Goodwin Lighting has provided lighting services for many of the events held in The Center. Their work can be viewed in most of the colorful and eyecatching pictures on our website, blog and Facebook page. Because they know the space so well and have repeatedly transformed The Center to fit each event, I asked them a few questions in order to bring you more information on their design process and how our venue can be customized just for you.
Background on Goodwin Lighting:
Glen Goodwin and Vicki Lipstreuer have been worked together as the owners of Goodwin Lighting since 1995. Glen's training is in Theatrical Lighting and Scenic Design with a BA and an MFA in Lighting Design. Vicki holds a BA in Theatrical Lighting and Production Management. Prior to forming Goodwin Lighting, both Vicki and Glen worked for other event companies.
Goodwin Lighting creates innovative lighting designs for rehearsal dinners, wedding ceremonies and receptions in a variety of settings, from chapels to ballrooms, tents to banquet halls. Each event is custom designed to compliment a bride and groom's taste and style, creating a memorable atmosphere through a variety of lighting techniques.
Goodwin Lighting also offers design and production services for a variety of applications including: business theatre, product launches, fashion shows, benefits, theatrical performances, amusement park shows, corporate meetings and private events.
Work in The Center:
Goodwin Lighting has provided lighting services for four of the five events held in The Center since October 1st. This includes two wedding receptions, a fundraiser, and a corporate winter party. Each event has featured different colors and effects to set the perfect tone for the event.
Question: What have you done to enhance the space?
Answer: We have provided up lights around the space in a variety of locations and in a wide range of colors and effects. We have also projected a variety of images and textures into the dome and used the existing track lights to pinspot the centerpieces and color the dance floor. We also pay close attention to the whole event making on site adjustments as needed to our lighting and the existing lighting to ensure that the rooms look perfect. We are also attentive to the power needs of the whole event. We find out who the entertainment is and what other power needs there might be, in order to better plan our approach to the design. We also pride ourselves in a clean and safe installation - running cables neatly and taping them down when going across entryways.
Question: What do you like best about the space?
Answer: The dome and the big open ballroom.
Question: What is the average cost for your services in the space?
Answer: So far, the starting point is $1,000.00 and has been as high as $2,500.00. Each event is designed specifically for each client. We do not boiler plate our prices and designs. We try to match up our designs with a requested budget to give each client the best impact for the money.
Question: What color lights do you think work best in the space?
Answer: The space is so neutral that any color works well. Our color choices are based upon several factors; the client requests, flower colors, linene colors and the desired atmosphere. This is part of the design process which sets us apart from others who do not have a design background.
The Design Process:
Question: How closely do you work with clients on plans for lighting?
Answer: We prefer to be an active player with each event, not jsut a supplier, order taker or rental house. We collaborate with many of the vendors to make certain our design approach works with everything. Lighting has a way of binding all the other elements together. Once we receive a confirmation, we start working witht he florist, decorator and the venue to make sure we are all on the same page.
Question: How does the design process work? (Do you meet with clients? What decisions need to be made, etc.?)
Answer: We typically ask each client to fill out the form on our website under the pricing link. That information is then automatically entered inot our system. From there, I generate an initial proposal and price. Follow ups are made to make sure that the quote was received and to secure a confirmation. Once we have that confirmation, a contract is sent out. Our contracts remain fluid so that changes and updates can be made along the way up to 14 days prior to the event. In these days of technology, we rarely need to meet directly with clients. We know the venues so well and have done this for so many years that we find that the web site and our design descriptions are usually enough without a meeting. Lighting is such a visual element that we ahve found that most clients are able to articulate what they want by referencing the photographs on the website. Plus, doing over 400 events annually and up to 12 events on any given Saturday, it would be challenging to schedule a meeting with each client.
Fun Fact:
Question: Do you put up your own Christmas lights/Holiday decorations?
Answer: Vicki actually puts up the lights on the outside of the house. The BIG holiday is Halloween. We pick a theme, anything from Under the Sea to Disco, and decorate the house and yard with lighting.
