Lighting technician
Lighting technicians set up and operate lighting for concerts, conferences and theatre, or in film and TV productions.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
You could:
- interpret a lighting designer's plan
- carry out risk assessments for health and safety purposes
- plan where to run cables and place lights at film locations
- help to rig and check the equipment
- take cues from the stage manager in theatre or the floor manager in TV
- programme and operate manual and computer-controlled lighting systems
- take down equipment after shows or filming
Working environment
You could work at a film studio, on a film set, at events, in a theatre or at a TV studio.
Your working environment may be hot, outdoors some of the time, at height and you may spend nights away from home.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Career path and progression
You could work on more complex events, or specialise in areas like electrical safety, inspection and testing, pyrotechnics or rigging.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of building and construction
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- maths knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- analytical thinking skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- leadership skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- volunteering
- broadcasters' training schemes
- specialist courses run by private training providers
You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:
- performing arts (production)
- lighting design
- lighting and performance technology
- technical theatre
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More Information
You could complete a college course like:
- Level 3 Certificate or Diploma in Production Arts
- Level 3 Certificate in Technical Theatre: Sound, Light and Stage
- T Level in Media, Broadcast and Production
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
More Information
You may be able to start training in this job by applying for one of the following apprenticeships:
- Creative Industries Production Technician Level 3
- Installation Electrician and Maintenance Electrician Level 3
- Audio Visual Technician Level 5
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
You could qualify as an electrician first and then get practical experience in production lighting.
You will need relevant practical experience. You may be able to find a traineeship with a specialist lighting company. You could also look for experience in the following settings:
- lighting equipment hire companies
- theatres or concert venues
- amateur theatre
- student or community film projects
You can search for film and TV companies to approach for experience through media business listing services like PACT and The Knowledge.
You may be able to get training through one of the new entrant training schemes that broadcasters offer. For example:
You could also take short courses in production skills run by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers.
Career tips
It's a good idea to build up a portfolio of your work. This could be a showreel DVD or online profile of productions you've worked on, which you can show to potential employers.
Further information
You can find out more about careers in production lighting from ScreenSkills.
You can get more information on working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.