I just returned from a corporate show where my regular lighting tech had to leave after load-in for another gig. Steve, the new tech, was a young guy who had the desire to learn more. During my nightly programming sessions, he would sit at FOH and watch what I was doing. He was very careful to stay out of my way, but I could tell that he had a desire to learn as I programmed. This spurred me to begin explaining some of what I was doing to him as I continued programming. I would explain why I was selecting certain options or using particular features.
He listened intently, and asked a few questions. He was also very grateful for the opportunity and thanked me often for sharing my knowledge with him. At the load out, he told me that he could not wait to get back to the shop and test the new concepts he had learned. I asked him to share the new ideas with others and pass it forward as well.
Always Ready to Share
Even if you are early in your career, you will always have some skills you can share with others. You might explain to another technician your layout for busking a show, or you might decide to host a mini-seminar in the lighting shop. Just teaching others will help you to solidify your personal skill set. Furthermore, you could post tips on ProLightingSpace, Facebook or even tweet out a new console trick you learned.
I recall a group of New York City programmers that would get together regularly at a mid-town bar. They would then discuss their recent gigs and describe any new console functions or actions they had discovered. By sharing this information with each other, they all continued to develop their skills at a rapid pace. Typically automated lighting programmers work in a solo environment, because each production only employs one programmer. So opportunities to discuss programming skills with other programmers should be grabbed as often as possible.
Teaching Can Be Fun
Some believe that “those who can’t, teach,” but this is a fallacy when it comes to lighting programming. You absolutely must have an understanding of how to use a console and how to program lighting fixtures before you can teach another. That understanding does not have to be very deep, but you must have some skills in order to share. Most people find that teaching helps to solidify their knowledge and lock in their skills to a “second nature” effect. After teaching programming of a specific console a few times, you will suddenly realize that the console syntax and features are permanently ingrained in your brain.
If you are not an expert at a particular console, you can still prepare a small training course for others who may not be as experienced as you. This works well in school or church settings or even in lighting shops and theatres. Once you develop a comfort level with programming the console, plan and prepare and training session for those you work with who have never used the desk. Create a PowerPoint file to help keep you on track and invite others to your beginner’s class.
As you teach them, make sure they understand that you are sharing your skills and that they can always learn more from the user manual. When they ask questions, listen carefully. If you do not know the answer, then let them know that you will research it and get back with them. Write down the question and then, after the seminar, take time to learn the answer. This then becomes your reward, as you will learn something that you may never have even thought to ask about.
Look for Opportunities
There are numerous opportunities for you to share your knowledge and skills. Nearly every high school has some sort of automated lighting system, and many would love to have an experienced person share some time and information with them. Internet forums such as ProLightingSpace.com are an excellent resource for sharing your knowledge with others. Here you can respond to questions posed by others and help people all over the world. Most of the console manufacturers also have their own forums specific to their consoles. These are great resources for programmers to interact and assist each other.
Industry tradeshows are always looking for new and exciting sessions to offer. You can contact the organizers and work with them to develop a seminar that could be of interest to others (maybe something specific to your genre, like programming for a club or church). Furthermore, you might develop an internship program where you work to assist younger people within your venue.
Share the Passion
Our industry thrives on individuals who are filled with passion for what we do. There are always new people coming into our field with a strong desire to learn as much as possible. We should always be open and ready to share our skills and knowledge with them. At the corporate event I just finished, a motivational speaker explained that the word “passion” could be broken down to “Pass I On”. She explained that if we are passionate about something, then we should share that part of ourselves with others. The best way to do this as a lighting programmer is to share our passion through our knowledge and experience. So, I challenge you to go out today and share a bit of your lighting programming knowledge with another and spread your passion.
