SAMPLE SCHEDULE

Week 1: January 30

Introduction / Overview of Set Etiquette & Protocols, Crew Positions and on set responsibilities

Introduction / Mechanics of Tungsten and Day lighting units and color correction

Lab: Production cycle, Lighting crew jobs. Overview of lighting heads and rigging tools that will be throughout the course.  

Week 2: February 6

Working with LED and electronic lighting units – Part 1

Safety and basics of electricity - AMPS to Voltage

Introduction to the fundamentals of on-set electrical safety, focusing on the relationship between amps, volts, and watts. Proper handling of power distribution systems to ensure safe and efficient lighting and equipment use on set.

Lab: The use and versatility of LED and electronic lighting units in modern production. Emphasis on color control, power efficiency, and creative lighting design.

Week 3: February 13

Working with LED and Tungsten/HMI units – Part 2

Power Distribution on Set

Lab: Exploration of LED, Tungsten, and HMI lighting units and their on-set applications. Focus on color balance, light quality, and selecting the right fixture for the desired visual effect. Students will be shown, on paper, how to balance loads and distribute power resources

Week 4: February 20

From Yoke to focus knob – Understanding the parts of a lighting unit.

Lab: A detailed look at the components and functions of lighting units. Emphasis on safe handling, maintenance, and maximizing fixture performance on set. Different types of lighting sources – Fresnels, Open Faces, HMIs, Soft Lights, and Practicals, overheads and planning. Students will be shown how to use a variety of lighting units and accompanying rigging options. Students attempt to control the units using flags, nets, and other light control techniques.

Week 5: February 27

Hot lights / Heavy lights and proper operation and safety – Rigging. Working with High-Temperature Units

Lab: Safe operation and rigging of hot and heavy lighting units used in production. Focus on proper setup, handling techniques, and on-set safety protocols.  Proper handling, set-up, and placement of sources.  What to use and not to use to control the units.  Fire Safety & Heat Management / OSHA & Industry Safety Standards. Preparing the job site, safety resources, and exit plans

Week 6: March. 6

From practicals to 10Ks, selecting the right units for the project and control. Generators, Lunch Boxes, Stingers, and running cable – Distributing and Balancing

Lab: The range of lighting options from practicals to 10Ks and their creative applications. Focus on selecting and controlling units to achieve the desired visual mood and effect.   Students will learn about the different ways to power lighting units, distribute power, and run cables.

Week 7: March 13

SPRING BREAK

Week 8: March 20

Using lights on the ground / Using lights on an overhead rig

Lab: Techniques for safely and effectively using lights on the ground and in overhead rigs. Focus on placement, balance, and achieving optimal illumination for each setup.

Week 9: March 27

Controlling Intensity & Quality. Barndoors, cookies, dimmers, and light control – Shaping sources

Windows and natural light controls – Using Butterfly kits, Frames, and negative fill. Focus on techniques to shape, diffuse, and control the intensity and quality of light. Emphasis on the creative and technical methods to achieve desired visual outcomes.

Lab: Understanding color temperature, Indoor and outdoor lighting. Creating lighting effects and basic special effects using accessories.

Week 10: April 3

Studio Presentation / Guest – IATSE Local 600 and Local 52

Week 11: April 10

Day for Night / Special effects lighting. Creative alternatives to lighting including working with battery powered units and practicals

Lab: The art of transforming daylight into cinematic night using lighting tricks and post-production magic. Crafting stunning visual illusions with in-camera special effects lighting techniques.  Prompted lighting exercises using the tools presented throughout the course.

Week 12: April 17

Lighting through the Production Design / Working with Props and practicals

Lab: How lighting interacts with production design to shape mood, texture, and storytelling on screen. Using props and practicals to create immersive, visually compelling sets.

Week 13: April 24

DMX & Digital Control

Lab: Fundamentals of DMX protocols and digital lighting control to orchestrate dynamic, precision-driven lighting setups. Programming and operating intelligent fixtures.

Week 14: May 8

Manipulating the color, quality, and intensity of light, Lighting for Mood & Genre -

Lab: Shaping emotion and storytelling through the strategic control of light’s color, quality, and intensity. How lighting choices define mood and enhance genre across diverse cinematic styles.

Guest Speaker

Week 15: May 15

Putting together the equipment wish list and budgeting for the rentals, Troubleshooting / What can go wrong? Emergency Procedures & First Aid.  Reviewing scenarios and procedures related to emergency situations on a production.

Lab: Group Exercise:  Build a smart equipment wish list and budget effectively for rentals across all production scales. Discuss real-world troubleshooting strategies to anticipate, prevent, and solve common on-set challenges.

Prepping for the project - form teams and plan a lighting setup with a detailed safety plan.  Culminating group exercise. Teams demonstrate their choices using the equipment presented throughout the course.