Favourites: Add | View

Lighting Technician

Lighting technicians set up and operate lighting equipment under the supervision of a lighting director or lighting camera operator in television, or a gaffer or director of photography in film, high-budget television drama and commercials.

At entry level, job titles include (apprentice) lighting technician, lighting electrician or lighting assistant. In film, more experienced technicians can specialise as a moving light operator, practical light operator, genny operator, console operator, or take a supervisory post as 'best boy'.

The lighting team's work is crucial to any performance or programme. Lighting creates the right atmosphere to evoke an audience's response, and demands high-level technical and creative skills.

Typical work activities

Depending on the production you are working on and your particular experience, you may be involved in all or some of the activities outlined below:

liaising with the director to interpret their creative vision into the lighting design;
managing the lighting budget;
visiting and assessing locations for technical purposes;
conducting risk assessments for health and safety purposes;
establishing lighting requirements;
plotting the lighting;
deciding on crew numbers and equipment needed;
employing the crew and hiring equipment;
co-ordinating the equipment and the technical crew;
assembling all the lighting and filter equipment needed;
ensuring all lighting equipment is in working order;
organising scaffolding and cranes, if required;
pre-rigging the lighting;
ensuring all cables and wires are safely concealed;
loading automated colour change systems;
programming and operating lighting consoles;
supervising the focusing of lighting at rehearsals;
operating and maintaining equipment during the shoot;
changing lighting between shots, as necessary;
de-rigging all equipment at the end of the broadcast/production;
ensuring all equipment is stored/transported back safely from location;
reviewing footage shots with the director;
liaising with the floor manager, producer and sound technician throughout the project.

Range of typical starting salaries: £10,000 - £15,000 (salary data collected April 05).

Range of typical freelance salaries with 10-15 years' experience: lighting cameraperson £176 per week; lighting director £155 per week; assistant technician £67-117 per week (Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematographic and Theatre Union (BECTU) minimum rates April 05).

Many lighting technicians are freelance and earnings can vary enormously, depending on the jobs undertaken and the availability of work.
Hours are invariably long and unsocial.You may have to rig lights overnight for an outside broadcast the next day, or dismantle them at the end of a long day's filming.
Work settings will vary: you could be in a television studio, which can get stuffy and oppressive; on a film set; on location in buildings not designed for an influx of high tech lighting equipment; or on outside broadcasts, where you are at the mercy of the weather.
A great deal of heavy lifting is required. Working at heights is common: on walkways above the studio floor; on ladders; scaffolding; or cranes.
Protective clothing, including hard hats, safety boots and overalls are often required.
Working freelance impacts on the ability to plan holidays in advance, take career breaks and undergo training. Some find freelance work stressful due to the uncertainty of finding work and an irregular income.
At senior levels, stress can be high as mistakes are expensive and careers may depend on your technical and creative abilities.
Long periods away from home on location are common, particularly in television and film.

Information taken from Prospects www.prospects.ac.uk for more information

Courses

View all 7 courses.

Or click on one of the links below to view the specific courses your are interested in.

College
Exeter College (2)
Bournemouth and Poole College (1)
Plymouth College of Art and Design (1)
Weymouth College (1)
East Devon College (1)
Yeovil College (1)

Qualification
AS (2)
Other (2)
A Level (2)
ND (2)
Foundation Degree (1)

Subject
Media (4)
Drama (3)
Photography (1)