There have been ideas that I absolutely believe in which never see the light of day. The thing that hurts me most is when I have a great idea or vision for something, and either I can't describe it well enough to persuade them to do it, they just don't get it, or they disagree. There are some lighting and equipment companies that are always looking for crew people.”

Someone who really wants to be a lighting designer will go out and tour as a lighting technician, just to get a foot in the business. A lot of people who want to design shows or events will do some associated technical job on a tour. “There are many different places to go and learn about the music industry. If there are video cues, I might cover those, and often I'll operate one of the lighting consoles, too.” After the performance, the crew tears down the stage and lighting, stores it on trucks, and the group travels through the night to the next venue. “During the show, I'm usually on the intercom system talking to the follow spot operators and the lighting operators, giving cues and instructions throughout the show. Afterward, unless some effect or equipment needs attention, there is downtime until the opening act is finished. and Williams arrives around noon to ensure everything is running smoothly. On a show day, the crew begins loading in around 7 a.m. “I can't tell you the amount of time I've sat in darkened buildings, staring at stages, programming lighting and effects, and just running through things.

That is the hardest part and in some ways, it's the most exhilarating too.” Throughout the process, Williams confers with the artist and oversees the installation of the stage, lighting, and other effects. That's when I make my money, when I've really got to perform, because quite often I'm the only person that understands the big picture of what is supposed to happen. You put the set up for the first time and the band will come in and rehearse. You'll go in a week early and put the show together. When you install the show, normally it's in the first venue that you're going to be playing. “The real job for me is conceiving the show, designing it, having it built, and most importantly, getting it through rehearsals. Much of Williams’ job begins long before the artist goes on tour. It's the nearest you can come these days to running away and joining the circus.”Ĭlasses in theatrical set design and lighting are an asset. “You have a real relationship with the road, when you're doing this job. If you have a choice of being a technician on a big tour, or designing a show on a much smaller scale, it's much more important to be doing what you want to do.” “The worst technicians are people who really want to be designers.

Stage lighting design for bands