Hi, I’m Ethan Steimel, a theatre lighting designer and host of the Artistic Finance podcast. If you weren’t able to join us for the live recording of my interview with television lighting designer Josh Hutchings at LDI 2024, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. Below is a synopsis of our conversation, which Josh packed with insights on finances, career growth, and the hilarious, taboo nature of discussing money in our industry.
To catch the full interview, including all the laughs and behind-the-scenes stories, head over to artisticfinance.com/180. And if you enjoy it, mark your calendar for LDI 2025 to experience more sessions like this live.
The Highlights: Creativity, Money, and Career Lessons
Art and Finance Perspectives
Josh kicked off by sharing that theatre is the art that inspires him as an audience member. He has so much respect and awe for designers who are able to work in theatre full time. When he turns to his views on finance, he merely navigates the fine line between being good with money and just trying to keep it all together. Josh’s hilarious but truthful philosophy on money is that everyone, at any income level, spends what they can get away with. We also touched on his financial influences growing up, which set the stage for his candid reflections on money management later in his career.
The Financial Journey Into Lighting Design
Josh didn’t hold back when discussing his financial past, including student loans, which were something he didn’t have because he didn’t attend college. This is something that seems to have benefited him as his career has been on fire without the drag of loans. Early in his career, he admitted to avoiding personal budgets, and still has never used one. But he has since made strides toward a more intentional approach to money, including the importance of learning about compound interest. Josh’s frank advice is to start investing early. It was around the age of 36 that Josh had two baby girls and started to plan for retirement and making sure his children could be raised as financially securely as possible.
His best financial move? Seeking advice from qualified professionals.
His worst? Not having a financial plan in place sooner.
The Industry Hustle
We dug into how Josh gets work—spoiler: it’s all about relationships. His mantra, “work begets work,” doesn’t come as a surprise as was his blunt take that, “It’s a relationships business.”
Josh shared some real numbers, giving a behind-the-scenes look at how he negotiates design fees, gaffer fees, and design assistant pay. I’ll leave those numbers out of this article, put check out the full interview if you’re interested. His transparency was refreshing, as well as his candid outlook that some designers aren’t able to get the rates he can because of their different career timelines and trajectories.
Taxes, Retirement, and Investments
Josh broke down how he handles W2 vs. 1099 income. He works through an entity and gets a payout from that. That entity pays quarterly taxes. In his retirement planning he has taken financial professionals advice and contributes to a a mix of traditional and Roth IRAs, life insurance, and various other investment recommendations.
On investments, Josh stressed consistency, even with small amounts, and recommended working with a professional to create a financial life plan. His take: don’t go it alone.
A Candid Take on Taboo Topics
One of the most hilarious parts of our conversation was Josh’s perspective on how intimate and taboo it feels to discuss finances in our industry. He brought up the valid point that people in our industry are more willing to talk about sex and intimate details of personal relationships than they are of letting someone know how much their paycheck was. Josh made a compelling case for normalizing these conversations to help others avoid financial pitfalls. Perhaps Josh could host a Dr. Drew style show where people from the live events industry call in with their personal financial issues.
Takeaways from Josh Hutchings’ Financial Playbook
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Do: Seek advice from qualified financial professionals.
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Don’t: Avoid making a financial life plan. It’s never too early to start.
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Pro Tip: Start investing now. Compound interest is your best friend.
Catch the Full Conversation and Join Us at LDI 2025
If you enjoyed this synopsis, I encourage you to dive into the full episode at artisticfinance.com/180. Josh’s blend of humor, honesty, and blunt hot takes made this one of my favorite episodes to record.
And if this conversation resonates with you, come join us at LDI 2025 for more live, audience-invited sessions like this one. Until then, happy listening, happy financial planning, and happy lighting!
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