experienced team - Frank Gatto and Associates

Just like any successful team, the Lighting Director and the lighting crew must work in perfect harmony to ensure that every event, live show or outside broadcast is perfectly illuminated to enhance the action that the audience sees.

What Does A Lighting Designer Do?

A Lighting Designer – also known as an LD – works hard to create a comprehensive lighting plan, while working in conjunction with the director, set designer, costume designer, sound engineers and choreographer. They plan every aspect of the lighting design taking into account a wealth of other important issues like visibility, safety and overall cost.

The LD will carefully read through the script and have extensive discussions with the director, designers, stage manager, and production managers to understand the show’s mood and the director’s vision when creating the lighting design.

How Does the Lighting Director Depend on His Crew?

While the LD may be the brains behind the operation with his ability to create beautiful lighting plans, without his crew behind him, he would not be able to execute any of these big ideas.

Every member of the lighting crew is equally as important as the next. From new beginners helping out on set to learn their trade, to highly experienced old timers who know every type of light and rig, every member of the lighting crew is needed to ensure lighting perfection every time.

The size of the lighting crew needed to help turn the LD’s vision into a reality will depend on the size and type of production. Lighting technicians are always needed to rig up the lighting equipment, carry out lighting tests, position lights during shoots, manage the supply of light bulbs and plenty of other on-set duties.

The lighting crew might report directly to the LD himself, or they may be working under the watchful eye of the Assistant Chief Lighting Technician – often referred to as the “Best Boy”. He (or she) will help the LD coordinate the work of the lighting technicians and liaise with the rest of the production team to ensure the lighting plan is correctly set up and installed.

Another important member of the LD’s lighting team is “the Gaffer” who oversees all the practical lighting issues and tasks that arise. The Gaffer will oversee all the work undertaken by the Best Boy and the lighting technicians and work closely with the LD to help make big creative lighting decisions.

For the Lighting Director to be able to deliver the lighting effects and visual enhancements that he has outlined in his plan, he needs to be able to rely on his entire team. Successful lighting crews often work together for many years and across a wide variety of projects. Understanding the vision of the LD, and being able to work together as a team, is what transforms an efficient team of riggers, sparks, best bots and gaffers into a highly sought after, first-class lighting team that directors across the country want to work with.

Here at Frank Gatto & Associates, our teamwork is second to none. We have over 30 years’ experience within the lighting industry and would be delighted to help your production come to life.

Speak to us today at 561-368-0101 to find out more.

Frank Gatto & Associates, Inc. are specialists in lighting for television events of all kinds. If you have an event that needs expert lighting, please call us today to see how we can help.

Phone: 561-368-0101

Email: frank@frankgattolighting.com

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If you are arranging an outdoor event, an awards ceremony or a studio production, you will have your work cut out for you. Ensuring your lighting kit, audio recording equipment, camera operators and even performers are all working well and in harmony can be a daunting task.

When it comes to illumination, you need lighting that will enhance all of the action on the stage or screen, and no matter how much equipment you may own, getting the lighting design and operation just right is key to the most effective lighting for your production.

Here at Frank Gatto, we can provide you with a first class, highly experienced team of lighting operators and technicians who can make your lighting work for you. That way, you can concentrate on the rest of the production, knowing that your lighting is always in safe hands.

What Does A Lighting Crew Do?

Our lighting technicians use their skills to prepare, rig, operate and maintain all of the stage and studio lighting and effects you need to make your production the very best. They will also be able to produce a wide range of lighting effects that are usually seen in live theatre productions and in studio setups, and seamless transitions from one effect to the next.

Our technicians are on hand to assist with every aspect of your lighting requirements and they can work with everything from operating basic spotlighting through to strobes, lasers and even pyrotechnics that meet your exact specification.

Working with You to Achieve Perfection

From the outset, our lighting crew is on hand to assist with every aspect of your production. They will work closely with the lighting designers, sound technicians, the director, and the stage manager to create a collaborative approach to complete lighting solutions.

By combing their skills with those of the other professionals working at your event, they can create a perfect live event or studio experience.

Comprehensive Lighting Solutions

Our crew will work with you to interpret the lighting designer’s plan and vision. Once they understand your design goals, they will get to work on the creating the technical plan required to make it happen.

Rigging and lighting will be erected in the appropriate positions to highlight the action for the audience or on screen, and our lighting crew will liaise with performers and other crew to keep them in the loop.

Taking their cues from the producer or stage manager, our crew will program consoles and load automated color change systems in advance of your opening night, so that every lighting effect and transition is completely seamless.

It’s not just the way the lighting looks that is important to your production, you also need to ensure that all of your lighting equipment is safe and well maintained.

Our crews are will check that all your equipment is in safe working order and can help with front-line electrical duties when required. They are also well versed in current health and safety regulations and always work to ensure that the lighting in every production strictly adheres to them.

If you would like to hire our experienced and professional crew to take charge of the lighting at your next event, speak to our team today at (561) 368-0101 to see how we can help.