Job Description

Lighting Technicians will set up and operate lighting equipment and provide technical assistance to show organisers and on television and film sets. They will set up lighting on rigging and scaffolding as well as engineering power solutions, working within a team, to create the right atmosphere for the performance.

Entry Requirements

You can get into this job through:

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

You'll usually need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course.

The following local colleges offer courses in Production Arts/Music Performance and Production:

Or your local 6th form may offer a relevant course.

Apprenticeship

You may be able to start in this job through a technical theatre sound and lighting advanced apprenticeship.

You'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship.

Click here to search for an apprenticeship.

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

performing arts (production)
lighting design
lighting and performance technology
technical theatre

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

Click here to search for a suitable course.

Work

You could qualify as an electrician first and then get practical experience in production lighting.

Other Routes

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.

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.

Career Path and Progression

You could work on more complex events, or specialise in areas like electrical safety, inspection and testing, pyrotechnics or rigging.

Related careers you may be interested in:

Broadcast engineer
Cinema projectionist
Live sound engineer
Roadie
Stage manager

Required Skills

Good technical knowledge
A head for heights
A creative flair
Able to work well as part of a team
Patience
Determination
Good problem solving abilities
Attention to detail

Salary Range

£15,000 to £40,000

Light Technician