The Lighting Department
The Lighting department plays a crucial role in most film crews. Humanity lives by the light of the sun and, when it sets, artificial lights of different kinds and intensities are required. Although some productions may make use of daylight, for the most part it is necessary to use artificial light to achieve the visual image required.
The different members of the Lighting crew are responsible, together with others such as the Camera crew or Designer, for the look and feel of the images that are captured on the screen. They set up a wide range of lighting equipment to achieve a variety of moods, atmospheres and effects, as well as helping to make the actors, performers and participants look right for their roles.
Further details and occupations found in this area are detailed below:
The Lighting Department
The different members of the Lighting crew are responsible, together with others such as the Camera crew or Designer, for the look and feel of the images that are captured on the screen.
Read MoreGaffer
Gaffers are in charge of all the electrical work on a production, leading the team of technicians who install the lighting equipment and arrange the power supply in order to create the designed lighting effects.
Read MoreLighting Technician
Lighting Technicians help to provide the relevant lighting and power supply for a film, either on a studio set, or on location.
Read MorePractical Lighting Technician
This is a role in which a fully qualified Lighting Technician may specialise.
Read MoreApprentice Lighting Technician
An apprentice or trainee is learning to become a fully qualified technician and must become familiar with all the lighting equipment, how it works, and how it is used and maintained.
Read MoreDirector of Photography
The job of the Director of Photography or Cinematographer is to give a film its unique visual identity or look.
Read MoreBest Boy*
Best Boys co-ordinate the team of Lighting Technicians, and deal with all the logistics and paperwork relating to the role.
Read MoreMoving Light Operator
The Moving Light Operator controls all the 'intelligent', or automated, lights chosen by the Director of Photography.
Read MoreConsole Operator
Console Operator is one of the roles within the Lighting Department in which a fully qualified Electrician or Lighting Technician may choose to specialise.
Read MoreGenny Operator
The Genny Operator's role is to maintain and operate the electricity generators which are taken to, and used at, locations where an electricity supply is difficult to obtain, or is insufficient for the requirements of the production, e.g., in a desert, in a field, on a bus or boat.
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