Working Life

The Lighting Director is responsible for lighting multi-camera TV productions both in studio and on location.

Role and Responsibilities 

Key to the LD’s role is the delivery of perfectly lit images to meet the master creative plan for the programme, with well-balanced lighting levels to suit the requirements of the cameras being used.

The role requires working very closely with the camera team to achieve the desired picture quality.

The position requires high levels of organisational skills and excellent communications.

The nature of the work varies greatly, and can include chat shows, panel discussions, quis, and game shows.  In the light entertainment area, the role applies to shows like “Dancing with the Stars”; live music events; reality TV shows like “Masterchef”, “The Apprentice”: awards ceremonies like “The IFTAs” and “GAA All Stars.”

The role of the lighting director starts at a planning stage well before the programme or event itself.  This involves being briefed by the producer and director on the desired look of the production. The lighting director works collaboratively with the set designer to deliver this. An immediate outcome of this may be designing a lighting pilot for the director’s approval. 

The planning stage may include co-ordination of video content to be displayed, and the screen technology needed for this.

Typical Tasks may involve:

• Deciding on power and cable requirements. 
• Dealing with lighting suppliers, and specify all lights and related equipment that must be booked by the Line Producer. 
• Conferring with the crew chief or gaffer overseeing the installation.

At the pre-production stage, the lighting director will confer with the producer and production manager on matters including budget, crewing requirements, and all logistics relating to the shoot or event. A meeting with the lighting board and a video screen operator may also take place, if this applies. 

The lighting director will attend and oversee the installation, working closely with studio or venue personnel and the riggers responsible for hanging and setting up the lights. 

The lighting director will also confer with Head of Cameras regarding the camera equipment and lenses to be used, and all related issues that will influence the required picture quality and look.

During the production, the lighting director oversees the focusing of generic lights, the programming of intelligent fixtures, the programming of video content, and the supervision and calling of follow spots and other effects such as hase, pyrotechnics, and confetti.

Works with

• Producer
• Director
• Production Manager
• Head of Cameras
• Crew Chief or Gaffer
• Lighting Board
• Video Screen Operator
• Riggers

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Education Route: A qualification in Theatre Lighting Design, Media Production with Technical Theatre, Electrical or Lighting Technology may be beneficial.

Career Path to Lighting Director: The successful Lighting Director usually starts out as a lighting technician, who then becomes a Board Operator and/or Vision Engineer. He or she may progress by way of the concert and/or theatre industry, or may start directly in a TV studio as a Trainee Board Operator.

Career Path from Lighting Director: Lighting Designer, Head of Lighting, Technical Lighting Manager.