How to Be Television Lighting Technician - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jan 13, 2023 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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A Television Lighting Technician is an important part of any television production and plays a vital role in creating the overall look and mood of a show or film. Their main responsibility is to ensure that the lighting is set up correctly to bring out the best in the performers and the sets. By carefully adjusting the intensity, direction, and color of the light, they create the desired atmosphere for the scene.

By doing this, the Television Lighting Technician can significantly impact the quality of the final product, since good lighting can make all the difference in how the audience perceives a show. Furthermore, their work also influences how well the camera captures the scene, meaning that a well-lit set will look much better on screen than one that has not been lit properly. Therefore, a Television Lighting Technician is a key player in any television production and their work is essential to ensure that the end result looks professional and polished.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a High School Diploma or GED. To become a television lighting technician, you will need at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
Pursue a Degree in Film, Photography or Theater Arts. You may want to pursue a degree in film, photography or theater arts to further prepare yourself for the career of a television lighting technician. Such degrees may provide you with a more comprehensive knowledge and understanding of lighting, camera angles and other aspects related to the job.
Take Lighting Courses. Even if you don't have a degree in film, photography or theater arts, you can still take lighting courses to gain the necessary skills and knowledge required for this job. Such courses may include topics such as lighting design, color theory and lighting techniques.
Get an Entry Level Job. After gaining some experience, you can apply for entry-level jobs as a television lighting technician. You may need to start with smaller productions or local TV channels before moving up to larger productions and networks.
Work with an Experienced Technician. Working with an experienced technician can help you learn the ropes faster and understand the nuances of the job better. You can also ask them for advice on how to break into the industry.
Network. Networking is key in any industry, and television lighting technicians are no different. Get to know other technicians and professionals in the field, and make sure that you stay in touch with them to stay updated on any job openings or opportunities that may come up.

A Television Lighting Technician needs to be ideal and capable in order to achieve a successful result. To do so, they must have a good eye for the artistic elements of lighting, such as color, texture and shape. They must also have a solid understanding of the technical aspects such as lighting equipment and controlling the power and intensity of light sources.

they must be able to work with directors, producers, and other personnel to make sure that the desired results are achieved. Finally, they must be able to keep up with the fast paced environment of television production and have the ability to adjust quickly to changing conditions. All these factors are necessary for a Television Lighting Technician to be able to produce successful lighting for television shows.

You may want to check Television Broadcast Technician, Television Reporter, and Television Editor for alternative.

Job Description

Set up and operate lighting equipment to create desired lighting effects for television productions
Coordinate with the director and other crew members to ensure the desired lighting effects are achieved
Monitor and adjust lighting levels throughout production
Maintain and repair lighting equipment
Provide input on lighting design for new projects
Manage the loading and unloading of lighting equipment
Ensure proper storage and maintenance of lighting equipment
Keep up to date on new lighting techniques and technologies

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of lighting systems and equipment, including dimmers, LEDs, and tungsten lighting
Ability to set up and operate a variety of lighting instruments
Understanding of basic electrical principles and wiring techniques
Ability to read and interpret lighting diagrams
Ability to troubleshoot and solve lighting problems quickly and efficiently
Knowledge of basic color theory, color mixing, and gels
Ability to work closely with the director and camera crew to achieve the desired lighting effects
Excellent communication skills to effectively coordinate with other technicians on set
Knowledge of industry safety standards and practices
Ability to work effectively under pressure and tight deadlines

Being a Television Lighting Technician requires a special set of skills that must be mastered in order to be successful. The most important skill for a Television Lighting Technician is the ability to effectively light a scene to create the desired atmosphere. This means having an eye for detail and being able to adjust the lighting according to the director's vision.

In addition, they must have knowledge of the different types of lighting equipment and their uses, as well as the ability to properly set up and maintain the lighting equipment. They must also be able to troubleshoot any problems with the equipment and make quick decisions in order to get the best results possible. Lastly, they need to have excellent communication skills in order to work with other members of the crew and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Having these skills gives a Television Lighting Technician the ability to create stunning visuals that bring stories to life on the screen.

Television Graphic Designer, Television Production Assistant, and Television Writer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working with television lighting?
What techniques do you use to create a desired lighting effect?
How do you troubleshoot lighting problems?
How do you handle tight deadlines when setting up lighting equipment?
How do you ensure the safety of yourself and others when using lighting equipment?
What strategies do you use to minimize the reflection of light on camera lenses?
How familiar are you with the different types of lighting fixtures and how theyre used?
What is your experience with color correcting and gels?
How do you select the right lighting setup for a particular scene?
Describe a challenging lighting situation you have encountered and how you overcame it.

Common Tools in Industry

Fresnel Lights. A type of spotlight with a lens that concentrates the beam of light into a narrow spot. (eg: Arri 650)
Soft Lights. Soft lights provide a wide, even beam of light that is great for general lighting. (eg: Kino Flo)
LEDs. Light Emitting Diodes are energy efficient lights that can be used for backlighting and special effects. (eg: Litepanels LED)
Gobos. Patterned metal discs that are used to control and shape light for special effects. (eg: Rosco Gobo)
Gels. Colored transparent sheets that are used to alter the color of light. (eg: Lee Filters Gel)
C-Stands. Used to securely mount lights and accessories to the set. (eg: Matthews C-Stand)
Scrims. A type of diffusion material used to soften and spread light evenly over a subject. (eg: Chimera Scrim)
Dimmers. Electronic devices used to control the intensity of lights. (eg: Strand Dimmer)

Professional Organizations to Know

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)
National Association of Broadcast Employees & Technicians (NABET)
Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers (SMPTE)
Broadcast Education Association (BEA)
Production Sound & Video Association (PSVA)
Media Technology Professionals Association (MTP)
Electricians & Technical Services Guild (ETSG)
Illuminating Engineering Society (IES)
International Lighting Technician Institute (ILTI)
American Society of Cinematographers (ASC)

We also have Television News Reporter, Television Broadcasting Technician, and Television Art Director jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Gaffer. The head of the lighting crew, responsible for setting up and maintaining lighting equipment.
Key Grip. The head of the rigging and grip crew, responsible for assembling and moving equipment around the set.
Dimmers. Electronic devices used to control the intensity of light.
Fresnel Lights. Focusable lighting fixtures with a Fresnel lens that spreads the light out evenly.
Flourescent Lights. Long tubes of light that can be used to simulate natural daylight in interior scenes.
Gel/Color Filter. A colored piece of plastic or gelatin placed in front of a light source to change its color temperature.
Kino Flo Lights. High-efficiency fluorescent lights used in television production.
Practicals. Lights that are built into a set to help create a realistic atmosphere.
Spotlights. Powerful lights that are used to draw attention to a particular area or actor on screen.
Rigging. The process of hanging and securing lights and other equipment from the ceiling or walls.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of a Television Lighting Technician?

A Television Lighting Technician is responsible for creating and maintaining lighting setups for television production sets. They use specialized lighting equipment to create the desired atmosphere and ensure that all elements of the set are properly illuminated.

What qualifications are required to become a Television Lighting Technician?

To become a Television Lighting Technician, one must have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent and extensive knowledge and experience in lighting, lighting theories, and lighting equipment. Additionally, it is beneficial to have experience using industrial grade lighting fixtures.

What types of lighting equipment do Television Lighting Technicians use?

Television Lighting Technicians use a variety of specialized lighting equipment to create the desired atmosphere for TV production sets. This includes LED lights, fresnel lights, ellipsoidal reflector spotlights, soft boxes, and scrims.

What are some of the common tasks performed by Television Lighting Technicians?

Some common tasks performed by Television Lighting Technicians include setting up and adjusting lighting fixtures, mounting and focusing lights, programming automated lighting systems, and ensuring that the overall lighting design meets the needs of the production.