On the latest episode of Artistic Finance, hosts Ethan Steimel, a Saint Louis-based lighting designer, and Ellen Lampert-Gréaux, creative director at LDI, are joined by Emily Malone, head of live events at Disguise. Known for its groundbreaking hardware and software for event installations like Sphere Las Vegas, Disguise has become a cornerstone of visual innovation in the live events industry.
As we approach LDI’s conference and the Artistic Finance podcast’s live recordings there, this discussion dives into practical financial insights for freelancers and full-time professionals in the entertainment industry. Here are some of the highlights of the interview, one of a series of pre-LDI Artistic podcasts with LDI speakers and trainers:
Determining Rates and Overhead Costs: Emily discusses her journey in setting rates, emphasizing the value of past experiences in gauging the appropriate charge for new projects. Her insights highlight the importance of adjusting fees based on a project’s scale and scope.
Saving for Retirement and Overhead: A crucial theme in this episode is the significance of saving not just for the basics but also for long-term security, including retirement and professional development opportunities. Emily provides practical advice on treating yourself as a company, setting funds aside for overhead costs like insurance, sick pay, and taxes.
Networking’s Broad Impact: Beyond its job-getting potential, networking, according to Emily, also informs us about industry standards, including pay scales across various departments within a single company.
After the interview, Ethan shared his reflections, including the reminder that full-time roles do exist in the industry, and that freelancers must track their own retirement, including health insurance and other overhead costs typically covered in corporate jobs.
Emily’s journey—from a decade of freelancing to leading live events at Disguise—demonstrates the evolving career paths available within the live events industry.
For the complete conversation, check out the Artistic Finance podcast at artisticfinance.com/169bonus.