Amanda Carradine, lighting director for Eastside Christian Church, a large multisite church based out of Anaheim, CA, is hosting the session Lighting and Special Effects: Ensuring Continuity and Elevating Worship for Multisite and Broadcast Churches at LDI 2024.
Carradine talked to Live Design about her varied career, her love for designing in houses of worship, and why you shouldn't be above mopping the stage.
Live Design: How did you become interested in lighting design and how did you start out on your path to become a lighting designer?
Amanda Carradine: I started getting involved with theatrical lighting and design in college where I was a dance major. It started as just a crew requirement, but quickly became a passion as I realized how much excitement there is in live entertainment and how much I love creating using lighting as my art medium.
LD: What made you specialize in designing for houses of worship?
AC: I've worked almost every section of the industry, and I love designing and working in Houses of Worship the most. Every weekend is a new chance to be creative, and you get to help volunteers learn about lighting, grow their skills and their passion for production. Also, I truly believe that I am living out my life's calling while doing this. I have the most incredible team to work with and I'm thankful everyday for where I get to work.
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LD: What skills did you have to develop for houses of worship versus theatre or concerts? Do you have to be able to do it all: services and holiday events? How does your approach to each one differ?
AC: I do have to be able to "do it all" to work in a house of worship. That includes design, drafting, install, maintenance, leading teams, dealing with vendor relations and rentals... the whole gamut. It definitely helps me be well rounded and able to jump into any position whether someone is looking for a designer or a master electrician. My design approach is somewhere between concert lighting and theatrical design. The flash of concert lighting adds a fun element every weekend, but in a house of worship you have to take into account that you need the artistic and reverent side as well. I like to think of it as telling a story - we are carrying people through a journey with the worship music.
LD: How frequently do you upgrade the control and fixtures and what are you looking for when you do? What are your go-to fixtures?
AC: My favorite control software is MA Lighting. I currently use both MA2 and MA3 consoles throughout my auditoriums. I love the user experience with these consoles and if I had a choice I wouldn't use anything else! Fixtures aren't upgraded often for me, but when I'm shopping for new fixtures I usually look for something of high quality, and something that not only looks good but has the features I need. My two favorite manufacturers are Elation Lighting and Chauvet Professional. The Chauvet Maverick MK3s are forever my favorite - giant washes with great color and fun pixel effects.
LD: What advice would you give young people just starting out in lighting?
AC: My best advice for people just starting out in lighting is to find every opportunity you can and take it. I gained some of my experience in the beginning working for free as a student, or working crazy hours on cruise ships. We learn lessons about lighting, the industry, and ourselves in every job we take - both good and bad. It's all valuable. Making connections with people in the industry is equally important. The wider range of software you can program equals a wider range of jobs you can accept; so it's good to learn as much as you can. The best advice I ever received was that you should always be willing to mop a stage. You should never consider yourself "above" mopping a stage. Always stay humble.