Making the perfect programmer requires a host of carefully selected ingredients mixed together. When this recipe is followed, the result is a highly talented and creative individual capable of orchestrating his/her fingers over a lighting console to direct lighting and video elements into a carefully crafted piece of art. A perfect programmer requires much more than just knowledge of console commands, so it is essential to follow this recipe completely. Mixing the elements together to form a programmer necessitates careful selection of the correct quality ingredients. Let’s take a look at what it takes to make a perfect programmer:
A Heaping Bucket Full of Programming Knowledge
A programmer is someone who is fully aware of the principles and processes of programming a lighting show. He/she must know how to work with tracking, palettes/presets, cues and much more. Understanding the basics is not enough for a perfect programmer, an in depth knowledge of processes such as marking, blocking, SMPTE and much more is required.
Two Servings of Console Wisdom
First and foremost, a programmer must understand the syntax and tools of the console that he/she will be programming. While full knowledge of every command is not required, it is expected that the programmer has a strong working knowledge of the exact sequence of keys required to patch and build lighting looks.
One-Third Lighting Designer
As the lighting programmer is helping to create lighting looks, it is essential that the programmer have a strong insight into lighting design. This is especially useful when pertaining to focus positions, color theory, timing, intensities and cue construction/management. A greater amount of this ingredient is always appreciated, and often a full complement is required. In these cases, the designer may also be the programmer.
A Large Dose of Creativity
A lighting programmer lacking creativity will be reduced to a simple data entry person. Creativity is required to ensure inspired suggestions such as dynamic timing or color combinations, unique chases, organic movements and more. Creativity is key for any production, and the more of it that is available to the lighting team, the better.
A Dash of a Sense of Humor
Long hours and stress suck the fun out of any work environment. Having a good sense of humor will certainly help in any situation. When you can laugh and have fun while programming, then all is right in the world. Knowing when to crack jokes and when to be totally serious is just as important as being funny and having a good time.
Sprinkle in Interpersonal Skills
The programmer will be interacting with everyone from the lighting designer and crew to the artists and management. Be sure to add in some high quality interpersonal skills when making your perfect programmer. Being able to relate well with all the personalities on a production is a major skill that cannot be overlooked.
Start Mixing Together
The above ingredients are only the base to making your perfect programmer. Once you mix these together and let them simmer for a bit, you are ready to move on. Next, you will need to ensure that the following ingredients are ready to add before your programmer begins to boil.
A Tablespoon of Organizational Skill
A big part of programming is being able to organize things within the show file. This starts with building console views that allow for quick and easy console use and continues into the layout and labeling of groups, palettes/presets, cues and other show elements. While a show can be programmed with little to no organization, we are making the perfect programmer. With this level of perfection, everything will be labeled and positioned in a manner that allows the programmer (or anyone else using the show file) to quickly and easily understand the items.
Add In a Dash of Technical Knowledge
A good programmer will understand how automated lights and media devices are built and operate. With a good understanding of not only the mechanics involved, but also the DMX mapping, the programmer can better handle the fixtures to achieve the LD’s vision and requirements. As the programmer interacts with new fixtures, he/she will study their operation and features and ensure that the console library is written appropriately.
Combine with Great Contacts
Although most programmers usually work alone (only one programmer per show), they need to have a good list of contacts. This list will include other respected programmers and designers that they can reach out to for questions or assistance. Furthermore the programmer should know whom to contact at console and fixture manufacturers for support.
Sprinkle with Experience
Even when you combine all the correct ingredients, the perfect programmer is not made overnight. Experience is an essential trait that only comes with time. A programmer should learn and grow with every production and many programmers also continue to improve a start-show file. With this one document, they bring with them console layouts, views, palette/presets, macros and more. Again, though, the programmer’s actual knowledge and experience will be far more important than the toolset he/she brings with him/her.
Aged to Perfection
Have you ever noticed that the top programmers in our industry are not those that just started programming in the last few years? When building your perfect programmer, remember that it takes time to make perfection. In fact, I would argue that there is no “perfect” programmer; all great programmers are continually learning and cooking.
However, you can achieve a great status by perfecting your knowledge of lighting, console functions and gaining experience with various type of productions. Take a look at yourself (or your programmer) and see if you are missing any of the key ingredients listed above. Maybe you only have a small serving of programming knowledge and need to increase your knowledge. Or perhaps you have limited experience and wish to gain more. Some may need to work on their lighting design skills while others need to improve their relations. Like most recipes, the list of ingredients is rather straight forward, but the preparation and combining of them is the solution.
Ready to Go
No matter what ingredients you currently have, you can make yourself a programmer and add to it to get closer to perfection. Don’t be in a rush to complete the recipe, though, as it is a slow-cooked delicacy. Make every show the best one ever and keep on shopping for those ingredients. There are many books, websites, seminars and classes available to assist with learning lighting programming, lighting design, creativity, humor, relations, organization and more. Put together your shopping list today and start preparing for your perfect programmer!
