Hi there,
I read your posts and would like to let you know that there is a lot of student aid out there just waiting for someone like you.
I went to college by taking out student loans and by working in
road houses, which have flexible hours, fairly decent pay and I learned a LOT while working
There are many, many
book on the subject, but as we all know, the hands on experience is much more valuable than reading about gear in a
book.
Here in So.
Cal. there are many community colleges that offer several classes on moving light technology, lighting design, programming
etc., hopefully NV has community colleges with the same opportunities.
MOST, if not ALL, of the true Lighting Designers I know, who make 100% of their living by doing Lighting Design only have at least a BA, if not an MFA.
Of course, a lot of LD's I know (including myself) do it on occasion, but pay the bills with other means of teching included.
I think if you are really motivated and dedicated that you can be an LD without a formal education. But I think it will be a lot easier to go to school and take the time for yourself to learn the craft you love so much. You will make connections and have hands on training and be located to work during or right after school. There are a lot of amazing schools out there and an even greater amount of financial aid; some of which you pay back after you graduate like loans, and some you never pay back like grants and scholarships. Also, I believe that when two applicants have the same experience and one has a degree and the other does not, the one with the degree will get the job 9 times out of 10, because a degree shows employers that your education is
broad and not only about lighting. It can also show that you achieved a long term goal. Not that anyone else can't do these things, but a degree can show them without them ever having met you at their first glance of your resume.
I would be more than happy to recommend some colleges if you ever change you mind about going to school.
But for now, why don't you check out these books:
A
Practical Guide to
Stage Lighting by Steven Louis Shelley
Automated Lighting: The Art and Science of Moving Light in
Theatre, Live Performance, Broadcast, and Entertainment by Richard Cadena
Fantastic Light by Max Keller
Scene Design and
Stage Lighting by W.Oren Parker and Harvey K. Smith
You could also try to decide what kind of lighting design you want to do, concerts,
theatre,
road house theatre, corporate gigs (industrials), theme
park, architectural and find an LD in the field of your interest and contact them. Tell them how hard working and dedicated you are and ask them for an internship or an entry
level position.
I worked with someone who cold-contacted Jennifer Tipton (OH my GoD!) for an internship after he graduated from college for an internship and he got it!! Which started his career...
Good Luck!! or Break a
Leg!!