This month’s “Designer Watch” column started with two simple questions: How will you remember 2013? And what do you resolve to do, or expect from, 2014? We got informative, enlightening and entertaining responses from more than 20 lighting professionals. Read on, and enjoy!
Scott Barnes: I started 2013 with Captain America 2 and have been working on the next two Hunger Games films. The biggest thing to happen was winning a High End Systems console. They flew me to Austin with the full VIP tour of the manufacturing plant and treated me to dinner. That can’t be topped. In 2014. I’ll still be working on Hunger Games. My resolution? To stop drinking soda.
Trevor Stirlin Burk: 2013 was as a great year for collaboration with Zach Matusow and Mat Stovall. Newer team members Ethan Shaftel, Johnny Hays and Joe “Fish” Cangelosi have been great additions respectively as screens director, video director and gaffer…I hope the wonky curveballs of 2013 keep coming in 2014. A handful of projects are lining up with incredible people on some fun shows. I resolve to keep working on projects and putting together shows that people want to see and be part of. That’s why I got into this business.
Troy Eckerman: It was a year of last-minute decisions from companies, clients and artists who somehow think that makes it better or cheaper. It typically is neither. 2014 will be driven by the economy. Luckily our business holds up well in a recession, but there are lots of untapped markets in automated lighting and control — not just in the entertainment business. I hope the industry can gain some momentum in the right direction to benefit everyone…I resolve to eat better, get organized, exercise, get more involved with continuing education, and most of all, live the good life. Yet I still wonder: What year will someone figure out how to bend lights? It sounds crazy but how cool will that be?
John Featherstone: 2013 was a landmark year with the 20th anniversary of Lightswitch. Now we want to use light to save lives. We partnered with global charity SolarAid to fund their work to distribute solar powered lights in poverty stricken Sub-Saharan Africa, and support them in their goal to eradicate toxic kerosene lamps by 2020. We make this donation in recognition of everyone who has supported us, and hope those lives in desperate need can be dramatically improved by light. This is the most important thing we’ve done in 20 years. I resolve to be grateful for blessings, and give back as much as I can.
Debbie Fowler: The highlight of 2013 (and my career!) was directing Lionel Richie’s tour for designers Baz Halpin and Chris Nyfield. Learning the Martin M1 console from Joel Young and working alongside programmer Bryan Barancik rank on my list of enriching experiences. Working with Glenn Matthews and his crew was a pleasure. Plus my tenth year lighting Dionne Warwick was wonderful…Lionel’s 2014 tour is a great way to start the year. My wish is that we all keep busy doing what we love, that we have safe travels, the right lights to get the job done, and enough time to focus and program!
Bryan Hartley: No resolution. I just want to stay active in my industry and see new products that can revolutionize my designs in the New Year.
Billy Heaslip: 2014 will be a new chapter. After 37 years on the road, three years running a venue, 40 years experience in the music business, I am teaming up with Austin Audio Academy and will share my experience offering classes in production and tour management.
Han Henze: 2013 started with great expectations and generous production budgets — then ended with the financial realities of corporate profit taking. I resolve to not critique every talent show’s lighting on prime time television now that we have a smart television and can see everything in great detail.
Chris Kuroda: 2013 was crazy, designing and operating Justin Bieber’s Believe world tour spanning a year and a half. As proud as I am of Phish’s design, I’ve never been so proud as I was with Justin’s tour. It was a chance to branch out of the forgiving world of jam band lighting and take risks on a high profile pop tour. Knowing my design would be critiqued motivated me to be creative in a different way. Creating structured, unique cueing for lighting, automation, pyro, lasers and content is daunting for someone who hasn’t dealt with so many variables. I think I did all right. To be nominated for a Parnelli Award for my second consecutive year and in a category with people I admire and respect is a huge, incredible honor…For my 10-year-old daughter, a huge JB fan, this tour earned me the Coolest Dad Ever Award. She met Justin a few times, got pictures — he calls her from time to time to say hi — winning her the Coolest Kid in School Award. Priceless…I resolve to spend more time with my wife and daughter, while enjoying new opportunities. To all in this crazy industry: stay safe and happy as you continue to entertain the world with your wonderful, amazing skills, because in many ways, we’re all in this together.
Jim Lenahan: 2013 sucked! The bright spots were times I worked with other great designers — guys I have known for years but had never done a gig with: Butch Allen, Seth Jackson, Bob Bonniol and Paul Dexter. I hope next year I’m bitching about how I never have any free time.
Gregg Maltby: In 2013 I lit the Boston Strong bombing victim benefit in the Boston Garden with Boston. I celebrated my 30th year with Huey Lewis & the News. I did shows with HLN and “Elvis Lives” tour. It was busy, so I can’t complain. Boston has a new album coming out, so I will most likely do their 2014 tour.
Joel Reiff: Non-music highlights were competing in a horse jumping event and collecting a few ribbons. I’m the hay gatherer, meaning I tour to make money so that our four show horses can chow down on good grass and live la vida loca. It puts my life in perspective…My acts are gearing up for 2014 tours: Jason Mraz, Avril Lavigne, Lindsey Stirling. I need to clone myself so I can work with everyone I want to. We should all pinch ourselves that we get to do what we do. It beats the alternative.
Lee Rose: I’ll remember 2013 with joy and sorrow. I was grateful for work and my “day job” doing “The Chelsea Lately” show. But the frequency of friends that we lost is increasing…For 2014, I’ve decided to stop the expansion of certain body parts (no, I’m not talking about my head) even if it means saying goodbye to favorite comfort food. I look forward to another year of opportunities for growth: a mix of cool projects, fun stuff to design and chances to stay balanced with personal time…It’s important to stay in the moment. The further into the future we look with fear or the further back in the past we look with regret, the further we are from the present, which, in the end, is the only place that matters. The most important thing is balance. So I wish everyone balance in their lives.
Susan Rose: 2013 was a year of starting over, of letting go, for new beginnings since losing my mother in 2012. So I say again, “Here’s to life and living it.” I toured twice with Ringo, had many TV gigs and was inducted into the Full Sail Hall Of Fame. My song, “This Is Who I Am,” got me credits as a writer and artist in the film, The Frozen Ground. I’ll finish the video for this song in 2014…I resolve to become the crazy cat lady! No more dating! Fairytales don’t always have happy endings and I’m trading my glass slipper for my old flip flops. LOL!
Michelle Sarrat: It was a year of education. I’ve worked with talented designers and artists who inspired me to expand my horizons to include video content creation for lighting integration and set design techniques, along with new consoles, media servers, pixel mappers and graphics software. I resolve to keep learning and growing as a designer.
Marco Silva: It was a year of learning and traveling abroad to meet fellow colleagues. In 2014, I believe spot fixtures with LEDs will become more powerful and gradually replace discharge lamps. I intend to travel more to visit manufacturers’ factories. For the new year, I wish industry fellow colleagues many successes. You all inspire me to be better and original.
Chris Stuba: I spent 2013 enjoying time with friends and family, and being a Dad. I’ve had time to reflect on dreams and slow down to enjoy life. I’m amazed I get to practice a craft with like-minded people who desire to create rather than destroy. But 2014 will be busier.
Martin Thomas: 2013 was a year of “editing.” I moved things off my “life plate” to dedicate a better quality to things that remained. 2014 is shaping up to be fabulous. I resolve to be “dad v.2” for my two sons as they enter their freshman years in college and high school.
Howard Ungerleider: 2013 was exceptional for me and Production Design International Inc. with the completion of the Rush Clockwork Angels tour and our laser collaboration with Nook Shoenfeld on Kid Rock’s Best Night Ever tour. Our corporate division also has been creating lighting and laser effects for large-scale grand openings of major car dealerships and a medical treatment facility. The year had many interesting challenges that always keep you alive with excitement and push your creative abilities to new heights. 2014 will be interesting with technology always morphing. I look forward to designing more shows for more bands who enjoy creative visualization and artistic creativity.
Scott Warner: 2013 was the year a company believed in my vision — [the Cyclone lighting fixture] — and made it happen. I can’t thank Robe enough. In 2014, I look forward to creating distinctive designs as much as budgets allow. And now that I’m getting older, I resolve to work out more and start moisturizing.
Don Weeks: I work in a business that pays me to do a job I love to do, with the best people whom I consider friends. 2014 will be big. YES go into their 45th year, are nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and their tour schedule is filling. I hope to add new lighting technology to our show. I will also try to eat healthier on the road, though I wouldn’t bet Vegas odds on it.
Resolve to keep Debi Moen informed about all your coolest projects in 2014. Email her at dmoen@plsn.com.
