I’m a Los Angeleno, born and raised, and I admired the leisure trade even earlier than I used to be part of it. I’ve been lucky to construct a profitable profession in Los Angeles as a Lighting Designer, contributing to a number of the most fun and high-profile initiatives of the previous 35 years. From scripted collection to reside telecasts to actuality competitors exhibits, I’ve labored alongside extremely proficient individuals, making magical moments. I like what I do, the individuals I do it with, and town we name house.
For the previous 5 seasons I’ve served as Lighting Designer on the technicolor explosion of artistry and self-expression that’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” which has been proudly made in Los Angeles since 2009. At a time when productions are more and more leaving Los Angeles, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” has remained firmly planted, holding onto its LA roots and far of the devoted crew who helped construct the enduring present.
Many people have labored in manufacturing for many years. We’ve come up by the ranks, mentored by veterans who formed this trade and had been lighting levels with carbon arcs and tungsten sources. Our crew consists of gaffers and key grips whose mother and father, and even grandparents, had been within the trade. We’ve bought digicam operators who began out as PAs within the early days of actuality TV, and passionate, younger expertise—many making the transfer to Los Angeles to interrupt into the enterprise— who hope this would be the first of many initiatives in a lifelong profession. We’re the sort of employees who’ve lengthy shaped the spine of this trade city: generational, expert, and deeply invested in its future.
The work is difficult, the tempo is quick, and the expectations are excessive. Every week “RuPaul’s Drag Race” delivers one thing spectacular, whether or not it’s a Broadway-style musical, a scripted performing problem, a excessive trend picture shoot, or a lip sync smackdown for the ages, we’re always elevating the bar. We’re artists who need to create one thing timeless—a second that individuals will keep in mind, and which may even change their lives.
That degree of inventive ambition is made potential due to LA’s unmatched manufacturing ecosystem: one of the best crews within the enterprise, cutting-edge rental homes, skilled collaborators, versatile sound levels, and dependable trade companions. These native, world-class assets enable us to be daring, versatile, and environment friendly.
A lot of the success of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” might be credited to World of Marvel’s dedication to producing the long-running collection in Los Angeles. They’ve confirmed there isn’t a higher place to make award-winning, culturally resonant tv than proper right here at house. Their continued funding in LA’s manufacturing group not solely helps maintain jobs and companies, it preserves the legacy of workmanship, collaboration, and inventive excellence that defines this city.
Manufacturing is in LA’s DNA. Let’s preserve it that method.
