Meet Bob Barnhart: Entertainment Lighting Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bob Barnhart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bob, what do you attribute your success to?
I certainly did not understand this when I stared over 30 years ago. I have come to realize, that at the professional level, your “skill set” is expected. So it is hard to impress people, simply because you can do what you are hired to do. It is your Attitude, Work Ethic and Personality that truly allow you to stand out. It’s the one thing that makes us “different” – not better or worse – unique. For our entire career we are hired based on our reputation. Repetition is reputation. It is the reputation that totally effects our opportunities. Opportunities = Choices. Choices = Control. Control = success. The point being; if you have a lot of choices, then you can choose the direction you want to take your career / company. Again, the more choices we have the more we are in control of our career path. So our focus should be on our reputation; which is what other people think of us. NOT what we think of us. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Wow, big question… I think I picked the wrong question! I have already touched on some of it. Attitude, Work Ethic and Personality are definitely your key to success. Enthusiasm is infectious and repetition is reputation. When a production says to me; “we love Marie, shes great”. I know we are going to be good with this show. Marie is our Production Coordinator; she is the glue for all of us with every show we do. She represents us and is the foundation as to who we are. I will leave it with this: There is only one thing in life we can control, our attitude.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
That’s a fun question. I am going to act like Covid never happened . . . Venice Beach; the only place that “Hollywood” tones down when they make a movie there but also because of the beaches and views. We might then head to the Griffith Observatory for an amazing view of LA. If you have time, hike up to the back of the Hollywood sign. Then we will head to a roof top bar in Downtown LA but only for a drink. After that its off to dinner. Pick a hundred places. For me, it’s going to be Parkway Grill In Pasadena. Great people and food. I could keep going but it might sound like there is too much drinking is involved…

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I can name a countless list of people. If someone says, they did it on their own… they first of all forgot they had parents. Jackie Barnhart: No matter how many people told me, I would amount to nothing (horrible thing to say to a kid but many did), she always told me; “you can be anybody you want to be” and she did in such a way, I believed her. Thank you Mom. Steve Ellis: Long story but when we first meant and I expressed an interest to work in theater, he told me to go away; “I don’t need any help” but when he saw my face he said “well if you want to” and because I WANTED TO; I have been working in the entertainment industry since I was 16. So don’t take your influence on young people lightly – PLEASE! The list goes on and on.

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