And then there are musical cues and segment changes that require preprogrammed dynamic lighting.
Just show up and flick the switch,indeed.
First, tell us a bit about your current work and how long youve been at it.
My name is Mike Grabowski and I work as a Senior Designer for TheLighting Design Groupin NYC.
Ive been there for a little over eight years.
Ive been working in the live event and broadcast industry for about 15 years, though.
It involves multiple disciplines: drafting, renderings, sketches, and then implementation of the plot.
Its an interesting job.
While other groups produce physical thingsthe walls of a set, for examplewhat I produce is much more ephemeral.
Its painting talent, sets, and the air itself with light.
I primarily work in multi-camera studio and field productions, occasionally crossing over into scripted dramas.
Plus, Im writing this on the subway to St. Patricks Cathedral for the NYC Papal visit.
What drove you to choose your career path?
I had to pursue it.
How did you go about getting your job?
When I left college, I had a wonderful data pipe of folks on whom I relied.
This industry is primarily freelancers, so it was easy to jump out there and call myself an LD.
It was much more difficult to actually DO it.
What kind of education and experience did you need?
One of the best decisions I made was going toSUNY Purchases Design Technology program.
It is a program specifically geared towards professional training of the people who are serious about entering this industry.
After that, it became real world experience.
I had to draft, work as an electrician, a little of everything.
I stumbled into the television end of things because of drafting.
While I loved theatre, the speed andimmediacyof television was instantly appealing.
If a show is live at 8pm on Tuesday, there is no slack, no pushing it back.
You either make it, or potentially millions of people see your failure.
What kinds of things do you do beyond what most people see?
What do you actually spend the majority of your time doing?
We are simultaneously the product as well as the salesman in many regards.
Its a benefit many freelancers and smaller firms dont have and really lets me concentrate on a clients needs.
What misconceptions do people often have about your job?
A typical process would be something along the lines of:
Client reaches out about a project.
Begin conceptualizing the design, research, meet other designers and director and producers on the project, etc.
What colors, angles, textures does this show need?
Create and submit budgets, while balancing both cost and implementation of the overall concept.
Draft the light plot as well as all other relevant paperwork.
All of it culminates now in the execution.
Heck, if its breaking news, this entire process is occasionally crammed into a week.
What are your average work hours?
Not really such a thing.
Today I was on a job site at 8am.
All that to saythere is no such thing as a typical schedule.
Remember, each production is its own thing.
So you gotta be responsible for your schedule and your clients.
They dont care if you were working for someone else until 2am.
If they hired you, they want you at 8am bright and on top of your game.
An average week is about 50 hours, though that could be concentrated over three days.
What personal tips and shortcuts have made your job easier?
One of the most important things Ive learned to make my job easier is knowing about cameras.
What do you do differently from your coworkers or peers in the same profession?
What do they do instead?
Its hard to say how we differIm rarely interacting with other lighting designers on a job site.
If Im there, the other designers are all on other job sites.
Others are a little more rock and roll and bring more color and theatricality to the table.
Because of my work history, Im fortunate that I can bring both sides of that for my clients.
The other difference is personality and what each of us brings to a location.
One thing that I emphasize is keeping things calm and helping to maintain a steadying hand.
Give me a minute, Ill pull out Plan F and my team and I have you covered.
Whats the worst part of the job and how do you deal with it?
The inconsistent hours are the hardest.
Im lucky with having a very understanding wife who also works in the entertainment industry.
Its easy for that work/life balance to get out of whack.
There are points where you could be working for 15-20 days in a row.
Then lets go home and enjoy our friends and family.
Whats the most enjoyable part of the job?
There is a lot to love.
Its a super small community of people, so its a family.
I wanted to make people happy, if only for an hour.
Busby Berkeley
How do you move up in your field?
Moving up in my field is a strange question.
Its more about finding the jobs that bring you joy and that you are good at.
If you need title promotions, this may not be the role for you.
What do people under/over value about what you do?
Rather, my team and I crafted the look with all departments.
Maybe we would bump the chroma a tad to make everything much more rich and full.
Far more than just turning on the lights.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to join your profession?
Its a tough industry where you cant sit around and wait.
You cant wait out there and say you just havent been given a chance to shine.
[It requires] hard work.
This is a business made on reputation and personalities.
Dont be a jerk.
If youre doing the hiring, pay people on time.
Respect other peoples time and efforts as much as you want yours respected.
Dont ever look down on another job or another position on a show staff.
Learn what their job is.
Maybe thats the exact job that is right for you, but you just dont know it.
At the same time, it is just a job; dont let it become all-consuming.
Remember to see friends, explore new places… wander.
Maintain that balance and help recharge the creativity.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.
If youd like to share your career, email us at[email protected].Photos by Mike Grabowski.
Title photo byPavel L Photo and Video(Shutterstock).
