Unscripted TV
Spark
Also known as: Electrician
What does a spark do?
Sparks look after all the electrical equipment needed to make a TV show, in particular the lighting. They help plan the equipment and rig (meaning set it up). They also operate equipment, maintain it and de-rig (put everything away).
During the planning stage of a programme, sparks assess the kit. They set it up and make sure all electrical equipment is working safely throughout the production. This might involve testing, cleaning and repairing equipment and writing dimmers and circuit boards.
Sparks are in charge of the generators that power the outside broadcast vehicles and location lighting. They also monitor electricity usage during shooting to see if additional power resources are needed. Whether on a live outside broadcast or recorded studio show, they work with the lighting director (LD) and camera operators to position the lights and make sure they achieve the desired effect, softening or sharpening the lighting as required. They may operate lighting consoles on some productions.
Sparks tend to work freelance.
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What’s an electrician good at?
- Electrical knowledge: have official electrical qualifications and a thorough knowledge and understanding of circuits, power supplies, motors, cables, fuses, thermal relays, fault current protection switches, heating, air conditioning and moreÂ
- Lighting skills: a good eye for colour, able to use all lighting equipment and aware of what can and can’t be achieved at different locationsÂ
- Communication: take direction well and work effectively within a team Â
- Health and safety: know health and safety issues including legal requirements, have strong attention to detailÂ
- Manual dexterity: be able to do a physically demanding, hands-on job, sometimes at heights, and work long hours Â
Who does a spark work with?
Sparks often work under a senior electrician (gaffer) and communicate closely with any other electricians on the team, as well as lighting directors, camera operators and directors. On large productions with lots of lights and LED video projection, there will be a team of electricians working under a senior electrician. On smaller shows, the camera department might be responsible for the lighting and other electrical equipment.
How do I become an electrician?
To be an electrician on a TV set you need electrical qualifications. You also need to be able to demonstrate creativity and an interest in and understanding of the unscripted TV industry. You might get your first job in the industry as a kit room assistant.
At school or college: 
You can take A-levels or Highers in maths and sciences. Or you might want to take a level 3 vocational qualification. There are a wide variety of electrical qualifications. See what your local college offers, and find out more about Practical electrician skills.  
Get a degree: 
You don’t need to go to university to become a spark, but if you want a degree you could either study electrical engineering and learn about making films alongside that, or you could study film production and qualify as an electrician as you do. If you want to study electrical engineering, take A-levels or Highers in maths and sciences.  If you want to study film production, choose whichever subjects you enjoy the most. 
Get an apprenticeship:
An apprenticeship is a job with training, so it’s a great opportunity to earn while you learn. In the past, it has been challenging to find jobs as an apprentice within production companies, although there is now a  Creative industries production technician  apprenticeship standard and a  Screen Lighting Technician  apprenticeship standard, both with a specific pathway designed for people working as trainee lighting technicians. It might also be worth looking for a job as an apprentice that will give you a qualification as a domestic or commercial electrician.  This will make you handy on film sets at a later point. 
Go to ScreenSkills information on apprenticeships for the main apprenticeship schemes in television. Check out What’s an apprenticeship? to learn more about apprenticeships and Find an apprenticeship to learn how to find one in your region, or approach companies directly.
Get work experience: 
Try to get work experience on a TV set by writing to local production companies and asking if they offer any. Keep an eye out for work experience opportunities at the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Sky.
Look outside the industry: 
Electricians are needed across many different industries in industrial, commercial and domestic environments. You can gain experience of working as an electrician in another industry that you can later transfer to a role in unscripted TV.  
Take a short course: 
Hone your skills by taking a specialist course. Go to the list of  training courses recommended by ScreenSkills to see if there is one in lighting or electrics.
Search for jobs: 
Research unscripted TV production companies that you’d like to work for and watch the programmes that they make. Regularly check their websites and job listings websites to see if they are advertising for roles. You can also send in a short speculative letter with your CV to the production manager. Register your CV on websites like The Talent Manager, which is used by most broadcasters and independent production companies when looking for staff.  StartinTV offers tips on  creating your CV  and  attending interviews, as well as some  advice for your first day working in TV. 
Meet people in the industry:
Go to  ScreenSkills’ events, follow your local film office and any local community arts and media organisations and attend their events. Meet professionals and ask them questions about their work, while demonstrating interest in and knowledge of the industry. Offer to provide them with your professional contact details and try to stay in touch with them. Go to  how to network well to learn how to do this.
Network online: 
Create a LinkedIn profile. See if there are Facebook pages or other social media groups for people making unscripted TV in your area. There might even be groups for runners and trainees. Join them. Create a ScreenSkills profile. There are a lot of crewing agencies that will charge you to be on their books. Sign up to the free ones initially. Wales Screen, Northern Ireland Screen and other areas offer free crew databases. Find a film office near you and get connected. If you do sign up to paid sites, make sure they specialise in the areas in which you’re interested. 
Explore ScreenSkills Resources:
ScreenSkills careers information:
The your career hub has a wealth of resources designed to help you start or progress your career.
ScreenSkills e-learning:
ScreenSkills has a suite of  free e-learning modules  for those who are over 18 which can improve your knowledge. The  ScreenSkills Passport  modules also prepare you as they are essential for some production roles. Some modules are available for those under 18.  For anyone wanting advice about first steps, the  Getting into the screen industries  modules are very useful.  
ScreenSkills skills checklists:  
If you would like more detail about the tasks, responsibilities and skills required for many key roles in film and TV drama, children’s TV and unscripted TV you can look at our  skills checklists. 
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