(aka Lighting Operator or Lighting Electrician; the nickname "Sparks" is also commonly used)  

Lighting Technicians help to provide the relevant lighting and power supply for a film, either on a studio set, or on location.  Once they are fully qualified (having served as an apprentice or trainee for three years) they start to work "on the road" as part of the lighting team.  They usually require a minimum of two years' working experience, and must have reached the age of 23 before they start to work on feature films or commercials.

Responsibilities
Lighting Technicians' responsibilities vary according to the size of the production, and the number of lighting technicians in the team.  Lighting Technicians represent the company who employs them, although many work freelance once they have established a reputation.  They are required to keep the equipment clean, and maintained in good working order. 

Some Lighting Technicians are engaged in setting up the lighting equipment before a shoot starts (referred to as Rigging Electricians) and carrying out lighting tests.  Others (referred to as Lighting Storemen) work in the Lighting Store, which may be a temporary store set up in a corner of a studio.  They are in charge of all the light bulbs and other consumable items, such as the traces and filters that are fitted over lights to create particular effects.  Others are responsible for positioning lights during the shoot or recording. 

The responsibilities differ from production to production, and Lighting Technicians must be able to adapt to whatever role is required of them.  They must report anything that goes wrong to the Best Boy, and be very aware of Health and Safety legislation and procedures.  Lighting Technicians work to the instructions of the Gaffer and the Best Boy, who acts as the team leader in co-ordinating their work.

Skills
Lighting Technicians must be able to work comfortably at heights.  The work is physically demanding, requiring stamina and agility, and the hours are long and unpredictable.  Qualified Lighting Technicians may work a six-day week and up to 12/13 hours per day.  They must be able to work quickly and accurately.  Good communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as is an eye for detail. 

The role may involve travelling long distances.  A clean driving licence is usually required, and an LGV licence is often also specified, as Lighting Technicians may have to drive vans of various sizes, transporting equipment.  On a very small production there may be only one Lighting Technician working with the Camera Operator.  On larger productions the teams may be sizeable, so flexibility and good team-working skills are important, combined with the ability to take direction.

Qualifications/Experience
Best Boys* are fully qualified and experienced electricians, with the relevant City and Guilds qualifications: C & G 2330 Part 1 & 2 Certificate in Electro-technical Technology, and C & G 2381 Certificate in the Requirements for Electrical Installation.  They may have gained experience in television or theatre, following their initial training, before working on films or commercials.  Many Best Boys work as freelancers and are self-employed, although in practise they often work with the same few Gaffers.

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.

*This is a generic term and refers to both men and women practitioners.