Lighting Operator/Technician

Overview/Purpose of a Lighting Operator

The Lighting Operator/Technician would produce the lighting effects given in productions within the theatre. They would need knowledge of all electrical systems and electronics in the lighting department. Their work can range from operating strobes, lasers and pyrotechnics to providing basic spotlighting depending on the production.

Day to Day Tasks and Responsibilities

The tasks and daily activities would depend on the size of the production but they could include:

To ensure the smooth running of the lighting aspects of the theatre’s day-to-day operation.
To organise the rigging and setting of lighting on stage.
To operate lighting and possibly other effects during performances, as directed by members of the creative and production teams.
To help furnish rehearsals with appropriate lighting as needed.
To carry out all duties in accordance with the organisation’s Health & Safety Policy and promote a culture of safety.
To carry out, or ensure others carry out, Portable Appliance Testing (PAT, a safety measure) of equipment.
To attend production meetings and regular technical department meetings as required.
To work together with other members of staff in the event of an emergency.
To ensure the public areas of the theatre and/or production space are in a safe and presentable condition.
To order new technical equipment within authorised budgets.
To maintain equipment inventories.
To keep abreast of changes in health and safety legislation

Qualifications and Experience

There are several different ways of entering the world of a Lighting Operator/Technician. Some Lighting Technicians qualify as an electrician and get practical experience in production lighting.

An alternative option would be to complete a course that gives you the skills that a lighting technician would need, like stage electrics and lighting design. Relevant courses include:

Level 3 Certificate/Diploma in Production Arts
Level 5 HND in Performing Arts (Production)
foundation degrees and degrees in lighting design, lighting technology, performance technology or technical theatre.

Relevant practical experience would also be needed. Traineeships are available wither certain specialist lighting companies.

Experience can be found in the following settings:

lighting equipment hire companies
theatres or concert venues
amateur theatre
student or community film projects.

Whether you want to get into lighting for film and TV or theatre and live events, it is a good idea to build up a portfolio of your work, including a showreel DVD of productions you have worked on, to show to employers.

Working Conditions / Hours / Place of Work

Your hours are likely to be long and irregular. In film and TV, you could work any time of the day or night, depending on filming schedules. Live performances usually take place in the evening, but may also involve you setting up equipment during the day.

Your working environment would vary;

Location would be in towns and cities throughout the country.
Theatres and studios can be very hot.
You may have to work at heights on cranes or scaffolding.
You may also be required to wear protective clothing like safety boots and use equipment such as safety harnesses.
The work could involve time spent away from home and some travel abroad.

Salary

Salaries vary greatly depending on your level of experience, the production and the environment you are working in.Starting salaries are between £15,000 and £18,000 a year.With experience you could earn £27,000 a year or more.

Freelance work is more common than permanent work, and rates can vary widely. Fees are negotiated for each contract and depend on the type of production and your own track record.

Career Progression

A Lighting Operator/Technician would first start out as a trainee or assisstant and they would learn skills on the job from the other experienced Lighting Technicians. There are training course available for you to possibly attend to develop and better your skills through organisations like:

BBC Academy (Academy Courses)
Association of British Theatre Technicians (Training & Careers)

As an experienced theatre lighting operator/technician, there is an option to take specialist courses in areas like electrical safety, inspection and testing, pyrotechnics and rigging. If you gain the relevant training and experience in rigging and wish to validate your skills, the PLASA National Rigging Certificate is an industry recognised qualification. It shows employers that you have the right skills and knowledge to work to a professional standard and may improve your career prospects.

Unions

Unions can be very useful within the performing arts business, especially for a Lighting Technician. They can provide support with your career choices and insurance for any potential mishaps along the way.

For a lighting technician, the most common union to be apart of is BECTU. BECTU provide the support and insurance you would need to make the most about your career without having the worry of any accidents or claims.

https://www.bectu.org.uk/home

Interellation Within the Theatre

Lighting technicians would usually work closely with lighting designers, sound technicians, the director and the stage manager to combine their skills and help create the live theatre experience.

If there wasn't any communication between the lighting technician and these other roles, things within the theatre could most definitely go wrong;

The lighting designers would have to communicate their designs of the lighting to the technicians in order for there to be any lighting in the production. Without the communication of these two roles, there wouldn't be any lighting in the show.
The sound technicians would also have to communicate witht the lighting technician as the wires and plugs would have to be correlated and efficiently set up. There are health and safety regulations that these two roles would have to consider together in orfer to not start a fire in the middle of a show.
The director would most defintely have to see what the lighting technician has set up for their show. If the director is unhappy with the lighting and it is not what the director had in mind, they would communicate their feelings to the lighting technician and have it sorted out.
The stage manager would also have some sort of communication with the lighting technician. The lighting technician would have to rig the lanterns with the stage manager's opinions and critcism at hand. Without this communication, there would be more mistakes made by the lighting technician that the director could be unhapppy with.

This is where the Lighting Operator would be found within the Production Hierarchy.

The Lighting Operator/Technician is a vital role within the industry as they are responsible for ensuring that the lighting aspects of theatre performances run safely, smoothly and on time. Without this, the whole show would not have the same potential effect on the audience as it would with. The lighting used within shows if done correctly can create mood and feeling within the performance, which then has an effect on the audience which makes the whole experience of the show a lot better.

They also make sure that the lighting equipment is kept in good working order and that all those using or exposed to it are safe. Safety is key within the theatre and without the Lighting Operator/Technician making sure everything is in working order, there are many hazards that can occur;
-Lanterns not being securely fitted to the lighting bar which can cause them to potentially fall off during the performance, this is a risk to the performers, audience and the backstage staff.
-If the lantern is broken/faulty, there is a risk of potential electrical issues which again is a risk to the performers, audience and backstage staff.

Without the Lighting Technician/Operator there are risks to not only the way the performance is seen but also to people in the theatre so this role is very vital within the theatre.

A Guide To Working In Performing Arts