Lighting technicians work behind the scenes of movies, television shows, rock concerts and stage plays. Sometimes they add realism, other times dramatic effect. Either way, they are key players in any staged event.
As a lighting technician, your job is to set up and operate lighting equipment on a set. A director interprets the script in consultation with other members of the production team. You then decide how to obtain the desired lighting effects.
You work with the electrical crew to position lights on a studio ??grid'' or a metal scaffold. During the event or broadcast, yo vary the intensity or direction of the light according to a script or cue sheet.
You may find yourself working for a theatre, television station, film company or concert production company. Generally you are paid a salary, but you may work on a daily contract as a freelancer.
If you prefer independence and an opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects, you may prefer to work as a freelancer. If you want a more structured environment and greater job security, you may be better off looking for a full-time job.
Lighting work can be physically demanding. You have to move heavy equipment around and mount it in high places. And you must pay attention. You must understand what the director wants, and how to achieve the desired results. You must also be a perfectionist. A missed lighting cue can ruin a performance or cause expensive delays.
You may be attracted to a career as a lighting technician because of a broader interest in the performing arts. It can offer you a chance to meet people, including some celebrities. And you may be able to use your work in lighting as a first step to other challenging jobs behind the camera or in production. In the meantime, you can take satisfaction in immediately seeing the results of your work.
You need a professional and disciplined attitude toward this job. You must respond to directions, but at the same time you have to be creative and confident enough to interpret those directions in your own may. You need the technical ability to get the most out of your equipment. But you also need the artistic sense to understand how light interacts with the eye.
Team skills are also important. The quality of a lighting job depends on the shared expertise of many people.
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