How to hire a Freelance Lighting Assistant?

Last updated: 1 year ago
How to hire a Freelance Lighting Assistant?

A freelance lighting assistant takes their cue from the director about the tone of the scene and then works to create the appropriate themes by rigging artificial lights to fit the vision. The assistant can have varying degrees of autonomy when it comes to the amount of light and which objects or people to highlight, depending on what the director needs. Regardless of how much decision making powers the assistant has, they should have their own theories and standards about their work.

What To Look For:

Where does their experience lie?

You’re looking a freelance lighting assistant who has a lot of experience in the type of films you’re producing, meaning you won’t necessarily want to go with someone who lit musicals if you’re making a noir film.

Is the candidate versatile?

If the person has demonstrated sufficient versatility across genres and types of machines used, they will likely be able to jump into the position with little or no direction.

Does the candidate understand the themes of the film?

Ensure the candidate understands whether or not you want something dark and dramatic or light and funny. If they’re too extreme on either end of the spectrum, it may be difficult to work with them.

Questions to ask a potential candidate

What's your approach to lighting?

The candidate should be able to answer with their thought process before they even start working with the equipment, so you get an idea of the level of their commitment and ingenuity.

What are your favorite electric lights to work with?

This question gives you an idea of how experienced the candidate is with different types of lights, what they feel comfortable with and which lights they find most useful on set for actors, directors and assistants.

What types of effects have you done before?

Lighting is just one component of the process, with effects being an another vital way to bring drama, anger or action to a given scene. The more the person has done with effects, the more you may be able to get helpful ideas from them on set.

What is the culture of previous sets you've been on?

Lighting assistants often work crazy hours or are on the road for days, and they should be used to the demands by now (or at least understand that’s what they’re in for.) They should also be comfortable being asked to do anything necessary to get the shot perfect — whether that’s by using an aerial lift or by having to lift and load heavy equipment several times a day.

Are you comfortable in unknown settings?

Everyone is going to say they are, just because that’s what’s expected of them. However, if you probe a little further, you should be able to get an idea of the truth behind the answer. The freelance lighting assistant, along with everyone else, may be constantly thrown in new situations and settings, so having a handle on the process is crucial.

Popular articles

  • What is an Underwater Camera?

    An underwater camera is basically a camera that can be used to capture images and videos under water. It can be used for shoots as one is swimming, snorkeling, or with a remotely operated underwater vehicle. Some of these cameras are even automated and can be easily lowered from ...
    Read more
  • What is a Video Editor?

    A video editor is the person who makes production and/or post-production changes to a film. The video editor works closely with the director to achieve the best final film outcome, with the goal of telling the story in the most effective and compelling way. Work heavily involves ...
    Read more
  • What is a Film Director?

    What is a director? Also called a film director or video director, the director is the person who controls the overall artistic and dramatic feel of a presentation – whether it is a five minute infomercial or a feature film. They instruct and guide both the technical crew and ...
    Read more
  • How to rent a 360 Camera?

    The term “360 camera” seems straightforward, referring to a camera that films and photographs from every angle. In fact, there is a wide variation in what such cameras can do, and you must be aware of this before renting. Some cameras have an effective viewing angle of only ...
    Read more
  • What is a Camera Operator?

    Camera operators work in the television, music and film industry and are usually employed by television and cable companies or by video production houses. They are responsible for capturing different scenes during production and operating a wide variety of technical ...
    Read more
  • What is a 360 Camera?

    A 360 camera, also known as an omnidirectional camera, has a 360-degree field of view so that it captures just about everything around the sphere. 360 cameras are needed when large visual fields need to be covered, such as shooting panoramas. As virtual and augmented reality (A ...
    Read more
  • How to become a Pro TikTok Creator?

    A Pro TikTok Creator produces short-form video content that is to be published on TikTok. They would typically be involved from the pre-production to post-production process, should there be required edits and additional animations to make.  Pro TikTok Creators should id ...
    Read more
  • What is a Visual Effects Editor?

    A visual effects editor, also known as VFX editor, is the person who is overseeing, and responsible for all the visual effects in a production. The VFX editor must have excellent communication skills, as the job requires the VFX editor to communicate effectively between VFX staf ...
    Read more
  • How to become a Camera Operator?

    A camera operator for video is the person who literally shoots the video or the still photographs during the planning stage. A Freelance Camera Operator is someone who a director hires to handle either a single camera or to manage a team of camera operators. This is a supporting ...
    Read more
  • What is a Script Writer?

    If you’ve ever watched a movie or television show and cringed at the clunky dialogue or poor plot development, thinking to yourself “I could do better than that,” script writing or screenwriting may be a viable career path. This primarily freelance role can provide you wit ...
    Read more
  • What is a Drone Camera?

    A drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can be remotely controlled for a variety of purposes. Drones are most commonly associated with military operations and surveillance. However, by outfitting these relatively small unmanned robots with video production equipment, th ...
    Read more
  • What is a Producer?

    Film producers are the people who keep the film’s quality up while ensuring that its production is on time and stays within budget. Producers can manage hundreds of individuals in any one production, in addition to dealing with the film studio and distributors. The producer’ ...
    Read more
  • What is a 3D Graphics Artist?

    A three-dimensional (3D) graphics artist designs digital animation or footage that is used for characters, landscapes, backgrounds and other elements in film, television or video game production. The still or moving creations have the appearance of depth in addition to height an ...
    Read more
  • What is a Director of Photography?

    A Director of Photography (DOP) also known as Cinematographer is a creative leader during a video production. It’s a position full of responsibility, and the Director of Photography must have camera skills, lighting knowledge and the ability to work with the entire camera crew ...
    Read more
  • What is a 3D Animator?

    Animated videos of all lengths, whether they’re feature-length films or commercials barely a minute long, need animation talent to bring them to life. 3D animation has become more prevalent in the 21st century in feature films, cartoons, video games, short films, commercials, ...
    Read more
  • How to rent a Slow Motion Camera

    Renting a slow motion camera is a great tool for when you need to film a slower scene that still has the clarity of a normal image. Slow motion cameras work by increasing the frames per second as well as the shutter speed. In a normal video, the frame rate is 24 frames per secon ...
    Read more
  • What is an On-screen Talent?

    The film industry is filled with hundreds of interesting and rewarding career paths, but none is as sought after or as idolized as that of the on-screen talent. Known as “actors,” these positions can make or break any production, as even the most well written script will be ...
    Read more
  • How to become a Voice Over Talent?

    Becoming a freelance voice over talent is a popular career option for many in the entertainment business — and for good reason. Voice over artists enjoy relative anonymity — a big perk for those with day jobs — and a huge amount of flexibility. It’s also quick work with l ...
    Read more
  • What is a Slow Motion Camera?

    Slow motion refers to an effect that is common in the film-making industry where motion pictures appear to be moving slower than normal. Previously, the effect had only been applied more in films, commercials and television. But with major advancements in phone technology, one c ...
    Read more
  • What is a Stunt Coordinator?

    Just about every dangerous or unbelievable act of skill you see on television or in the theaters has been coordinated and sometimes even performed by a stunt coordinator. Every good production requires a stunt coordinator to pull off the extraordinary scenes seen in television o ...
    Read more