LIGHTING DESIGNER: PRODUCTION TEAM JOB DESCRIPTION
"Let there be light. And there was and it was good."
by Tom McLaughlin
September 18, 2005
The lighting designer, after meeting with the director and set designer, is responsible for compiling an equipment inventory, designing a light plot, and hanging, focusing and circuiting the lighting design. The lighting designer or master electrician is responsible for running the board during technical rehearsals and performances. The following is a list of specific items which need to be done and a time-frame for accomplishing your tasks. (NOTE: If you have a lighting designer and a master electrician, separate the jobs listed below.)
Before Rehearsals Begin
Begun Done
� ____ ____ Read the play.
� ____ ____ Analyze each act and scene for specific lighting needs. Make note of the location, time of day, motivating light sources, day and night transitions, practical light sources, and special lighting effects.
� ____ ____ Meet with the director, stage manager, set designer, and scenic artist, prop master, and costume designer to determine the mood and requirements of the show.
� ____ ____ Meet with the master carpenter, set designer, scenic artist for information and drawings of the set including the colors of paint to be used.
� ____ ____ Meet with the video master and view any instructional video tapes. Read any lighting texts for background information.
� ____ ____ Design a light plot which meets the needs of the show.
� ____ ____ Together with the technical director, make a list of everything your needs to do.
� ____ ____ Make a production time line establishing deadlines dates.
During The First Weeks Of The Rehearsal Period
� ____ ____ Organize a lighting crew. Make a list of their names and phone numbers.
� ____ ____ Arrange a lighting workshop for your crew. Have them view any segments of the video tape you found useful. Share notes from shapers of books you read on stage lighting.
� ____ ____ Teach your crew how to use the light board in the booth.
� ____ ____ Together with your crew, check and clean all instruments. Report any needed lamps or parts to the stage manager and tech director (it is the TD's responsibility to order lamps).
� ____ ____ Inventory all instruments.
� ____ ____ Inventory your gel supply. Write the number on the gel with a grease pencil. File them in a gel cabinet or in manila folders.
� ____ ____ Watch a full rehearsal of the show. On a set drawing note all acting areas.
During The Mid-Rehearsal Period
� ____ ____ Finalize your light plot.
� ____ ____ Complete your lighting schedule.
� ____ ____ Make copies of the light plot for your crew. Be sure they know how to use and follow the light plot.
� ____ ____ Determine the color of gels. Get the approval of the director.
� ____ ____ Prepare a budget for the gels and gobos. Get a purchase order and submit it to the tech director or to the bookkeeper.
� ____ ____ Buy the gels. Label the gel color with the proper code number with a grease pencil.
� ____ ____ Supervise your crew as they hang, focus and aim the lights on stage areas according to the plot.
� ____ ____ Write your preliminary light cues.
� ____ ____ Do a dry run of all light cues with the director (on the painted and decorated set). Make note of changes.
� ____ ____ Just before tech week, check the light plot with the actors doing a cue to cue. (Q2Q) Set and record levels of each dimmer and the sequence of lighting changes.
� ____ ____ Make note of any changes or adjustments needed as a result of the Q2Q. Supervise making the adjustments.
� ____ ____ Gel the instruments.
� ____ ____ Prepare light cue sheets and photocopy them.
� ____ ____ Give a light cue sheet to the stage manager and review all cues which the stage manager will call during tech week and during the run of the show.
� ____ ____ Compliment and thank your crew.
During Tech Week
� ____ ____ Meet with the stage manager and review all light cues.
� ____ ____ Review all job responsibilities with your crew.
� ____ ____ Run the show according to light cues called by the stage manager.
� ____ ____ After rehearsals, make any needed changes.
� ____ ____ Label and store all unused gels.
� ____ ____ Compliment and thank your crew.
During the Run Of The Show
� ____ ____ Arrive at least 1/2 hour before the first cast/crew call. Run a check of all your light cues. Report to the stage manager when you are finished.
� ____ ____ Run a check of all light cues as they are called by the stage manager.
� ____ ____ Run the show according to call from the stage manager.
� ____ ____ DO NOT ALLOW ABY FOOD OR DRINK NEAR THE LIGHT BOARD AT ANY TIME.
� ____ ____ Before closing night write a letter to the person who will have your position for the next show. Give that person advice based on your experience. File the letter in your 3-ring binder behind your job description.
� ____ ____ Compliment and thank your crew.
� ____ ____ Before leaving each night, turn off the light board.
During Strike
� ____ ____ Disconnect all instruments which were hung specially for this show. Return all specially hung instruments to their storage space.
� ____ ____ Label and store all gels (if they are sill useable).
� ____ ____ Compliment and thank your crew.
� ____ ____ Turn off the light board.
� ____ ____ Check with the stage manager.
