Artistic Finance

164: Pay Negotiation for Lighting Designers

A panel of theatrical lighting designers discuss pay negotiations. If this sounds like a frightening topic, make sure to listen because this is a positive and calm take on the process.
 
Topics:
⭐️ Determining a rate
⭐️ How to conduct yourself
⭐️ How to advocate for yourself
⭐️ When to use an agent and what they do
⭐️ Using the union, USA 829, resources, whether you’re a member or not
 
Workbook:
https://www.patreon.com/artisticfinance/shop/pay-negotiation-for-lighting-designers-312412?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=productshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
 
Video Version
https://youtu.be/1ScEXspA-6o
 
Artistic Finance
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
EPI Family Budget Calculator 
https://www.epi.org/resources/budget/
 
Cost of Living Calculator - MIT
https://livingwage.mit.edu/
 
Spoleto Festival
https://spoletousa.org/
 
Natalie Robin email
nrobin@usa829.org
 
Isabella Byrd
https://www.isabellabyrd.design/
Natalie Robin
https://www.natalierobinlighting.com/
Jen Schriever - Gemini
https://jenschriever.com/
 
Ken Billington
https://www.kbany.com/
Aja M Jackson - Sagittarius
https://www.ajajacksonlighting.com/
Heather Gilbert
https://www.hgilbertdesign.com/
Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew - Aries
https://www.jeanetteyew.com/
 
Instagram Handles
@isabelllaa@natalierobinld@jen.schriever@ajamjackson@htglights@jeanette_yew@unitedscenicartists
@ethansteimel
@nicolevsteimel
 
Moderated by Natalie Robin
Hosted by Ethan Steimel

163: Lighting Design Tools - Free vs. Paid - LIVE from LDI

A lively discussion between lighting designers about their design tools and the associated costs.
 
A broadcast of a LIVE recording that took place at LDI in Las Vegas.
 
Topics:
⭐️ The essential software for entertainment lighting
⭐️ The costs and considerations of that essential software
⭐️ What software we expect to be essential in the near future
 
LDs:
Ebony Madry.
Carolyn Wong
Ariel Benjamin
Dani Deutschmann
 
Worksheet
https://www.patreon.com/posts/163-live-from-vs-108861929?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
 
Video version
https://youtu.be/3SwwOTGx-Yw
 
Artistic Finance
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
LDI:
https://www.ldishow.com/
 
LDG:
https://ldg.com/
 
Vectorworks
https://www.vectorworks.net/en-US/spotlight
 
Lightwright
https://www.lightwright.com/
 
Capture - Previz
https://www.capture.se/
 
Twinmotion
https://www.twinmotion.com/en-US
 
Vision
https://www.vectorworks.net/en-US/vision
 
Lightning Tapes
https://lightningtapes.com/
 
AutoPlot
https://www.autoplotvw.com/
 
Moving Light Assistant
https://www.movinglightassistant.com/wp_folder/
 
VOR
https://getvor.app/
 
Filemaker Pro
https://www.claris.com/filemaker/
 
ETC Software
https://www.etcconnect.com/eos-software/
 
Luma Light Meter
https://lu.mu/
 
Monday
https://monday.com/
 
Asana
https://asana.com/
 
Trello:
https://trello.com/
 
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-g-wong/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebony-madry-6a9651139/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-lighting-design-group/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/livedesignldi/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethansteimel/
 
Instagram Handles
@ldishow
@ldg_lightingdesigngroup
@cwong619
@ebmadry
@ajbenjam
@ducksrusdani
@ethansteimel
@nicolevsteimel
 
Interview by Ethan Steimel
 

162: Saving Too Much with Carolyn Wong - Lighting Designer

Lighting designer Carolyn Wong discusses the finances of her New York-based dance and theatre career. The most recent decade has been spent as the Worldwide Associate Lighting Designer for Disney’s The Lion King. 
 
We discuss:
⭐️ Investing in yourself
⭐️ Keeping living expenses low 
⭐️ The sustainable hustle of freelancing
 
Video version
https://youtu.be/bjqiT4rxJ1Q
 
Artistic Finance
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
Carolyn Wong
https://www.wongnumber.com/
 
The Lion King
https://lionking.com/
 
Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider-Man:_Turn_Off_the_Dark
 
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival
https://www.jacobspillow.org/programs/intern-programs/
 
Bates Dance Festival
https://www.bates.edu/dance/bates-dance-festival/
 
Capture - Previz Software
https://www.capture.se/
 
Monarch - Money Management Software
https://www.monarchmoney.com/
 
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-g-wong/
 
Instagram Handles
@cwong619
@ethansteimel
@nicolevsteimel
 
Interview by Ethan Steimel

161: Theatre Work with Natalie Robin & Brídín Clements Cotton

A discussion about labor in theatrical production with lighting designer Natalie Robin & performing arts manager Brídín Clements. They have authored the new book Theatre Work: Reimagining the Labor of Theatrical Production. 
 
Topics:
⭐️ How institutions can prioritize workers 
⭐️ Retention and training challenges for theaters
⭐️ Minimum wage, living wage, and thriving wage
⭐️ Holding theaters accountable for their mission statement
 
Artistic Finance:
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
Video version:
https://youtu.be/vj2qqnYbU8Q
 
Theatre Work:
https://www.productionlaborbook.com/
 
Theatre Work - Links & Actions:
More about the bookISBN: 9781032361345
Order your copy: from the publisher or from your local bookshop.
Purchase the e-book.
Share our sell sheet with your local bookstore.
Teachers, request an inspection copy here.
Book reviewers, request a review copy here.
Journalists, please contact newsroom@taylorandfrancis.com
 
Gender Inequity:
https://thewagnerreview.org/2021/11/addressing-gender-inequity-in-theatrical-design/ 
 
Pay Equity in Internships:
https://howlround.com/does-it-pay 
 
Longitudinal Study - Deep Dive - Return To The Stage
https://rattle-beetle-870.notion.site/Return-to-the-Stage-fd1a91cc24b34e19990141c70dbf99c2 
 
Design Action
https://www.design-action.com/ 
 
We See You WAT - https://www.weseeyouwat.com/ 
 
1/52 Project
https://www.oneeveryfiftytwo.org/ 
 
Wingspace
https://wingspace.com/ 
 
Behind the Scenes
https://wp.behindthescenescharity.org/ 
 
Production On Deck
https://www.productionondeck.com/
 
Porsche McGovern - Stage Directions - Where Is All The Production Staff Survey
https://www.productionondeck.com/
 
Instagram Handles
@theatre.work.book
@bridinsarah
@natalierobinld
@ethansteimel
@nicolevsteimel
 
Interview by Ethan Steimel
 

160.5 Bonus Episode

EDIT: Accidentally recorded only on the left audio track! Your headphones aren’t broken! 🤦🏼‍♂️
 
…
A rambling Ethan talks about upcoming episodes. 
 
Hollywood Reporter Article
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/1-5x-listening-speed-podcasters-divided-1235969454/
 
Quicklinks - Artistic Finance:
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
 

160: 6K Investing Special - Q3.3

An update on the Artistic Finance 6k--the $6,000 of investments we made in May of 2021. A panel composed of a bond investment CEO and three lighting designers review how our investments compare to the market.
 
Quicklinks - Artistic Finance:
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
Video Version:
https://youtu.be/Yz5E-gI4bgg
 
Rivian EV Trucks:
https://rivian.com/
 
Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maithreyi-gopalakrishnan/
https://www.liquidificorp.com/
 
Ebony Madry:
https://www.instagram.com/ebmadry/?hl=en
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebony-madry-6a9651139/
 
Amy D Lux:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-d-lux-953a7318a/
https://utopiadreamscape.com/author/luvlogica/
 
Ethan Steimel
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethansteimel/
https://www.instagram.com/artisticfinance/?hl=en
 
Instagram handles:
@ebmadry
@liquidifi
@utopiadreamscape
@ethansteimel
@artisticfinance
 
 
Affiliate links:
M1 Finance - Good for Long Term / Buy and Hold Investors - no sign up incentive:
m1finance.8bxp97.net/XxYPZg
 
Coinbase - Cryptocurrency Exchange - $10 of Bitcoin:
https://www.coinbase.com/join/steime_0
 
Vinovest - Wine Investing - 3 months of free wine storage:
https://app.vinovest.co?grsf=2p0wk3
 
Robinhood:
https://join.robinhood.com/ethans21
 
We Bull:
https://act.webull.com/pm/do1QnByzkAhA/a3j/inviteUs/main
 
ETF:
IVV - iShares Core S&P 500
 
Stocks:
VST - Vistra Corp
LAC - Lithium Americas
TAP - Molson Coors Beverage (owners of Blue Moon)
SKLZ- Skillz
 
Cryptocurrency:
Bitcoin
 
Wine:
Vinovest
 
Real Estate - REITS:
REG - Regency Centers Corp -Previously UBA
SRG - Seritage Growth Properties
VICI - Experiential Real Estate - Previously MGM Properties
STAG - STAG Industrial
 
Art:
Bret Slater - Artist
https://www.bretslater.com/
 
Photos of our Painting:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/64295618
 
Full story of commissioning the piece:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/61516832
 
Ian Dunlap - The Investor Ethan follows:
https://linktr.ee/themasterinvestor
 
...
 
Become a patron:
www.patreon.com/artisticfinance
 
Interview by Ethan Steimel

159: Resource Sharing In Theatre Design & Production with Robin Stamey and Nathan Renner-Johnson

An interview with the Executive Director of Philadelphia Scenic Works, Nathan Renner-Johnson, and Robin Stamey, production manager at Rutgers University, discussing how designers and productions can share resources.
 
Topics:
⭐️ Theatre workers being paid on W2 or 1099
⭐️ Joining a collective of artists or going the road solo
⭐️ Scenic outsourcing and collaboration between theatre companies
⭐️ Coworking spaces for theatre makers from designers to performers
 
Quicklinks for Artistic Finance:
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
Video version:
https://youtu.be/C_Pjql5AeFE
 
Philadelphia Scenic Works:
https://philadelphiascenicworks.org/
 
Department of Labor - New Rules for Classifying Independent Contractors:
https://www.swlaw.com/publications/legal-alerts/us-department-of-labor-issues-new-final-rule-for-classifying-independent-contractors-effective-march-11-2024
 
...
 
Become a patron:
www.patreon.com/artisticfinance
 
Interview by Ethan Steimel
 
Instagram Handles:
@rstamey
@itsnaterj
@sevenengines
@phlscenicworks
@ethansteimel
@nicolevsteimel
 

158: The Money Manual - Financial Independence Club with Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan & Amy D Lux

Review of The Money Manual by Tonya Rapley.
 
This is the Financial Independence Club, brought to you in collaboration with Amy D Lux and presented this month by Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan.
 
We discuss:
⭐️ Spending triggers
⭐️ Budgeting methods
⭐️ Generational wealth
⭐️ Turning financial tips and tricks into habits
⭐️ The breakdown of what makes up a credit score
⭐️ How finance is connected to the leading cause of suicide 
⭐️ Building up savings for yourself versus paying off high interest debt 
⭐️ EASY areas to cut spending - would a year without ad-free Spotify be such a bad thing?
 
Quicklinks:
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
Video:
https://youtu.be/ZtcrUTVhDxg
 
The Money Manual:
https://bookshop.org/a/86693/9781987614787
 
Profit First:
https://bookshop.org/a/86693/9780735214149
 
IDAs:
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/ida.asp
 
Earn To Learn:
https://vantagewest.org/individual-development-accounts-ida/
 
Rit Rich Life - Amy's Friend's Podcast:
https://fitrichlife.com/podcast
 
Bask Bank - High Interest Savings:
https://www.baskbank.com/
 
Related Episodes:
 
Credit Card Episode with Marc Santos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZFjQtv8XBs&ab_channel=ArtisticFinance
 
Profit First Episode with Abby Johnson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_rwZvgCMjY&ab_channel=ArtisticFinance
 
Debt Episode with Joe Longthorne:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1UiVWdceEM&list=PLW6sWaidg3usOhFaWW-X_pCpJj4xsXMYH&index=114&t=61s&ab_channel=ArtisticFinance
 
Budgeting Episode with Rebecca Selkowe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2G3hOnqDXI&ab_channel=ArtisticFinance
 
Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maithreyi-gopalakrishnan/
https://www.liquidificorp.com/
 
Amy D Lux:
https://loboluxdesign.com/
https://www.instagram.com/loboluxdesign/
 
Ethan Steimel:
https://www.ethansteimel.com/artistic-finance.html
https://www.instagram.com/artisticfinance/?hl=en
 
Instagram Handles:
@liquidifi
@ethansteimel
@artisticfinance
@loboluxdesign
@officialamydlux

157 EVs for Artists

Today’s episode is a panel discussion on EVs and their benefits for artists, guest hosted and edited by friend of the show Carl Faber.  Recorded in March of 2023, the guests include: Mikhael Tara Garver, Phil McBeth, Ryan Durham, & Travis McHale.
 
Topics:
⭐️ Features of EVs and EV ownership
⭐️ Financial incentives of new and used EVs
⭐️ Scheduled maintenance (or lack thereof)
⭐️ Bidirectional charging (aka run your home’s electricity off your car’s battery)
⭐️ Supply chain and production delays
⭐️ Write-offs and taxes (particularly Section 179 Depreciation)
⭐️ Predictions for an EV-centric future
 
Links and Resources:
⭐️ Carl’s EV article (inspiration for this episode): typefully.com/cxfaber/UOp2kz6
⭐️ Resource for global gas prices: globalpetrolprices.com/
⭐️ Federal Tax Credits: irs.gov/clean-vehicle-tax-credits
⭐️ Charging Station Tax Credit: irs.gov/credits-deductions/alternative-fuel-vehicle-refueling-property-credit
⭐️ Section 179 Depreciation: www.investopedia.com/terms/s/section-179.asp
 
Guests
Carl Faber, Lighting Designer
Bio: Carl Faber is a visual artist and live-event creator who often, but not always, works as a Lighting Designer for theater, dance, opera, and immersive experiences. He’s created work across the United States, Europe, and Asia, and participates as a company member and consultant with multiple arts organizations. He has an extensive assisting background as well, with credits including the Broadway productions of The Book of Mormon, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, and August: Osage County. Outside the field of stage lighting, he’s toured in various production capacities with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Bon Iver, and The National. He also designs websites, creates database solutions, edits visual media, and has taught Design and Stagecraft at Portland State University. He is a proud member and Western Region Board member of United Scenic Artists Local USA 829, and is based in Portland, Oregon.
Professional Dashboard: Carlfaber.com
Lighting Design Portfolio: Carlfaberdesign.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/carlfaber/
Mikhael Tara Garver, Immersive Experience Creator/Director
Mikhaeltaragarver.com
Phil McBeth, Retired Technical Director & Lighting Designer
Ryan Durham, Software Developer & Former Stage Manager
Bio: After attending the Yale School of Drama for Stage Management, Ryan spent a number of years working as a stage manager in New York and on the West Coast.  Eventually he transitioned into the tech sector and now works as a senior software engineer for Firebrand Technologies.
Travis McHale, Lighting Designer & Educator
Bio: Travis McHale is a New York based lighting designer.  Recent NYC: Is There Still Sex In The City (Daryl Roth), Get Happy: A Judy Garland Centennial Celebration starring Jessica Vosk (Carnegie), #DateMe: An OK Cupid Experiment (Westside), Mister Miss America (Rattlestick). Travis works extensively in regional theatre, has been associate designer on 11 Broadway shows, and 7 seasons designing runway shows for NY Fashion Week (IMCD).  He also designs for Norwegian, Carnival, Regent, and Oceania cruise lines.  Design faculty: SUNY New Paltz. Member: United Scenic Artists Local USA 829. 
Travismchale.com
Instagram: @captainmchale
 
Episode Credits
Video & Audio Editing by Carl Faber
Panel conducted via Zoom
Re-mixed & Edited on Davinci Resolve
AI Voiceover Clone: elevenlabs.io
AI Audio Post-Production: https://auphonic.com/

156: Experiential Events with Cindy Lo of RED VELVET

Learn about running a live events company as Amy D Lux interviews Cindy Lo of RED VELVET.
 
Topics:
⭐️ The future of events in a post covid era
⭐️ Keeping the business alive during the pandemic
⭐️ Starting a successful experiential agency in Austin TX
 
Quicklinks:
https://linktr.ee/artisticfinance
 
RED VELVET:
https://weareredvelvet.com/
 
Strong Events:
https://www.strongevents.com/
 
LDI Artistic Finance Recording:
https://sched.co/1SnxM
 
Monarch:
https://www.monarchmoney.com/
 
Empower - formerly Personal Capital:
https://www.empower.com/
 
Carl Faber - Used Nissan Leaf Blog Post:
https://typefully.com/cxfaber/UOp2kz6
 
Utopia Dreamscape:
https://utopiadreamscape.com/