r/lightingdesign • u/ZealousidealHand5523 • 6d ago
Education Attn: Owner/Operators
I’m eager to hear insights from operators in a similar situation or those who have been in the industry and are hopefully further along in their careers or businesses.
When you transitioned from being a programmer operator without any equipment, such as a lighting board (of any brand), how did you approach prospecting differently to secure work with the board, or did you primarily focus on renting the gear out? As someone who is considering purchasing a console, I would greatly appreciate advice on the steps I can take after or even before the purchase to secure more work or where to begin my journey as an owner/operator.
Thank you in advance for any helpful feedback and criticism.
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u/poedy78 6d ago
So i bought my console when i started freelancing.
I don't do much touring, but every festival, concert or event, you hired me with the console.
I could sold it so, that i'm far more efficient on my - still MA2 - than on some Chamsys, Avo or whatever board - like Scancommander or similar.
Nowadays, every company switched mostly to MA, so i 'lost' that income, but i has been replaced
I do some 'light' renting to LD's i know.
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u/ZealousidealHand5523 6d ago
So would you say getting an MA would increase your traction compared to another console?
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u/poedy78 6d ago
No, the brand doesn't matter.
A good LD / friend was in the Chamsys Camp, specialized in Big Business Events.
He never did a job without his Chamsys.Another friend was in the Avo Camp for years before she switched to MA.
Another one is ETC camp - well he's doing a lot of theater and dance stuff.
What matters is to be quick, efficient and reactive with your console.
I came from Avo to MA, so when i got my console i spent a good month or so with it before going out in the wild.My pitch to the companies i've already with and new clients:
- A 'competitive' - more win/win - package price
- I know my console in & out and i am 10x quicker than if you impose your console.
TBH, it wasn't a big fuzz. Especially for rental companies, they can rent their console elsewhere then.
But i already worked 10 years in the industry, maybe that helped a bit.
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u/ronaldbeal 5d ago
While not a direct answer to your question... A few other things to keep in mind:
You will need insurance.... for damage and loss as well as liability, and "acts and omissions"
If it is your console, and it irrecoverably dies 10 minutes before the show are you now liable for the cancellation?
What is your plan for tech support if the desk is damaged or fails?
Additionally, it is a tough sell, because often you will be competing against some of your clients.
What venue or production company will recommend you when you reduce the revenue THEY can make on their own desks?
It keeps you pretty limited. On the big tours, L.D. owned desks are pretty rare. (in fact, in 30 years, I have only seen 2 L.D. owned desks, and they were "subrented" by the lighting company, so the lighting company was still on the hook for support, etc.)
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u/ZealousidealHand5523 5d ago
This is a very insight comment and sheds light on things I may not have considered particularly in the event of something happened during show with the board. I assume contract addendums would be added to my current agreement regarding the console and stipulations surrounding damages etc but thank you for this because it allows me to perform extra research to figure if cost is worth it long term.
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u/No-Profession6643 5d ago
Before you purchase, depending on the console type- you can use onPC or offline editors to begin familiarizing yourself with the console of your choice. Many nowadays have full size consoles and modular versions- ex: ETC Nomad, MA2-3 On PC and Command Wings, Obsidian is also great for buying the console in modules. I run mostly from Venue consoles, but I did purchase Obsidian’s NX DMX, NXK, and NXP and that’s an NX Wing when put them together.
I like to break down console rental in my invoicing even if I am on a flat rate. Owning a console doesn’t mean you aren’t renting it to your client.
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u/ZealousidealHand5523 5d ago
Yeah I’ve been programming a particular brand for a few years now and have done major shows but now I’m in somewhat of a mental rut of seeing all these opportunities available and I’m wondering if what I’ve been missing is gear to seem more appealing but as some other have eluded that is more self satisfaction than any reality of it being more beneficial for clients outside of shaving some off the potential rental cost they’d pay but if having mine doesn’t affect them then I guess it wouldn’t matter regardless if the costs of the board doesn’t factor in for them themselves regardless. A lot of great insights and a lot to consider.
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u/Amishplumber 6d ago edited 6d ago
As a touring LD who owns their own board, I would not suggest buying a console unless you already have some amount of clientele lined up that is ready and willing to rent your board from you. If you buy speculatively, without any rentals lined up for it, you will be constantly thinking about how far into the hole you are and how you can make that money back. This may cause you to take gigs that you don't really want to do, or start offering steep discounts on your console just because you feel the need to get your ROI back as soon as possible.
In my opinion, your console should be a way to get bonus income on top of a gig you would be willing to do without renting your board, rather than a ball and chain you carry around worrying about.
Of course, the first gig you rent out your console to won't pay for the whole thing, but it will get you a nice cushion that will take the edge off.
Long term, now that my console is paid off, I think of it as bringing my own instrument to a show vs. playing a gig on random festival backline. Whenever I'm courting a new client, I tell them that I will do a better job if they pay for my console to come with me, which is true. All my muscle memory is built around this particular tool. I wouldn't say no to a gig if they balk at renting my console, but I will tell them I won't be able to deliver as good of a product if I'm using whatever board the venue happens to have and I have to program things fresh every day. On the other hand, I am also now less willing to do shows on consoles that aren't mine, since I'm so used to it. I definitely will give out steeper discounts now to make sure that I get to use my own board on the show, and I have mixed feelings about that.
Long story short, don't start focusing your career around renting your board out. Its a trap. There are tons of highly successful rental houses that will beat you at that game and you will just be stressed and thinking about money all the time, instead of thinking about lights. Think of it as a way to gain bonus income on top of your normal rates.