Beleuchter/Beleuchterin

Professions in TheatreBTR - Stage Technology Reviewcrew united - The Network for Film and Television ProfessionalsEventElevatorHIGHLIGHT WEB - The Lighting Industry Portaljunge bühneLICHTON-LIGHT - Light on the NetTheater heuteVT-STAGE - The Network of the Event Technology Industry

Virtual Real-Time Film Sets: High-resolution LED displays create a digital film environment during studio shoots. Film crews no longer work with a greenscreen. Instead, a scenery previously recorded in an outdoor shoot is projected onto the displays. In this film set, backgrounds change perspectively correctly to match camera movement. Actors have the scene directly in front of them and can actively interact within the environment. This technology reduces shooting costs, as, among other things, elaborate outdoor shoots with the entire crew are reduced. Professionals in the film business will have to engage with this development.

Lighting technicians usually work in performance venues and halls, in production studios, outdoors at open-air events, and in storage rooms and workshops.

Core competencies generally required in this profession include: Electrical installation, electrical engineering, manual skills, lighting technology, and event technology. Further competencies that may be important for practicing this profession are: Stage and film setup/dismantling, stage and theater technology, customer consulting/support, trade fair and exhibition design, assembly (electrical engineering), studio technology, maintenance, repair, and upkeep.

Lighting technicians install spotlights and lighting systems on stages, in recording studios, exhibition halls, or outdoors at open-air events. During performances, they often work in cramped technical rooms or at control panels in the audience area. They perform part of their work on a computer. Events or theater performances often take place in the evening hours or on weekends. Therefore, working hours can vary greatly. If lighting technicians work for concert organizers or cultural offices, they may be deployed at changing locations. Lighting technicians collaborate with directors, camera operators, musicians, actors, and colleagues at the sound mixing desk. In addition to the necessary social competence, they need technical understanding to operate the sometimes complex control technology. They also need good physical condition.

Lighting technicians can work freelance or, for example, establish an agency for technical event personnel.

The exemplary gross basic monthly salary ranges from 3,134 € to 3,465 €. This information is for orientation purposes only, and no claims can be derived from it. Please check BERUFENET for more details.

Lighting technicians can find employment in art, culture, and museums, performance venues for drama and musical theater, variety shows and cabaret stages, live music venues, music clubs, and similar socio-cultural centers. They can also work in the operation of facilities for creative and performing arts, concert organizers, theater, spoken word, and literary event organizers, and other entertainment event organizers. Opportunities exist in film, video, and audio production, especially film and television production companies, radio, television, and other media distribution, such as television studios. They can also work in the trade fair, congress, and conference industry, for organizers of trade fairs, congresses, and business events. In the leisure and entertainment industry, they can provide services for non-artistic events and other economic services for businesses and private households, such as event agencies.

Employers often expect an Ausbildung (vocational training), Weiterbildung (further training), or several years of professional experience in event technology.

Lighting technicians can find employment in theaters, opera and drama houses, film and television production companies, trade fair organizers, event agencies, and sports event agencies.

The job title in German is Beleuchter/in, in English Lighting technician (m/f), and in French Technicien/Technicienne lumière.

Working as a person responsible for event technology usually requires a Befähigungszeugnis (certificate of qualification).

Lighting technicians (Beleuchter) assemble, adjust, and operate lighting and, in some cases, event technology systems in theaters, studios, multi-purpose halls, and open-air stages.

Job opportunities can be found on platforms such as Bühnenjobs.de, crew united, Der Theaterverlag, DTHG Stellenmarkt, EurAka, eventmanager.de, EVVC, mandy.com, StagePool, VioWorld.

Associations and organizations include Bundesverband der Konzert- und Veranstaltungswirtschaft (BDKV) e.V., Bundesverband Freie Darstellende Künste e.V., BVB Bundesverband Beleuchtung und Bühne (Kamerabühne) e.V., Deutscher Bühnenverein Bundesverband der Theater und Orchester, Deutsche Theatertechnische Gesellschaft e.V. (DTHG), FMS FKTG Medien- und Services GmbH e.V., Genossenschaft Deutscher Bühnen-Angehöriger (GDBA), Künstlervermittlung der Zentralen Auslands- und Fachvermittlung (ZAV), ver.di - Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft, VPLT - Der Verband für Medien- und Veranstaltungstechnik e. V.

This profession often involves frequent absence from home (due to events at various locations). Heavy lifting and carrying are required (e.g., hanging heavy spotlights, transporting technical equipment to the event location). Group and teamwork are essential, collaborating with directors, camera operators, musicians, and actors. Work involves technical devices, machines, and systems (operating and maintaining lighting systems). Manual work (e.g., assembling and aligning spotlights) and screen work (e.g., controlling lighting situations on a monitor) are also part of the job. Work takes place on stages, outdoors (at open-air events), in noisy environments (at concerts), and at heights with a risk of falling (e.g., working on scaffolding, lighting bridges, or ladders when hanging, adjusting, and repositioning spotlights). Work is also done under artificial lighting (e.g., at concerts) and involves irregular working hours.

Technical equipment, devices, and accessories are used, such as: control consoles, monitors, generators, spotlights, moving lights, trusses, loudspeakers, microphones, cables, effect machines. Documents such as legal and safety regulations, and lighting plans are also utilized.

Lighting technicians plan and install lighting systems for events. They set up spotlights, wire them, and adjust them appropriately. They select brightness and colors to create desired lighting moods. During rehearsals and performances, they operate the control console and execute lighting changes. Lighting technicians often control lighting effects with computers, for example, at concerts. Furthermore, they maintain and repair lighting technology systems.

Specialist for Event Technology, Certified Master for Event Technology (Geprüfter Meister für Veranstaltungstechnik/Geprüfte Meisterin für Veranstaltungstechnik - Bachelor Professional für Veranstaltungstechnik).

Continuing vocational training (Anpassungsweiterbildung) helps to keep professional knowledge up-to-date and adapt to new developments. For example, in the fields of lighting technology, electrical engineering, or event and stage technology.

Further career opportunities arise, depending on professional qualifications, through advanced vocational training (Aufstiegsweiterbildung) (e.g., as a Master for Event Technology) or a university degree (Studium) (e.g., in Event Technology). Under certain conditions, it is possible to study even without a general university entrance qualification. For more information: Access to higher education in the individual Bundesländer (federal states).

Creating lighting plans in cooperation with the director, cameraman/woman, and/or set designer. Inspecting the filming or event location and assessing the lighting conditions. Studying the script and discussing the lighting mood of individual scenes. Selecting suitable spotlights and supplementary lights. Documenting the results in a lighting plan. Installing, setting up, and operating lighting and, if necessary, event technology systems, for example, in theaters, production studios, or multi-purpose halls. Establishing and monitoring power connections, e.g., laying cables, connecting devices, machines, and spotlights. Setting up and arranging spotlights and supplementary lights. Assembling, wiring, and controlling event technology equipment and systems, such as microphones, loudspeakers, and monitors. If necessary, correcting lighting settings during the performance at the control panel (slowing down, speeding up). Maintaining and repairing lighting equipment. Adhering to safety regulations.

Model Ordinance on the Construction and Operation of Assembly Places (Muster-Versammlungsstättenverordnung - MVStättV), version June 2005 (ARGEBAU Expert Commission for Building Supervision), last amended by resolution of the Expert Commission for Building Supervision in July 2014.

The following lists professions or activities that show similarities to the original profession. These professions represent a possible alternative for applicants. Furthermore, employers can consider individuals from these professions as alternatives for filling a position in the original profession. Some alternative professions only encompass partial activities of the original profession, while others require an induction period, which can vary in length in individual cases. The following immediate employment and staffing alternatives are available for the profession of Beleuchter/in (lighting technician): Job and staffing alternatives for the overall activity (usually without induction): Certified Master for Event Technology specializing in Lighting (Geprüfter Meister für Veranstaltungstechnik Fachrichtung Beleuchtung/Geprüfte Meisterin für Veranstaltungstechnik Fachrichtung Beleuchtung), Certified Master for Event Technology (Geprüfter Meister für Veranstaltungstechnik/Geprüfte Meisterin für Veranstaltungstechnik - Bachelor Professional für Veranstaltungstechnik). For the overall activity (usually with a short induction period): Assistant.