The West Wing
December 5, 2008
I did it. I watched the complete series in just over two months. And I have an unhealthy urge to watch it all over again. But I suppose I’ll knock out some of the reading thats on my list of 101, tomorrow…
#22 and Phenomenon Tech
April 23, 2008
It may seem like a little thing, but programming a show in tracking mode is a big step. The show I’m designing is shorter and more simple then what I have been doing the last few years, but the fact that I’m editing light cues with a different way of thinking is big.
That leads me to Phenomenon tech. The load in process was the fastest turnover I have ever done. We stuck 2 shows on Sunday, hung lights Monday morning, and installed the set that afternoon. Tuesday I focused in the afternoon and pre-programmed the show before a 7 tech. Thankfully the plot started very simple, around 60 lights and the set is quite small. We finished tech in just under four hours and after some notes today I’m waiting to begin the first dress rehearsal.
This show has been a big step forward in my career. The support from the staff at Long Wharf has been great, but at the same time I’ve been given most of the responsibility of the lighting for this show. After seeing what we have so far, I really feel like this show is going to help my grad school chances next year.
More on this after opening…
#88 & Summer Fun
March 4, 2008
So I admit that I left this one a little vague. But regardless I donated a dollar to MS today at the grocery store and I say that qualifies as donating to a charity. Hopefully this good deed leads to more in the future…
I’m getting more excited about my summer job. For those of you who don’t know, I’m returning to Timber Lake Playhouse this summer as the Lighting Designer & Production Manager. This is my 3rd summer at TLP, my second as a designer and I’m creating the PM position this summer. In just over 2 months I’ll be spending 3 months in the woods designing 6 productions and overseeing the production staff.
A major part of my excitement is the people that are coming back and some new TLPers that I’m excited to work with again. Summer stock can be a trying experience, but its the people you work with that make the experience worth the stress.
#71
February 27, 2008
I have a couple days off so I’m hoping to knock out 5 items on my 101 list. I started with a bang by canceling my MySpace account.
3 Days
February 25, 2008
I’ve successfully made it to day 3 of 1001 without completing any of my goals. Woo Hoo!
I did learn more than I ever wanted to know about theatrical fabric. The Rosebrand guy gave a seminar about flame resistance, sharkstooth scrims, muslim thickness and pipe bags. It was quite long, but ultimately very informative. It will be good to have that information if I have to order any fabric this summer.
101 things in 1001 days
February 21, 2008
Career
1. Apply to 5 Grad Schools
2. Get into Grad School
3. Get paid to assist a designer
4. Work on a show in Chicago
5. Work on a show in New York
6. Design an opera
7. Design a Shakespeare
8. Go on tour
9. Get a scene design credit
10. Design a dance piece
11. Work on an architectural lighting design
12. Redo my portfolio
13. Create a website
14. Assemble a complete production book
15. Teach a lighting class
16. Be a successful Production Manager
17. Learn about TV lighting
18. Buy a camera good enough to capture stage lighting
19. Design a show with 10¬¬+ moving lights
20. Design a show with over 200 instruments
21. Design a show with over 400 cues
Technical
22. Program a show in Tracking Mode
23. Program a show on a non ETC console
24. Use LEDs in a production
25. Learn AutoCAD
26. Buy an 8” C-Wrench
27. Buy a pocket knife
28. Hand draft a light plot
29. Learn to tie 5 new knots
Financial
30. Start a Retirement Fund
31. Get a job with benefits
32. Do my own taxes
33. Buy stock in 5 companies
Personal
34. Move to New York/Chicago and get an apartment
35. Buy a car
36. Be in a relationship with no finish line
37. No TV for one week
38. No internet for one week
39. Give up all non-Bravo reality shows
40. Cook 20 new meals
41. Swim 1 mile in 1 week
42. Run 1 mile
43. Run 2 miles
44. Run 15 miles in one month
45. Century Club
46. Try all of Sam Adams’ Beers
47. Paint and Decorate my bedroom
48. Win a Poker Tournament
49. Buy a suit
50. Buy a watch
51. Get a Birdie in a Round of Golf
52. Get a Golf score under 100
53. Buy a Smart Phone/iPhone
54. Watch “The West Wing” series
55. Watch “Lost” series
56. Register to vote in my new state
57. Vote in a non-presidential election
58. Make a new pair of shorts
59. Make a new pair of pajama pants
60. Get a land line telephone
61. Adopt a pet
62. Grow a garden
Computer
63. Write 100 Blog Posts
64. Win my Fantasy Football League
65. Upgrade VectorWorks
66. Upgrade to Leopard
67. Buy an external hard drive
68. Install Windows on my MacBook
69. Get a new keyboard cover
70. Sell something on eBay
71. Cancel my MySpace account
Travel
72. Visit England
73. Visit Canada
74. Visit Las Vegas
75. Visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras
76. Watch the ball drop in Times Square
77. Wear a backpack in Europe
78. Drink a Heineken in Germany
79. Drink at a pub in Ireland
80. See a game at Fenway Park
81. See a game at Wrigley Field
82. Visit my brother at school
83. Visit my sister at school
84. Go Rafting
85. Go Skiing
Good Deeds
86. Donate Blood
87. Work on a Habitat for Humanity House
88. Donate to a charity
89. Stop getting plastic grocery bags
Culture
90. Read one book a month for a year
91. Read all of Shakespeare’s Tragedies
92. Read all of Shakespeare’s Comedies
93. Read all of Shakespeare’s Histories
94. Read all of Shakespeare’s Sonnets
95. Read 15 classic plays
96. Read 15 contemporary plays
97. See all of the Oscar Nominated Movies before the Oscars
98. See a live concert
99. See a Shakespeare in the Park performance
100. See a ballet
101. See an opera
Start Date: February 22, 2008
End Date: November 19, 2010
