Carnegie Mellon School of Drama

Job Description

Position: Assistant Master Electrician

Advisors: Staff Lighting Technologist and Faculty Lighting Designer

Basic Job Description: The Assistant Master Electrician is responsible for assisting the Master Electrician as defined by the needs of the production. This may include taking notes, prep and installation of lighting equipment, and attending meetings when asked by the ME. For Chosky Theatre and MFA productions the AME is also the Light Board Operator.

It is suggested that the Assistant Master Electrician read the job description of the Master Electrician to better understand the scope of what the Assistant will help with during the process of the production.

It is the responsibility of the Assistant Master Electrician to facilitate the work of the Master Electrician. It is the responsibility of the Master Electrician to give direction to the Assistant and to help the Assistant better understand the process in preparation for the time that the Assistant will become a Master Electrician in a subsequent production.

Responsibilities:

Design Phase

• The AME may be asked by the ME to attend production meetings and/or otherwise help in the communication process.

Budgeting Phase

• The AME may be asked by the ME to attend production meetings and/or otherwise help in the communication process.
• The ME may assign specific tasks to the AME to further the budget estimating process.

Build Phase

• The Assistant Master Electrician works under the direction of the Master Electrician to assemble any elements of the show which need to be dealt with before the load-in process begins. This might include:
• Practicals
• Cutting and assembling color
• Creating hanging cardboards
• Creating/editing paperwork

Load-In

• The Assistant Master Electrician works with the Master Electrician to facilitate all elements of the Electrics load-in.

Hang

• The Assistant Master Electrician works under the direction of the Master Electrician to install all lighting and lighting-related equipment in the theatre. Specific tasks might include:
• Supervising lighting crew members
• Operating the console or remote focus unit
• Updating paperwork
• Participating in the rigging of lighting elements
• Special projects requiring individual attention

Focus

• The Assistant Master Electrician works under the direction of the Master Electrician to facilitate the focus of all lighting fixtures.Specific tasks might include:
• Supervising lighting crew members
• Operating the console or remote focus unit
• Updating paperwork
• Focusing positions that are challenging for the crew
• Special projects requiring individual attention

Cue Writing

• The Assistant Master Electrician acts as the Light Board Operator during cue writing sessions.

Tech/Dress

• The Assistant Master Electrician acts as the Light Board Operator during technical and dress rehearsals.

Production Run

• The Assistant Master Electrician acts as the Light Board Operator during the run of the show.

Strike/Post Production

• The Assistant Master Electrician works under the direction of the Master Electrician to facilitate the dismantling of the lighting equipment and the restoration of the lighting system. Specific tasks might include:
• Supervising lighting crew members
• Special projects requiring individual attention

At any time throughout the production schedule the Assistant Master Electrician may utilize the Staff Lighting Technologist or the Faculty Lighting Design Advisor to help resolve any ambiguities in a particular project's process.

The Assistant Master Electrician MUST attend strike.