The scheme is funded by Corporate Members of the ALD and offers students opportunities to network with more experienced members, to create contacts within the world of lighting that may not otherwise be available and boost their own profile as one of the next generation of lighting designers or technicians.
ALD member, Jai Morjaria, benefitted from a year's free ALD membership when he began his studies at RADA, he remembers, "being a member of the ALD whilst being a student, gave me a non-biased sounding board other than my institution that I could approach and ask questions of. The ALD has allowed me to connect with lighting designers I could only have dreamed of knowing a few years ago and it gave me a common talking point and base that we could all relate to. I would definitely, hands down, recommend the scheme to other lighting design students."
Ian Saunders, executive director of the ALD, adds, "It is important that the ALD help those wishing to join our industry to widen their knowledge of working practices and influences, raise awareness of the range of career options available to them, as well as network with the individual practitioners and the companies that support them. This introductory membership offers an opportunity to students to increase their awareness and experience of lighting and video elements in live performance."
The scheme is not open to previous or existing members of the ALD and completed applications must be received by Christmas 2016. Full details and application information can be found at https://www.ald.org.uk/students/ald-sponsored-students-scheme
(Jim Evans)
