Amanda Carradine – Lighting Designer: Balancing Passion, Stability, and Purpose
In this Artistic Finance Podcast Episode, Ellen Lampert-Gréaux and Ethan chat with Amanda Carradine, the lighting director for Eastside Christian Church in California. Below is an insight into some of the topics covered in this Podcast.
Amanda, how did you transition into a career as a lighting director for Eastside Christian Church?
Amanda’s journey to becoming the lighting director for Eastside Christian Church began with an unexpected start in college, where she chose lighting crew assignments while studying dance. This sparked her passion for lighting, leading her to diverse roles in theme parks like Knott’s Berry Farm, cruise ships, and even Disneyland. After leaving production to seek stability during her marriage, she found herself volunteering at Eastside Christian Church following a divorce. When a lighting position opened, she seized the opportunity, realizing her love for both lighting design and the stability of a church role. She has now been in this role for five years, overseeing lighting for seven campuses and finding it her most fulfilling production job.
How do you manage her finances as a single mom with a full-time lighting director job and side gigs?
Amanda balances her finances by prioritizing a stable income through her full-time role at Eastside Christian Church. To supplement her income, she freelances in broadcasting and helps other churches with their lighting needs. Amanda is a careful budgeter, using a color-coded Excel spreadsheet to track expenses, but she admits her weakness is spending on eating out. During slower seasons, she’s not averse to taking non-industry side jobs like DoorDash or working at Target to make ends meet. While she acknowledges she could improve in areas like retirement savings, her focus remains on providing for her children and maintaining financial stability.
How do you determine your freelance rates for lighting work?
Amanda tailors her rates based on the type of client. For industry events, conferences, and corporate projects, she sets higher rates that reflect her expertise and the market value of her skills. However, for churches and nonprofits that lack the budget for professional lighting, she offers lower rates. Her goal is to be fair to herself while helping organizations that otherwise couldn’t afford high-quality lighting services. This approach reflects her passion for lighting and her desire to support communities in need.
What advice do you give about navigating slow seasons in the production industry?
Amanda emphasizes the importance of preparing for inevitable slow seasons by saving during busy periods. She’s experienced slower times in areas like broadcast and TV and advises building a financial cushion to weather these periods. Her full-time role provides stability, but when necessary, she turns to gig work or temporary jobs outside the industry, such as delivery services. She underscores the resilience needed in both parenting and the production industry, highlighting the value of flexibility and a willingness to take on diverse roles when needed.
What are your insights on networking and career growth in the production industry?
Amanda credits much of her career success to networking and building strong relationships. She believes the industry heavily relies on word-of-mouth referrals and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and being easy to work with. Amanda’s career path—from cruise ships to Disneyland to her current role—demonstrates the value of showing up and taking opportunities as they arise. For those interested in church lighting or similar roles, she recommends attending conferences like LDI or Philo to connect with industry professionals and gain valuable knowledge.
Key Insights from Amanda Carradine:
- Passion and Career Growth
Amanda’s love for lighting, discovered in college, led her through diverse roles in theme parks, cruise ships, and major productions, eventually finding fulfillment in church lighting. - Stability Meets Creativity
Her role at Eastside Christian Church blends financial stability with creative fulfillment, offering a model for thriving in a typically unpredictable industry. - Financial Resilience
Amanda prepares for slow seasons by saving during prosperous times, freelancing, and taking on temporary jobs when necessary. - Community and Purpose
She prioritizes supporting underfunded churches and nonprofits, aligning her work with a broader sense of purpose. - Networking and Adaptability
Amanda credits her career success to building strong relationships, maintaining a positive attitude, and showing up for opportunities, even after a career break.
Listen to this Episode on:
Website / Spotify / Apple Podcasts / YouTube
This episode of the Artistic Finance podcast is hosted by Ellen Lampert-Gréaux and Ethan Steimel.
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