Caught a show at the Quest Night Club in the past few years? Watched the Gingerjake "The DVD"? Then you've seen the work of Ryoji Suguro, a freelance lighting director in the Twin Cities. He'll be taking time off this summer from his gig as the contacted lighting director for the Quest to tour with Mint Condition in England and Japan.
Now 30 years old, Suguro broke into the scene in 1995 when a lighting company that shared the same space as the sound company where he worked offered him a job. His original career plan was to teach music and he was working towards a music major at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, MN at the time. Believing he could earn more money though freelancing as a lighting director than teaching, Suguro dropped out after one year.
Through word of mouth, Suguro was tracked down for tours by bands such as Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, 3 Doors Down, Train, Lifehouse, and Gwar. In 1999, he worked with legendary drummer Michael Bland's gospel rock group, Sons of Almighty after James Rhines suggested him over a director Bland knew from L.A.
What exactly does a lighting director do? "You direct a show the designer created. Make sure the lights run. Give directions to others. Work with electricians [to find out] how much power you need," says Suguro. The lighting director also determines what kind of equipment to be rent from lights to console boards and what labor is needed to run the shows.
Suguro attends several band rehearsals to get a feel for where members will stand on stage and understand the flow of the music before building cues for each song. To create his light plot, a diagram that illustrates where the lights are located on stage, he uses 3D CAD software. When he tours with Mint Condition this summer, Suguro will both design and direct the show. Eventually, Suguro wants to shift his focus strictly to light design.
The most common problem Suguro has encountered while running a show is the console crashing and needing to be reset during the show. He has seen his share of more dramatic moments though. Once during a local show, someone with the band decided to set off a concussion bomb during the show for special effects. The bomb was overloaded and the cap caught on fire. Flames shot straight up and the ceiling caught fire. Suguro stopped the show and club staff members started clearing everyone out. The band didn't realize what was going on until Suguro shouted "Look up." Fortunately, no one was hurt in the incident.
"I use only certified pyrotechnic people," Suguro states as airs his frustrations about what he calls "the buddy system:" bands suggesting friends to help with the lights or special effects who have no idea what they are doing. "Understand it's a business... Is this really what you want for yourself," asks Suguro.
And with every tour, there's always the issue of not liking the music or even knowing the band. Before going on road for nine weeks with Gwar, Suguro didn't know anyone and remembers thinking "what is all about" after watching a rehearsal. The tour went smoothly from there on out. "Every day the leader guitarist helped unload," recalls Suguro who still sounds impressed by all of the band members' dedication. "You mostly don't see musicians until sound check."
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