Elliot is a lighting designer / show designer, a member of NRG (Next Robe Generation) and a director of Spiralstagelighting. When not working on a show, he’s usually focussing on winning more shows and work or making production YouTube videos. Most of his work is currently lighting music shows and festivals.

Robe: Where are you right now?

Elliot: At Home in Halifax, UK.

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

Elliot: Learning the industry, making videos for my company’s YouTube channel and planning on how I can gain more shows when this crisis is over!

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

Elliot: I've decided to use what I have at my disposal right now. If you have the right mindset, there are no creative limits!

So … I have been designing stages on Capture and learning new software. I initially created a stage in Capture and – deciding to train myself – went on to build a festival stage and create a show file for it.

The idea is to be putting myself in a few different scenarios e.g., how much can I program if the doors were soon going to open.

I am also operating / busking to different sets on YouTube to improve my improvisational, operating and programming skills.

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

Elliot: No, but I’m looking out for my family and friends and offering help to people in my community if they are in need.

Robe: Has anyone inspired you since this started?

Elliot: Yes, how everyone Is supporting and looking out for each other keeps me positive and inspired! I also love watching videos online like the Robe on tour series and those on the German media portal, Event Elevator.

Robe: Favourite book / movie / Netflix series / viral video

Elliot: One show I absolutely love watching is (American sitcom) It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Even though its nothing to do with the industry, I find it so funny! It entertains me and just puts me in such a good mood to start working, even if there aren’t any shows! It’s always good to find something that makes you happy and feel like you’re on top of the world!

I also enjoy watching online lighting videos and channels, as watching that kind of stuff is interesting and invigorating!

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

Elliot Use everything I have learnt through this crisis and put it out to the world! Work as much as I can, still learn as much as I can as every day is a learning day … and basically spread my wings and fly by putting so much effort into shows!

When you take a break from something you enjoy, you have such a strong desire to go back and give it everything you’ve got!

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

Elliot: To the industry community. These are very scary times. Especially for the ones who need to pay rent and feed their families. Stay positive because the show must go on!

When I lost my brother three years ago, it really changed me. It changed me into who I am today.

With that happening, I now work my absolute best no matter how hard or easy the challenge is. Don’t give up, keep on going and show your clients what you’ve got! Make them proud.

Right now, we must reflect and help each other as much as we possibly can. Even though our industry can be very competitive, and you can also get nasty people, we need to get through this together as we are all in the same boat.

Keep striving, keep setting goals … and stay focussed and creative!