The Assistant Lighting Designer's Toolkit

This ground-breaking text returns in its second edition, unlocking the insider secrets and proven, time-tested methods to succeed as a professional assistant lighting designer. This definitive guide outlines, step-by-step, the daily challenges that assistant lighting designers face during every phase of production, and the solutions for overcoming them. Furthermore, intermingled among the highly detailed paperwork techniques and essential procedures, top industry professionals reveal tips for success in this challenging career. This fully updated second edition features: All new advice, real-world stories, and current paperwork examples from over 120 working professionals. Updated industry practices with case studies from the professionals themselves, such as how to create a video network to record previews for the lighting department; how much printing is done in an increasingly paperless world; how to produce a set electrics package; and how the industry interfaces with cutting-edge technology like remote followspots and pre-visualization software. New lifestyle tips for traveling abroad, negotiating contracts, and dealing with stressful situations. The Assistant Lighting Designer's Toolkit, the most trusted authority on assisting in the lighting world, equips budding assistant lighting designers and students studying lighting design with the insider knowledge they need to achieve the successful career that they have always wanted—whether choosing assisting as a career or as a stepping-stone toward design. Within these pages are the industry secrets rarely taught in school!

Part I: The Profession 1. Understanding Assisting 2. The Tools Required 3. Production Personnel 4. Unions Part II: The Process 5. Design Prep 6. Load-in 7. Tech 8. Previews and Performances Part III: The Paperwork 9. Pre-production Paperwork 10. Tech Process Paperwork Part IV: The Industry 11. US-based Employment Opportunities 12. Working Internationally 13. Working inRelated IndustriesPart V: The Life 14. Working as an Independent Contractor

Anne E. McMills’ career extends across the many facets of the lighting world—from theatre (including Broadway and the West End) to television and theme parks, to architectural lighting, corporate industrials, concerts, cruise ships, award shows, dance, and opera. In addition to designing her own work, Anne has worked as an associate for many Tony Award-winning Broadway designers, mounting productions throughout the world. Anne is a proud member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829, and isthe Head of Lighting Design for the MFA in Design and Technology at San Diego State University. For further information, visit www.annemcmillslighting.com.