Lighting technician Job Information | National Careers Service

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Lighting technician

Hours

Variable
Starting salary

£15,000 + per year

Lighting technicians produce the lighting effects for live events such as theatre, concerts and conferences, or in film and TV productions. If you've got practical skills, like solving problems and would like to work in the live events industry, this job could be perfect for you.

In this job you would need to have knowledge of electrical systems and electronics. You would need to be physically fit and have a head for heights. You would also have to prepared to work irregular and unsocial hours, such as weekends and late nights.

There are two main ways of becoming a lighting technician. You could either qualify as an electrician and get practical experience in production lighting, or you could take a technical theatre course at college or university. You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme.

The work

As a lighting technician, your work could range from basic spotlighting for a conference or presentation to operating strobes, lasers and pyrotechnics for concerts or lighting film or TV studios and locations.

Your tasks would vary depending on whether you worked on a film, TV or theatre production, but could include:

helping to rig up the lighting equipment
making sure that lighting equipment and generators are working
setting up generators on location
interpreting a lighting designer's plan
taking cues from the stage manager (theatre) or floor manager (studio TV)
programming consoles and loading automated colour change systems before a show
operating manual and computer-controlled lighting systems during a show
planning where to run cables and place lights at film locations
taking down the equipment after shows or filming.

You may be the only lighting technician on a theatre production, or you could be part of a large crew with a concert tour or feature film.

You would normally specialise in film and TV or theatre and live events, as the techniques and equipment differ.

Hours

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 afternoon.

Your working environment would also vary. Location work and outdoor concerts can involve working in all weather conditions. Theatres and studios can be very hot. You may have to work at heights on cranes or scaffolding, wearing protective clothing and equipment where necessary.

The work can involve time spent away from home and some travel abroad.

Income

Earnings in theatre can be between £15,000 and £25,000 a year. Earnings in film and TV are usually higher, although you may need to work for low pay at the start of your career.

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. BECTU recommends a rate of around £250 for a 10 to 12 hour day.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

Currently, to qualify as an electrician you will need either:

NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Electrotechnical Services (Electrical Maintenance) or
NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment (Buildings and Structures).

These are offered by City & Guilds or EAL. See the electrician profile for more details.

electrician

You also 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
work placements (competition for these is very strong)
theatres or concert venues
amateur theatre
student or community film projects.

You may be able to enter through a Creative Apprenticeship in Technical Theatre.

Apprenticeships

Alternatively, you could get take a technical theatre course that includes stage electrics and lighting design. Relevant courses include:

BTEC level 3 Certificate or Diploma in Production Arts
BTEC HNC/HND in Performing Arts (Production)
accredited drama school diplomas in technical theatre - see the National Council for Drama Training (NCDT) website
degrees in lighting design, lighting technology, performance technology or technical theatre.

National Council for Drama Training

The content of courses varies so it is important to check carefully that a particular course is what you are looking for. Check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

If you take a technical theatre course, you will still need to get as much practical experience as possible, for example from amateur or student productions, or from theatres and concert venues.

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.

The Creative Choices website shows how one theatre company offers training in technical theatre.

Creative Choices

Training and development

You would start as a trainee or assistant and learn on the job from experienced lighting technicians.

You may also be able to attend training courses to develop your skills. Creative Skillset's website has information about courses.

As an experienced theatre lighting technician, you could choose to take specialist courses in areas like electrical safety, inspection and testing, pyrotechnics and rigging.

For access to training and networking opportunities, you may find it helpful to join a professional association such as:

You should keep up to date with new equipment and wiring regulations throughout your career - see the electrician profile for more details.

electrician

In film or TV, you can progress to senior electrician (known as best boy) and chief electrician (gaffer). With experience and further training, you could become a lighting cameraperson (director of photography), lighting designer or lighting director. In the theatre, you could progress to technical stage manager or lighting designer.

Skills and knowledge

To be a lighting technician you should have:

good practical and numeracy skills
knowledge of electrical systems and electronics
good communication and people skills
the ability to work well in a team
normal colour vision
creativity and problem-solving skills
the ability to take instructions
awareness of health and safety
physical stamina and a head for heights
willingness to work long and irregular hours when necessary.

More information

Creative and Cultural Skills (Opens new window)
Lafone House
The Leathermarket
Weston Street
London
SE1 3HN
www.creative-choices.co.uk

Creative Skillset (Opens new window)
Focus Point
21 Caledonian Road
London
N1 9GB
www.creativeskillset.org

Creative Skillset Careers (Opens new window)
Tel: 08080 300 900 (England and Northern Ireland)
Tel: 0845 850 2502(Scotland)
Tel: 08000 121 815 (Wales)
www.creativeskillset.org/careers

Association of British Theatre Technicians (Opens new window)
55 Farringdon Road
London
EC1M 3JB
Tel: 020 7242 9200
www.abtt.org.uk

Production Services Association (Opens new window)
PO Box 2709
Bath
BA1 3YS
Tel:01225 332668
www.psa.org.uk

National Council for Drama Training (NCDT) (Opens new window)
249 Tooley Street
London
SE1 2JX
Tel: 020 7407 3686
www.ncdt.co.uk

Get Into Theatre (Opens new window)
www.getintotheatre.org

Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) (Opens new window)
373-377 Clapham Road
London
SW9 9BT
Tel: 0845 850 2502
www.bectu.org.uk

PLASA (Opens new window)
Redoubt House
1 Edward Road
Eastbourne
BN23 8AS
Tel: 01323 524120
www.plasa.org

StartinTV (Opens new window)
www.startintv.com

Opportunities

You could work for theatres, TV and video production companies, film producers and concert venues. Lighting for special events, road shows and rock concerts is a growth area. Freelance contract work is very common.

Some jobs are advertised in the national press, trade press and industry websites. However, it is more common to get work through word of mouth, contacting companies yourself and using a crew directory or diary service to market yourself.

You may find the following useful for job vacancies and contacts (links open in new window):

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.

Related industry information

Industry summary

The music industry is part of the creative and cultural industries, represented by the Creative and Cultural Skills Sector Skills Council, which also includes: craft; cultural heritage; literature; design; performing arts; and visual arts. The creative and cultural industries currently employ 678,480, people, of which 24% are based in London. There are 74,640 businesses in the creative and cultural industries, of which 87% employ less than 10 people.

The music industry includes trade associations, businesses and employers in: recording/labels companies; music publishers; musical instruments; audio production and retail; live events and promotion; specialist music retailers; not‐for‐profit music organisation; as well as music education and training providers.

Key facts:

There are 102,220 people working in the music industry, of which:
- 50,780 work in live performance
- 21,930 in production, retail and distribution of musical instrument/audio equipment
- 15,130 in retail and distribution of recordings
- 10,190 in recording
- 2,890 in composition of musical works and music publishing
- 1,300 in promotion, management and agency related activities
Employment in music increased by 8% between 2004 and 2006.
25% of the workforce is located in London.
There are 13,760 businesses, of which 89% employ less than 50 people.
The music industry contributes £4.2 billion to the UK economy.
46% of the music workforce is self‐employed.
34% of the workforce works part‐time.
Women in the industry are slightly more highly qualified than men (38% have an above level 4 qualification as their highest qualification compared with 35% of men).
Women are likely to earn less money than men (78% of women in music earn less than £20,000 per year, compared to 51% of men).
36% of those working in the music industry have at least a level 4 qualification.
8% of the workforce has no qualifications.

Jobs in the industry include: agent, artistic director, classical musician, composer/arranger DJ, lighting technician, lyricist/songwriter, manager (music), music and audio manufacturer, music conductor, music teacher, performer (recording artist), publicity and promotions, singer, sound engineer.

National and regional data

Northern Ireland – There are 11,640 people working in the Northern Ireland creative and cultural sector. 2% of the UK music workforce is located in Northern Ireland. The music industry in Northern Ireland contributes £59 million to the UK economy. More than 99% of the music workforce is white and 63% of the workforce is male. 34% of the music workforce in Northern Ireland is self‐employed.

Scotland – There are 45,420 people working in the Scottish creative and cultural sector. 6% of the UK music workforce is located in Scotland. The music industry in Scotland contributes £230 million to the UK economy. 98% of the music workforce is white. 30% of the music workforce in Scotland is self‐employed.

Wales – There are 24,060 people working in the Welsh creative and cultural sector. 4% of the UK music workforce is located in Wales. The music industry in Wales contributes £69 million to the UK economy. 99% of the workforce is white and 69% of the workforce is male. 38% of the Welsh music workforce is self‐employed.

[N.B. The data for the following regions are for the creative and cultural sector as a whole.]

East Midlands – There are 44,380 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 7% of the UK sector workforce. There are 3,950 creative businesses in the region, of which 92% employ less than 50 people. 35% of the workforce is self-employed. 63% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 54% are under 40 years.

East of England – There are 63,700 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are 6,710 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 37% of the workforce is self-employed. 66% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 46% are under 40 years.

London – There are 164,690 people in the sector workforce in London, representing 24% of the UK sector workforce. There are 21,600 creative businesses, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 51% of the workforce is self-employed. 58% of the workforce is male. 84% of the sector workforce is white and 56% are under 40 years.

North East – There are 19,680 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 3% of the UK sector workforce. There are 1,330 creative businesses in the region, of which 90% employ less than 50 people. 38% of the workforce is self-employed. 63% of the workforce is male. 96% of the sector workforce is white and 53% are under 40 years.

North West – There are 59,580 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are 5,660 creative businesses in the region, of which 91% employ less than 50 people. 34% of the workforce is self-employed; the majority of who are in arts and music. 62% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 55% are under 40 years.

South East – There are 98,170 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 14% of the UK sector workforce. There are 12,300 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 43% of the workforce is self-employed. 59% of the workforce is male. 97% of the sector workforce is white and 47% are under 40 years.

South West – There are 60,690 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are approximately 5,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 47% of the workforce is self-employed in arts, design and music. 59% of the workforce is male. 98% of the sector workforce is white and 46% are under 40 years.

West Midlands – There are 40,300 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 6% of the UK sector workforce. There are approximately 5,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 91% employ less than 50 people. 31% of the workforce is self-employed, which is the lowest regional figure. 58% of the workforce is male. 91% of the sector workforce is white and 49% are under 40 years.

Yorkshire and the Humber – There are 45,900 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 7% of the UK sector workforce. There are fewer than 4,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 90% employ less than 50 people. 40% of the workforce is self-employed. 60% of the workforce is male. 97% of the sector workforce is white and 53% are under 40 years.