Seth Bernstein: film shoots, fashion, camera ready events, and video design

Seth Bernstein, photo by Akira Yamada

It's no accident that some events look great when you see photos from them on Instagram.  Seth Bernstein brings his knowledge of film and video to every project he designs, resulting in seamless integration and a flawless look both on the pro cameras and on the ubiquitous phone camera.  He also uses video as a component in some of his designs, using his experience editing video to create content and to determine how to satisfy his clients.

Seth is a very busy designer, but he found time to sit down with us to discuss his career, work, and what role anthropology can play in creating a successful design.  Join Jason and returning co-host Theresa Unfried of TAJ Event Productions as we discuss video and lighting integration, what we should know about cameras, and how Seth makes his projects sparkle.

Many thanks to Seth, and to our fabulous listeners!

George Gountas: making the biggest lighting rigs work every time

George left theater school in May 2004, and was working on the Summer Olympics one month later.  His success has been nothing short of phenomenal, so we were thrilled to have a chance to ask him about his career as a gaffer and production electrician.  He's been one or the other on live TV broadcasts like sporting events, massive events like 12/12/12, TV shows like Smash, and hybrids of all of the above.

Join your host Jason Marin and co-host Calvin Lai as we sit down with George to discuss his career, how he found his way, and what he does to stay present in his families' life while doing the job.  We discussed the job of gaffer in detail, how it it both similar and different from being a production electrician, and how critical joining a labor union can be for people who plan to make a career in the business.

Many thanks to George for joining us and filling in what we didn't know so completely.  Thanks for checking out our seventh episode!

Mitchell Bogard: TV LD from Rachael's kitchen to Big Bird's nest

During a career spanning over 35 years, Mitchell Bogard has lit a huge number of television shows, theatricals, and dance performances.  His TV work, as both lighting designer and lighting director, has included many well known on-air personalities, including Rachael Ray, David Letterman, and Big Bird.  His work has earned him a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction for his work with Bill Berner on Between The Lions, and earned him nominations for the same award for Sesame Street (shared with Bill Berner) and Rachael Ray (shared with Alan Blacher).

Join your host Jason Marin and co-host Stephanie Shechter as we sit down with Mitchell to discuss his career, daily operations on a television show, and some of the remarkable things he's done.  We talked about how he got an early love for theater and performance from attending Broadway shows, his early career working and touring all over the world with dance companies, and how he spent a summer learning to be a puppeteer.  He went on to tell us how he learned how to take what he already knew about lighting and apply it to on-camera work as his career transitioned.

Many thanks to Mitchell for joining us, answering our questions, and holding nothing back.  Thanks for checking out our sixth episode!

Marty Postma: Concert LD, media designer, lighting & video programmer

While concert lighting is different from lighting for theater, television, and live events, it has been influenced by and has influenced the practice and practitioners of all three.  Marty has designed lighting and media for some of the largest musical acts around and has toured all over the world with them, but began his journey with a BFA in theatrical lighting design.  He has also programmed for other designers, on projects ranging from feature films to ice shows to televised galas, and has a reputation for staying cool no matter how much pressure is on.

Join your host Jason Marin and co-host Stephanie Shechter as we sit down with Marty to discuss the challenges of designing, assembling, and touring a concert system, as well as the challenges of working live with an artist in a festival environment.  We talked about how video  and lighting can work together, both as individual design elements and as partners in creating live broadcasts and webcasts.  We also discussed the business of design and handling changing client expectations, heard some advice for current and would-be programmers, and talked about Marty's earlier work in New York's biggest nightclubs.

Big thanks to Marty for his time and willingness to answer all our questions.  You can learn more about him and his work at www.retinalresonance.com

Thanks for checking out our fifth episode!

Eric Cornwell: master of software and lighting design

Eric has had a long and distinguished lighting design career, working everywhere from Broadway to Beijing, in disciplines ranging from theater to dance to opera to permanent installations.  Join your host Jason Marin as we discuss the art, business, and life of lighting design, talk about technology's place in the industry, and take a look at some of Eric's work over the years.

Eric joined the industry at a pivotal time, as the lighting business was growing increasingly dependent on computer technology.  By designing and coding software that would help him do his job as lighting designer, Eric joined the first wave of developers serving the lighting industry.  You can learn more about his software products at his company’s site, West Side Systems.

We also discussed some other interesting projects Eric has under way, including Virtual Magic Sheet, an open-source software product which displays live lighting control information in a visual layout that users design to their own needs.

Thanks for checking out our fourth episode!

Matt DeLong, a Rosco product manager and much more

Have you ever wondered about how a product goes from an idea in a user's mind or an inventor's imagination to something you can have shipped overnight, anywhere in the world?  Join your host Jason Marin as he and co-host Theresa Unfried of TAJ Event Productions talk with Matt DeLong from Rosco Laboratories.

We discussed product development and manufacturing, how users can influence what products and features manufacturers focus on, safety on stage and on set, and the changes in the business that have resulted from increased investment.

We talked about Rosco, its recent merger with GAM, and how they can help designers and technicians solve problems.  We also discussed atmosphere effects, how they are developed, and what was done to increase reliability on Rosco's new line of them.

In addition, Matt is an independent lighting designer, and we talked about how he fits that in the schedule along with his work at Rosco and his family.

Chris McMeen, an account executive with a passion for theater

Chris came from a theatrical household, and has had a long history with lighting and production rentals throughout the Northeast.  He started the Metro NY Christie Lites shop, and from there helps his theatrical, television, and event clients make their productions happen.

Join your host Jason Marin and his co-host RJ Sinischalchi as we talk about the importance of client education, the intricate relationships of manufacturers and dealers, the state of the lighting rental business, and how Chris' love of theater drove his desire to help lighting designers and their teams meet their goals.

Guy Smith: designer, programmer, producer

It's a long way from being a professional therapist in Boston to lighting a dance party on the top deck of a 5400 person crusie ship.  Join your host Jason Marin and co-host Theresa Unfried of TAJ Event Productions as we talk with Guy of Guy Smith Productions and Free Radical Design.

We discussed programming dance events, designing on cruise ships, becoming a producer, and working internationally.   We also talked about his company, how it became what it is and what's next for it, and how he became one of the most sought-after designer/programmers in the business.