Lighting director
Also known as: television lighting director, lighting designer and director, television lighting supervisor, lighting supervisor, TV lighting supervisor, motion picture lighting director
About this occupation
Lighting directors determine what lights are needed during production, according to the video and motion picture director's creative vision. They use the script to design the lighting requirements for each shot. Lighting directors oversee the lighting setup and operation.
A specialisation of art director.
Essential skills and knowledge
- translate artistic concepts to technical designs
- supervise lighting crew
- design lighting
- analyse a script
- keep up with trends
- lighting techniques
- create solutions to problems
- health and safety regulations
- consult with production director
- read lighting plans
- finish project within budget
- technical drawings
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Art Directors (O*NET 27-1011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Work with creative directors to develop design solutions.
- Present final layouts to clients for approval.
- Manage own accounts and projects, working within budget and scheduling requirements.
- Confer with creative, art, copywriting, or production department heads to discuss client requirements and presentation concepts and to coordinate creative activities.
- Confer with clients to determine objectives, budget, background information, and presentation approaches, styles, and techniques.
- Formulate basic layout design or presentation approach and specify material details, such as style and size of type, photographs, graphics, animation, video, and sound.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Artistic, Enterprising, Conventional
Top skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination
US median pay: US$114,850 a year (2025), 53,070 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignVery important (4.3)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.3)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (4.2)
- Fine Art or Music or Drama and TheatreO*NET: Fine ArtsVery important (4.2)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaVery important (4.1)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyImportant (3.4)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Graphic Designers
- Special Effects Artists and Animators
- Producers and Directors
- Project Management Specialists
- Writers and Authors
- Set and Exhibit Designers
- Media Programming Directors
- Media Technical Directors/Managers
- Information Technology Project Managers
- Public Relations Specialists
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.