Michael Apostolos, a 25-year-old Chicago native, provides creative direction, production and lighting, and overall creative design services for some of Hollywood’s biggest entertainers. He founded fourline creative, a company which creates set designs for Chance the Rapper, the 2020 Democratic National Convention, and Jennifer Hudson’s “John Lewis: Celebrating A Hero” performance. His work has also been featured on award shows such as Billboard Music Awards, Grammys, ACM, BET, and the ESPYs. Live Design chats with Apostolos about his multi-faceted career and his advice during a pandemic.
Live Design: How do you juggle all the hats of lighting and set designer, producer, etc.?
Michael Apostolos: Every project is different and is a learning curve. A lot of positions, like lighting, set designer, producer, and others, taps the other and intertwines, while producing puts it all together. It’s also about having a good team that you can rely on and work together with. I have a great team that is able to execute projects at the highest caliber. In order to perform each role, it is important to have a clear understanding of the goals while dividing and conquering amongst the team.
LD: You have created a lot of different looks for Chance the Rapper. How do you work with him on aesthetic choices, use of color, and design goals?
MA: Chance is a very hands-on artist who knows what he wants on each project. My goal is to help bring his vision to life, whether it be a color palette or movement within a song. He creates music of multiple genres, so when it comes to different aesthetics, we pick a color palette to convey specific emotions and movement. We work together to convey the message he is trying to put out and enhance the audience’s experience of the song.
LD: How do you design star segments for shows such as Jimmy Kimmel?
MA: The process always starts with collaborating with the artist’s team as well as the team on the show. We determine if there is a vision behind the artist's performance and bring it to life together and make it feasible for the physical space provided.
LD: In your lighting designs, can you talk a little about choice of fixtures?
MA: In my lighting design, a big thing is the symmetry of a lighting rig with very clean designs. We need the lighting fixtures to harmonize with the show. For example, if we were doing a rap or hip-hop show, we’ll do moving fixtures. They vary from show to show based on the aesthetic and feel we are trying to create.
LD: How did you survive during the past 8 months of the pandemic? What projects, what safety measures, and how did your career change since last March?
MA: Since last March, my projects have changed as there are no more live concerts or audiences. The industry has pivoted away from this and towards live TV performances that can be safely viewed from home. While on set filming TV, everyone on the teams are tested for COVID-19, have the proper PPE, and follow the given guidelines. The pandemic has caused us to take more time on the front end and make sure everything is done safely beyond the physical elements of the project. Therefore, you find yourself needing more time to make sure everything is done right. These changes have made me think outside the box and explore all the avenues, focus on other ways to do what I love, and being a part of creating moments we can still be together even if it is from home.
LD: Can you talk us through the design process for one project?
MA: One of my favorite projects was the set design for Noah Cyrus and Leon Bridges on Jimmy Fallon. We had done a version of her song “July” on The Late Late Show with James Corden that mimicked the outdoor scenes that are in the music video. For Fallon, Noah wanted to continue with this theme, given it was a rendition of the song with Leon we made it warmer and intimate for “Golden Hour.”
LD: What is your advice for young designers starting out in the age of COVID-19?
MA: My advice would be to take this time, if you are stuck indoors and can’t get hands on experience, to learn and study as much as you can. Watch videos, go back, and familiarize yourself with different techniques and lighting. Do your research and develop your own ideas and concepts, so when the pandemic is over you come out well versed.