Lighting director

Lighting directors determine what lights are needed during production, according to the video and motion picture director’s creative vision. They use the script to design the lighting requirements for each shot. Lighting directors oversee the lighting setup and operation.

The following job titles also refer to lighting director:

television lighting supervisor
TV lighting supervisor
motion picture lighting director
lighting designer and director
TV lighting director
lighting art director
lighting supervisor
lighting designer & director
television lighting director

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as lighting director. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Lighting director is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to lighting director.

production designer
director of photography
video and motion picture director
storyboard artist
art director

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of lighting director. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of lighting director with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of lighting director.

Personal directing styles: Understand and analyse the behaviour of specific directors.
Technical drawings: Drawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.
Lighting techniques: The characteristics of techniques used to create atmospheres and effects on camera or on stage; the equipment required and appropriate setup to use.
Cinematography: The science of recording light and electromagnetic radiation in order to create a motion picture. The recording can happen electronically with an image sensor or chemically on light sensitive materials such as film stock.
Health and safety regulations: Necessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.

These skills are necessary for the role of lighting director.

Create solutions to problems: Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.
Consult with production director: Consult with the director, producer and clients throughout the production and post-production process.
Draw up lighting plan: Create technical drawings and documentation within the lighting department.
Use specialised design software: Developing new designs mastering specialised software.
Finish project within budget: Make sure to stay within budget. Adapt work and materials to budget.
Translate artistic concepts to technical designs: Cooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.
Analyse the need for technical resources: Define and make a list of the required resources and equipment based on the technical needs of the production.
Design lighting: Design the right atmosphere and an aesthetically appealing film with light. Give instructions on which equipment, settings, and cues should be used.
Analyse a script: Break down a script by analysing the dramaturgy, form, themes and structure of a script. Conduct relevant research if necessary.
Read lighting plans: Read the instructions on the light plan to determine the light equipment needed and the right placement.
Supervise lighting crew: Supervise the crew responsible for setting up and operating lighting equipment during production of a motion picture or theatre production. Make sure they understand the creative vision and use the right equipment and settings.
Use technical documentation: Understand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.
Keep up with trends: Monitor and follow new trends and developments in specific sectors.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of lighting director. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Photography: Art and practice of creating aesthetically appealing images by recording light or electromagnetic radiation.
Film production process: The various development stages of making a film, such as scriptwriting, financing, shooting, editing, and distribution.
Electricity: Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of lighting director. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Manage technical resources stock: Manage and monitor technical resources stock to ensure that production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.
Operate a lighting console: Operate a light board during rehearsal or live situations, based on visual cues or documentation.
Work with the camera crew: Work with the crew responsible for the camera operation and movement to get directions from them on where to stand for an aesthetic result.
Operate lighting equipment: Operate lighting equipment used during production of movies, commercials, animations and other visual productions to create an atmosphere with light.
Manage budgets: Plan, monitor and report on the budget.
Create storyboards: Apply story development and plot lines and edit animations to create storyboards that render the flow of the animation. Map out key scenes and develop characters.
Assess power needs: Prepare and manage the provision of electrical power for different areas.
Attend rehearsals: Attend rehearsals in order to adapt sets, costumes, make-up, lighting, camera set up, etc.
Prevent technical problems with lighting equipment: Anticipate possible technical problems with lighting equipment.
Work with the director of photography: Work with the director of photography on the artistic and creative vision that needs to be followed during production of a movie or theatre production.
Rig lights: Rig, connect, try out and de-rig lighting equipment.
Use storyboards: Use a graphic presentation to convey, shot by shot, your creative vision and ideas on how a motion picture should look in terms of light, sound, visuals, costumes or make-up.
Ensure cooperation among production, costume department and make-up department: Work with the staff responsible for costumes and make up in line with their creative vision and obtain directions from them about how make-up and costumes should look.
Supervise equipment: Start up and shut down equipment; identify and troubleshoot technical problems and conduct minor repairs. Monitor control equipment in order to identify safety and environmental hazards.
Check material rescources: Verify that all requested resources are delivered and in good working order. Notify the appropriate person or people of any problems related to technical and material resources.
Focus lighting equipment: Focus already installed conventional lighting equipment, based on directions and information from somebody on the floor.

2166 – Graphic and multimedia designers

 

 

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References

1. Lighting director – ESCO