I would like to thank the following people: Jerry Holway, my film instructor at the Pennsylvania State University, who was the first to teach me lighting; Bill Urricchio, Ph.D., who would show me the principles and techniques that existed in films; Richard Curilla, my mentor at Penn State University, who gave me the chance to prove my skills in the real world and taught me invaluable lessons; Kathy D’Alessandro, Ph.D., my film director and friend throughout graduate school; Steve Fenwick, Ph.D., who persuaded me to continue on and get my Masters Degree; Charles Samu of Home Box Office, who bought my Masters student film “The Butler Did It” and got me started “on my way”; Steve Schreuder, who acted in most of my student films and was patient enough to let me learn, and who co-produced and funded my films before college; George Winchell, from whom I learned a great deal of new techniques with available lighting equipment; Greg Ressetar, who helped hone my lighting talents with a dose of levity; Tom Landis, whose insights and creativity stretched me to the limits; Todd Taylor, whose directorial skills and handling of talent has taught me volumes; Mike Gorga of Megcomm Productions, who I have known since the beginning and who still has “the passion” for this business and keeps it infectious; Brian McKernan, past Editor of Videography, who gave me a shot and published my first magazine article; Traci Sibalic, Managing Editor of TV Technology, who gave me my first lighting column; Mark Foley, past Editor of Videography, who enjoyed my warped sense of humor enough to publish my articles; Mark Pescatore, PhD, Editor of Government Video, for giving me my first monthly column on video product reviews; my parents, for believing in me throughout the slow process of figuring out what I wanted to do with my life; and my wife Linda, for letting me do what I needed to do to make a mark in this business.
My students have been an extremely valuable resource because their minds are open to new concepts. Seeing the realization on their faces when they learn what lighting can do is incredible. You may already be a teacher (anyone who explains the craft to others is a teacher and it doesn’t have to be in a classroom). If you aren’t now, you will become one shortly because that’s how you increase your knowledge.
Some people on the set may have done this too long and are tiring of the whole process. Distance yourself from those individuals and hang around with those who still have the passion. For me it’s still George, Greg, Tom, Mike, and Todd. Without beating this subject to death—learn the basics and go out and try it for yourself.
And most of all I would like to thank God for giving me the talents and abilities to do what I enjoy best. Some people never find what they are good at. I was fortunate.
Chuck B. Gloman