When I was growing up, the terms "nerd," "geek," and "dweeb" were synonymous with someone who spent too much time reading, computing, or just being different. Generally, people did not want to be considered one of these things. However, somewhere along the way that changed (or maybe I just grew up), and now being smart is a good thing. As you probably know from reading this column, I love lighting. I often state that those of us who work passionately in show business have it "in our blood." Early in my career, I became a self-declared lighting geek, and I am proud to take on this moniker.
What About YOU?
Are you a lighting geek or merely a lighting enthusiast? Read on to determine for yourself just how geeky you might be.
You might be a lighting geek if…
You would rather talk about lights than most any other subject.
You have ever lit the exterior of your home using DMX.
You memorized the names of famous lighting designers and made it a goal to meet them all.
After watching any show you tell everyone about the lighting.
You attend a concert and call out the gel colors of the spotlights from your seat in the audience as they change.
You have ever named anything (pet, child, car, boat) after a lighting product.
You can only think of colors in terms of gel numbers.
You have gone out of your way to see an architectural lighting installation you read about in a magazine.
You wait in line to be the first one into a lighting tradeshow.
You have ever recorded TV shows so you can read the credits at the end.
And if you keep a database of the lighting crew from those shows, you are definitely a lighting geek!
More Indications…
You might also be a lighting geek if you…
Have ever spent the weekend at an RDM Plugfest.
Read lighting magazines while you eat breakfast or sit on the toilet.
Know how many DMX channels most lighting fixtures use.
Have lighting manufacturer support contact numbers in your phone.
Have posters about lighting products framed and hanging in your house.
Have been to a strip club and paid attention to the lighting.
Watch the Super Bowl only to see the lighting during the half time show.
Take your kids to Sesame Street Live and they tell you what lights they see in the truss.
Read the Light Network more than once a day.
Have worked the Light Network booth at LDI.
Attend lighting tradeshows as a vacation.
Watched a show you are not working from FOH or the booth.
Purchase used lighting equipment as collector's items.
Have submitted photos of your work to PLSN Showtime.
Have a closet full of black swag T-shirts.
Have volunteered your time to be on the lighting crew of a show without being paid.
Have a shelf full of books about lighting.
Move your hands in a waving manner with your fingers spread out when describing anything having to do with moving lights.
Picture in your mind how you would light any song you hear.
Selected a Broadway or Vegas show to see based on the lighting designer or equipment used.
Can carry on a discussion about lighting for more than an hour.
Are given gifts for birthdays and holidays that relate directly to the lighting industry.
All your friends are lighting geeks.
You absolutely love everything to do with lighting.
You search the web for daily news about the industry.
And you are even more of a lighting geek if you write a blog or have a website about lighting.
Forget About "Might Be"
You are definitely a lighting geek if…
You designed the lighting at your own wedding.
You study every lighting plot you can get your hands on.
You program something with a visualizer for fun.
You play with lights every chance you get.
You easily give up sleep just for more time at a console.
Your non-lighting friends get irritated because your weekends are full of rehearsals and shows.
You focused the hospital lights for the birth of your child.
You quickly become friends with any group of people you are working with on a show.
You often reach for your radio or Clear-Com to ask for assistance (even when you are not wearing a radio or Clear-Com).
Your iPod is full of songs from shows you have lit.
You are more proficient with a lighting console than your home computer.
Even More Indications…
Here are some more indications that you are, indeed, a lighting geek:
You mimic firing lighting cues while listening to music or watching TV.
You have photos of lighting products on your phone.
You have a website about your lighting experience.
You own a Crescent wrench that has a safety cable attached to it.
Your car has ever hauled lighting equipment.
You enjoy the sound of automated fixtures homing up.
You have attended training seminars to learn more about lighting.
You have created a light plot for your home.
You have driven a U-Haul truck full of lighting gear.
You download console off-line editors so you can "play."
You broke into your high-school theatre just to get more time working with the lights.
You have a piece of truss somewhere in your home.
You have subscriptions to at least three lighting publications.
You get excited hearing about new products about to be released.
You have read ESTA standards documents in your spare time.
You programmed and operated lighting at a friend's wedding reception.
You keep light plots, paperwork, and show files from every show you have worked.
You own floppy disks just in case you use certain consoles.
You really have drawn a light plot on a napkin in a bar.
You get disappointed when the tradeshow day comes to an end.
You have been working with lights your entire career.
You have ever set up a website to sell Lighting Geek swag (don't get excited – it's gone now).
You were excited, then disappointed, by the previous comment.
You get upset when someone improperly uses the term "bulb."
You have more Sharpies than you know what to do with.
You insist that board tape is only for consoles.
Your friends expect your parties to include some great lighting.
These letter combinations have a special place in your heart: CMY, ACL, PRG, ETC, VL, HES, FPS, USITT, MAC, MA, LDI, PLSN, RGB, PAR, ESTA…
You have ever told a joke about sound guys.
You have a lighting related tattoo.
And you are definitely a lighting geek if, as you read the list above, you thought of three items more to add to it! I know that all but two of the above are true for me and my life, so I can confirm my lighting geek status. How many did you relate with? If you identified with at least 10 items, then you are well on your way to becoming a lighting geek. Twenty or more, and you are deserving of the title. I suggest that all the lighting geeks of the world stand up and be recognized. Without us, our industry would certainly be less inviting and nowhere near as much fun.
