3 answers
Matthew
Student
Covina, California
3
Questions
Updated
602 views
What are the ups and downs of going on tour.
I am interested in becoming a lighting designer within the entertainment industry for things such as, concerts, television, tours, movies, and any other miscellaneous corporate events come my way.
For the past couple years I have been able to learn some of grandMA2 by playing around with it and have learned to build looks and effects to program weekend services and special events.
#production #design #entertainment #concert #live #lighting #grandMA2
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3 answers
Jenny Ing
Touring Musician, Performer, Manager, Music Educator
5
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Jenny’s Answer
Touring is a wonderful way of working in the entertainment industry, based in L.A. when the industry is thriving.
Unfortunately - right now, the industry has taken a serious hit from the impact of Covid-19.
So, to answer your question - this is an exact example of the "ups and down" we often endure as touring musicians and crew.
I have been a touring musician in Los Angeles for 7 years now, and the constant change is something that is unlike any other occupation. There are extreme highs - there is travel, there is culture and an opportunity to share your art whether that includes performing, lighting design, sound design or other production/crew jobs. But there is also constant change: tours get cancelled, artists change and fire their bands/crews and historic natural events (earthquakes, social unrest, pandemics) do affect the industry in whether you work or not.
It takes a very flexible lifestyle. It takes a very supportive community of friends, work colleagues and family. And it is not for everyone.
Best of luck in your future endeavors, Matthew!
Once the pandemic is in check, I would find someone in your direct inspiration of work: lighting design, and see if they would let you shadow them at an actual event.
Unfortunately - right now, the industry has taken a serious hit from the impact of Covid-19.
So, to answer your question - this is an exact example of the "ups and down" we often endure as touring musicians and crew.
I have been a touring musician in Los Angeles for 7 years now, and the constant change is something that is unlike any other occupation. There are extreme highs - there is travel, there is culture and an opportunity to share your art whether that includes performing, lighting design, sound design or other production/crew jobs. But there is also constant change: tours get cancelled, artists change and fire their bands/crews and historic natural events (earthquakes, social unrest, pandemics) do affect the industry in whether you work or not.
It takes a very flexible lifestyle. It takes a very supportive community of friends, work colleagues and family. And it is not for everyone.
Best of luck in your future endeavors, Matthew!
Jenny recommends the following next steps:
Rachel Joy Tanzer
Literary Curator, Culinary Publicist specializing in India
7
Answers
Updated
Rachel Joy’s Answer
I've been on tour as a tour and artist manager for over 20 years and have traveled with bands all over the world pre-Covid.
Going on tour has many pluses and minuses.
There is no better experience than to visit other countries and what could be better than having this be your career.
The job is different every day just by being in different cities and venues, and you will meet amazing people along the way
You learn about yourself by being on the road and going through various experiences
It's not seasonal. There are always opportunities.
Minuses:
Missing your family and friends. The show must go on and this may mean missing important family events and holidays
Being on the road is equally tiring. Schedules are longer, days seem longer. You are living out of a suitcase.
It's a job for younger people. As we get older, touring gets tiring.
Going on tour has many pluses and minuses.
There is no better experience than to visit other countries and what could be better than having this be your career.
The job is different every day just by being in different cities and venues, and you will meet amazing people along the way
You learn about yourself by being on the road and going through various experiences
It's not seasonal. There are always opportunities.
Minuses:
Missing your family and friends. The show must go on and this may mean missing important family events and holidays
Being on the road is equally tiring. Schedules are longer, days seem longer. You are living out of a suitcase.
It's a job for younger people. As we get older, touring gets tiring.
Yana Afanasyeva–Gladkyh
illustrator, event manager, artist
3
Answers
Kiev, Ukraine
Updated
Yana’s Answer
+ it is a great experience, traveling, meeting new people and seeing new countries, cities. Plus the pay is usually very good. Though not from the beginning.
- Low pay at the start, homesickness, hard work, exhaustion from too much traveling around.
- Low pay at the start, homesickness, hard work, exhaustion from too much traveling around.