Lighting Design & Direction for Television, Live Entertainment, and Immersive Productions
From the first creative conversation to the final cue, Innovative Intensity provides lighting design, lighting direction, previsualization, programming, technical documentation, and onsite production support for broadcast television, live entertainment, branded experiences, and immersive productions.
Led by Emmy Award-winning lighting designer Michael Berger, Innovative Intensity brings together creative design with the practical experience of someone who stays with a project from beginning to end. For more than a decade, we've partnered with producers, networks, brands, and creative teams to deliver lighting for broadcast television, live entertainment, immersive experiences, and special events.
Some productions need a lighting designer. Others need a partner who can guide the entire lighting process, from the first creative conversation through the final cue: we can do either.
The goal is always the same: build a lighting system that supports the story, works for the camera, and gives the production team confidence from load-in through the final show.
Contact Innovative Intensity
Every production starts somewhere. Whether you have a fully developed creative brief or just the beginning of an idea, we'd love to hear about it.
Tell us what you're producing, where it will be seen, where you're planning to shoot, and where you are in the process. If you already have details like a venue, production schedule, camera plan, scenic design, or budget, great. If not, that's okay too! One of the advantages of getting us involved early is helping define the scope before major decisions have been made. We can help identify priorities, spot potential challenges, and figure out the right approach for your production.
Whether you're looking for early creative guidance, a complete lighting design, an experienced lighting director, or support for an existing production team, we'd love to start the conversation.
From First Conversation, To Final Cue.
A look at how we take a project from the initial conversation through design, planning, and execution.
Consultation
Every successful production starts with a conversation. Before fixtures are specified or drawings are created, we work with producers, directors, production designers, technical managers, and other key stakeholders to understand what the production is trying to accomplish and what it will take to get there. We'll talk through the venue or studio, camera coverage, scenic and video integration, audience configuration, schedule, rigging, power, control, and any existing lighting infrastructure. Just as importantly, we'll discuss the creative goals, production priorities, and any challenges that need to be considered from the start. For some productions, this consultation is all that's needed to point the team in the right direction. For others, it's the first step in a full lighting design engagement. Either way, the goal is the same: establish a clear plan early, before small decisions become expensive problems.
Conceptualization
Every production deserves a visual identity that's unique to the story it's telling. We don't start by asking what fixtures to use, we start by asking what the audience should feel. This is where we establish the overall look of the show: how the lighting supports the performance, the audience, and the camera. Reference imagery, sketches, renderings, and previsualization help the creative team see ideas early, make informed decisions, and refine the direction before production begins. Every design decision is made with two audiences in mind: the people in the room and the people watching through the camera.
Budgeting & Contracts
A great design only works if it can be built. Once the creative direction is established, we'll help build a realistic plan for getting it on stage. That includes equipment, labor, scheduling, programming, travel, and everything needed to deliver the design successfully. Whether you need support for a single phase of production or a complete lighting package, we'll work with you and our network of trusted vendors to find solutions that support both the creative vision and the budget. The goal isn't simply to make the rig smaller, it's to spend the budget where it has the greatest impact. Once the scope is approved, contracts establish the project deliverables, schedule, responsibilities, payment terms, and a clear process for managing changes as the production evolves.
Preproduction
Preproduction is where the design becomes a plan the entire team can execute. One of the things that sets Innovative Intensity apart is our ability to provide a turnkey lighting package. Rather than simply delivering a design, we can oversee the entire lighting process from technical documentation and equipment coordination through shop preparation, programming, rehearsals, and show support. We work closely with every department to answer questions before anyone arrives onsite, allowing more time for rehearsals and fewer surprises during production.
Paperwork
Good paperwork keeps productions moving. Clear, accurate documentation gives every department the information they need before load-in begins. Every project is tailored to the needs of the production, whether that's a focused drawing package or fully coordinated technical documentation.
Shop Preparation
A successful load-in starts long before the truck arrives. As part of our turnkey approach, we work with vendors to make sure the entire lighting system is tested, configured, labeled, and organized before it ever leaves the shop. Investing the time upfront means less troubleshooting onsite and more time refining the show.
Programming
Programming is where the lighting design comes to life. Whenever possible, we begin in previsualization so rehearsals are spent refining the show instead of building it from scratch. As rehearsals evolve, the show file evolves with them, giving the production team a reliable system that performs under live or near-live conditions.
Onsite Lighting Design & Production Support
The best lighting designs don't just survive production, they adapt to it. From load-in through the final cue, we stay actively involved to protect the creative vision while responding to the realities of production. Every decision is made with both the audience and the camera in mind.
Project Closeout & Future Planning
A successful production doesn't end with the final cue. We stay engaged through load-out, organize project documentation, and help producers capture lessons learned for future productions. For recurring shows, tours, and annual events, that continuity becomes one of the most valuable deliverables we provide.
Whatever Your Production Needs
Not every production needs a complete lighting package. Some need early creative guidance. Others need an experienced lighting director, programming support, or help bringing an existing design across the finish line. Wherever your project is in the process, we'll meet you there. We can support a single phase of production or stay with the project from the first conversation through the final cue.
More Questions? We've Got Answers.
From when to bring us in to how we fit into your production, here are answers to some of the questions we hear most often.
Can Innovative Intensity manage the entire lighting process?
Yes. We can support your production from the earliest creative conversations through technical documentation, budgeting, previsualization, programming, onsite lighting direction, project closeout, and everything in between. We also offer a turnkey lighting package for productions looking for a single partner to manage the entire process.
Can you help with just one phase of a production?
Absolutely. Some clients bring us in for consultation, lighting design, technical drawings, programming, or onsite lighting direction, while others rely on us for the entire project. We'll tailor our involvement to whatever your production needs.
When should a lighting designer join a production?
The earlier, the better. Bringing a lighting designer into the process while scenic, video, camera, rigging, and budget decisions are still being developed creates more opportunities to coordinate across departments and avoid costly changes later. That said, we're equally comfortable joining an existing production when additional support is needed.
What types of productions do you work on?
We provide lighting design and lighting direction for broadcast television, streaming productions, award shows, variety and competition formats, concert specials, theatrical productions, branded experiences, immersive attractions, corporate events, and other live entertainment.
What's the difference between a Lighting Designer and a Lighting Director?
A Lighting Designer develops the creative vision and technical approach for the production, including the lighting system, documentation, equipment, and overall visual language. A Lighting Director carries that vision through rehearsals and production, working with cameras, programming, cueing, and the day-to-day realities of bringing the show to life.
Do I need to hire a lighting vendor before contacting Innovative Intensity?
No. We can become involved at any stage of the process. Whether you're just beginning to develop an idea or already have a venue and vendor in place, we can help define the scope, coordinate with your existing team, or recommend trusted partners when needed.
More Questions? Contact Us!