From PA to party lights

By Karen Tina Harrison | Special to amNewYork

May 19, 2008

The big career switch

From film assistant to lighting master

Who pulled it off

Bentley Meeker, 40

What he does

Meeker is a lighting designer whose firm specializes in parties and events. www.bentleymeeker.com

What he did

Meeker was a production assistant on films and TV shows shot in the city. "I'd clear cars off the street so production trucks could park. That guy you yelled at? It was probably me."

Why he switched

"I got tired of being the bad guy. When I was offered work on the lighting crew, I jumped. I took to it right away and eventually went out on my own."

What a lighting designer does

"My midtown firm has 35 full-time employees. We work with party planners, caterers, individuals and film studios. We plan and execute the lighting for events such as movie premieres, fashion shows and private parties. And we do celebrity weddings like Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones' at the Plaza."

Who does this job best?

"You have to understand what light is, what it can do and how you can control it. Lighting sets the mood of an event, and clients have high expectations. And you can't be opposed to working on weekends."

How's the dough?

"Lighting design is competitive. But if you're ambitious, easy to work with and truly talented, you can make a good living."

What about perks?

"You work with extraordinary people, both clients and event professionals. At your event, you might see Aerosmith play for a small crowd, and you're getting paid to be there."

What else you should know

"We make a great day in someone's life even better, and that person can be Bill Clinton, Sting or Robert DeNiro. It's a good deal."