The Moving Light Operator controls all the 'intelligent', or automated, lights chosen by the Director of Photography.  Lighting technicians may choose to specialise in this role within the lighting department.  In recent years there has been a huge increase in the use of moving lights, most often on pop promos, light entertainment and music shows, but increasingly on feature films. 

Moving lights are computer-controlled from a console or desk.  Moving Light Operators must choose the appropriate desk for the job, and programme it to create the lighting effects required.  Moving lights go on and off with different levels of complexity and patterning.  They may change colour and position, and even project images.

Responsibilities
Moving Light Operators must work to the instructions of the Director of Photography, but must also be able to work on their own initiative. They set up the moving lights, and programme the computer cues, which may involve working at night in order to get everything ready for the next day's shoot.  Because the lights are sensitive, with a tendency to frequent break-downs, Moving Light Operators must ensure that the lights are continually maintained in good working order.  Repairing faults is usually a mechanical process involving changing gears, cogs and motors, and must often be carried out while the production is in progress.

Skills
A good understanding of different computers is essential, although Moving Lights Operators need not be qualified computer programmers.  Creativity is needed in order to be able to visualise the required lighting effects from plans.  Computer aided drawing skills are useful.  As many moving lights are used in synchronisation with music, some appreciation of, and feel for, music is helpful, as well as an understanding of basic concepts, such as the number of beats in a bar. 

Moving Lights Operators must be organised and able to work in a team, and possibly supervise a team. They also work in collaboration with all the other production departments.

Qualifications/Experience
A good grounding in electrical engineering is necessary, ideally with the relevant City and Guilds qualifications (Parts 1 and 2 City and Guilds 2330 Certificate in Electro-technical Technology).  Moving Light Operators usually gain experience as Lighting Technicians with a manufacturer or lighting hire company before moving into this specialist role.  They often work in the theatre before starting in television, film or commercials.  Most Moving Light Operators work freelance and are self-employed.

Individual course accreditation in certain subject areas is currently being piloted. As part of Skillset's and the UK Film Council's Film Skills Strategy, A Bigger Future, a network of Screen Academies and a Film Business Academy have been approved as centres of excellence in education and training for film.

Where to go for more information
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries. The first sources of information for all jobs in the industry are the National Occupational Standards. Browse Skillset's website for links to our network of training partners, information about training and access to the comprehensive Skillset/BFI course database. Finally, Skillset Careers is UK's only specialist media careers advice service; for detailed media careers information and advice, visit www.skillset.org/careers.