UK film & TV craft certificate: lighting technician 2022 (Yorkshire)

This course is part of Centre of Screen Excellence: Yorkshire, a ground-breaking pilot delivered by Screen Yorkshire and supported by ScreenSkills using National Lottery funding awarded by the BFI as part of the Future Film Skills programme.

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.

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. 

Who it's for

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.

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.

What it covers

Students will take part in 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.

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

 

How to apply

Applications are open until 11.59pm, 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

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.

For more information, and to apply click here

Contact information

Email: training@screenyorkshire.co.uk