CoSE:Y UK Film & TV Craft Certificate: Lighting Technician.

Applications are closed

Lighting technicians are in huge demand across the UK’s booming film and television industries. This 4 month (April to July 2022) course aims to take in entry-level trainees and give them basic electrical training, as well as preparing them for the specific rigours of working within the film and television industries.

We are looking for a cohort of trainees who bring a diverse range of experiences to the group and we actively encourage applicants from groups who are currently underrepresented in the film and television industries.

CoSE:Y Students get to grips with lighting

How you will learn

The course will be delivered by Screen Yorkshire in partnership with industry professionals. It will be a mixture of practical and theoretical work, with a possible work experience module with professional lighting companies or on film or TV sets, subject to COVID restrictions. However, while best efforts will be made, placements cannot be guaranteed. The course has been created in response to increased demand for lighting technicians on UK-based productions, with the role identified by the BFI and ScreenSkills as an ‘in demand’ skill set across film and high-end television production.

Furthermore, Screen Yorkshire and the CoSE:Y team will deliver two ‘boot camps’ designed to prepare the trainees for the specific requirements of lighting crew in film and TV, such as their role within a department, the way departments interact with other departments during production, set etiquette, sustainability training and preparation for freelance life (including CV and application writing, tax, invoicing and networking). They will also receive valuable Health & Safety Production Passport training including Covid-19 safety training.

The lighting course was great and very hands-on. The teaching was easily accessible, well-structured and the tutors very friendly and approachable. They were able to pass on their years of experience to instil confidence and gave me the right platform to progress further within the industry. Since the course, I have worked on feature films, HETV dramas and commercials and have made some invaluable connections.

Paolo Francesco – CoSE:Y Lighting Technician alumni (credits: Hollington Drive, Lady Chatterley’s Lover, Murder in Provence, The Reckoning and Wedding Season)

What you will learn

On completion of the certificate, you will:

• Understand how to communicate effectively with colleagues in both prep
and on location/set
• Be able to develop and maintain good working relationships during the
production process
• Understand hazards and risks in the workplace and be able to evaluate
and minimise risks
• Understand relevant equipment, materials and related issues
• Be able to select, prepare, organise and manage relevant equipment for a
shoot
• Understand the performance characteristics of lights (lamp wattage,
throw, spread)
• Have a developed understanding of electrical principles
• Organise effectively the accessories, including lamps cabling, connectors,
colour filters and other ancillary equipment
• Demonstrate an awareness of production issues related to sustainability
and the environment
• Be able to operate effectively as a freelance worker

The CosE:Y Lighting Technician course was an excellent way for to me change career paths. Both Terry and Jenni were brilliant tutor's, I can't thank them enough.

Matt Jas – CoSE:Y Lighting Technician alumni. Credits: Railway Children, Gentleman Jack, Frannie Langton, Wedding Season and Funny Girl

Ackley Bridge filming on locations at St John's Church in Bradshaw. © Channel4

Find out more about the role from lighting technician Mark Leeming, whose credits include ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’, ‘Free Rein’ and ‘The A Word’.

Entry Requirements

No previous Film & TV qualifications are required; however, an electrical qualification is desirable a keen interest in electrics and/or lighting would be essential. Furthermore, work in the lighting department is a highly collaborative activity and suits people who enjoy working in teams working towards a joint goal.

The course is entry level and is specifically targeted towards students who have identified the goal of establishing a career path as a Lighting Technician. You should be Training is an investment both for the candidate and the provider and so should only be undertaken by candidates with a clear commitment to achieving a high level of proficiency and dedication to the craft. Entrants will be 18+ and some applicants may choose to undertake this award instead of going to University. Graduates are still welcome to apply, as are people looking to change career later in life.

Assessment and accreditation

The qualification will be assessed on the basis of workplace performance and evidence of technical understanding. Successful students will achieve a UK Film & Television Craft Certification as a Lighting Technician, endorsed by Screen Yorkshire and ScreenSkills and recognised by film and television production and production insurers.

Fees and scholarships

Applicants who will be 18 years old on 28 February 2022 will not be required to pay a fee for this course. For trainees over this age the course fee is set at £2000 however you may be eligible for bursary support covering the majority of the course fee. If you are 19+ and would like to apply for a bursary, please fill out the bursary application form linked to in the main application form.

Course dates

The course will run between April 19 and July 22, 2022. Students should note that learning commitments throughout the teaching period are part-time (Full day commitments on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from April 19 to June 23, 2022) Full time commitment is expected during the 2 bootcamps (May 9 to 13 and June 13 to 17) and the planned work experience placement (June 27 – July 22).

Applications were closed on Monday 14 March 2022.

Applications received after this date will not be considered. If for any reason you need to submit your application by an alternative method or have any other queries then please contact training@screenyorkshire.co.uk. To apply, please complete and submit our online application form by clicking on the button below.

You may be invited to a phone/online interview between March 15 and 25. Successful applicants will be offered a place by the end of March and will be expected to accept within 3 days of the offer. We will endeavour to contact everyone before April 25, however, if you have not heard from us by then, please assume you have not been offered a place on one of the courses.

The UK film & TV craft courses are part of the Centre of Screen Excellence: Yorkshire, a ground-breaking pilot delivered by Screen Yorkshire and supported by ScreenSkills using National Lottery funds awarded by the BFI as part of the Future Film Skills programme.