Last Updated on October 31, 2024 by LD Ryan Conlon | 🕒 3 min Read Time
What Do You Need To Know on Your First L1 Job
Your first show can be fun and exciting. The only problem is people will not tell you exactly what you need to do.
They will just assume you know what you are doing. (this will actually happen on all of your show – not just your first)
So on Your First Corporate Lighting Show here are some tips.
Get Show Details
Depending on the company. You will either get a full rundown of the show or nothing. Maybe something in between. Show details can come from the person that hired you, show lead, PM or Director.
You will need to know – Load in Date – Load in Location – Load in Time – What controller are you using. If you don’t know this info before the show – You need to reach out and ask.
Other info you need to know. What is your role. What type of event is it. Dress code for the event. How many days is the event. What are the start and approximate end times.
Extra info that would be nice to know. Who are you working with. What equipment are you using. Stage Plot. Room Plot. Show Schedule. and Extra details of the show.
If the show is out of town – you need to know travel dates. Flight info Or carpool options.
Programming
Stage Looks
You will need to create a couple simple looks (to start) for your show. Walkin – Video – Show – Walkout.
Walkin/out Look
No stage wash. It can have a slow color change or slow movement.
Video Look
No Stage wash. All other lights Blue
Show Look
Stage wash on. No movement no color change. I use the event invite or presenter powerpoint to figure out the colors of the event. Always have something ready. If the client doesn’t like it. Change it.
House Lights
You need to figure out how the house lights work. Find out where they are controlled from. Figure out if the hotel can adjust the settings or breaker off individual lights.
Play around with the house lights and figure out the best looks to use.
Figure out who is calling the show (Client, Director, TD).
Ask them which house light looks they want to use.
Breaker off lights over video screens.
During rehearsal or Cue to cue you will find out if you need to create more looks.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
The more prepared you are – The better your show will be
And that company will ask you to do more work for them.
Stage Wash
You might only need to light the podium But you should create a wash for the full stage. People need to be seen when the enter and leave stage. Keep the lights off the video screens.
Story — On one of my first corporate shows. The Director said podium only show. He said it multiple times. I also asked him if he was sure it was podium only.
During the show he asked for a full stage wash. I told him I had a limit number of lights and they were on the podium.
After that he decided to go off on me – over com – about how you always need a full stage wash. This same director was the first to tell me about Show Blacks.
He didn’t really tell me – he yelled and got me one of his black polo shirts to wear.
Create a group master for your Stage Wash.
You might need to adjust the lights to help Video out.
If you have backlight – also create a group master for them.
Something that looked good during rehearsal might need to be changed during the event.
Transitions
Transitions are very important in corporate lighting.
You can’t have all the lights snap from one look to another.
They need to fade or not move at all.
Fade out lights before you change gobos or using color wheels.
If you are using movers for your stage wash.
Just use them for stage wash and nothing else.
Some Good Tips
Keep your stage clean and clear.
Movers on stage pointing at your backdrop is not a good idea. When people move on that stage – the lights move and so will the gobos on the backdrop.
Put your movers on cases next to the stage with some black fabric over the case to hide it.
LEDs on the Upstage edge is also not a good idea.
Many Leds have been kicked off the stage or kicked over and then they point at the crowd.
Try to put the lights on the ground. Other Tips To Become a Better LD
Corporate audiences do not like lights in their eyes. They also do like being blinded when they walk in a room.
Gobos on walls look nice – just watch out for doorways. Walk the room and see what lights blind you.
Haze or no haze – Figure out if you can use haze. Some venues require a fire watch at an additional cost.
Always ask before taking and posting pictures. You can find me posting pictures on Instagram LDRyanConlon
Important Details
Pay
Figure out how much you are going to charge before you do the event. And how you are going to charge. Are you going to charge by the day – by the hour – or a mixture.
Full Day, Half Day, Overtime after 10hrs.
Discuss this with the person that is hiring you.
You don’t want to go work 4 -16hr days and find out they will only pay you for 4 days (40hour) not the 64 that you billed for.
Invoices
Before a company can pay you – you will need to send them a W-9 – You can find that form here.
Once the work is done. You will need to send an invoice.
I use Quickbooks – Freshbooks or Excel sheets will also work. Google invoices templates. Companies like details.
Don’t forget name of event- date of event – PO number – – Your name – mailing address – number of hours worked – amount charged per hour or total amount charged per day.
If the event is more than one day list each day separate.
Try to get you invoice emailed no more than 3 days after the event is done.
Travel
If you are traveling out of town. Figure out who is paying for your hotel 
room.
The company will put a CC on file to pay for the room but you will still need a CC for a room deposit.
If you use a debit card for Incidentals just know that the hotel will take money out of your account.
The hotel will refund that money after your stay. We stayed and worked at a resort in Arizona.
The room deposit was $1400. Most hotels are $50 per night.
Bonus Tip – Sign up Delta SkyMiles or for what ever airlines you are going to use.
You can connect your Lift and delta Skymiles.
Each time you use Lyft you earn miles. I have been able to get many free flights for personal trips using points.
Also Sign up for Hotel reward programs.
Mileage
You should charge mileage if you are driving to out of town events. You can get the current rates Here. Some companies will refuse to pay it. Maybe that is a company that should be on your “Don’t work with them” list.
Extra Travel Fees
Cabs/Ride Share
Most companies will pay for Uber/Lyft fees to the airport and from the airport to the hotel you are staying in. Ask before your flight. They might have a transportation plan already planned out.
Baggage fees
Baggage fees are also paid for by most companies. (Delta $30 each flight)
You can always put your tech kit on the truck before it leaves. Most tools in your carry on will be taken away. The TSA has a couple of my crescent wrenches.
Food
Meals
Do not eat food that is intended for use by the client unless instructed to do so. Don’t be afraid to ask the people that hired you about food.
Do not ask the Client about food. If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions let someone know.
Walk Away
Some events will provide meals. Other time you will have a walk away. That mean you have an hour OFF and you need to go buy you own food.
Per Diem – Travel
Per Diem rates are different for each city. You can check the current rates Here.
Each company is different you might get a check mailed to you before the event.
Cash or check given to you at the airport or at the venue.
Or you might need bill for it on your invoice.
Don’t be scared to ask these questions. It is what a professional person does.
I hope these tips can help you get started.
Read More
- Stage Directions
- Top 9 Rookie Mistakes Not To Make As a New Stage Lighting Designer
- How to Become a Freelance Lighting Designer
- Stage Lighting Links and Resources
- Lighting Dos and Don’ts
- Church Stage Lighting Basics You Will Absolutely Want
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Ryan Conlon is a highly experienced Corporate Freelance Lighting Designer with two decades of dedicated work in the entertainment industry. With a passion for creating captivating lighting experiences, Ryan has contributed his expertise to numerous corporate meetings, stage productions, concerts, and events throughout his career.