Inspired in self-isolation posted: 31/05/2020 With Covid-19 lockdowns worldwide and health authorities urging people to self-isolate and practice social distancing on a massive scale as part of an enormous effort to #FlattenTheCurve of this global pandemic we are reaching out to industry friends, colleagues, associates, partners, etc., and asking them to share their #StayHome and #QuarantineandChill activities with us during this extraordinary time.
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's the most creative thing were able to do whilst in isolation?
Tom: During this jobless period, I have created a small mapping work for myself in response to the world at this moment in time - SOGOODTHANSEE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sJZP2m5TII
It means that even if we are separated at this difficult time, we must believe everything will eventually be overcome and we will get back to normal in the future.
Robe: Are you looking after anyone else during the Covid-19 crisis? Like neighbours or others in the family?
Tom: Luckily, I don't need to look after anyone. In the past two months, I was invited by several workshops and lecture sessions to share knowledge and teach on subjects like timecode, mapping and lighting design for college students, so I have been using this time to educate students and enrich my own experience.
Robe: Has anyone particularly inspired you since this crisis started?
Tom: During this time, I have seen many people using simulation software for lighting. And I enjoying watching these videos, especially when they make some interesting scenes. One of the most fun pieces I have seen to date is an Alien video created in WYSIWYG.
Keeping a sense of humor can make life easier!
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: Has anyone particularly inspired you since this crisis started?
Darren: Our industry as a whole!
In some respects, I think we have been left a bit behind in the broader scheme of things, with the general population mostly not understanding the impact of COVID19 on our industry and how far-reaching it really is. But we are a strong, tough, resilient bunch, and the way we have banded together and stood by each other is really quite outstanding!
Robe: What has been your favourite book / movie / Netflix or TV series / viral video
Games / music?
Darren: I have been reading Barack Obama's Dreams From My Father (a memoir exploring his early years in Honolulu and Chicago up until entry into law school in 1988) and watching quite a few Netflix and Stan Series
