Other denominations
Chief Lighting Technician
Description
These professionals are in charge of executing and coordinating the lighting of scenes and different scenarios during the production of audio-visual content for film or television. Specifically, they are responsible for executing the lighting plan defined according to the indications of the director of photography, with whom they work very closely, to ensure that the recorded product has the desired ambience and appearance.
To achieve this goal, they have the technical electrical and lighting teams that work under their orders, creating and controlling the light before and during the shoot. These teams are in charge of the operational and practical development, that is the placement, connection and configuration of the technical lighting elements (spotlights, reflectors, filters, projectors, etc.) to create the appropriate lighting for the different scenes to be filmed.
The work of these professionals begins when they receive the assignment, visiting and evaluating the characteristics of the location where the filming will take place, to get an idea of the necessary requirements and to guarantee the correct treatment of the lighting aspects, in accordance with the approach established by the director of photography. From there, they draw up the planning of the human and material resources that will be needed, detailing the different professionals and skills required and listing the technical equipment necessary to achieve the proposed artistic vision. During the shoot, they direct and manage the optimal positioning of the lights, as well as the quickest way to change the lighting set-up between shots.
Consequently, as the person responsible for deciding the lighting effects and electrical requirements of a film scene, these professionals must have the artistic vision to know and manage light and the technical knowledge of the necessary equipment to achieve any type of lighting or effect. In this sense, they must know how to manage the different lighting equipment, electricity (circuits, power supplies, type of electric motors, wiring and fuse-type mechanisms, thermal relays and protection switches, etc.) and finally technical equipment.
Tasks
© Barcelona Activa 2023
Centre per al desenvolupament professional Porta22
Barcelona Treball (Porta22)
Llacuna, 156-162, 08018 Barcelona
bcn.cat/treball
Monday to Friday from 9 to 18 h