Set up lighting, control systems and accessories for theatre and live productions
Overview
This standard is about setting up, focusing lighting and checking control systems and accessories. You will be required to work with others to safely set up or rig all necessary items and equipment in the correct position.
This includes setting up the lighting desk prior to programming and wiring and placing practicals.
You will need to focus the lighting according to plans and instructions, check everything works correctly and identify any problems that need to be addressed.
You also need to get the equipment in and prepare to get the equipment out of the performance area.
This standard is for Lighting technicians and those involved in setting up lighting, control systems and accessories for theatre and live productions.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- prepare and check that the tools, consumables, accessories, access equipment and other equipment required for lighting as specified on lighting plans are in safe working order before use
- prepare performance areas for equipment to be moved into them
- set out equipment, and accessories to assist rigging and focusing
- handle equipment, tools and consumables in ways that maintain their condition and the health and safety of self and others
- set up lighting, control systems and accessories within agreed schedules
- maintain the security of equipment
- connect lighting equipment to safe electrical sources in line with the requirements of lighting plans
- route, fix and tidy all cables in ways that minimise risk of damage
- test lighting equipment following approved procedures for dealing with identified faults
- rig lighting equipment and accessories in line with focussing and health and safety requirements
- label lighting equipment and accessories according to lighting plans
- check practical fittings and fixings are at the correct design ratings and placed in locations in accordance with plans
- adjust lighting equipment and accessories to achieve the desired effect and lock off adjustments once desired focus is achieved
- stow lines and unused equipment in correct locations and leave work area free of debris
- identify and deal with damage in line with organisational procedures, reporting any that you cannot deal with to appropriate people
- store equipment and consumables in appropriate containers to minimise risk of damage
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- how to interpret the lighting plot information correctly
- health and safety legislation, organisational requirements and codes of practice concerning the setting up and installation of lighting equipment and accessories
- the importance of understanding and achieving the lighting designer’s intentions
- instructions that need to be given to other staff
- how to make and check an inventory of equipment and consumables
- the basic principles behind fault diagnosis, faults that are likely to occur once the equipment is connected to control circuits
- how to test equipment and deal with faults and the importance of testing equipment prior to fit up and rigging
- how to replace lamps and the importance of making sure equipment being worked on is isolated
- the theories of lighting control protocols and including keeping runs efficient and the limitations of these protocols
- how to test temporary electrical supplies and assess their suitability
- the importance of safe connection and the basic principles of earthing, earth bonds and supplementary bonds
- how performer tracking systems interact with lighting, sound, video, effects and automation
- the principles behind of data driven devices and control protocols
- the need for correct cable type, connector and line termination
- the importance of avoiding light leaks
- safe practice for the connection of lighting equipment including the use of correct size cables and plugs for the load
- how to connect lighting equipment according to the requirements of the lighting plan, the use of ‘hard patches’ and ‘soft patches and how to achieve the maximum efficiency of each lighting unit
- the possibility of voltage drops and possible effect on discharge light sources
- the importance of focussing including the safe position of self in relation to the equipment being focused
- the importance of rigs being properly deaded before focusing
- the impact rigging can have on focusing
- how to call a focus if someone else is focusing for you
- the importance of securing final adjustments and leaving the work area safe and tidy