Launched in 2005, WellesleyWeston Magazine is a quarterly publication tailored to Wellesley and Weston residents and edited to enrich the experience of living in two of Massachusetts' most desirable communities.
Issue link: https://wellesleywestonmagazine.epubxp.com/i/78488
an interview with larry shaw "It's been kind of interesting all of these years." LAURA LAMERE writer BRIAN SMITH photographer everyonce in a while, we meet a person who surprises us. We meet neighbors, acquaintances, shopkeepers, teachers – but we don't really know them. We don't really get to know them, that is, until we take the time to have a real conversation. I've known Larry Shaw for many years, but I had no idea how inter- esting and accomplished he is. It wasn't until I had the opportunity to speak with him for more than a passing moment that I learned what he's been doing for the past 35 years or so. As Principal and Director of Engineering for Boston Light & Sound (BL&S;), the specialty projec- tion and sound gurus based in Brighton, Larry has worked on count- less movie sets, personally collaborated with film directors, and even won an Oscar! He is just another one of my neighbors, but a neighbor with some great stories to tell, and—don't forget—an Oscar. 52 My first experience with Larry Shaw began with my noticing him as a quiet presence at the First Parish Church in Weston that I also attend. As a father to Katie, a junior at Weston High School, and David, a cap- tain in the Federal Reserve Police, Larry attends First Parish with his wife Mary, a soloist in the church's choir. Needless to say, whenever the church has a unique sound or lighting challenge, Larry is the one to step forward with a solution. Want to provide live video feed of the organist's hands while play- ing the new church organ in the sanctuary? It's done. Want to add lighting and sound to the parish hall to give it a night-club-feel during high school rock band performances? It's done. You see, Larry is a problem solver. As he explained in a recent inter- view, this is his calling. But, as I learned, the church's "problems" are WellesleyWeston Magazine | fall 2012