Reel Opportunities
LED Technician
Also known as: Virtual Production Manager
What does an LED Technician do?
An LED Technician works with a form of film-making technology called virtual production (sometimes referred to as virtual reality walls), which is becoming more and more popular. Virtual production involves large surfaces (walls, ceilings, sometimes floors) created out of LED screens. These large screens, called LED walls, are built on a soundstage. Visuals are then created in a 3D software named Unreal Engine and generated on the screens. The screen acts as a background and can be linked with motion capture cameras to add the effect of a real background. They move in relation to the camera movement and provide a real, immersive background experience. This creates less work in post-production.
An LED Technician is responsible for assisting in creating these immersive environments for productions. They have to build and calibrate the large screens and work with the production to achieve the right space and look. The Technician will be responsible for managing the screens on set, making sure the correct backgrounds are displayed for the scene. They will assist the production in creating this large world and if needed, advise the on-set camera team on the optimum settings for the screens.
What's an LED Technician good at?
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Understanding light Have an artistic eye, know the techniques required to achieve different lighting effects
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Electrical knowledge Have an in-depth understanding of circuits, power supplies, motors, cables, fuses, thermal relays, fault current protection switches, heating, lighting, air conditioning, and more
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Knowledge of film-making Be able to understand the production process
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Communication Be able to draw up plans and explain them to the crew, communicate well with the Director of Photography and the lighting crew, be clear and approachable even when making quick decisions under pressure
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Organization Work within a budget, schedule the crew and the kit requirements, prioritize and meet deadlines
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Understanding of LED and Unreal Engine Technology Have a clear and in-depth understanding of the technology you are working with
Who does an LED Technician work with?
An LED Technician will work with the Director and the DOP to understand the desired look of the scene. They will discuss the construction of the LED screen wall and the type of lighting effects and backgrounds desired. On-set, the LED Technician will work with a crew of Grips and Gaffers to construct the LED screen wall and make sure everything is working properly. LED Technicians will also work closely with the artists that are creating the landscapes in Unreal Engine.
How do I become an LED Technician?
Develop lighting and camera skills: The entranceway into becoming an LED Technician begins with understanding the fundamentals of lighting and camera. You can begin by learning these aspects by getting involved with a local lighting and camera union or by attending educational courses.
Look for Opportunities: After working on sets and gaining experience in lighting, camera, and the technology required on a film set you can move into LED virtual production. You can either attempt to find productions utilizing this technology and work with it to gain experience or work with a company that rents out the technology and services.
More tips
For more tips on finding job opportunities, lists of training programmes, and other great resources, check out our Career Resources page.
You might also be interested in…
Motion Capture Technician
Department: Effects Department
- Motion Capture Technician
- Sets up and maintains the motion capture studio, and runs the capture station.
Gaffer
Department: Camera Department
- Gaffer
- Creates and controls the lighting on a production, working with the DoP to achieve the artistic vision.
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Job Profile Design by Dave Gray. Based on an original concept by Ian Murphy/Allan Burrell.