About
"I have a tendency to take risks. I don't key light in a predictable manner; I do it in an appropriate manner."
In his two-hour interview, Robert Dickinson describes his first impressions of television production, when, at Marineland in Palos Verdes, CA, he saw the filming of a Beverly Hillbillies episode. He speaks about working at a film rental company and getting a break when gaffer Doug Pantak got him into the union, and into the world of lighting design. He acknowledges his first job, a nine-month stint at Universal Studios as an electrician (lamp operator) on Banacek, and talks of being in demand by DPs and gaffers who requested him. Dickinson comments on the musical-variety specials he worked on, Don Kirshner's Rock Concert, and his lighting design work for the series Solid Gold. He discusses becoming the go-to guy for Marty Pasetta's various productions through the 1980s, starting with the 55th Annual Academy Awards, and working with Don Mischer on the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Karen Herman conducted the interview on December 15, 2008 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Robert Dickinson on the difficulties of filming Frank Sinatra
Robert Dickinson on the thrill of a live show
Robert Dickinson on how winning an Emmy changed his career
Robert Dickinson on his inspiration for lighting Don Kirshner's Rock Concert
Robert Dickinson on the highlight of his career
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on helping with stage crew in high school; on deciding to be a DP; on the film/television industry in the 1970s
On working in lighting on Baracek; on becoming staff gaffer at Academy Lighting; on lighting Don Kirshner's Rock Concert
On lighting design for Solid Gold and winning his first Emmy; on lighting the 1983 Academy Awards; on the hectic pace of his life
Chapter 2
On lighting the 1983 Academy Awards - his first live broadcast; on starting his own company - Full Flood, Inc. and lighting major award shows
On working with producer/director Don Mischer on the Salt Lake City and Atlanta Olympics; on working with David Copperfield and on talk shows; on various DNCs and Inaugural Balls
On his current projects; on how his career has affected his personal life; on the next big thing in lighting and how television lighting has changed
On the highlight of his career; on regrets and advice to aspiring lighting directors; on his style and the future
Shows
Academy Awards, The
Robert Dickinson on working with production designer Roy Christopher on the 1983 Academy Awards
Robert Dickinson on lighting the 1983 Academy Awards - his first live broadcast
Robert Dickinson on lighting all but four Academy Awards ceremonies since 1983
Robert Dickinson on lighting the Academy Awards one year and trying to make it monochromatic
Banacek
Robert Dickinson on being a lamp operator for Banacek
Batman
Robert Dickinson on being in awe watching episodes of Batman being filmed
Beverly Hillbillies, The
Robert Dickinson on being in awe watching a special of The Beverly Hillbillies being taped
Democratic National Convention
Robert Dickinson on lighting several Democratic National Conventions and inaugural balls
Don Kirshner's Rock Concert
Robert Dickinson on lighting design for Don Kirshner's Rock Concert
Grammys, The
Robert Dickinson on lighting design and rehearsal for the Grammys
Robert Dickinson on lighting Kanye Wesy at the Grammys
MTV Video Music Awards
Robert Dickinson on working on the first MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs)
Olympics
Robert Dickinson on working with producer/director Don Mischer on the Salt Lake City and Atlanta Olympics
Robert Dickinson on the highlight of his career - the Athens Olympics and 1984 Olympics
Solid Gold
Robert Dickinson on lighting design and winning an Emmy for Solid Gold
Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien, The
Robert Dickinson on lighting design for The Tonight Show with Conan O' Brien
Topics
Barack Obama
Robert Dickinson on lighting Clinton's second inaugural ball and 4 events for Obama's inauguration
Bill Clinton
Robert Dickinson on lighting Clinton's second inaugural ball and 4 events for Obama's inauguration
Emmy Awards
Robert Dickinson on his first Emmy win for lighting on Solid Gold
Robert Dickinson on how winning an Emmy changed his career
Technological Innovation
Robert Dickinson on new lighting technology used for the Atlanta Olympics
Robert Dickinson on the next big thing in lighting and how television lighting has changed
Television and the Presidency
Robert Dickinson on lighting Clinton's second inaugural ball and 4 events for Obama's inauguration
Professions
Lighting Designer
Robert Dickinson on the role of a lighting designer
Robert Dickinson on lighting design for Don Kirshner's Rock Concert
Robert Dickinson on drawing blueprints for lighting design
Robert Dickinson on lighting design for Solid Gold
Lighting Director
Robert Dickinson on lighting for specific celebrities/individuals
Robert Dickinson on the next big thing in lighting and how television lighting has changed
Genres
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Robert Dickinson on light design and winning an Emmy for Solid Gold
Robert Dickinson on lighting design for Don Kirshner's Rock Concert
Sports
Robert Dickinson on working with producer/director Don Mischer on the Salt Lake City and Atlanta Olympics
People
Chevy Chase
Robert Dickinson on Chevy Chase's late night talk show
Roy Christopher
Robert Dickinson on working with production designer Roy Christopher on the 1983 Academy Awards
Robert Dickinson on lighting the 1983 Academy Awards - his first live broadcast
David Copperfield
Robert Dickinson on working with David Copperfield on television specials
Ellen DeGeneres
Robert Dickinson on lighting design for Rosie O'Donnell and Ellen DeGeneres' talk shows
Arsenio Hall
Robert Dickinson on working with Arsenio Hall and designing his talk show
Monty Hall
Robert Dickinson on working on a special with Monty Hall - Lights, Camera, Monty
Don Mischer
Robert Dickinson on working with producer/director Don Mischer
Robert Dickinson on working with producer/director Don Mischer on the Atlanta Olympics
Conan O'Brien
Robert Dickinson on lighting design for The Tonight Show Starring Conan O' Brien
Rosie O'Donnell
Robert Dickinson on lighting design for Rosie O'Donnell and Ellen DeGeneres' talk shows
Dolly Parton
Robert Dickinson on Dolly Parton appearing on Solid Gold
Marty Pasetta
Robert Dickinson on becoming director/producer Marty Pasetta's go-to guy
George Schlatter
Robert Dickinson on lighting a special with The Rat Pack and Liza Minnelli
Frank Sinatra
Robert Dickinson on lighting a special with The Rat Pack and Liza Minnelli
Gary Smith
Robert Dickinson on working with Gary Smith