Overview of the role
Reporting to the gaffer, but following instructions from the best boy, chargehands and director of photography, the lighting technician in high-end TV and scripted film is responsible for setting up and operating lighting equipment for productions. They can also provide on-set power to other departments when required. Because of the dangers associated with electricity, they should be suitably competent to carry out all the wiring, connecting, testing and fault finding as well as rigging lights, textiles and other equipment.
Download the PDF version of this skills checklist.
Core responsibilities
These core responsibilities are provided as a guide and are not exhaustive. The exact responsibilities on a particular production will vary depending on the scale and budget band.
- Select specified electrical equipment
- Ensure selected electrical items have a formal electrical safety test certificate
- Carry out pre-use checks, making sure equipment is complete
- Report damage, failures and missing parts
- Report use of consumables for stock management, billing and reordering
- Load vehicles with best weight distribution
- Secure loads
- Check driver is happy with the load before transport
- Follow instructions, lighting plots, patch sheets and manufacturers’ specifications
- Check machine operators or lift supervisors are happy with loading
- Secure lamps into position using suitable fixing equipment and with lock offs securely tightened
- Fit safety bonds with screw gates closed
- Tie or weight, stands and other equipment down when required
- Maintain continuity of service by assessing loading options of any systems already in use such as fixed wiring in buildings
- Check voltage and current conforms with system specifications
- Supply power and use circuit protection
- Manage cables, using signage when required
- Label up distribution boxes, circuits and fixtures with the designed labelling system
- Ensure ballast and other electronics are kept dry and well-ventilated
- Inspect, test and report issues and non-compliance
- Inform best boy or gaffer of any changes
- Liaise with other crew members about their power requirements
- Advise other crew members about safe solutions which meet their requirements
- Ensure electrical appliances and cabling have been tested
- Label distribution circuits when required
- Inform gaffer or genny operator of significant loads and the addition of final distribution circuits
- Follow instructions to adjust position, direction, colour, colour temperature and intensity of lights
- Construct custom solutions to create specified looks using flicker sticks, flicker boxes, led ribbon kits, gobos and so on
- Follow lighting cues and operate lighting
- Change batteries when required with minimal disruption to shooting
- Leave stand-by equipment in allocated positions
- Secure vehicles, machines, and equipment
- Partially derig any aspects of lighting equipment that require it
- Cover equipment, first leaving adequate time for lamp heads to cool
- Methodically identify faults or reasons for equipment failure
- Update others on how long it will take to rectify
- Fix faults where possible
- Remove faulty equipment from service when faults cannot be fixed
- Request and fit replacement equipment or parts when required
- Inform gaffer when issue is rectified
- Mark up faulty items and include details of the fault to aid the repair
- Leave adequate time for lamp heads to cool before derigging
- Derig lighting, textiles and other equipment in a logical order
- Maintain continuity of service when parts of systems will remain in use
- Pack equipment for return to suppliers when finished with
- Double check work area and location for equipment when derigging complete
- Work in line with Industry recognised and production specific health and safety practices
- Dress appropriately and use required personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Familiarise self with latest versions of risk assessment method statements (RAMS)
- Identify team medic and location of hospital from call sheets or signage
- Keep facilities and workstation clean and tidy
- Identify and report any close calls, accidents or breaches to health and safety, rectifying issues to prevent reoccurrence when applicable
- Report any safety items used so they can be replaced
- Offer department members confined to set water and the opportunity to swap for a break
- Follow policies and report any bullying, harassment or mental health issues
- Refer any issues to the best boy
Skills
- Rigging, operating and derigging lighting equipment including heads, cable, distribution boxes, frames, textiles, braces and supports
- Good with heights and working at height
- Lifting and manually handling heavy kit and using wheeled carts and other equipment to assist when required
- Identifying and isolating faults and completing minor repairs to rigs and equipment
- Communication: liaising with own department about lighting work and following radio etiquette when using the radio
- Organisation: following call sheets and movement orders, keeping timesheets and preparing and submitting invoices
- Problem-solving: methodically identifying the causes of faults in equipment
- Securing work: collating proof of competency and experience, establishing and negotiating rate, and clarifying and approving deal memo and contract
- Driving: driving production-controlled vehicles, keeping logs of operation and reporting defects and accidents. For relevant road going vehicles using tachographs correctly and downloading data
- Operating machinery: operating licenced powered access equipment (IPAF) and
mobile elevated work platforms (MEWP)
- Resilience, enthusiasm and curiosity: adapts positively to changing work priorities and patterns, ensuring deadlines continue to be met; is proactive and explores new ideas and non-standard ways of working which will enhance and deliver the best results for the production
- Productivity: organises work effectively and achieves required results within deadlines; demonstrates the drive and energy to get things done in pressurised situations and escalates appropriately when necessary
- Ethics and integrity: honest and principled in all their actions and interactions; respectful and inclusive of others, and meet the ethical requirements of their profession
- Flexibility: willing to both listen and respond to changing priorities and working requirements as required, while at all times maintaining high standards in a constantly changing production environment