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.
