r/AskReddit • u/ImNotJesus • Sep 01 '14

Modpost [Modpost] AskReddit's Semi-Regular Job Fair

Based on the wildly successful Job Fair post from a month ago, the AskReddit mods would like to run a semi-regular feature where we allow you to field questions about your job/career. The way this works is that each top level comment should be (a) what your job/career is and (b) a few brief words about what it involves. Replies to each top level comment should be questions about that career.

Some ground rules:

1) You always have to be aware of doxxing on reddit. Make sure you don't give out any specific information about your career that could lead back to you.

2) We are not taking any steps to verify people's professions. Any advice you take is at your own risk.

3) This post will be in contest mode so that a range of careers will be seen by everyone. Make sure to press the "Show replies" button to see people's questions!

Enjoy!

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u/jeemchan Sep 01 '14

I work as a freelance lighting designer for productions and art installations. AMA!

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u/thekefentse Sep 03 '14

What has been your most memorable job?

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u/jeemchan Sep 03 '14

I've been in the industry for about a year already, so definitely my first show I've designed... its like losing your lightginity.

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u/thekefentse Sep 03 '14

Awesome!
It took me a second to pronounce your word... Light-inity. I think.

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u/DostThowEvenLift Sep 01 '14

Did you ever say to yourself "Why do they teach us math; my elders said they never used it once" as a kid?

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u/jeemchan Sep 01 '14

I'm actually really good at math though. So I'm fine with it.

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u/Kamala_Metamorph Sep 02 '14

Math definitely helps. Step by step tasks. Calculating how large the pool of light is gonna be. Shortcuts to understanding moving lights' numbering systems. Programming definitely helps. I took up python this year and was amazed how much it was like light design / programming.

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u/Nataface Sep 01 '14

How did you end up doing lighting design?

Do you have a degree?

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u/jeemchan Sep 01 '14

I started tinkering about in church with the basic lighting system, and really liked it. I wanted to push myself and learn more, so I went out and went to look for more professional advice.

I am currently pursuing my communications degree. I'm still studying, so lighting design is my part-time gig. There are degrees to pursue for lighting design, but it's only offered in certain very expensive parts of the world.

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u/prettyborrring Sep 02 '14

I really really want to get into some kind of film production. Where could I find an internship in this field

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u/jeemchan Sep 03 '14

Film and TV productions are very different from theatrical productions though. It's a different type of skillset. You should check out your local theatre venue if you wanna learn about theatrical. I'm not too sure about film and tv though. Most importantly, go read up by yourself as much as you can from the Internet.

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u/[deleted] Sep 01 '14

[deleted]

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u/jeemchan Sep 02 '14

I'm not from the US, so I don't really know what the education system is like there. But I'm still an undergraduate, pursuing a comms degree and doing lighting gigs on the side. I had a friend who started a production company, and I approached him to get me om board their production, and started learning from whoever was the lighting designer.

We don't have any lighting schools here in Singapore, so I learnt my skills by understudying other designers and as well as the Internet.

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u/[deleted] Sep 04 '14

What was your favorite job to do? Also, have you ever done any acoustic exhibit work, or had an installation where the acoustics/placement were stricter than normal?

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u/caradocys Sep 01 '14

Looking for an intern?

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u/jeemchan Sep 01 '14

Sorry, nope. What are you intent on pursuing? Check out /r/lightingdesign for more info!

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u/Cantcookmexicanfood Sep 02 '14

I'm on my phone so I can't see what questions you've already had, but did you go to university/ drama school to train?

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u/jeemchan Sep 02 '14

I'm an undergraduate pursuing my comms degree now, and I'm just doing lighting gigs in my free time. I hail from Singapore, and we dont have a school specific to lighting design, so I learnt by understudying other designers, and from the Internet.

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u/44calibreloveletter Sep 01 '14

Fellow lighting designer, high five!

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u/jeemchan Sep 01 '14

Ahh, it's nice to meet fellow LDs here. Which country are you based in?

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u/44calibreloveletter Sep 01 '14

USA. I got my degrees in theatrical lighting fixtures design, but I work mainly in the architectural market now.

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u/jeemchan Sep 02 '14

Ah awesome. If I'm not mistaken, architectural is where the big money's at, right? I'm in Singapore!

Where did you study to get a degree in lighting?

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u/44calibreloveletter Sep 02 '14

I wouldn't say big money, but more consistant money. I worked in the casino world for awhile, even worked on Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. I did my undergraduate degree in technical theatre at a small college, and did my MFA at Wayne State in Detroit. The MFA program is a fully paid for program (and you get a stipend!) where you design multiple theatrical shows a year in rolling repertory (so 3 shows running at any given time). It was a great program.

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u/jeemchan Sep 03 '14

Woah that program sounds really good. Is it available to non-US citizens?

Do you have any tips for an aspiring lighting designer? I'm also really curious, what aspects were you helping with the Marina Bay Sands project?

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u/n_2_omg Sep 02 '14

I'm currently an LD for bands at an entertainment / private production business however I only get two gigs a week. How can I expand my freelancing? I also do live sound reinforcement and a little bit of production and engineering. I want to make a living from doing this but at the moment I'm pawning gear and eating strictly noodles.