Some of us dream of seeing our name up in lights. Others get satisfaction from making sure the lights come on . . . in spectacular fashion.
If the latter sounds more like you, working as a lighting and rigging technician can be an exciting behind-the-scenes role.
There are generally two areas where you can work as an Electrical Lighting Technician, to give it its Sunday name.
Lighting technicians set up and operate the lights for conferences, gigs and theatre performances. They can also be employed by film and TV production companies where the workplace changes between locations.
There are a few ways to get your foot in the door. Firstly, there is a big overlap with the role of an electrician so many trained in that field can move across with a bit of hands-on experience.
The other route is to go to college and study a specialist course, such as lighting design and stage electrics.
Either way, getting experience under your belt is always going to bolster your chances of getting in. Student film production companies or amateur dramatics groups are fun places to learn the ropes.
Most people decide early on whether they are more interested in live events or working for film and TV.
One thing is for sure however, it’s certainly not a nine to five gig. If you’re based in a venue, while conferences may be during the day, most concerts take place in the evening.
Likewise, if you’re involved with film work, expect long days and nights.
On a larger production you will be part of a team, so good communication skills will serve you well.
Health and safety plays a big part in this job. Depending on the role, you may be working at height or outside so doing all the necessary checks is a must for the safety of all crew as well as the A-listers and audience.
Those starting out in the business will earn between £15,000 to £18,000. Experienced technicians can earn around £30,000, rising to £40,000 for senior positions.
Freelance work is common and varies greatly depending on the production.
Career progression could mean working on more complex events or moving into a specialist area such as pyrotechnics or becoming an inspector.
Many move from working as a lighting technician to work as a rigger, who also looks after audio technology.
If you’ve got what it takes to become a shining star in the world of technical acrobatics and bright engineering, check out the roles at s1jobs