Lighting Technician Course

Lesson 1 • Properties of Light and Color

Covers wavelength, intensity, color temperature, and how the eye perceives light. Establishes the physical basis for every design and technical decision made later.

Lesson 2 • Introduction to Lighting Fixtures

Surveys the main fixture families: wash, spot, beam, and effects. Students can identify each type by appearance, output, and typical application.

Lesson 3 • Industry Terminology and Standards

Introduces standard vocabulary used on professional productions. Accurate terminology enables safe, efficient communication with designers, directors, and crew.

Lesson 1 • Connectors, Cables, and Patch Panels

Covers standard stage connectors, cable gauges, and hardpatch systems. Proper connector selection prevents overloads and equipment damage.

Lesson 2 • Core Electrical Concepts

Teaches voltage, current, resistance, and power using Ohm's Law. These relationships underpin every load calculation and circuit decision in the field.

Lesson 3 • Electrical Safety Practices

Establishes lockout/tagout, ground-fault protection, and safe working distances. These practices are mandatory before any hands-on electrical work begins.

Lesson 1 • Hanging and Circuiting Fixtures

Teaches the sequence for hanging, cabling, and circuiting fixtures on an electrics pipe. Correct sequence minimizes rework and ensures safe cable management.

Lesson 2 • Rigging Safety and Regulations

Covers working-load limits, inspection criteria, and fall-protection requirements. Safety compliance is the prerequisite for all overhead position work.

Lesson 3 • Electrics Pipe and Truss Systems

Explains pipe, truss, and box-truss configurations used to hang fixtures. Students select appropriate hardware and distribute weight loads correctly.

Lesson 4 • Working Safely at Height

Addresses ladder safety, personnel lifts, and two-person communication protocols. Competency here is required before students perform any elevated focus work.

Lesson 1 • Troubleshooting DMX Faults

Provides a systematic fault-finding methodology for DMX signal problems. Students can isolate and resolve common failures without disrupting the full rig.

Lesson 2 • DMX512 Protocol Fundamentals

Explains the DMX512 data structure, refresh rate, and universe capacity. This protocol is the universal control language for all subsequent console work.

Lesson 3 • DMX Network Infrastructure

Covers DMX cable runs, splitters, terminators, and Ethernet-to-DMX nodes. Proper infrastructure prevents signal degradation across large rigs.

Lesson 4 • Console Patching and Address Assignment

Teaches fixture addressing, console patch, and soft-patch workflows. Accurate patching is the foundation of reliable console-to-fixture communication.

Lesson 1 • Focusing Moving Lights

Teaches console-driven pan/tilt focus, beam shaping, and gobo indexing for moving fixtures. Efficient moving-light focus requires both console fluency and physical access.

Lesson 2 • Focusing Conventional Fixtures

Covers the step-by-step process for focusing ellipsoidals, fresnels, and PARs. Consistent technique reduces focus session time and rework.

Lesson 3 • Focus Terminology and Documentation

Defines focus position, angle, edge quality, and gobo orientation terms. Shared vocabulary ensures the technician executes exactly what the designer intends.

Lesson 4 • Focus Session Workflow

Organizes the full focus session from prep to sign-off using efficient sequencing. Students can lead or support a focus call on a professional timeline.

Lesson 1 • Effects and Chases

Explains built-in effect engines, chase programming, and rate/size controls. Effects add dynamic movement and rhythm to static cue-based programming.

Lesson 2 • Cue Recording and Playback

Teaches recording cues, setting fade times, and building a cue list for linear playback. A well-structured cue list is the deliverable for every production.

Lesson 3 • Show File Management

Covers saving, backing up, and transferring show files across consoles and networks. Reliable file management prevents data loss during critical production periods.

Lesson 4 • Intensity and Attribute Programming

Covers setting intensity levels, color, beam, and position attributes for single and multiple fixtures. Accurate attribute control is the core programming skill.

Lesson 1 • Cue Calling and Execution

Covers stage manager cue formats, standby protocols, and precise GO execution. Accurate cue execution is the primary performance responsibility of the operator.

Lesson 2 • Intermission and Reset Procedures

Defines tasks during intermission including lamp checks, gel replacement, and position resets. Efficient intermission work ensures Act 2 readiness on schedule.

Lesson 3 • Live Show Troubleshooting

Provides decision trees for handling fixture failures, DMX dropouts, and power faults mid-show. Fast, calm problem-solving minimizes audience impact.

Lesson 4 • Pre-Show Systems Check

Establishes a repeatable checklist for verifying power, DMX, and fixture status before every performance. Systematic checks prevent show-stopping failures.

Lesson 1 • Multi-Console and Backup Systems

Explains primary/backup console configurations, network redundancy, and failover testing. Redundant systems are mandatory for broadcast and high-stakes live events.

Lesson 2 • Networked Lighting Protocols

Covers Art-Net, sACN, and RDM in depth for large-scale networked rigs. Network fluency enables control of hundreds of universes from a single console.

Lesson 3 • System Documentation and Handover

Establishes standards for light plots, section drawings, and O&M documentation. Complete documentation enables any qualified technician to operate or maintain the system.

Lesson 4 • Timecode and Automation Integration

Teaches MIDI timecode, LTC, and show-control triggers for automated cue execution. Timecode integration locks lighting to audio, video, and automation systems.