Ace Your Lighting Technician Interview: The Top Questions and How to Answer Them

Landing an interview for a lighting technician role is an exciting milestone on your career path, But now comes the work of preparing for those all-important questions that could determine whether you get the job

In this comprehensive guide we’ll cover the key lighting technician interview questions you’re likely to face, along with examples of strong answers. With the right preparation, you’ll be ready to put your skills in the spotlight and impress hiring managers.

Why Do Lighting Technician Interview Questions Matter?

Interview questions allow employers to assess your technical abilities, problem-solving skills, and professional experience. For lighting roles specifically, they want to know that you have the necessary expertise and creativity to handle complex productions and events.

Being able to talk about your lighting knowledge, past projects, and ways you overcame problems will show that you are qualified for the job. With the right answers, you can show that your unique set of skills makes you the best candidate.

Common Lighting Technician Interview Questions

While every interview will be unique, there are a few frequent lighting tech questions you can expect to come up. Here are some of the top ones to prepare for:

Technical Questions

• What lighting desks/consoles are you familiar with? Describe your experience using them.

• Show me how to set up and rig up a simple stage lighting system.

• How do you ensure electrical safety when working with lighting equipment?

• What steps would you take to troubleshoot a lighting system failure?

• Describe the factors you consider when selecting lights and positioning for a production.

Experience and Skills-Based Questions

• What’s the most complex lighting design you’ve created? How did you approach and execute it?

• Give me an example of when you had to overcome an unexpected challenge or last minute change during a production. How did you handle this?

• Tell me about a time when you had to collaborate with other members of a production team such as set designers or directors. How did you ensure your lighting design complemented their vision?

• Describe your experience with creating lighting plots and paperwork. What key details do you include?

• How do you stay up-to-date with the latest lighting technologies and industry best practices?

Behavioral and Situational Questions

• How would you handle a situation where a client or director requested changes to your lighting design that you did not agree with?

• Have you dealt with working on a tight budget or with limited resources for lighting equipment? How did you deliver results?

• Imagine you noticed a safety issue with some lighting equipment on the day of a major production. How would you address this?

• Tell me about a high-pressure situation or unexpected challenge you faced during a production. How did you resolve it?

How to Ace the Most Common Lighting Technician Interview Questions

Now let’s look at some examples of strong responses to these frequent lighting interview questions. Use these sample answers to craft your own preparation.

Question: What lighting desks/consoles are you familiar with? Describe your experience using them.

Sample Answer: I have extensive experience with major lighting consoles including the ETC Ion, Chamsys MagicQ, GrandMA2 and Hog 4. For example, I’ve programmed shows on ETC Ion and Chamsys consoles, which involved creating cue stacks, building palettes, and setting up touchscreen pages for quick access during performances. I’m highly proficient at patching, addressing, and troubleshooting issues across all these platforms. Understanding the nuances of each console has allowed me to operate in a wide range of production environments smoothly.

Question: Walk me through how you would set up and focus a basic stage lighting rig.

Sample Answer: My first priority would be safety, so I would ensure the rig is securely fastened and installed with all cables organized and labeled. I would refer to the light plot to position fixtures like PARs, Fresnels, and LEDs according to their purpose – front, back, top, side, wash lights. Using C-clamps and safety cables, I would attach these lights firmly to the trusses or grid. For electric power, I would distribute from a central patch panel. Once everything is physically set up, I’d program cues and scenes on the console. Then I would fine tune by adjusting barn doors, gobos, gels, and shutters to shape the beam and achieve the desired lighting effects for the stage and performers. Throughout the process, I’d collaborate with the production team to match their vision.

Question: How do you ensure electrical safety when working with lighting equipment?

Sample Answer: Electrical safety is my top priority. I always inspect cables and connections for damage before rigging lights, and use grounded power sources. I avoid overloading circuits and use rated surge protectors. For elevated lights, I secure fixtures with safety cables as a backup. I keep flammable materials away from hot lamps. During installation and focus, I follow lockout/tagout procedures before working on a powered system. I also check for clearance from sprinklers and ventilation. Finally, I make sure the team is wearing insulating gloves and shoes when handling lighting equipment. Taking these precautions ensures safety for the entire production crew.

Question: What’s the most complex lighting design you’ve created? How did you approach and execute it?

Sample Answer: The most complex show I lit was a large-scale multimedia dance performance. It involved intricate cues synchronized with video projection and pyrotechnics. To plan this, I collaborated closely with the choreographer and visual designers to understand their vision and translate it into a 300+ channel light plot. I also visited the venue and created a 3D model to pre-visualize the lighting. On site, I worked with the rigging team to safely install the equipment including LED screens, theatrical lights and hazers. During rehearsals, I cued the show scene-by-scene, refining the cues based on feedback. With detailed paperwork and planning, I was able to execute hundreds of cues flawlessly that perfectly complemented the choreography. The show was a major success and great learning experience for me.

Question: Have you dealt with working on a tight budget or with limited resources for lighting equipment? How did you deliver results?

Sample Answer: Yes, I’ve often had to work creatively on productions with budget limitations. Most recently, I designed lighting for an outdoor festival stage with only 6 conventional fixtures at my disposal. To deliver an impactful show, I strategically positioned the lights using side, back, top and front light. I added color using high quality gels to create dramatic looks and vary the mood between acts. For further enhancement, I incorporated practical string lighting into the stage design which added depth. Throughout the show programming, I timed and transitioned the cues smoothly to keep the audience engaged. The client was very pleased with the dynamic lighting despite the constraints, thanks to smart planning and creative low-cost solutions.

Lighting Technician Interview Questions: Wrap Up

Preparing strong, articulate responses to expected lighting tech interview questions is one of the best things you can do to boost your confidence and maximize your chances of landing the job. Use this guide to understand the key areas employers want to evaluate, and craft your own answers that highlight your specialized expertise.

With the right preparation and a passion for the art of creative lighting, you’ll be ready to put your skills center stage and land your dream lighting role. Break a leg at your upcoming interview!