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About LD:
How did you start out in the business?
When I was 13 I stared in amateur dramatics. I was performing in a show and
helped out with the lighting set-up. As I moved further away from performing
and closer towards the technical aspects of performance I realised this is
what I wanted to do “when I grow up”. Throughout my GCSE’s and A-levels I
was working part time backstage at a local theatre. I then completed a
degree in Lighting design at Rose Buford where I began free-lancing on many
different shows, gigs and events.
What was your first show as the Lighting Designer?
An amateur opera show at my local Theatre group when I was 15.
What do you like best about your kind of work?
Variation and challenges. I very rarely get bored doing my job because every
day is different...different location, different show and different
challenges... I love it.
What is the most difficult or challenging aspect of
being an LD?
Working on a budget. Sometimes “great ideas” can be limited by resources
however this isn’t always a bad thing as it just means you have to think up
alternative ideas that are just as affective.
What has been your biggest high so far?
The biggest buzz I get from my job is being stood behind a desk and
operating a live show. Feeling the music and creating a “wow” factor. No
matter what the gig is. I don’t think i could put it down to just one gig.
What’s been the strangest brief/tour so far and why? I had a corporate event
where there was a wall of 20w lightbulbs (720) each one dimmed individually.
The brief was to spell the companies name on the wall in a rolling message
style. The result was... an avolites desk running a hippo critter,10 x 72
way avo racks and a huge mess of cables behind the wall!
Which performer/what event would you most like to work
on/with and why?
I’m a huge fan of Pink. To design the lighting for one of her tours would be
amazing. It’s always refreshing to work on a concert when you actually like
the music.
How long have you been using Avo consoles or when did
you first use an Avo product?
Around 10 years. I was at college and crewing for a “nightclub style event”.
The company had a Pearl 2000 but nobody knew how to use it. I stepped
forward and volunteered to give it a go. I ended up busking the lights for
the party and had 2 hours to learn how to use it before guests arrived! I’ve
been using avo desks ever since.
Which is your preferred console and why?
The pearl expert with Titan V3. It does so much and isn’t too large. I like
having 20 playbacks on 2 rollers and 60 handles per page. Having quick
access to 60 palettes is incredibly useful when busking a gig.
Getting to know you:
What tunes are you currently listening to?
Everything. I like most styles of music, new and old.
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?
Films.
Last album bought?
Timbaland
Favourite festival or gig/show and why?
Pink at the O2. Love her music and the performance had a great theatrical
element to it, something I want to include more in my designs.
What three things couldn’t you live without while on
tour/at gig?
Sharpie, white tape, Leatherman.
Have you ever been star struck and by who?
I don’t think I have really as it’s something I’ve kind of grown up with...
designing for The Who at a charity event was pretty amazing though.
If you were stranded on a desert island what three
things would you want to have with you?
A satellite phone, water purifier and a Leatherman......is that all a bit
too practical!?
Favourite City you’ve worked in?
Liverpool
Most bugging question you get asked from
artists/venue/management or gig goers?
Can you turn the volume down a bit!?
Other than being an LD is there any other production
role you’ve always wanted to try?
I’ve done a taste of most roles. I’m actually Katy Shotters production
manager as well as lighting designer.
How do you generally spend you’re days off from a
tour?
Day off? What's that? ..... I have a boat, I like to take that out when I
get the chance.
What magazines or books do you currently read?
Jet ski or boat magazines... as well as L&SI of course.
Last Household chore you did?
Laundry.
Last person to call you?
The sound guy for next weeks gig.... “how much power have you allocated for
me?” |
