Assistant Lighting Designer Kit

[lighttechie5948]

Hi Guys,

I'm the ALD for a Broadway LD next week. It's not a broadway show, but it it a professional show with broadway actors and broadway ticket prices. I've heard that some of my friends that are Assistants usually make an "Assistant Kit" with everything they or the designer their assisting may need.

What items should be in this kit? The only one I've heard so far is Band-Aids....

[rschwimmer]

Originally Posted by lighttechie5948

Hi Guys,

I'm the ALD for a Broadway LD next week. It's not a broadway show, but it it a professional show with broadway actors and broadway ticket prices. I've heard that some of my friends that are Assistants usually make an "Assistant Kit" with everything they or the designer their assisting may need.

What items should be in this kit? The only one I've heard so far is Band-Aids....

White and Black Gaff
Etape
Zip ties
Laptop, with either DWG, DXF, VWX (any CAD) viewer
Rosco/Lee/Gam Swatch
Scissors
Sharpies
Sunglasses (as you will be the focusing model and have to look at the lights a lot)
Light Meter if you have one
RMS Meter if you have one
Thick Skin
Patience
and most importantly, a hidden FLASK!!!

[soundman]

Copies of all the paper work on paper and electronic
legal pads
small pocket size notebooks
contact info for the venue, local restaurants, crew chief, producer, rental houses, other designers, and the director to name a few
highlighters and markers
stapler
three hole punch
tape
post it flags

If you have to make a choice to bring tools or office supplies office supplies will help you more. True Broadway assistants have little need for multi meters and E tape as that suggests they are going to be using them. From what you have said it sounds like there should be a labor crew there making this a white gloves gig for you.

As assistant you will be taking notes and serving as a scribe as sorts for the LD. You might end up calling some focus or answer questions from the crew at calls when the LD is unavailable.

[JChenault]

Bring something good to eat - or pistachio nuts.
Find out what kind of munchies, drinks, etc your LD likes and ( if the theatre allows) bring them.

Consider bringing flowers if the vibe is such that it makes sense.

There is a wonderful interview with Gilbert Hemsley at Hemsley Lighting Programs - Interview

Gil was the best at people management. You don't want to step over your designers boundaries, but read the article and think how you can help make the audience desk an oasis of calm.

[derekleffew]

See also the thread http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/l...igner-ald.html.

[tcahall]

and a USB drive!

Tim.

[Footer]

Before you go building a huge work bag and spending a lot of money on it, what is going to be your role? Are you going to be an actual assistant or is it more of a job shadow type thing?

[lighttechie5948]

Originally Posted by Footer

Before you go building a huge work bag and spending a lot of money on it, what is going to be your role? Are you going to be an actual assistant or is it more of a job shadow type thing?

Somewhere in the middle

[MSLD]

make sure you have 8 gazillion Sharpies and a katrillion feet of Board Tape

[zac850]

I'd talk to the LD and ask him what your responsibilities would be. Every designer has their personal preference of what their assistant keeps track of. Best way to know is to ask.

Oh, and bring a smile, those are always important, and usually in short supply.