Lamp Dock by MACCAM welcomes gaffer Dessie Coale for a thoughtful, funny, and deeply human conversation with Michael Kelly about building a career in film and television lighting.

In this episode, Dessie shares her path from a small town in Southern Illinois to working as a gaffer in Los Angeles, including the early risks, career pivots, mentors, and set experiences that shaped her work. She talks about moving to LA, getting her union days, working on shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Matlock, Tiny Beautiful Things, I Love LA, and other film and television projects that helped define her career.

Dessie and Michael also dig into the real work behind gaffing: prep, lighting choices, LED vs. tungsten, working with DPs, managing budgets, negotiating with production, building crews, imposter syndrome, and the emotional realities of leadership on  ...