Arts & EntertainmentISCO 3435
Performance lighting technician
Performance lighting technicians setup, prepare, check and maintain equipment in order to provide optimal lighting quality for live performances. They cooperate with road crew to unload, set up and operate lighting equipment and instruments.
Check yourself in a minute: performance lighting technician
Rate 5 of the 28 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
understand artistic concepts
focus stage lights
draw up lighting plan
assess power needs
distribute control signals
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (28)
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.work ergonomicallywork ergonomicallyApply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.understand artistic conceptsunderstand artistic conceptsInterpret an artist's explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.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.draw up lighting plandraw up lighting planCreate technical drawings and documentation within the lighting department.assess power needsassess power needsPrepare and manage the provision of electrical power for different areas.ensure safety of mobile electrical systemsensure safety of mobile electrical systemsTake the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution independently. Measure and power up an installation.distribute control signalsdistribute control signalsDistribute control signals between light boards, dimmers and other lighting equipment. Control systems can be either DMX or network based.work safely with machineswork safely with machinesCheck and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.use personal protection equipmentuse personal protection equipmentMake use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.prevent technical problems with lighting equipmentprevent technical problems with lighting equipmentAnticipate possible technical problems with lighting equipment.pack electronic equipmentpack electronic equipmentSafely pack sensitive electronic equipment for storage and transport.adapt to artists' creative demandsadapt to artists' creative demandsWork with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.prevent fire in a performance environmentprevent fire in a performance environmentTake steps to prevent fire in a performance environment. Make sure the space complies with fire safety rules, with sprinklers and fire extinguishers installed where necessary. Make sure staff are awar...de-rig electronic equipmentde-rig electronic equipmentRemove and store various types of electronic equipment safely after use.prepare personal work environmentprepare personal work environmentCorrect settings or positions for your working instruments and adjust them before starting operations.operate dimmer equipmentoperate dimmer equipmentSet up, connect and operate dimmer equipment (with plug and socket) in a live performance environment.rig lightsrig lightsRig, connect, try out and de-rig lighting equipment.maintain lighting equipmentmaintain lighting equipmentCheck, maintain and repair electrical, mechanical and optical lighting elements.work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervisionwork safely with mobile electrical systems under supervisionTake the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution for performance and art facility purposes under supervision.work with respect for own safetywork with respect for own safetyApply the safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the prevention measures and risks to your own personal health and safety.maintain dimmer equipmentmaintain dimmer equipmentCheck and operate dimmer equipment. Take the appropriate steps if the equipment is defective, correcting the defect yourself or forwarding it to a specialised repair service.light a showlight a showLight a show based on concrete production needs.store performance equipmentstore performance equipmentDismantle sound, light and video equipment after a performance event and store in a safe place.set up equipment in a timely mannerset up equipment in a timely mannerMake sure to set up equipment according to deadlines and time schedules.provide power distributionprovide power distributionProvide power distribution for light, stage, sound, video and recording purposes.follow safety procedures when working at heightsfollow safety procedures when working at heightsTake necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures...focus lighting equipmentfocus lighting equipmentFocus already installed conventional lighting equipment, based on directions and information from somebody on the floor.
Optional (35) — show
electricityelectricityThe principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.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...draw up artistic productiondraw up artistic productionFile and document a production in all its phases right after the performance period so that it can be reproduced and all relevant information remains accessible.operate follow spotsoperate follow spotsOperate follow spots during a live performance based on visual cues or documentation.manage consumables stockmanage consumables stockManage and monitor consumables stock to ensure that the production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.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.safeguard artistic quality of performancesafeguard artistic quality of performanceObserve the show, anticipate and react to possible technical problems, ensuring optimal artistic quality.maintain electrical equipmentmaintain electrical equipmentTest electrical equipment for malfunctions. Take safety measures, company guidelines, and legislation concerning electrical equipment into account. Clean, repair and replace parts and connections as r...adapt artistic plan to locationadapt artistic plan to locationAdjust plans to other locations with regards to the artistic concept.familiarise with personal directing stylesfamiliarise with personal directing stylesUnderstand and analyse the behaviour of specific directors.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.advise client on technical possibilitiesadvise client on technical possibilitiesRecommend technical solutions, including systems, to the client within the framework of a project.set up light boardset up light boardInstall, connect and try out light board in a live performance environment.rig automated lightsrig automated lightsRig, connect, try out and de-rig automated lights, set up, try out and replace optical accessories.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.maintain automated lighting equipmentmaintain automated lighting equipmentSet up, check and repair automated lighting equipment and maintain its software.set up generatorsset up generatorsInstall and operate generators as power supplies according to regulations and specifications.manage performance light qualitymanage performance light qualityPerform light checks and adjust for optimal light quality before and during performance.keep personal administrationkeep personal administrationFile and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.read lighting plansread lighting plansRead the instructions on the light plan to determine the light equipment needed and the right placement.manage personal professional developmentmanage personal professional developmentTake responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional developmen...manage signoff of an installed systemmanage signoff of an installed systemMake sure an installed technical system is adequately transferred and signed off for.develop professional networkdevelop professional networkReach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up ...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.consult with stakeholders on implementation of a productionconsult with stakeholders on implementation of a productionConsult with different people and groups who hold a stake in the production. Be on the same page on the practical side of the production, and keep them up to date.document your own practicedocument your own practiceDocumenting your own work practice for different purposes like assessment, time management, job application etc.use technical documentationuse technical documentationUnderstand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.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.set up follow spotsset up follow spotsSet up and test follow spots in different types of locations.maintain system layout for a productionmaintain system layout for a productionEstablish a workable layout for the system you manage and maintain it for the duration of a production.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...
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Frequently asked questions
What does a performance lighting technician do?
Performance lighting technicians setup, prepare, check and maintain equipment in order to provide optimal lighting quality for live performances. They cooperate with road crew to unload, set up and operate lighting equipment and instruments.
What skills does a performance lighting technician need?
A performance lighting technician needs 28 essential skills, including artificial lighting systems, work ergonomically, understand artistic concepts, focus stage lights, draw up lighting plan.
Will AI replace performance lighting technician jobs?
The AI disruption score for performance lighting technician is 21/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: keep personal administration, manage consumables stock, check material resources. Most resilient: electricity, work with respect for own safety, understand artistic concepts.
AI Replacement Risk
21/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
SectorArts & Entertainment
ISCO GroupLegal, social, cultural and related associate professionals
Essential Skills28
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