Inspired in self-isolation (4)

Inspired in self-isolation: Tom Sung

Taiwan-based Sung, Fang-Yu AKA Tom is a lighting and visual designer whose work includes concerts, theatres and exhibitions. Interesting recent projects include the opening show of the new National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts WEIWUYING – the world’s largest single-roof span performing arts center which is in Taipei, and also the spectacular kinetic light show that opened the Taipei Music Center. He is also Taiwanese singer and record producer Bobby Chen’s LD and has lit his famous New Year’s Eve concert for 26 years in a row! Without the Coronavirus pandemic disruption, he would have been lighting a fashion show now.

Robe: Where are you right now?

Tom: Taipei, Taiwan.

Robe: How are you spending time whilst isolating / on lockdown?

Tom: In fact, the situation of COVID-19 is quite stable here in Taiwan. So as of May 8th, Taiwan has had no local cases for 25 consecutive days. We therefore don’t need to be locked down anymore, so most elements of daily life are running normally again, except for crowd gathering events which are illegal! So, people working in this field have nothing to do for now!

Robe: What has been your favourite book / movie / Netflix or TV series / viral video / Games / music?

Tom: PS4 Spiderman … It’s a really cool video game, and at this time when people can’t go out, it puts the whole of New York City in front of me!

Spiderman can traverse the city freely, using his special abilities, especially his webs to move horizontally or vertically, circumventing obstacles without stopping.

Robe: What’s the first thing you’d like to do when we are through this crisis?

Tom: Of course, getting back to work and repaying the loan that has covered for the current situation!

Robe: Own question / answer / message of solidarity or something you’d like to say?

Tom: We all know this situation will not be an easy recovery! The biggest challenge our industry will face in the next half-year will be how to make income from the skills we have.

Inspired in self-isolation: Darren Russell

Darren is the owner and managing director of Elite Event Technology, a Canberra, Australia-based full-service production company. He is also an audio engineer with almost 35 years’ experience in the entertainment and events industry. Normally he would be running a very busy production house whilst still getting out on the odd show as a noize boy to keep his hand in and skills up.

Robe: Where are you right now?

Darren: Canberra, Australia, our nation’s beautiful capital city.

Robe: How are you spending time whilst isolating / on lockdown?

Darren: I am still in the office 5 days per week, the only person here full-time, with a skeleton staff each day.

Robe: What is the most creative thing you are able to do whilst in isolation?

Darren: I have been doing numerous little jobs around my house that I normally never find the time to do, getting lots more exercise and enjoying some time for cooking both favourite and new dishes.

I have also been spending some time on a few of our audio consoles that I use less often, getting more acquainted with them.

Robe: Are you looking after anyone else during the Covid-19 crisis?

Darren: Checking in on friends and family along with staff and colleagues, trying to keep everyone focussed and ensuring they are all physically and mentally ok.

Robe: Own question / answer / message of solidarity or something you would like to say?

Darren: Firstly, thank you to all the front line workers around the world, from the health workers to supermarket staff keeping the shelves stocked and essentials available for us all, right through to the transport and logistics workers keeping things moving.

Every single person from every industry that are keeping us cared for, safe and able to survive during this terrible global situation … thank you!

COVID19 has just decimated our entire industry worldwide and I do not know any business with connections to it that has been untouched. I believe it will take some time to get back to normal, or perhaps the “New Normal”, whatever that will look like, on the other side of this.

But we WILL get there, we just all need to stay strong and take care of one another.

Inspired in self-isolation: Jasmine Williams

Jasmine graduated from the Royal Welsh College Music & Drama last year and is now part of the NETTS skills rotation scheme at Neg Earth Lights (in the UK) as a trainee technician. So far, she’s worked in the generics, strobes and smoke / haze departments of their west London warehouse as well as in the project office.

Robe: Where are you right now?

Jasmine: I’m in my rented accommodation in Ealing, West London.

Robe: What are you doing to fill the time whilst isolating / on lockdown? 

Jasmine: My manager has set a few quizzes and all NETTS technicians are currently filling out a fixture comparison spreadsheet to help the office. Other than that, I have enrolled in an online English Grammar course through edX; my housemate and I are using the garden for exercising, eating and reading, and most importantly … catching up on sleep and taking care of myself.

Robe: What’s the most creative thing you’re able to do in isolation?

Jasmine: I’ve been able to work on my digital drawings. This is something I never usually have the time to do. I mostly interpret visually interesting portraits from references on my Instagram, but I’m trying to come up with more original work. It’s just a casual hobby that I find really calming.

Robe: Are you looking after anyone else during the Covid-19 crisis?

Jasmine: No.

Robe: Own question / answer / message of solidarity or something you’d like to say?

Jasmine: I think now is the time to exercise kindness and support (Covid-19 is not spread through smiling at people you walk by on the street – remember 2m!), check in on your friends and loved ones (the Houseparty app is great), express gratitude, take advantage of this time to do what you enjoy (respecting the health guidelines of course), and take time to think of those in less fortunate circumstances, helping where and however you can!

Inspired in self-isolation: Mikki Kunttu

Mikki is a talented and highly respected lighting and visuals designer whose work spans all areas of the performing arts, live music, and television production. He’s just returned to his native Finland after a two-year stint working with Cirque du Soleil in Montreal and as a freelance designer and creative in Canada and the USA. The move back to Europe was accelerated by the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic, and he and his family now have quarantined twice – once in Canada and once in Finland.

Robe: Where are you right now?

Mikki: Helsinki, Finland … where I am sorting out buying a house and resettling.

Robe: How are you spending time whilst isolating / on lockdown?

Mikki: Sorting out life for myself and my two boys (Mikki is a single parent), which is quite full-on, and apart from that, trying to get involved in as many online educational forums as possible. I am also talking to many contacts about starting / developing online educational programmes and learnerships.

I am a freelancer, and likely to have some time on my hands before the industry restarts. I’d really like to share my knowledge and experience in a meaningful way and hopefully this can help support me financially.

Robe: What’s the most creative thing you’re able to do whilst in isolation?

Mikki: I am still working on the production design for the Finnish National Opera for the second part of Wagner’s “Ring Cycle”, although right now there are no firm dates!

I usually do a lot of running, so as I have more time during lockdown, I am running regularly – around 120 kilometres a week in fact and around 20-25 a day if possible.

My general daily routine is a slow breakfast - sauna - cooking - computer time as I am working on some 2021 projects that are semi-active – then a run!

Robe: Are you looking after anyone else during the Covid-19 crisis? Like neighbours or others in the family?

Mikki: My two boys, and they are now joined by their younger sister – so yes, the three children.

Robe: Own question / answer / message of solidarity or something you’d like to say?

Mikki: I think it puts into perspective the importance of people – loved ones, friends, colleagues and so on. But also, the central role of business and commerce, so this situation can potentially bring us a different quality of life and alternative opportunities to make better choices in the future.

But what I feel really makes a difference is having a good heart! And that is really underlined under these circumstances.

I feel this crisis is also unifying the worlds of arts and events, and we are becoming more aware of each other and hopefully of our potential as individuals and human beings.

Inspired in self-isolation: Miroslav Hrg

Lighting and production designer Miro Hrg works for a leading Croatian rental company Promo Logistika d.o.o. based in Zagreb. He designs lights and sets for concerts, festivals, corporate events, TV shows and others. He also works as a freelance LD for a raft of different clients, and if it wasn’t for the pandemic … would be extremely busy!

Robe: Where are you right now?

Miro: At home in Zagreb, Croatia.

Robe: How are you spending time whilst isolating / on lockdown?

Miro: Learning some new things that have always interested me but I have never had enough time to do! Also developing some designs I have been thinking about for some time and keeping my memory muscles fresh! Besides that, I’m improving my cooking skills … and trying to do some exercise so when the time comes, I’ll be able to move in a bigger radius than the surface of my apartment! :)

Robe: What’s the most creative thing you’re able to do whilst in isolation?

Miro: I have developed a concept which I’ll try to put into reality when the situation settles a bit. It’s a mix of everything I’ve learned over the years in our industry combined with my enthusiasm of bringing ideas to life and make them tangible. We’ll keep it a secret for now! :)

Robe: Are you looking after anyone else during the Covid-19 crisis? Like neighbours or others in the family?

Miro: Yes, my family.

Robe: Has anyone particularly inspired you since this crisis started?

Miro: It’s more the situation which inspired me … to rethink my system of values and it’s made me more conscious of how small and fragile we are as a species.

Inspired in self-isolation: Andrej Hajdinjak

Based in Ljubljana, one of the most picturesque cities in Europe, Andrej is a lighting designer looking for his 'space' to point, shoot, shine and dim lights and ideas be-tween the lines of dramatic text and sheets of music! His impressive CV includes working extensively with the National Theatre and various high-profile opera, theatre and ballet companies both in Slovenia and internationally.

Robe: Where are you right now?

Andrej: Ljubljana, Slovenia ... Hoping that this will still apply in the after-virus world.

Robe: What are you doing to fill the time whilst isolating / on lockdown?

Andrej: Mostly taking care of my physical and mental health. Every hour spent on a bicycle in nature eliminates the excess time that could have been spent being pessi-mistic.

Robe: What’s the most creative thing you’re able to do in isolation?

Andrej: Playing with different onPC lighting software and trying to stay in shape. Ar-ranging my archives.

Robe: Are you looking after anyone else during the Covid-19 crisis?

Andrej: Not directly, only keeping the basic social contacts with close family.

Robe: Has anyone inspired you since this started?

Andrej: I don't know where from .... but I recently got the image into my head of WWII. Called the Battle of Stalingrad https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Stalingrad.

I know there is no logical connection with the current situation, but it does inspire me with a thought of a 'collective fight' against domination.