Lighting Technicians

Set up, maintain, and dismantle light fixtures, lighting control devices, and the associated lighting electrical and rigging equipment used for photography, television, film, video, and live productions. May focus or operate light fixtures, or attach color filters or other lighting accessories.

The occupation "Lighting Technicians" has an automation risk of 29.7%, indicating that while some aspects of the job can be automated, a majority of its tasks still require human intervention. The base risk reflects the current capability of technology to replicate routine or predictable tasks involved in lighting operations, but it also highlights significant challenges in automating roles with high physical, creative, or safety components. Lighting technicians perform a mix of technical and manual activities that are not easily standardized, particularly in dynamic or unpredictable environments such as live performances and on-location shoots. Among the most automatable tasks are repetitive or process-driven activities. For instance, assessing the safety of wiring or equipment setup to determine fire or electrical shock risks can be partially automated through sensor technology and diagnostic software. Consulting with lighting directors or production staff to determine requirements may be facilitated by AI-driven scheduling and design tools, though full automation is unlikely. Disassembling and storing equipment after performances primarily involves manual labor, which can be mechanized or assisted by robotics, especially in controlled environments where equipment and storage processes are standardized. Conversely, tasks that are highly resistant to automation rely heavily on contextual judgment, adaptability, and manual dexterity. Visiting and assessing the structural and electrical layout of locations before equipment setup requires spatial reasoning and real-time problem-solving, bottlenecked by skills at the "Advanced" level. Testing lighting equipment function and verifying desired effects depend on nuanced human perception (especially of color and ambiance), requiring "Expert" attention to artistic detail. Setting up scaffolding or cranes is another manual skill intensive activity, demanding "Intermediate" level technical proficiency and an acute awareness of on-site safety protocols. These bottleneck skills substantially limit the overall automation risk, ensuring that experienced technicians remain essential for critical, high-value aspects of lighting work.