About

JM Montecalvo, Lighting Designer and President of Spectrum401, is originally from Rhode Island, and is now based in Los Angeles. JM initially started his academic career as an acting major at St. Mary’s University in Winona, MN. As part of his undergraduate studies he was required to participate in every discipline that surrounded the theater. It was during his lighting rotation that he developed an interest in lighting. Over the next two years, JM worked closely with many lighting designers on a variety of projects ranging from lighting for the stage, theatrical events, corporate events, and dance. In 2009, JM was awarded the Michael G. Flanagan Award for Outstanding Contribution to the theater at St. Mary's University. In the same year, JM competed against a large field of recent and not-so-recent graduates to win a prestigious Fellowship to Illinois State University for Lighting Design. While there, he designed a prototype lighting design where lights were woven into dance costumes. This ground-breaking prototype was awarded a fully funded grant from the The Illinois State Friends of the Arts Council to put his prototype into production. He went on to receive a Masters in Fine Arts (MFA) in Lighting Design from Illinois State University in 2012.

Directly after graduation, JM embarked in a life-long goal of moving to California to begin to follow his dream. Since moving to California, he has designed and collaborated on "Halloween Horror Nights" at Universal Studios Hollywood, designed the "Whoville" Christmas Back-lot Tram Show which is a part of "Grinchmas" at Universal Studios Hollywood. In his biggest undertaking JM was part of the Design Team that overhauled the famed "Back Lot Tour" tram attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood Theme Park. The "Back Lot Tour" is one of Universal Studios prized possessions and is steeped in movie history. The design team was charged with converting this daytime attraction to a nighttime attraction, while protecting its image and history. He also worked on projects for, The MLS Cup at The Home Depot Center, Private parties for A-list clients, Mattel Toys, and was the project liaison for a unique and extensive permanently installed project on the ground of a private farm called "Boulder Light Show.” Additionally, JM is the Assistant Lighting Designer on the team that has redesigned, using state-of-the-art LED Lighting, KNBC and Telemundo News Studios in their new home on the Comcast/Universal Studios campus.