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Lighting technician, broadcasting/film/video: Job description and activities

Job description

Lighting technicians ('sparks') set up and operate lighting equipment under the supervision of a lighting director in television, or a gaffer or director of photography in film, high-budget television drama and commercials. The 'gaffer' is the head of the electrical team whilst the director of photography acts as their creative supervisor while being based in a different department.

Many lighting technicians begin their career as apprentice lighting technicians, lighting electricians or lighting assistants. In film, a more experienced technician can specialise as a moving light operator, practical light operator, genny operator or console operator, or take a supervisory post as a 'best boy'. There may be only one lighting technician working on a theatre production, whereas a feature film would usually have a large crew. Lighting technicians generally specialise in either film, TV or theatre, as the techniques and equipment differ.

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

Typical activities vary according to the type of production and the level of experience of the individual, but you may be involved in all or some of the following:

• liaising with the director and/or other staff to interpret their creative vision into the lighting design;
• managing the lighting budget and 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;
• deciding on the crew numbers and equipment needed and then employing the crew and hiring the equipment;
• coordinating the equipment and the technical crew and training other crew members as required;
• assembling all the lighting and filter equipment needed;
• ensuring all lighting equipment is in working order and organising any necessary scaffolding and cranes;
• pre-rigging the lighting and 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 or production and ensuring it is safely transported away from the location and/or stored;
• reviewing footage shots with the director;
• liaising with the floor manager, producer and sound technician throughout the project.

AGCAS

Written by Viki Chinn, London School of Economics and Political Science

Last updated:

December 2008

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