Editing Lighting technician (section)

{{Short description|Occupation}}
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An '''electrical lighting technician''', or simply '''lighting technician''', is involved with rigging stage and location sets and controlling artificial, electric lights for art and entertainment venues ([[theatre]] or live music venues) or in video, television, or [[film]] production.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=WSCVPwAACAAJ&q=theatre+lighting+designer Stage Lighting Design: The Art, the Craft, the Life, by Richard Pilbrow on books.google.com]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=wrR1QgAACAAJ&q=theatre+lighting+designer Stage Lighting Design: A Practical Guide, Neil Fraser, on books.google.com]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=pXDT_sMBg2YC&q=theatre+lighting+designer A Practical Guide to Stage Lighting, By Steven Louis Shelley, on books.google.com]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=7ttNAAAAYAAJ&q=theatre+lighting+designer The Lighting Art: The Aesthetics of Stage Lighting Design, by Richard H. Palmer, on books.google.com]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=TOOGAAAAIAAJ&q=theatre+lighting+designer Stage lighting design in Britain: the emergence of the lighting designer, 1881-1950, by Nigel H. Morgan, on books.google.com]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=STIXAAAAQBAJ&dq=theatre+lighting+designer&pg=PA545 Scene Design and Stage Lighting By R. Wolf, Dick Block, on books.google.com]</ref>

In a theater production, lighting technicians work under the [[lighting designer]] and [[master electrician]]. In video, television, and film productions, lighting technicians work under the direction of the [[gaffer (filmmaking)|gaffer]] or chief lighting technician who takes their direction from the [[cinematographer]]. In live music, lighting technicians work under the lighting director. All heads of department report to the [[Unit production manager|production manager]].

Lighting technicians are responsible for the movement and set up of various pieces of [[lighting equipment]] for separation of light and shadow or contrast, depth of field or [[visual effects]]. Lighting Technicians may also lay electrical cables, wire fixtures, install color effects or image patterns, focus the lights, and assist in creating effects or programming sequences.

Some local unions such as the International Alliance of Threatrical Stage Employees ([[International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees|IATSE]]) Hollywood chapter local #728, have been qualifying members by certification and recognition through the Entertainment Stage Technologies Association (ESTA) with their Entertainment Technicians Certification Program (ETCP). Basic skill sets are now standardized, and sets and stage are safer through this program.