| Master Electrician |
Article Index for Master |
Website Links For Master |
Information AboutMaster Electrician |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT MASTER ELECTRICIAN | |
| stage lighting | |
| theatrical professions | |
|
The Master Electrician (or '''ME''') in a Theatre is responsible for implementing the lighting design for a production drawn up by the Lighting Designer . This involves overseeing the preparation, hanging and connection of Stage Lighting fixtures. 1 This can be done on a show by show basis, or as a resident position of a specific theatre. The tool of the trade of the theatrical Master Electrician is the Wrench or spanner, used to secure Stage Lighting Instrument s from lighting positions in the theatre. This wrench is typically a standard 8" adjustable c-wrench connected to the belt or wrist with a Lanyard . The lanyard is important because the Master Electrician tends to work at great height from Ladders , Lift Table s, Catwalks , or lighting Truss . DUTIES The Master Electrician supervises all other Electricians working on a production or show. They are sometimes referred to as the ''Head Electrician'' or in a touring house, the ''House Electrician''. The master electrician may also perform similar functions for the sound department. Their other duties include:
TRAINING, ORIGIN, AND PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Master Electricians are more grown than trained. Within the industry, Training is done on the job, with little work in more formal settings such as schools or colleges, which tend to focus on Lighting Design rather than Vocational experience. Knowledge of the field is often passed on by Word Of Mouth , rather than having a documented industry. There are as yet no formal certifications of the theatrical title "Master Electrician" as in some of the more mainstream trades. The Stagehand s union, IATSE , come close in that they offer Apprentice and Journeyman levels of certification. In the future, IATSE, or some of the larger local affiliations may form a more formal method of certification, which may include the title of Master Electrician. In the meantime almost every production, from High School to Broadway uses the term to describe their primary electrician regardless of their skill level or experience. REFERENCES |
|
|