Podcast Episode #22: Daniel Connell - Leadership in Lighting

Posted: Jan 17 2016

Daniel Connell is a production designer with a focus on live events. His work includes event design and execution, and system design for both permanent and mobile applications. Daniel has worked in the concert, theater, television, and house of worship markets.

Daniel believes lighting should be an extension of your content. It should amplify feeling and emotion. It should pull your audience in so that they are no longer just spectators, but participants.

Daniel lives in Alabama with his wife Cassie and two sons.

LISTEN NOW Episode #22: Daniel Connell - Leadership in Lighting

GUEST LINKS

"Less is More" - SEEDS blog

LINKS MENTIONED

Willow Creek Community Church

"Art and Copy"

SEEDS Opener 2015 - "Sinking Deep"

LEADERSHIP IN LIGHTING

LESS IS MORE.

"A designer knows that he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." - Antoine de Saint-Expurey
Get everything down to the irreducible minimum.

IS IT NECESSARY?

You have to understand why you are doing what you are doing in the first place.
Look at the big picture. Have the service as a whole in mind.

"Sometimes the right thing is to do NOTHING."

IT'S ALL ABOUT TRUST.

If you're a worship pastor in charge of the production staff, stay engaged until you TRUST the people at the controls.
Typically YOU are never the one calling the shots when you work in the production field. There is always a CUSTOMER you are there to ultimately please.
You are never going to be able to control what the customer does, but you can control your response.
The struggle is real. You have to manage the struggle.
Learn to listen and communicate clearly.
Keep a good attitude: "I am here to serve."
All you can do is try and understand what the customer is wanting and try to provide it.
The more you deliver, the more credit you will get. Establish trust.

What advice can you give someone who is working in a craft with someone over you?

DELIVER. - When you don’t deliver. You lose trust.
KEEP A GOOD ATTITUDE.
LEAD UP. - Whoever you work for probably doesn’t know your job. Communicate to them what you need in order to do your job.

What advice can you give someone who is the guy calling the shots for the production team?

Provide information and clear expectations.

“The last minute show changes you make because you THINK they help actually hurt by leaving your crew unprepared. STICK TO THE PLAN."

CONTACT

Daniel's email: danielconnell@me.com

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