(aka Practical Lighting Operator or Practical Electrician)

This is a role in which a fully qualified Lighting Technician may specialise.  It involves accessing suitable power supplies at various locations, and ensuring that all the "practical" electrical equipment used is safely installed and maintained, and that it conforms to Health and Safety requirements.

Responsibilities
Film production may take place in any building (rather than in a purpose built studio), and in order to light the set Practical Lighting Technicians must be able to safely access the building's power supply by taking a feed from the fuse box.  They may be required to remove the existing light fittings and lamps, and temporarily replace them with appropriate historical fixings relevant to the period of the production.  They may also need to set up lights and other equipment to be used as "practical" props, such as table lamps, kettles or fires, which will be operated by actors.

Where the wiring and operation of specific scale models or props may be required, Practical Lighting Technicians liaise closely with Art Directors to ensure that the props are in working order.  Once the relevant filming is completed, Practical Lighting Technicians are responsible for ensuring that any changes made as a result of the lighting requirements of the production are changed back, and that everything electrical is returned to its original state.  They must test the electricity power supply before handing back control to the owner of the building, or the building electrician and they have to provide them with a Test Certificate.  They also need to test all the portable equipment they use, by carrying out a Portable Appliance Test (PAT).  These tests are designed to conform to the requirements of current Health and Safety legislation.

Skills
Practical Lighting Technicians must be able to adapt to any circumstances, and they must possess good problem solving skills.  As with other lighting roles, Practical Lighting Technicians need to be able to work comfortably at heights.  The work is physically demanding, requiring stamina and agility, and the hours are long and unpredictable. 

Qualified Practical 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 a keen 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 Practical Lighting Technicians may have to drive vans of various sizes, transporting equipment.  Flexibility and good team-working skills are important, as well as the ability to work well with people in other departments.

Qualifications/Experience
Practical Lighting Technicians must be fully qualified electricians with City & Guilds qualifications (C & G 2330 Parts 1 & 2 Certificate in Electro-technical Technology, and C & G 2381 Certificate in the Requirements for Electrical Installation). 

Additionally they need C & G 2391 Inspection, Testing and Certification of Electrical Installations qualifications.  The Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) Certificate also requires a further training course.  As the equipment used in, and regulations relating to, working with electricity are continually changing, Practical Lighting Technicians must be prepared to undertake additional training throughout their careers to keep up to date.   Practical Lighting Technicians must have several years work experience before they are able to specialise in this role.

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.