How do you handle feedback and critique from directors or designers on your lighting design?

Sample answer to the question

When it comes to feedback and critique from directors or designers on my lighting design, I approach it with an open mind and a willingness to learn and improve. I understand that their feedback is valuable in helping me achieve the artistic vision of the production. I actively listen to their comments and ask clarifying questions to ensure I understand their perspective. I take their suggestions into consideration and make necessary adjustments to my lighting design. I also appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with them and discuss ideas to further enhance the overall aesthetic. Additionally, I am open to receiving constructive criticism, as it helps me grow both personally and professionally.

A more solid answer

When receiving feedback and critique from directors or designers on my lighting design, I approach it with an open and receptive mindset. I actively listen to their comments and ask for clarification if needed. I consider their perspective and how their suggestions align with the overall artistic vision of the production. For example, during a recent theatrical production, the director expressed concerns about the brightness levels during certain scenes. I engaged in a collaborative discussion with the director and explained my design choices, while also understanding their desired effect. We brainstormed ideas together and ultimately made adjustments to achieve the desired mood and focus. It was a positive learning experience that enhanced my understanding of the director's vision and improved the overall lighting design.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer expands upon the basic answer by providing a specific example of how the candidate handled feedback and critique in a previous experience. It demonstrates their effective communication and collaboration skills, as well as their ability to understand and adapt to the artistic vision. The answer could be further improved by providing additional examples or incorporating more evaluation areas from the job description.

An exceptional answer

Receiving feedback and critique from directors or designers on my lighting design is an integral part of my creative process. I approach it with a growth mindset, embracing the opportunity to enhance my skills and contribute to the overall artistic vision. I actively seek feedback by proactively requesting meetings or discussions with directors and designers to ensure their expectations are met. For instance, during a recent film production, the director had specific preferences for the color temperature and intensity of certain scenes. I attended production meetings to understand their vision and integrated their feedback into my lighting design. Additionally, I make use of lighting design software, such as Vectorworks, to create interactive visualizations and share them with the team. This allows for effective communication and collaboration, ensuring that everyone is aligned on the desired outcome. By valuing and incorporating feedback, I strive to deliver lighting designs that surpass expectations while maintaining a strong collaborative relationship with directors and designers.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer goes beyond the solid answer by highlighting the candidate's proactive approach to seeking feedback and their use of lighting design software to facilitate communication and collaboration. The candidate also demonstrates a strong commitment to meeting the expectations of directors and designers while maintaining a collaborative relationship. The answer effectively addresses the evaluation areas of communication and collaboration skills, as well as proficiency in lighting design software and adaptability to the artistic vision. It could be further improved by providing more diverse examples or addressing additional evaluation areas from the job description.

How to prepare for this question

Familiarize yourself with the common feedback and critique that lighting technicians receive, such as brightness levels, color temperature, and intensity.
Practice active listening and asking clarifying questions to ensure a clear understanding of the feedback.
Consider the artistic vision and overall objectives of the production when incorporating feedback into your lighting design.
Stay updated on the latest lighting design software and techniques to effectively communicate and collaborate with directors and designers.
Reflect on past experiences where feedback was received and consider how you could have further improved upon your handling of it.

What interviewers are evaluating

Communication and collaboration skills