Carnegie Mellon School of Drama

Job Description

Position: Moving Light Programmer

Advisors: Staff Lighting Technologist and Faculty Lighting Designers

Basic Job Description: The Moving Light Programmer is responsible for the realization of the lighting design for the production, as it pertains to the use of automated lighting. Working in concert with Artistic Staff and other Production Personnel, the Moving Light Programmer is part of a collaborative team.

The Staff Lighting Technologist supervises production process and progress. The role of the staff advisor is to help guide the student through the design and production process. The Staff Lighting Technologist must approve budgets, schedules and drawings before any work goes into the shop or theater.

Responsibilities:

Design Phase

• The Moving Light Programmer is available to the production team to consult on design implementation questions.
• The Moving Light Programmer should attend design meetings as requested, consult with the designer on overall scope of show, facilities or equipment issues, and provide information pertaining to automated lighting as needed.

Budgeting Phase

• The Moving Light Programmer is responsible for assembling a production estimate based on preliminary discussions with the Lighting Designer. This estimate should be distributed to:
• Lighting Designer
• Master Electrician
• Each of the following production requirements must be estimated:
• Material Costs
• Equipment/rental Costs
• Hang and Focus Labor Hours
• Load-In Linear Time
• Tech Time
• Run Crew Requirements
• Strike Labor Hours
• Strike Linear Time
• Budget Overlaps with other departments
• The Moving Light Programmer works with the entire team to insure all production items are estimated. Labor and space estimating must respect the needs of other productions. The Programmer works with the ME, Production Manager and the Lighting Technologist to identify overlaps between their show and other projects or classes. In the event that the proposed design exceeds the available resources, the Moving Light Programmer works with the entire production team to identify strategies for savings.

NO design or technical approach to that design will proceed without budgets approved by the Staff Lighting Technologist.

Build Phase--Before plot due date

• The Moving Light Programmer oversees the procurement of any automated lighting elements in the production.
• The Moving Light Programmer must be available to answer questions.
• The Moving Light Programmer works with the Master Electrician to schedule the load in, hang and programming of automated lighting elements.

Build Phase--Between plot due date and beginning of load-in

• The Moving Light Programmer is responsible for assembling or obtaining the required documentation and resources for the project. Documentation includes:
• Light Plot (including Section)
• Automated Lighting channeling information
• Channel hook-up and instrument schedule
• At this time the production estimate developed earlier in the process needs to be finalized based on the Lighting Design. All budgeting issues arising will be dealt with in conjunction with the Staff Lighting Technologist.
• Production Resources include:
• Stock items
• Equipment rentals/orders
• Shop space
• Build labor
• Production documentation must be available for review by the Production Manager and Staff Lighting Technologist at all times.
• Materials purchasing and equipment rentals are coordinated with the Staff Lighting Technologist.
• Electrics crew requirements are discussed with the Master Electrician.
• The Moving Light Programmer must be available to answer questions.
• The Moving Light Programmer works with the Master Electrician to schedule the load in, hang and programming of automated lighting elements.
• The Moving Light Programmer develops all paperwork necessary for the efficient installation of the automated lighting elements of the show.

Hang

• The Moving Light Programmer supervises the installation of all automated lighting equipment, ensuring that it is installed in a safe manner.
• During work calls, the Moving Light Programmer is responsible for providing information and support for the ME and lighting crew in relation to the task at hand.

Installation of all lighting elements should be complete by the end of the hang period.

Focus

• The Moving Light Programmer may be asked to attend focus calls to set focus points or perform other functions related to automated lighting equipment.
• During the focus period the Moving Light Programmer should build all necessary palettes, presets, looks, etc. that the Lighting Designer has requested as well as any other preparation necessary to begin the tech process.

Focus should be complete prior to the Cue Writing period.

Cue Writing

• The Moving Light Programmer attends all cue writing sessions.
• The Moving Light Programmer is responsible for educating any lighting run crew members regarding their duties related to automated lighting equipment during the tech and run of the show.

Cue Writing should be complete before the beginning of Tech.

Tech/Dress

• The Moving Light Programmer is responsible for adjusting the hang or placement of automated lighting elements as discussed with the Lighting Designer.
• The Moving Light Programmer must attend all tech rehearsals.
• The Moving Light Programmer must attend all notes meetings.
• After a notes meeting, the Moving Light Programmer works with the Master Electrician to prioritize notes and staff the work sessions required to complete the list to date.
• The Moving Light Programmer works with the board-op to complete an equipment check and fix any problems before each Dress rehearsal.
• Each night the Moving Light Programmer must make a written report that is immediately delivered to their advisor which details the events of the day and expectations of issues that will be dealt with before or during the next scheduled call.

Production Run

• The Moving Light Programmer works with the board-op to complete an equipment check and fix any problems before each performance.

Strike/Post-Production

• The Moving Light Programmer supervises the dismantling of the automated lighting equipment and any restoration of the lighting system in a safe manner.
• The Moving Light Programmer is responsible for the return of stock, borrowed, or rented items. The facility staff must be included in any strike decisions that affect the use of the shops.
• The Moving Light Programmer must return any keys necessary.

At any time throughout the production schedule the Moving Light Programmer may utilize their Faculty Advisors to help resolve any ambiguities in a particular project's process.

The Moving Light Programmer MUST attend Strike.