Ever marvel what it’s prefer to be the manufacturing designer behind some the largest music festivals on the earth? Steve Leiberman, proprietor SJ Lighting, is the lighting and manufacturing designer behind Coachella, EDC, Ultra, and plenty of different internationally acclaimed music festivals. In a brief interview with PetersonsPodcast, he too talks about his journey and experiences on this distinctive job.
It’s not all enjoyable and video games:
The very first thing Steve warns everybody about is that the backstage a competition is something however glamorous. It’s full stagehands, equipment, and trailers with manufacturing fice personnel. In different phrases, it’s a working setting, so don’t anticipate to be partying in the event you ever land a job in a competition’s backstage.
Setting up for reveals can take a very long time:
According to Steve, reveals can take anyplace between 2 days to 2 months to arrange relying on the size. An enormous competition like EDC Vegas takes over 2 months as a result of the logistics concerned.
So what goes into all these months work?
For starters, securing the positioning after which bringing in all of the metal wanted to construct buildings. In addition, bringing in personnel and organising for all of the totally different disciplines, resembling audio and video, merchandising campsites, entry portals, and meals and beverage distributors. In different phrases, all the pieces.
For EDC Vegas, Steve mentions that whereas it’s one his most original festivals to provide, it’s additionally the one which requires probably the most work. What makes EDC Vegas particular is the quantity intricacy and particulars that goes on into the design. Steve designs the competition in order that all the pieces is tied into the themes. This means, the viewers will get a completely immersive expertise even when strolling between levels.
So how do you land such a cool job?
Steve talked about that he had labored within the nightclub scene within the 80s and began doing lighting for the rave scene within the 90s. Although he obtained a university schooling and had plans to go to legislation college, he determined to take a flip and comply with his passions into the digital music business as a substitute.
What are some the issues that future aspiring competition manufacturing designers can do to get there? According to Steve, there are a pair issues that he seems to be for when hiring a designer: creativity, drafting abilities (ie Autocad, Cinema 4D), graphic design, and useful resource administration in order that the particular person is aware of what’s doable inside constraints resembling funds and time.
Steve’s closing phrases for anybody who needs to be concerned within the digital music business: discover the self-discipline that works for you since there are a number of platforms to get into it. Be diversified and expertise the scene by means of festivals and reveals for your self, because you’ll be taught by means of these experiences. Now, who’s impressed to achieve extra expertise and attend Ultra Miami?!?
H/T: PetersonsPodcast
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