Entertainment Design and Lighting Dimensions Magazines Become Official Media Sponsors of the Big Apple Institute

In support of the important lighting industry training program presented by New York City’s Big Apple Lights, Entertainment Design and Lighting Dimensions have announced their official media sponsorship of the Big Apple Institute. Produced by Patrick O’Rourke and Jason Livingston of Big Apple Lights, the Big Apple Institute offers a year-long series of training programs that are available free of charge to lighting designers, as well as all lighting industry professionals and students.

“We are happy to be able to support this outreach program that is in keeping with the magazines’ efforts at LDI and the Broadway Lighting Master Classes,” says Jacqueline Tien, publisher of Lighting Dimensions and Entertainment Design magazines. Tien adds that the magazines as well as their respective websites will support the activities of the Big Apple Institute on a regular basis: “The Institute is a great way to keep the industry up to date, through exposure to new products and important issues, as well as information pertinent to our readers.”

“I am very pleased that Lighting Dimensions and Entertainment Design have joined Big Apple Institute as our media sponsors,” says Patrick O’Rourke, president of Big Apple Lights. “Our goal of reaching out to the community through seminars and workshops will be greatly enhanced by the added exposure through their publications and web banners. We greatly value the vast knowledge of their experienced staff and look forward to relying on them for guidance as the Institute moves into its second year.”

This year’s Big Apple Institute sessions focus on “The Business of Being a Lighting Designer,” a hot subject for the majority of designers in business for themselves. The series began in October 2001 with two sessions: “WYSIWYG Training” on October 6 and “Assisting the Lighting Designer” on October 13, when UK designer Howard Harrison and his US assistant Ed McCarthy for Mamma Mia! addressed a group of 30 Big Apple Institute participants at the Winter Garden Theatre. In November, the Big Apple Institute presented a special High End Product Showcase at High End Systems’ New York showroom.

Other seminars have included Working with a Rental Shop in December, and What does Uncle Sam want? Taxes and the Freelance Designer in January.

The 2001-2002 Big Apple Institute schedule continues as follows:

February 9: Other Lighting-Related Careers
10am, First Floor Student Lounge, New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, 721 Broadway, 1st Floor. (Please note the new date for this seminar.)
Theatre lighting design is just one of many lighting-related careers. In this seminar, you'll meet some people who are working in other areas of the lighting industry. We'll talk with them about how they got started, what they do, and what you should know if you are considering a career change either now or in the future.
Panelists include:
Rita Ann Kogler, lighting director, The Lighting Design Group
Sonny Sonnenfeld, manufacturer's representative,Electronic Theatre Controls
Brett Anderson, architectural lighting designer,Focus Lighting
Chris Jaehnig, educator, New York University Tisch School of the Arts
John Fahnestock, lighting rentals, Big Apple Lights
Jason Livingston, moderator

March 9: Protecting Your Ideas—Copyright Protection
10am, location to be announced

April 6: Controlling Moving Lights With ETC Consoles
10am, location TBA
An in-depth look at using ETC's consoles to control moving lights. Learn how to use the Express, Expression, and Impression line of consoles, creating and loading fixture personalities, patching, focus points, and more.

April 20: Protecting Yourself—Insurance and Liability
10am, location TBA

May 4: Who Represents You? Agents, Lawyers, Unions, and Organizations
10am, location TBA

Big Apple Institute seminars are free of charge, but registration is required. For information or reservations for Big Apple Institute seminars, please call Sarah Gersick at (212) 226-0925, email her at [email protected], or email Jason Livingston at [email protected].

For additional information about Lighting Dimensions, Entertainment Design, and LDI, contact Deanna Andrews at [email protected].