstone - Freelance Lighting Programmer and Designer

Mario Educate - President & CEO, OSA International

Carmen Educate - Executive Vice President, OSA International

On this episode, we discuss the pros and cons of nepotism in the entertainment business, the pride of having children be a part of big projects, bringing children into the shops and theaters, providing support for children who want to follow in their parents footsteps, how to get out from a parent’s shadow, how to climb the corporate ladder with a parental safety net, comparing work ethics and philosophies of the younger and older generations and a whole lot of family discussions about work.

“A little nepotism never hurt nobody, honey. If you got it, use it. Press on with it. Remind them of it.”

- Lena Horne

Please visit: www.lightswitch.net and www.osasolutions.com

with Kevin Lawson - Emmy nominated Lighting Designer/Director at UVLD

On this episode, we discuss lighting Obama, the importance of the term “The show must go on”, being a part of history behind the console, how to maintain calm under pressure, how to manage expectations as a designer and as a programmer, how to not let a small mistake turn into a showstopper, when to abandon a good idea for a better idea, when does perfectionism turn into just being an ass?, how discrimination applies to corporate artists and making people look good no matter what.

Please visit: www.uvld.com

with Steve Lieberman - Owner of SJ Lighting, Inc.

On this podcast, we discuss the progression of EDM/Nightclub lighting and production industry, the logistics of mega structures, the necessary safety measures, how the audience became the focal point of the show above the artist, when is too much enough?, how to convince accountants to pay for extravagant productions using pretty pictures, extreme macros, intellectual property, elegance vs. extravagance, how to respect a contract and how digital renderings can be used to sell bigger ideas.

Please visit: http://sjlighting.net/

with Mitchell Fenton - Lighting Designer

On this episode, we discuss moving to NYC from Australia and the differences in design & theatre, working in Lighting around the world and differences between each countries with design and technical and processes, lighting and working on cruise ships, how to work your way up a ladder from lighting office assistant to assistant lighting designer to designer, what are the different roles of each, being as associate designer compared to principal designer, how a formal education can help or hinder in securing an associate designer position and how a formal education can help or hinder as a designer?

Please visit: www.mitchfentonld.com

with Kille Knobel - Lighting Designer

On this episode, we discuss building a career from the bottom up, California Institute of the Arts, building relationships quickly, touring as a parent, touring with a tribe/family, asking for help, collaborating with other designers, Temple of the Dog tour, “Kille, hit the lights.”, where to find the best chicken wings and solidifying relationships is a professional environment.

with Jeff Mathews - Lighting Designer/Director/Programmer at Borealis Live Design

On this episode, we discuss having a supportive spouse while on tour, working with Dan & Shay, Touring single vs. vs. touring engaged vs. touring married, the business side of show business, the difference between home life and tour life, the pace of concert lighting in Nashville, the importance of training in the down time, maintaining a business in isolation, TeamViewer and the real situation behind bringing friends and family to a show.

Please visit: www.borealislivedesign.com

with Tess Falcone - Lighting Designer, Director and Programmer out of Denver Colorado

On this episode, we discuss, day off activities, going to art museums for inspiration, when you take a concept and rework it, are you ripping it off?, the difference between stealing a design and being inspired by someone else’s design, reusing the same design over and over, can we find inspiration in someone else’s art and make it our own?, convenience vs. artistic integrity, Does the truck pack have to define your design?, festival designs: should they be creative or useful?, and the best day off ever.

“Touring makes our lives way more interesting than is has any right to be”

Please visit: www.tessfalcone.com

with Collyns Stenzel - Lighting & Technical Designer at deadmau5 Touring

On this episode, we discuss The Ultimate Lighting Shootout, how he went from amateur light and sound guy for rave parties and small events to the Production Manager of Congress Theater in Chicago, Cedric Gervais, designing the Indy 500 snake pit, workflow tips, parenting from the road, MA2 LUA scripts, gun regulations in Canada vs. America and spending money on big ideas.

Please visit: www.UltimateLightingShootout.com

with Norm Schwab - Partner at Lightswitch

On this episode, we discuss how you got into the business, life on the rescue farm, working with the B-52s for 4 years, the pros and cons of an education or a degree in lighting, moving out of Pittsburgh to California, staying diversified in the lighting industry,  forming Lightswitch, staying busy while unmotivated, staying positive while isolated, Bill Graham events, experiential gardens, inspirational shower and mindful manure shoveling.

Please visit: http://www.lightswitch.net/

with Paul “Arlo” Guthrie - Production and Lighting Designer for Toss Film and Design

On this episode, we discuss when to timecode content, when to get overly complicated, when to keep it simple, when to compromise and when to double down in design, how to convince clients to take the next step and add production value, how to decide which projects to take on and which ones to avoid, being able to program, design and create content but being wise enough to hire people to do some of them, working with artists with huge egos and opposing ideas, how to translate artist speak into programmer speak and taking over a design from another designer.

Please visit: http://tossfad.com/