Lighting technician
Encyclopedia
Lighting technicians are involved with rigging and controlling electric lights for art and entertainment venues (theater or live music venues) or in video, television, or film
production. In a theater production, lighting technicians work under the lighting designer
and master electrician
. In video, television, and film productions, lighting technicians work under the direction of the cinematographer
and gaffer. In live music, lighting technicians work under the chief lighting technician, who reports to the production manager.
Lighting technicians are responsible for the movement and set up of various pieces of lighting equipment for visual effects
. Lighting Technicians may also lay electrical cables, wire fixtures, install color effects or image patterns, focus the lights, and assist in creating effects or programming sequences.
Most lighting technician work is rigging rather than electrical based with modular units such as lamps and premade cables plugging into other modular units such as bigger premade cables and splitters using the standard IP44 splash or waterproof connectors. Changing bulbs while the modular unit lamps are completely unplugged from power sources and wiring modular cable based plugs and sockets in the same circumstance make the electrical part of a lighting technician's job safer than wiring a domestic light or socket in a home where the cable circuits are permanently connected through a trip switch board.
Rigging safety of cable runs and both overhead and stand based lamps is a much bigger concern than electrical safety. A lighting crew can consist of no qualified electrician
s when using the standard modular cables and lamps, and small location-based television crew
s have operated this way for 30 years since the 1980s (using standard 13amp 240v domestic circuits to power 2,000W "Blonde" lamps, 2,500W HMI lamps and smaller). Safety glass and safety mesh are very important on lamps in case of exploding bulbs. Bulbs do explode and their safety with a working crew or at a concert is based on how close they are rigged to people and not an electrical issue.
It's very important to use the correct gauge of electrical cable for the power carried in it. Cables will melt if too much power is pulled through too thin a cable. This is not a complicated skill and is easily learnt but very important. It's useful to have an electrician on a lighting team in order to patch power from permanent power distribution boards attached to the national grid and other more complicated electrical tasks. The rest of a lighting technician's work concerns safety of rigging and working with objects which can be very heavy and get very hot. Lamps are getting more efficient so can provide more light output at lower power levels and motion picture cameras are many times more sensitive than in earlier times so big electrical rigs are not so necessary anymore.
Temporary power distribution equipment for events is commonly of the “plug and play” variety which doesn’t require a degree in electrical engineering to connect a system together but it does a good understanding of electrical theory and safety.
The lighting technician's duties include:
The film set electrical department hierarchy is as follows:
Duties include:
The Stage lighting department hirearchy is as follows:
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
production. In a theater production, lighting technicians work under the lighting designer
Lighting designer
The role of the lighting designer within theatre is to work with the director, choreographer, set designer, costume designer, and sound designer to create an overall 'look' for the show in response to the text, while keeping in mind issues of visibility, safety and cost...
and master electrician
Master electrician
The Master Electrician in a theatre is responsible for implementing the lighting design for a production drawn up by the Lighting designer. This involves overseeing the preparation, hanging, connection and focusing of stage lighting fixtures.This can be done on a show by show basis, or as a...
. In video, television, and film productions, lighting technicians work under the direction of the cinematographer
Cinematographer
A cinematographer is one photographing with a motion picture camera . The title is generally equivalent to director of photography , used to designate a chief over the camera and lighting crews working on a film, responsible for achieving artistic and technical decisions related to the image...
and gaffer. In live music, lighting technicians work under the chief lighting technician, who reports to the production manager.
Lighting technicians are responsible for the movement and set up of various pieces of lighting equipment for visual effects
Visual effects
Visual effects are the various processes by which imagery is created and/or manipulated outside the context of a live action shoot. Visual effects involve the integration of live-action footage and generated imagery to create environments which look realistic, but would be dangerous, costly, or...
. Lighting Technicians may also lay electrical cables, wire fixtures, install color effects or image patterns, focus the lights, and assist in creating effects or programming sequences.
Most lighting technician work is rigging rather than electrical based with modular units such as lamps and premade cables plugging into other modular units such as bigger premade cables and splitters using the standard IP44 splash or waterproof connectors. Changing bulbs while the modular unit lamps are completely unplugged from power sources and wiring modular cable based plugs and sockets in the same circumstance make the electrical part of a lighting technician's job safer than wiring a domestic light or socket in a home where the cable circuits are permanently connected through a trip switch board.
Rigging safety of cable runs and both overhead and stand based lamps is a much bigger concern than electrical safety. A lighting crew can consist of no qualified electrician
Electrician
An electrician is a tradesman specializing in electrical wiring of buildings, stationary machines and related equipment. Electricians may be employed in the installation of new electrical components or the maintenance and repair of existing electrical infrastructure. Electricians may also...
s when using the standard modular cables and lamps, and small location-based television crew
Television crew
Television crew positions are derived from those of film crew, but with several differences.-Pre-production:-Casting Director:-Costume designer:-Director:* Associate Director -Location Manager:-Make-up artist:...
s have operated this way for 30 years since the 1980s (using standard 13amp 240v domestic circuits to power 2,000W "Blonde" lamps, 2,500W HMI lamps and smaller). Safety glass and safety mesh are very important on lamps in case of exploding bulbs. Bulbs do explode and their safety with a working crew or at a concert is based on how close they are rigged to people and not an electrical issue.
It's very important to use the correct gauge of electrical cable for the power carried in it. Cables will melt if too much power is pulled through too thin a cable. This is not a complicated skill and is easily learnt but very important. It's useful to have an electrician on a lighting team in order to patch power from permanent power distribution boards attached to the national grid and other more complicated electrical tasks. The rest of a lighting technician's work concerns safety of rigging and working with objects which can be very heavy and get very hot. Lamps are getting more efficient so can provide more light output at lower power levels and motion picture cameras are many times more sensitive than in earlier times so big electrical rigs are not so necessary anymore.
Temporary power distribution equipment for events is commonly of the “plug and play” variety which doesn’t require a degree in electrical engineering to connect a system together but it does a good understanding of electrical theory and safety.
Film lighting technician
Also called Set Lighting Technician, Lamp Operator, Electrician, Electric, Spark or a Juicer. The Lighting Technicians on a motion picture set handle all of the electrical needs as well as place and focus all of the lighting under the direction of the Gaffer (Chief Lighting Technician).The lighting technician's duties include:
- Placement and focus of lighting fixtures for any given scene to be photographed.
- Distribution of power and work lights around the set and support areas (including actorActorAn actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
's trailers, portable production offices, catering, etc.). - Management of electrical generators.
- Providing electricityElectricityElectricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
to all support services and departments on the set.
The film set electrical department hierarchy is as follows:
- GafferGaffer (filmmaking)A gaffer in the motion picture industry and on a television crew is an electrician that can be head of the electrical department, responsible for the execution of the lighting plan for a production. Gaffer, outside of the motion picture industry, is a traditional British English word for an older...
(Chief Lighting Technician) is the head of the electricians. The Gaffer works directly under the Director of Photography (CinematographerCinematographerA cinematographer is one photographing with a motion picture camera . The title is generally equivalent to director of photography , used to designate a chief over the camera and lighting crews working on a film, responsible for achieving artistic and technical decisions related to the image...
) to make decisions on the creative lighting on the set (or on location), and is responsible for executing those decisions.
Stage Lighting Technician
In live music performances, concerts, and other entertainment, stage lighting technicians (also called a lighting tech, lighting operator, "sparky", "lampy", or "techie") set up lighting and make effects for live performances and concerts.Duties include:
- Setting up and focusing lights
- Patching and or wiring up lights to dimmers or electronic control consoles
- Changing the set-up of lights during a performance or concert (e.g., changing color gels)
- Packing down lights after the show
The Stage lighting department hirearchy is as follows:
- Chief lighting Technician: works with the production manager to determine what effects need to be created, creates a plan to achieve the desired effects, and then directs the other members of the stage lighting department to set up the appropriate lighting equipment.
- Lighting Programmer: Works with the chief lighting technician to program the lights using electronic or digital light programming equipment. The goal is to create light and color effects and sequences that enhance the onstage performance.
- Lighting Technician: sets up lights and wiring, and changes lights during a show
- Stage lighting assistant: Works with the lighting technician to set up and patch or wire up lighting, also lugs gear to different areas of the stage area.