UK film & TV craft certificate: lighting technician

This course is part of Centre of Screen Excellence: Yorkshire, a ground-breaking pilot delivered by Screen Yorkshire and NFTS, supported by ScreenSkills using National Lottery funding awarded by the BFI as part of the Future Film Skills programme.

Lighting technicians are in huge demand across the UK’s booming film and television industries. This 5 month (March to July 2021 – full schedule available in January ) course aims to take entry-level students and give them basic and advanced electrical training, as well as preparing them for the specific rigours of working within the film and television industries.

The course will be delivered by NFTS Leeds in partnership with industry professionals. It will be a mixture of practical and theoretical work, with a possible work experience module with professional lighting companies or on film or TV sets, subject to COVID restrictions. 

Who it's for

No previous qualifications are required.

The course is entry level and is specifically targeted towards students who have identified the goal of establishing a career path as a lighting technician. Training is an investment both for the candidate and the provider and so should only be undertaken by candidates with a clear commitment to achieving a high level of proficiency and dedication to the craft. Entrants will be 18+ and some applicants may choose to undertake this award instead of going to University. Graduates are still welcome to apply, as are people looking to change career later in life.

Applicants who will be 18 years old on 28 February 2021 will not be required to pay a fee for this course. For students over this age the course fee is set at £3,000, however you may be eligible for bursary support for all or part of your course fees. If you are 19+ and would like to apply for a bursary, please fill out the bursary application form linked in the main application form.

What it covers

Students will take part in two ‘boot camps’ designed to prepare them for the specific requirements of lighting technicians in film and TV, such as their role within a department, the way departments interact with other departments during production, set etiquette and preparation for freelance life (including tax, invoicing and networking).

They will also receive valuable Health & Safety Production Passport training, including first aid, and attend a one-day scissor lift training course.

On completion of the certificate, you will:

• Understand how to communicate effectively with colleagues in both prep and on location/set
• Be able to develop and maintain good working relationships during the production process
• Understand hazards and risks in the workplace and be able to evaluate and minimise risks
• Understand relevant equipment, materials and related issues
• Be able to select, prepare, organise and manage relevant equipment for a shoot
• Understand the performance characteristics of lights (lamp wattage, throw, spread)
• Have a developed understanding of electrical principles
• Organise effectively the accessories, including lamps cabling, connectors, colour filters and other ancillary equipment
• Demonstrate an awareness of production issues related to sustainability and the environment
• Be able to operate effectively as a freelance worker

How to apply

Applications close at 11.59pm, Monday 18th January 2021. Applications received after this date will not be considered. If for any reason you need to submit your application by an alternative method or have any other queries then please contact NFTSLeeds@nfts.co.uk.

You may be invited to a phone/online interview during the time between the 21st and 28th January. Successful applicants will be offered a place in the first week in February and will be expected to accept within 3 days of the offer. We will endeavour to contact everyone by mid-February, but if you have not heard from us by then, please assume you have not been offered a place on one of the courses.

For more information,  and to apply click here