UK film & TV craft certificate: lighting technician

This course is part of Centre of Screen Excellence: Elstree, the UK’s second Centre of Screen Excellence. It will be delivered by Elstree Screen Arts Academy, supported by ScreenSkills with National Lottery funds awarded by the BFI as part of the BFI’s Future Film Skills strategy.

Lighting technicians work in studios and on-set, rigging and lighting, working closely with camera operators and the gaffer. They also need to uderstand relevant electrical installation, specifically the setup and safe use of temporary on-location lighting systems. Therefore, this course includes a specific electrical qualification that permits safe working on location with temporary power installations - BS7909.

Want to know more about the role of a lighting trainee? See our job profile here.

The purpose of this course is to develop and assess the competence and underpinning knowledge of individuals working in the Lighting department.

The course has been developed with reference to the National Occupational Standard for Lighting for Film and TV. The Lighting for Film and TV standards are the output of an extensive piece of research conducted by ScreenSkills to identify what is needed to work effectively in lighting departments within the film and TV industries.

Who it's for

This course is only available to students who are 18 years old at the start of the course and eligible for ESFA funding.

What it covers

The course will start with 6 weeks of specialist training from ESA's own tutoring team and from visiting industry professionals in the foundations of working in the lighting department for film and television .

There will then be a bootcamp delivered by the National Film and Television School (NFTS) followed by 5 weeks of work placements on-set and in the industry with partners including Elstree Studios, Sky, BBC, Banijay and Warner Bros

In the second semester at ESA, there will be more training to further develop specialist skills and knowledge, the required BS7909 qualification before completing a second round of industry placements.

How to apply

Applications close at 11.59pm, Sunday 28 August 2022.  If for any reason you need to submit your application by an alternative method or have any other queries then please contact admin@esaacademy.org

Please note, ESA like to meet all applicants to get to know them and their areas of interest as part of the application process. ESA will also ask to see applicants most recent school report as part of the admissions process. Applicants applying for Year 14 will be required to send a CV and cover letter as well as the above documents.

For more information, and to apply click here