What skills does a performance lighting director need?

A performance lighting director needs 20 essential skills including technical drawings, lighting techniques, cinematography, health and safety regulations, create solutions to problems. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace performance lighting director jobs?

The AI disruption score for performance lighting director is 25/100 (low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Public Administration & LegalLegal, social and cultural professionalsISCO 2654

performance lighting director

Performance 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. Performance lighting directors oversee the lighting setup and operation.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (20)

technical drawingstechnical drawingsDrawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.lighting techniqueslighting techniquesThe characteristics of techniques used to create atmospheres and effects on camera or on stage; the equipment required and appropriate setup to use.cinematographycinematographyThe 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 material...health and safety regulationshealth and safety regulationsNecessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.create solutions to problemscreate solutions to problemsSolve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising informat...consult with production directorconsult with production directorConsult with the director, producer and clients throughout the production and post-production process.draw up lighting plandraw up lighting planCreate technical drawings and documentation within the lighting department.use specialised design softwareuse specialised design softwareDeveloping new designs mastering specialised software.familiarise with personal directing stylesfamiliarise with personal directing stylesUnderstand and analyse the behaviour of specific directors.finish project within budgetfinish project within budgetMake sure to stay within budget. Adapt work and materials to budget.translate artistic concepts to technical designstranslate artistic concepts to technical designsCooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.adapt designers’ work to the performance venueadapt designers’ work to the performance venueReorient the work of performance collaborators, such as musicians, dancers, actors as well as artistic and technical collaborators, such as set designers, lighting operators and stage managers.analyse the need for technical resourcesanalyse the need for technical resourcesDefine and make a list of the required resources and equipment based on the technical needs of the production.analyse a scriptanalyse a scriptBreak down a script by analysing the dramaturgy, form, themes and structure of a script. Conduct relevant research if necessary.read lighting plansread lighting plansRead the instructions on the light plan to determine the light equipment needed and the right placement.supervise lighting crewsupervise lighting crewSupervise 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 ri...plan act lightingplan act lightingLay out the lighting of your act. Work together with technicians to make sure the lighting of your act conforms with the artistic vision.use technical documentationuse technical documentationUnderstand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.keep up with trendskeep up with trendsMonitor and follow new trends and developments in specific sectors.design an artificial lighting systemdesign an artificial lighting systemInvestigate and design an artificial lighting system based on daylight, timer, or occupation of spaces, taking into account any technical specifications and restrictions, such as power quality and ene...

Optional (23)

photographyphotographyArt and practice of creating aesthetically appealing images by recording light or electromagnetic radiation.film production processfilm production processThe various development stages of making a film, such as scriptwriting, financing, shooting, editing, and distribution.artificial lighting systemsartificial lighting systemsTypes of artificial lighting and their power consumption. HF fluorescent lighting, LED lighting, natural daylight and programmed control systems allow an efficient use of energy.electricityelectricityThe principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.manage technical resources stockmanage technical resources stockManage and monitor technical resources stock to ensure that production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.operate a lighting consoleoperate a lighting consoleOperate a light board during rehearsal or live situations, based on visual cues or documentation.work with the camera crewwork with the camera crewWork with the crew responsible for the camera operation and movement to get directions from them on where to stand for an aesthetic result.focus stage lightsfocus stage lightsFocus, direct, adjust and tune stage lights, either alone or leading a group. Coordinate with the team to determine the optimal lighting.operate lighting equipmentoperate lighting equipmentOperate lighting equipment used during production of movies, commercials, animations and other visual productions to create an atmosphere with light.manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.create storyboardscreate storyboardsApply 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.develop drama production processdevelop drama production processHave and develop a thorough understanding of the dramatic production process.assess power needsassess power needsPrepare and manage the provision of electrical power for different areas.attend rehearsalsattend rehearsalsAttend rehearsals in order to adapt sets, costumes, make-up, lighting, camera set up, etc.prevent technical problems with lighting equipmentprevent technical problems with lighting equipmentAnticipate possible technical problems with lighting equipment.work with the director of photographywork with the director of photographyWork 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 lightsrig lightsRig, connect, try out and de-rig lighting equipment.use storyboardsuse storyboardsUse 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.collaborate on costume and make-up for performancescollaborate on costume and make-up for performancesWork 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 equipmentsupervise equipmentStart 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 resourcescheck material resourcesVerify 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.light a showlight a showLight a show based on concrete production needs.focus lighting equipmentfocus lighting equipmentFocus already installed conventional lighting equipment, based on directions and information from somebody on the floor.