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Lighting: skills by grade

Pick a grade. Tick what you can do now. Print it or save it as a PDF for your competency check.

Watch: safety in lighting

From the lighting Safety first module. They play here.

45:53Electrical Safety in Film & TV + 18th EditionPhil Crawley · 45:53
9:40What A Gaffer Does On Set: Crew BreakdownIn Depth Cine · 9:40
2:18Lighting technician Mark Leeming talks about a typical day on a film or TV setScreen Yorkshire · 2:18

Floor crew

Lighting trainee
Electrician
Best boy
Gaffer

Rigging crew

Rigging electrician
Rigging chargehand
Rigging gaffer

The lighting guide · All departments

A studio floor between set-ups: a camera on a dolly, crew at the monitors and lights in the background. — On a working unitLightingA studio floor between set-ups: camera on a dolly, crew at the monitors.

Skills checklist · Lighting

Lighting trainee

Carrying cable and lamps, the truck, learning the kit.

Tick what you can do now. It saves on this device only. Print it or save it as a PDF and bring it to your competency check.

Your name (optional, for the printout)

On the job Carry and run cable, and coil it properly Know the lamps, stands and accessories on the truck Handle hot lamps safely with gloves Never touch power unless the best boy says so

Before you step up to electrician Credits, safe handling and basic electrical knowledge

Safety: I know and follow the rules on Electricity Heat HMI and bulbs Height and rigging Wet locations Manual handling Bright light and UV Passed the lighting safety check

0 of 13 ticked

Checked by (FIF)DateOutcome: ready / not yet

A guide, not a qualification. Built from our lighting ladder. Checked 13 November 2026.

Skills checklist · Lighting

Electrician (spark; lighting technician)

Rigging, cabling, operating and focusing lamps.

Tick what you can do now. It saves on this device only. Print it or save it as a PDF and bring it to your competency check.

Your name (optional, for the printout)

On the job Electrical knowledge and safe working practice Handling heavy lamps and cable safely, including at height Knowing the fixtures and their accessories Teamwork and quick responses to the gaffer Stamina for long days

Before you step up to best boy Electrical training and credits as a spark

Safety: I know and follow the rules on Electricity Heat HMI and bulbs Height and rigging Wet locations Manual handling Bright light and UV Passed the lighting safety check

0 of 14 ticked

Checked by (FIF)DateOutcome: ready / not yet

A guide, not a qualification. Built from our lighting ladder and the electrician guide. Compare it with the ScreenSkills checklist . Checked 13 November 2026.

Skills checklist · Lighting

Best boy (chargehand)

Crew, kit, power distribution and paperwork for the gaffer.

Tick what you can do now. It saves on this device only. Print it or save it as a PDF and bring it to your competency check.

Your name (optional, for the printout)

On the job Strong electrical knowledge and power distribution Organisation and paperwork Leading and booking crew Supplier and stock management Health and safety enforcement

Before you step up to gaffer Credits as a senior spark and a gaffer who trusts you

Safety: I know and follow the rules on Electricity Heat HMI and bulbs Height and rigging Wet locations Manual handling Bright light and UV Passed the lighting safety check

0 of 14 ticked

Checked by (FIF)DateOutcome: ready / not yet

A guide, not a qualification. Built from our lighting ladder and the best boy guide. Compare it with the ScreenSkills checklist . Checked 13 November 2026.

Skills checklist · Lighting

Gaffer

Head of department: lighting with the DoP, crew and kit.

Tick what you can do now. It saves on this device only. Print it or save it as a PDF and bring it to your competency check.

Your name (optional, for the printout)

On the job A strong visual sense for light Deep knowledge of fixtures, power and control Leading and hiring a crew Budgeting and planning Close collaboration with the DoP

Before your next step Credits as best boy and a DoP who wants you

Safety: I know and follow the rules on Electricity Heat HMI and bulbs Height and rigging Wet locations Manual handling Bright light and UV Passed the lighting safety check

0 of 14 ticked

Checked by (FIF)DateOutcome: ready / not yet

A guide, not a qualification. Built from our lighting ladder and the gaffer guide. Compare it with the ScreenSkills checklist . Checked 13 November 2026.

Skills checklist · Lighting

Rigging electrician

Pre-rigs lamps and power ahead of the shooting crew.

Tick what you can do now. It saves on this device only. Print it or save it as a PDF and bring it to your competency check.

Your name (optional, for the printout)

On the job Electrical knowledge and safe working practice Working at height, with the right training Reading rigging plans Physical fitness Accuracy in labelling and documenting the rig

Safety: I know and follow the rules on Electricity Heat HMI and bulbs Height and rigging Wet locations Manual handling Bright light and UV Passed the lighting safety check

0 of 13 ticked

Checked by (FIF)DateOutcome: ready / not yet

A guide, not a qualification. Built from our lighting ladder and the rigging electrician guide. Compare it with the ScreenSkills checklist . Checked 13 November 2026.

Skills checklist · Lighting

Rigging chargehand (rigging best boy)

Runs the rigging crew's kit and people.

Tick what you can do now. It saves on this device only. Print it or save it as a PDF and bring it to your competency check.

Your name (optional, for the printout)

On the job Run the rigging crew's kit and people Read the rigging plan and brief the crew Check rigs and safety bonds before power goes on Keep the rig paperwork and inspections current

Safety: I know and follow the rules on Electricity Heat HMI and bulbs Height and rigging Wet locations Manual handling Bright light and UV Passed the lighting safety check

0 of 12 ticked

Checked by (FIF)DateOutcome: ready / not yet

A guide, not a qualification. Built from our lighting ladder. Checked 13 November 2026.

Skills checklist · Lighting

Rigging gaffer

Plans and leads the pre-rig with the gaffer.

Tick what you can do now. It saves on this device only. Print it or save it as a PDF and bring it to your competency check.

Your name (optional, for the printout)

On the job Plan the pre-rig with the gaffer and the DoP Lead the rigging crew and its schedule Manage work at height and lifting safely Hand the rig over to the floor crew ready to light

Safety: I know and follow the rules on Electricity Heat HMI and bulbs Height and rigging Wet locations Manual handling Bright light and UV Passed the lighting safety check

0 of 12 ticked

Checked by (FIF)DateOutcome: ready / not yet

A guide, not a qualification. Built from our lighting ladder. Checked 13 November 2026.