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 specialize as a moving light operator, practical light operator, gene operator, console operator, or take a supervisory post as 'best boy'.

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

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 and/or other staff to interpret their creative vision into the lighting design, managing the lighting budget, advising on the purchase/hire of suitable equipment, visiting and assessing locations for technical purposes, conducting risk assessments for health and safety purposes, establishing lighting requirements, plotting the lighting.

A lighting director plans all aspects of lighting a production. Typical work activities include: deciding on the equipment required and crew;, instructing and overseeing the work of lighting technicians, liaising closely with the director and set designer, making decisions about the camera angles, positions and equipment required for scenes, which are then shot by the camera operator.

A significant knowledge of the program concept is required, as well as an understanding of the on-screen effect that the director intends. When making a television drama or documentary on location, you may find that the function of lighting director is fulfilled by a lighting camera operator, which is also the common term used in the film industry.

This role demands a mixture of technical and creative experience. Most lighting directors have progressed from working behind a camera or as an electrician, to working as a lighting technician/assistant and then on to lighting director.