Film music and theatre Archives

How a Broadcast Technician makes a difference

Broadcast Technicians help TV, radio, and online shows get from the studio to your screens and speakers. They make sure things like cameras, microphones and other equipment are working to capture, record and transmit high quality sound and picture.

Without them, live sport, news, podcasts and music wouldn’t work properly. They set things up, check equipment and keep things running during broadcasts. They need to be able to spot and fix problems fast. Their work helps people stay informed, entertained and connected every day.

The type of work a Broadcast Technician will do

Set up equipment like cameras and microphones
Test sound and picture quality
Run equipment during live broadcasts
Monitor signals and spot faults
Fix problems quickly when things go wrong
Work with presenters and producers

Useful skills

Logical thinking

Skills & attributes

Useful skills

Technologically minded

Skills & attributes

Useful skills

Practical application

Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the Broadcast Technician role

You have an interest in TV, radio or online video and enjoy how shows are made.

You like solving problems and figuring out why things are not working.

You can stay calm when something goes wrong, even during high-pressure live events.

You enjoy working as part of a team and helping others do their job well.

What you can bring to the Broadcast Technician role

You pay close attention to details, such as sound levels and picture quality.

You are happy to learn new technology as equipment and systems change.

You have basic IT skills and are confident using computers.

What you can bring to the Broadcast Technician role

This role could also be right for you if you have any of the following interests:

- making videos or podcasts

- using audio and music technology

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Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Broadcast Technician

With experience, you could become a senior broadcast technician or a technical supervisor. Some people move into sound, lighting or camera roles. Others go into engineering, systems design or training apprentices. You could also work on bigger live events or specialise in TV, radio or online streaming.

How to become a Broadcast Technician

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Options available after GCSEs:

A T-level in Media, broadcast and production
An apprenticeship as a Broadcast and media systems technical operator

More options available after that:

An apprenticeship as a Broadcast and media systems technician

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

Every day can be different. One day you might be in a TV studio and the next at a live event. You get to work behind the scenes on shows people love. Live broadcasts can be exciting because you have to think fast and fix problems quickly. New technology is always coming in, so there is always something new to learn. You also get to work with lots of creative people.

Other job titles...

You might also see this role listed under different job titles, including:

Broadcast and Media Systems Technician
Broadcast Engineer
Media Technician
Studio Technician
Outside Broadcast Technician

How a Sound Technician makes a difference

If you listen to a film or tv programme instead of watching it, you’ll notice how sounds communicate important elements of the story. Film and programme makers design these sounds to produce the right atmosphere, just like sets are designed to create the right environments.

A sound technician is involved in capturing this atmosphere. They work in a studio or on location. Before filming starts, they help to produce the right acoustics, based on the sound designer’s instructions, and during filming they need to capture actors’ voices clearly. You could be the technician who helps to capture beautiful atmospheres on films and tv programmes that increase people’s enjoyment of what they’re watching.

The type of work a Sound Technician will do

Setting up equipment to suit the acoustics and the sound designer’s instructions
Selecting and placing microphones
Operating the boom (microphone on a pole)
Checking sound quality
Recording sound onto digital devices
Servicing and repairing equipment
Playing music or sound effects into a live programme
Carrying out post production tasks, including mixing and balancing speech, effects and background music
Creating extra sound effects and adding them to the soundtrack

Useful skills

Attention to detail

Skills & attributes

Useful skills

Instructing others

Skills & attributes

Useful skills

Technologically minded

Skills & attributes

Useful skills

Precise

Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the Sound Technician role

An enjoyment of films and their sound elements.

Some knowledge of how films or videos are made and how sound is captured.

A knack for using new technology and creating things on computers.

The ability to use the main software packages competently.

What you can bring to the Sound Technician role

A thorough approach to your work and completing tasks accurately.

The ability to work well with others and provide clear instructions.

The confidence and resilience to respond to change.

What you can bring to the Sound Technician role

This role could also be right for you if you have any of the following interests:

- art, film, fashion and design

- gaming and technology

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£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Average salary per month *

Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Sound Technician

You could decide to work in a small TV studio and work up to a national one. Or you could specialise in one area of sound and use that skill to work as a freelancer, getting contracts on films and programmes made all over the world.

There is also a career path you can follow from trainee level to assistant sound, to first assistant sound, and then sound mixer. Another option is broadening out from sound and moving into studio management.

How to become a Sound Technician

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Options available after GCSEs:

A T-level in Media, Broadcast and Production.
An apprenticeship as a Broadcast and Communications Technical Operator.

More options available after that:

An apprenticeship as a Broadcast and Media Systems Technician.

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

In this role you use lots of technical equipment to capture sounds clearly, including a boom (a microphone on a pole that can get close to the sound source) and microphone transmitters. Very large rigs of kit can be used to ensure the acoustics and sounds are just right, and to enable directors and sound teams to hear what actors are saying as films and programmes are being made.

How a Gaming Audio Technician makes a difference

If you’re a gamer, you know how much thought goes into the whole experience of a game. Not only to the storyline, characters, script, visuals, and the action that’s in the hands of the gamer, but also to the sounds. Animal squeals, explosions, gun shots, electric storms, car screeches and crashes: all need to be created and programmed to happen at exactly the right time.

A lot of creativity and precision goes into making these sounds. A gaming audio technician helps to record material that can be manipulated to make the best possible sound effect. They’re also involved in putting character’s voices into games. With nearly three billion gamers all over the world, you could be the technician who helps create the excitement and atmosphere of the next big game they play.

A sound mixing desk with dials and buttons.

The type of work a Gaming Audio Technician will do

Assessing the needs of a game and planning the type of audio it will require
Sourcing existing sound effects from sound libraries
Layering sounds together to produce the sound required
Manipulating sound files digitally
Recording new material to add to sounds or to create a new one
Programming sounds to happen in time with the action
Recording actors’ voice overs and adjusting recordings suit the character they’re playing
Listening in detail to every sound that’s created to make sure it is perfect and seamlessly integrated into the sound track

Useful skills

Technologically minded

Skills & attributes

Useful skills

Attention to detail

Skills & attributes

Useful skills

Precise

Skills & attributes

Useful skills

Problem solving

Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the Gaming Audio Technician role

An appreciation of computer games and what they involve.

Some experience of making and recording sounds or music.

A knack for understanding new software and creating things on computers.

The ability to listen carefully and complete tasks accurately, with great attention to detail.

What you can bring to the Gaming Audio Technician role

Good communication skills and the confidence to share your ideas in a team.

The determination to think problems through from different angles and consider all possibilities, before deciding on the best way forward.

The patience to do things with absolute precision.

What you can bring to the Gaming Audio Technician role

This role could also be right for you if you have any of the following interests:

- gaming and technology

- electronic music and production

- exploring problems and finding answers

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Average salary per year *

£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Average salary per month *

Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Gaming Audio Technician

With experience you could become a senior audio designer and eventually an audio director. Alternatively you could choose to be a freelance sound designer, working with a range of gaming design studios. Another option is transferring your skills to the film and TV industries and focussing on editing either sound effects, music, or dialogue.

How to become a Gaming Audio Technician

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Options available after GCSEs:

A T-level in Digital Software Development.
An apprenticeship as a Software Development Technician.

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

You will work with a big team of designers and programmers to plan and create the soundtrack for a game. You might also run auditions to find voice actors you need and then work with them to record their lines with the right energy, style and tone to match the action of the game.

How a Special Effects Technician makes a difference

Have you ever wondered how filmmakers create snow when they need it, produce an explosion that looks real, have tea pots that talk, or show hundreds of imaginary creatures flying through the sky? These sorts of magical moments are achieved through the work of highly skilled technicians who know how to add visual, physical, and explosive special effects to films.

While some special effects are filmed live, in front of the camera, others can be added in later using digital techniques such as animation and CGI. Physical special effects involve the creation of props, mechanical tricks and models. You could be the technician who helps to create blockbuster films everyone loves because the special effects are amazing!

The type of work a Special Effects Technician will do

Brainstorming ideas and solutions with creative and technical teams
Proposing ideas to film makers
Building new equipment and props
Assembling and checking models and mechanical items
Working on a computer to model or trigger effects
Introducing props and other special effects on the film set and making sure they work
Repairing parts or mechanics that break
Safely removing and storing props and equipment after use

Useful skills

Problem solving

Skills & attributes

Useful skills

Instructing others

Skills & attributes

Useful skills

Precise

Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the Special Effects Technician role

A vivid imagination and a passion for film.

Experience of making things.

Creativity and ingenuity.

The confidence to share your ideas in a group of people and explain how they are achievable.

What you can bring to the Special Effects Technician role

The ability to focus on your work and complete tasks with great attention to detail.

A knack for thinking about a problem from different angles and coming up with the best solution.

A proactive approach and the ability to adapt and stay calm under pressure.

What you can bring to the Special Effects Technician role

This role could also be right for you if you have any of the following interests:

- art, film, fashion and design

- building, making and fixing things

- gaming and technology

Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Special Effects Technician

Once you’ve gained general experience in a broad range of special effects, you can start to focus on those you like most and are best at. There are specialist courses you can take to add to your skills.

After about ten years in the industry, you could become a senior technician, and after a few more you could be promoted to the role of special effects supervisor. Beyond that, you might decide to set up your own special effects company.

How to become a Special Effects Technician

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Options available after GCSEs:

A T-level in Media, Broadcast and Production.

More options available after that:

An apprenticeship as an Assistant Technical Director (Visual Effects).

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

You could work in a special effects studio that supplies lots of different films, or could spend time on a film set, dedicated to one particular film. You’ll learn how to use a range of specialist tools and work with diverse materials including rubber, wood, and metal. Best of all, when films are launched, you’ll be able to see your creativity and hard work come to life on the big screen.

How a Post Production Technician makes a difference

You’ve probably seen footage of directors making films and directing the actors on set, but you might be less familiar with the work that goes on afterwards to create the final film.

This stage of work is called post production. It involves precision fine-tuning of colour, audio and special effects. It’s part of the process for several media industries – advertising, radio and tv, as well as film. You could be the technician who helps make remarkable creative work.

The type of work a Post Production Technician will do

Supporting the transition of raw footage or audio into the finished product
Making sure people have the right files to work on
Saving files, labelling them and storing them securely
Helping to calibrate machines
Applying technical specifications
Being responsible for high profile material
Engaging with clients and creative teams

Useful skills

Instructing others

Skills & attributes

Useful skills

Technologically minded

Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the Post Production Technician role

An interest in the creative and media industries.

The ability to analyse high volumes of material.

The confidence and skills to create things on computers and try new technology and software.

What you can bring to the Post Production Technician role

An ability to work independently, managing your own time and prioritising tasks.

The skill to instruct others and make sure things happen on time and to the right standard.

What you can bring to the Post Production Technician role

You could also be right for this role if you have any of the following interests:

- art, film, fashion and design

- gaming and technology

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Average salary per year *

£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Average salary per month *

Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Post Production Technician

At the beginning of your post production career you could focus on learning one specialist technique or get to know several and specialise later on.

With some experience behind you, you might decide you want to work freelance, getting contracts for post production work on a variety of tv programmes, ads and films.

How to become a Post Production Technician

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Options available after GCSEs:

A T-level in Media, Broadcast and Production.

More options available after that:

An apprenticeship as a Junior Production Coordinator.
An apprenticeship as a Post Production Technical Operator.
An apprenticeship as a Post Production Engineer.

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

You’ll engage with a wide range of people including directors, clients, production teams and technical operators, who all work together to achieve the same creative goal. You’ll spend time on set to understand what the visual or audio objectives are and be responsible for calibrating the machines that make them achievable.

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

Dailies Operator
Digital Imaging Technician
Data Wrangler
Grade/Edit assistant
Input/Output Operator
MCR Operator
Media Operator
Offline Assistant
Quality Control Operator
Technical Operator

How a Lighting Technician makes a difference

Lighting is used to create atmosphere and dramatic effects in a wide range of situations, from concerts to conferences, theatre performances to exhibitions, film and tv productions to advertising.

Working with a lighting designer, the lighting crew make sure the stage or set is lit correctly and safely. They also make adjustments as filming and rehearsals progress, to support the designer’s creative vision. You could be the technician who brings light to film and theatre, enabling performances of all kinds to be visually striking.

The type of work a Lighting Technician will do

Interpreting a lighting designer’s plan
Planning where to run cables and place lights
Helping to set up the rig and check equipment
Taking instructions from the stage manager in the theatre or the floor manager in TV on what they want to achieve
Programming and operating manual or computer controlled lighting systems
Carrying out risk assessments for health and safety purposes
Taking down and storing equipment after shows or filming

Useful skills

Precise

Skills & attributes

Useful skills

Decisive

Skills & attributes

Useful skills

Instructing others

Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the Lighting Technician role

An interest in working in the performance industries.

Some skills in maths and science to help you achieve your electrician qualifications.

The ability to focus and produce accurate work.

What you can bring to the Lighting Technician role

The confidence to assess problems and come up with potential solutions quickly.

The ability to put what you’ve learnt into practice and teach it to other people.

A willingness to work variable hours in different locations.

What you can bring to the Lighting Technician role

This role could also be right for you if you have any of the following interests:

- building, making and fixing things

- art, film, fashion and design

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Average salary per year *

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Average salary per month *

Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Lighting Technician

Once you’ve gained experience in a supporting role you could progress to leading a team of lighting technicians and managing the logistics for ordering and delivering of lighting.

More experience will also allow you to work on bigger and more complex projects, and to specialise in areas such as electrical safety, inspection and testing, pyrotechnics or rigging.

How to become a Lighting Technician

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Options available after GCSEs:

A T-level in Media, Broadcast and Production.
An apprenticeship as a Live Event Rigger.
An apprenticeship as a Creative Industries Production Technician.

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

Films, advertising shoots, conferences, and theatre shows take place in lots of different locations, so you’ll have the opportunity to travel around and gain access to places you may not otherwise visit. You’ll also meet a wide variety of people, some of whom could be famous performers and actors.

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

Gaffer

How a Creative Venue Technician makes a difference

If you’ve ever been to a concert, the theatre or even a show on ice, you probably remember the performers most of all. However, every production – whether it’s live, for the radio, or on film – involves a large back stage crew who take care of the scenery, lights, cameras, sound and smooth running of a performance.

Some members of the crew will be specialists in a specific area while others are multi-skilled, working across a range of technical disciplines. This could be anything from constructing scenery to moving it around set, repairing equipment to adapting venues for touring shows. You could be the technician who helps to create the magic of performances and ensures audiences are fully entertained.

The type of work a Creative Venue Technician will do

Assembling and installing stage scenery
Maintaining scenery, equipment and props
Working with the creative team to deliver staging ideas
Programming lighting, audio, video and automation
Carrying out repairs to a venue
Working with a group to deliver projects on time
Interacting with a diverse range of technical and creative people

Useful skills

Attention to detail

Skills & attributes

Useful skills

Instructing others

Skills & attributes

Useful skills

Communicating complex ideas

Skills & attributes

Useful skills

Problem solving

Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the Creative Venue Technician role

A passion for performances and putting on a show.

An interest in how to make things that will bring a creative idea to life.

A positive and disciplined approach to your work, with great attention to detail.

A natural desire to solve challenges, thinking through all options before deciding on a solution.

What you can bring to the Creative Venue Technician role

The ability to work with other people and communicate your ideas and solutions to them.

The drive and determination to complete a task on time.

A willingness to travel and sometimes work unsociable hours.

What you can bring to the Creative Venue Technician role

A desire to learn all aspects of your trade.

This role could also be right for you if you have any of the following interests:

- art, film, fashion and design

- building, making and fixing things

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Average salary per year *

£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Average salary per month *

Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities for a Creative Venue Technician

Once you’ve developed an all-round understanding of stage craft and how different teams work together, you may decide to specialise in one area, whether that’s lighting, sound, scenery or stage management.

Even if you choose to continue as a multi-skilled technician, you can progress to being a team leader, responsible for project management, training other people, and the quality of delivery. Eventually you could reach the position of producer and have overall control of how a show is put together.

How to become a Creative Venue Technician

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Options available after GCSEs:

A T-level in Media, Broadcast and Production.
An apprenticeship as a Creative Industries Production Technician.
An apprenticeship as a Scenic Automation Technician.

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

There are many kinds of creative venue. Not only theatres and concert halls, but arts centres, broadcast studios, recording studios and festivals. The stagecraft you learn, including carpentry, operating stage machinery, and performing scene changes, will be transferrable to lots of different shows and environments, and could allow you to travel the world.

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

Venue Technician
Theatre Technician
Stage Technician
Lighting Technician
Sound Technician
Video Technician
Automation Technician