Richard Saunders is a Project Manager and Lighting Designer at White Light, which supplies lighting to West End shows, parties, TV shoots and other events. He talks about how he started out – by knocking on stage doors...
Full name/age/job title:
Richard Saunders, 42, Project Manager and Lighting Designer.
Please give us an overview of your average day.
I’m a Project Manager for the Production Department at White Light in London. I look after the lighting design, equipment and crew specification for multiple live event disciplines from TV studio and location shoots, corporate events and fashion shows to product launches, theatre and opera.
No two days are the same – it all depends what projects I’m working on. If it’s an office day then I will aim to be in there by 9:30, but if there are any site visits or meetings to do then I’ll try and do those on the way, so that I can start the paper work when I get in, which will involve liaising with venues and clients, specifying and booking equipment and crew, organising equipment transport and finally sending out the quotation.
If it’s an onsite day then this can start at anytime. I try to be there 10 to 15 minutes before the call time, so that I can get a cup of tea and go through my paperwork before the truck of kit and the crew turn up.
I’ll then be managing all aspects of the fit, up from rigging the points for the truss to focusing/programming the event while making sure that the crew get their proper meal breaks and finish on time, and that we are ready for the rehearsals/public onsite.
What is the most common misconception about your job?
That it’s so interesting and glamorous! It can be very rewarding, but usually comes with an awful lot of hard work and long, unsocial hours, so be prepared.
What is the hardest thing about your role?
Making sure that you’ve remembered everything that was asked for, getting the show up on time, making time for your family and friends and still be smiling at the end of the day!
When did you decide what you wanted to do with your life and how did you start out achieving it?
I decided at 13 or 14 that I wanted to work in theatre and be a lighting designer. I worked on all the shows that I could do at school and amateur theatre companies, to the detriment of my studies (not to be advised!).
When the rest of my school friends went to university I’d go and see them with a list of all the theatres in whichever city they were in, and go and knock on the stage door and ask to see the chief electrician. This resulted in my first job in London’s West End.
What can you do to get a head start?
Reading as many books/magazines as you can about stage craft/film etc. Do as many school/amateur shows and community events that you can. Get involved in film and photography either at school or through local societies. Knock on your local theatre’s stage door and ask to talk to the technical manager about working in theatre/work experience in theatre.
Any training you do – try and get work experience at the same time. If you don’t understand how to do something then ask before you do it – this will gain you all the respect in the world rather than the chief having to fix your mistakes!
Could you describe the creative element to your job?
Designing the lighting for one of my own events, or supporting a Lighting Designer or DOP (director of photography) by being the lighting desk programmer/production electrician.
You get to design your own “picture of light” or assist others through discussion, offering ideas and working to the highest standard you can achieve.
What one thing do you wish you had known at the start of your career that you know now?
Not to sell yourself short and document everything you ever do, especially through photography – this will become your portfolio so that you can further your career.
Which organisations/websites/resources do you think would be useful for people entering your industry?
Our partner, National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural, has got together to offer an open day for Founder College students considering a career in lighting design. Apply now.
Would you like to be featured in Job of the Week? If you work in the creative industries and would love to share your advice, expertise and experience with IdeasTap members, drop us a line at ideasmag@ideastap.com.