Being a lighting designer often brings up a whole slew of duties that one would not expect to have to look after. I get calls about what outfits the rock stars should wear on stage to questions about where they should be standing when playing their big rock god solos. Tomorrow I’m off to start up the Taste of Chaos US tour in Seattle. I’d be there today but, it’s snowing like hell in Chicago and ain’t nobody goin' nowhere today. Another perk of the biz. (This is how I manage to get a rare day off).
One of the bands on this tour is called “30 seconds to Mars”. They shot their last video in China. A big dramatic masterpiece. While doing so, they used certain Chinese lanterns and red flags and banners. Somehow my job duties include finding red lanterns and approving the textures for the banners. I now realize that everything that is sold on most web sites is actually sold out. But if I have 6 weeks…., Not. They found some lanterns in London that they liked in the end.
Another band called “The Used” is playing as well. During one part of their performance they want to be lit by just candle light. Not a problem, just need about 50 candles and a bare stage. Of course I get the call from the roadie assigned to buy the candles. “Hey man, what kind of candles do you think would be right?” My only answer is the logical one, “The kind that won’t fall over”.
