UK Film & TV Craft Certificate Lighting Technician

UK Film & TV Craft Certificate Lighting Technician

Applications are now closed

You may be invited for interview during week commencing 20th January 2020 so please check that you will be available at this time. Successful applicants will be offered a place on their chosen course by Friday 31st January 2020 and will be expected to confirm acceptance of their place by Friday 7th February 2020. Lighting technicians are in huge demand across the UK’s booming film and television industries. This 26-week (March to September 2020) course aims to take entry-level students and give them basic and advanced electrical training, as well as preparing them for the specific rigours of working within the film and television industries.

It is taught by industry professionals and includes work placements with professional lighting companies and on active film or TV sets. 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.

Students will study with Leeds College of Building. With the support of delivery partner the National Film and Television School, they will take part in two ‘boot camps’ designed to prepare them for the specific requirements of lighting technicians in film and TV, such as their role within a department, the way departments interact with other departments during production, set etiquette and preparation for freelance life (including tax, invoicing and networking).

They will also receive valuable Health & Safety Production Passport training, including first aid, and attend a one-day scissor lift training course.

Screen Yorkshire Training © Lisa Stonehouse

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

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 qualifications are required.

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. 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 the National Film & Television School 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 2020 will not be required to pay a fee for this course. For students over this age the course fee is set at £3,000, however you may be eligible for scholarship support for all or part of your course fees. If you are 19+ and would like to supply for a scholarship then you should tick the relevant box on the application form and we will send you further details.

Course dates

The course runs from the induction day on Friday 28th February until early September 2020. Students should note that learning commitments throughout this period are full-time (approx. 20hrs per week), and there are limited term breaks and holidays depending on placement activity.

Application process

Applications closed at 11.59pm, Monday 13th January 2020. 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.

You may be invited for interview during week commencing 20th January 2020 so please check that you will be available at this time. Successful applicants will be offered a place on their chosen course by Friday 31st January 2020 and will be expected to confirm acceptance of their place by Friday 7th February 2020.

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