Lighting technician
Creative and Cultural Skills and Equity, two key theatre industry bodies, say:
Depending on their size, theatres may employ a lighting designer, a theatre lighting technician or chief electrician, a deputy chief, and one or more electricians. Their main function is to arrange the lighting equipment for each production. Most chief electricians are permanently employed; lighting designers usually work as freelances.
Three key visual technical artists are involved in the look of a production: the director, set designer and lighting designer. The role of lighting designer may be combined with that of chief electrician, or the same person may perform either role depending on the requirements and staffing of each production. Lighting designers may work across the disciplines of theatre, tv and film.
“Don’t image you’re going to be the lighting designer on your first job”
Rob Burrows, 26, works as a production technician at the Southbank Centre in London. When asked about how he got there he said: "Be persistent – once you’re in and have got a foot in the door you’re sorted. Make sure you make lots of contacts and keep in touch with them. And never wind someone up on the way up because you’ll meet them on the way down!
“Also, be rational and don’t image that you’re going to be the LD (lighting designer) on your first job. Work your way up the ranks in different departments if you can so you understand how the theatre gels into an entity with a single goal”.
Find out more
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