As we pull the plug on 2014 and flip the switch for 2015, Designer Watch checked in with designers, directors and programmers to inquire about their state of mind. We asked: What are you grateful for? What are your goals or resolutions? What are your hopes and wishes for the New Year?
Butch Allen: My wish for all: 1) Health. 2) Happiness. 3) Cupcakes.
Kevin Cauley: I look forward to: Another year of running into colleagues and old friends at fabulous ports of call throughout the world, and a festival/hot sweaty club run in Australia with Soundgarden. Not looking forward to: Yet another 15 hours — well, technically 30 — of life on a plane, upset that someone hasn’t figured out the whole teleportation thing yet. Come on teleportation!
David Davidian: I am grateful for my wife and children, for good health, and for the food and shelter I have been always able to provide. I am grateful for this industry; it has allowed me to do so much creatively, and opened my horizons to work in cultures all over the world. To be able to say I have friends around the world is a lucky thing. I am grateful to leave a tiny scratch in this world through videos and photos that may live on beyond me. I hope for some work to find me in this coming year, and I am grateful for people who have trusted me with their projects in the past. I gave my all to never let any of them down.
John Featherstone: I am excited that my oldest daughter Hailey will graduate from ASU with a BA in Theater with a concentration in Design and Production and venturing into the world. We all work in a remarkable business full of creativity, excitement, hard work and travel, but that requires us to spend more time away from home and loved ones than we’d like. The fact that despite all of the travel I have managed to share my passion, commitment and love for what I do with my daughter is a source of great satisfaction, and I am so proud of her. I can’t wait to see what she does in the years ahead, and watch out for her, she’s kind of awesome!
Cory FitzGerald: In 2015, I intend to continue to constantly see friends and loved ones, try to be less obsessed with global news and politics, stop reading so many books, keep strengthening my involvement in community groups and activities, stop being so obsessed with fitness and health, and finally try to alleviate my perpetual boredom by finding some honest work. (Is that too sarcastic?)
David Hare: My resolution? Spend more time and enjoy the friends and family I have. You never know when the day will come when they will not be around anymore. (See more with Dave Hare in On the Road with Stevie Wonder in this issue, page 12.)
Mark “Junior” Jacobson: I hope that everyone can get a gig that they are happy with, and that it lasts a long time. In the end, work is work, but we are fortunate to be in a line of work that can also be our choice. Not everyone gets that kind of choice, so I feel thankful for that. I can’t seem to find a tour that lasts more than a few weeks, so I have been starting to do some TV work; I’m hoping that can pay off down the road.
Justin Kitchenman: I want to stay focused and not get complacent with anything I’m doing. I want to constantly push myself to be better and more efficient, and in the event of failure or setbacks, not allow them to slow me down. After all, “Failure is the mother of invention!”
Chris Lisle: In 2015, we are going to bring back the PAR 64! I look forward to another fun year supporting some amazing clients. Best wishes to all of my industry friends and colleagues for a healthy, happy, and successful New Year!
Matt Mills: I look forward to finishing the Mötley Crüe Final tour as well as new challenges from new clients during my tour breaks. My goal is to get re-established in the corporate show world. I am currently shopping media servers, looking to find one that suits my projection mapping needs. I have been impressed with all the new emerging technology in that world and look forward to soaking it all in.
Jeremy Railton: I am more energized and ambitious than ever. The reason is EDC’s (Los Angeles-based Entertainment Design Corporation) next generation. They have inspired me to have higher ambitions and the continued pursuit of excellence with their energy and passion. The team wants me to pick up my touring career again, and so do I. My hope for 2015 is for more artistic challenges and providing work for talented individuals.
Jeff Rials: Looking forward to another year of touring with Limp Bizkit and Godsmack. Grateful for being able to have my career [for] 18 long years. I hope to not lose as many friends as we have this past year; to be safe and to come home to kids.
Jonathan Smeeton: I’m hoping for much the same, [as I’m] winding down to retirement, I have a few theatre pieces coming up and look forward to roadwork with Diana Ross. She’s always fun; it keeps me fit and my hand in the toy box. My lecturing is gathering steam so I expect to be busy with that, too. Other than all that, [I’m] trying to avoid idiots and work that sucks.
Chris Stuba: It is sad that we have lost some amazing people this year. I promise not to miss an opportunity to tell the people I know and love how much I appreciate them. I am grateful for my family, life and my dear friends. I am so grateful to have a job that in some small way can bring some joy into the world. I look forward to a busy year and hope to spend more time here in Texas. I am hopeful that instead of companies stealing products that someone actually comes out with something new. Tungsten, anybody?
Don Weeks: 2014 was a nice year of touring for me. YES continue to tour after 45 years. In 2014, they filmed two shows to be released on DVD. 2015 finds me with some time opening in my schedule, and I hope to work on new projects. Thankfully my family is happy and healthy. Sad to see so many good people from our industry leave us too soon. Many were way too young. To all my friends and touring buddies, I hope you have a safe and successful 2015.
Cosmo Wilson: I look forward to a long, successful AC/DC tour in 2015! My goals and resolutions are pretty much the same every year: to be a better person, to bring happiness to others, to start each day with a happy and positive outlook, see the bright side of everything and to share the good things in life with the people I love all over the world…and, to see as many sunsets in 2015 as I can. There will be only 365 of them!
Patrick Woodroffe: 2014 was the first year without Mark Fisher in our lives. But over time the sadness of that loss has slowly been replaced by only fond memories shared with friends, and also perhaps the inspiration to be the best we can on his behalf. 2015 promises the usual mix of anticipation and then satisfaction that comes from a group of colleagues coming together to create a show and then through the challenges that invariably follow, having it open to the delight of an appreciative audience. Whether this process is applied to a rock concert, an opera or a circus, there is nothing more satisfying.
Resolve to share your news with Debi Moen at dmoen@plsn.com.
