Double graduate win at prestigious lighting awards
Intro
The Association of Lighting Designer's Fred Foster Award for Production Electrics went to Liam Sayer, who impressed with his attention to detail and innovation. Liam Strong was awarded The Blue-I Theatre Technology Award for Excellence in Video and touted as “the next big thing in video!” by one of the judges. We caught up with both winners to chat about their time at Guildhall and what they’re up to now.
A love for theatre and live events
Liam Sayer: My passion for working within theatre and live events comes from two things: every day is different, and working with friends and colleagues. I love the fact that no two days are the same, one day could be working on a light installation outdoors and the next rigging a large-scale musical. Secondly, working within the sector means you are part of a huge family.
I thrive off any project that gives me a challenge. I enjoy when a lighting designer wants to hang a complex lighting rig in the sky, and I have to create a solution as a Prod LX. One of my favourite Guildhall challenges was making it rain on stage.
Gaining Theatre Technology skills at a world-class institution
Liam Sayer: At Guildhall, I explored my working practice as a lighting practitioner on a variety of productions and projects by getting real world opportunities to work on. I learnt skills such as; rigging, wiring, CAD drawing, programming, focusing and many more, and was able to showcase these for the award. Guildhall allowed me to refine and explore my working practice.
COVID cut our physical training short in summer 2020 which was our final term. As a result, we produced virtual shows all remotely. This taught me the importance and huge benefits of pre-visualising lighting for productions. You can light entire shows before they even enter a theatre, all digitally, saving on time and money!
Liam Strong: Guildhall provided me with the opportunity to pursue both lighting and video design while still ensuring I had the technical side to back up my designs. This combination has meant that I can create effective designs for productions executed within the short timeframes found in a theatre.
Upskilling on Guildhall work placements
Liam Sayer: For my work placement I was assistant lighting designer on The Prince of Egypt London musical at the Dominion Theatre. This was a fantastic experience for me working with the lighting creative team as well as calling the follow spots, from rehearsals to opening night. It gave me a huge insight into how lighting designers work.
Making the choice to train at Guildhall
Liam Strong: In addition to the wonderful staff and facilities it is Guildhall’s method of giving students full control and autonomy over their work that really made me choose to study there. There was a space to succeed, and importantly a space to stumble and still pick myself up while knowing there was a safety net under me.
Liam Sayer: I chose Guildhall as you gain a broad range of knowledge. I worked across departments which meant I have an appreciation for all disciplines, plus extra skills. On the other hand, you can also tailor the course to your passion and needs and specialise later in the course if you want to.
Embarking on a career after Guildhall
Liam Strong: At the moment I’m working as a freelance video consultant and CAD designer. While unfortunately neither of these are in theatre or events due to the current pandemic, I’m utilising the skillsets I picked up at Guildhall to get some work. In the future, I aim to continue working as a multimedia designer focusing primarily on video design for theatre and events as well as system design for visual installations.
Liam Sayer: I have been very lucky to have been able to work on a museum project as freelance technician with lots of practical lighting.
Top tips for prospective students on what to include in your portfolio
Liam Strong: Show off your passions! Technical knowledge and skills can and will be taught, but a love and passion for the arts is something you need to bring with you.
Liam Sayer: Be visual, show off lots of photos and plans. Make sure it exhibits you as a person and practitioner.
Find out more about studying Production Arts at Guildhall School.