[In the last two columns, lighting designer Nook Schoenfeld and a posse of LDs including Bob Peterson, John Featherstone and Olivier Ilisca sat down for lunch to discuss how they got into the industry and what makes them successful. What we’ve learned so far is that, of the four designers, none of them were formally educated, but they all recognize the value of a good education. But when it comes to work, nothing can replace experience and handson training. And, if you really want to excel, there’s one more very impor tant ingredient. To find out what that is, read this, the last installment of the three-par t series, “Sushi in Chicago.”-ed.] John: How about a little passion? Show me you’re into the gig. At the auto show last year I noticed one of my interns walking around with a grin from earto- ear. He walked up to me and just said “This is so-o-o cool.” I love that. That’s what I’m looking for; someone who really wants to be there.
Nook: That’s so true. You look for somebody who just wants to do what we do. The money’s not the reason; the art is.
Olivier: In my early theatre days there was no money. I assumed everyone was in the theatre for the same reason as me: for the love of it.
Nook: Perhaps that’s why we’re able to make some good money these days.
John: Speaking of which, I’m still surprised that people are willing to pay me for my services.
Nook: I know — that old adage about protecting our phony-baloney jobs.
John: Exactly. Sooner or later somebody’s going to find us out and ask for their money back!
Bob: And then the more you charge, the better they think you are.
Olivier: So true. But we will always remember when we did the same job for peanuts and the love of it all.
Bob: But to me…I love what I do. I think I’m an incredibly lucky guy who’s had some amazing breaks and worked with fantastic people. I was for tunate to get some breaks in the TV business and learn enough to make a living out of it.
John: The young people that resonate with me are the people who demonstrate excitement. Nowadays it seems to be so cool to not be impressed with anything. It makes me want to slap the shit out of my 13- year-old. [Rhetorically speaking, of course! Do not try this at home. – ed.] I’m sorry, but passion is a wonderful energy source.
Nook: Absolutely. I remember programming lights on a rock show for the first time. I couldn’t believe that I was actually making money for something I loved so much. I would’ve done it for free if I knew I could have gotten that high of a feeling.
John: Don’t show me a degree, show me some excitement.
Nook: What other advice do we have to offer to youngsters who want to pursue this silly business of ours?
Olivier: The only way to move ahead, and unfortunately we must always move forward, is that you cannot become stale. You must grow with the business.
Bob: Adapt. Each designer has his own style, and you will find your own in time. But one must be able to adapt to every different type of gig. Theatre is different from rock, which is different from TV. You can’t use the same lighting applications for these very different entities.
John: Be excited about your projects, and your imagination will follow.
Bob: And what do you guys want to be remembered for after you’re gone? Myself, I get satisfaction when I see portraits of old performers that are well lit, and know that I lit them beautifully for that shot.
John: Inspiring someone young, much as my mentors inspired me. If I can inspire someone half as much as guys like Roy Bennett, John Huddleston and Norm Schwab inspired me, that would be more than enough.
Olivier: I want it to be known that I loved light and life.
Nook: I’d like to be remembered as the guy who gave a few young designers their breaks in their careers, the guy who taught and opened those doors for some talented individuals to kick in.
E-mail Nook at nschoenfeld@plsn.com.
