Lighting Designers Salary

[Michael Beere]

Hi,

 

I am currently working on a piece of coursework for college and I'm finding it difficult to answer a question. The questions is what sort of salary would a lighting designer have. Obviously my first thought was it depends on what type of production and how big or small it maybe.

 

I was hoping if any body could shine some light on this for me?

 

Cheers

[GreyBadger]

The ALD has a document on their site somewhere detailing recommended minimum charges

[Just Some Bloke]

The ALD do have recommended rates, but I don't think they are available on their website. Certainly I logged on as a member and still couldn't find the rates online, but I do have a copy at home.

 

First things first: most lighting designers don't get a salary for LD work. They get a fee. Salaries are paid to permanent, full-time employees whereas most LD work is done on a freelance basis.

 

Fees vary dramatically depending on what the design is for, who it is for, how long it runs, how much involvement the LD is expected to have and whether it includes money for an Assistant LD, programmer or Board Op (sometimes paid direct to the LD who then sub-contracts, sometimes paid separately by the producers). For the top names the fee can be relatively high, but for the majority of professional LDs it is not high at all. It is not un-common for the Chief LX to be getting more than the LD! ;)

 

If you're thinking of getting into the job for the money, think again! :)

[GreyBadger]

Somebody posted a link on here to a PDF detailing them, so it's online somewhere... Try searching for it (on here, that is).

[tompw]

Theatrical Management Assocation fees... their fees are the same Equity's, it seems. Not sure about the abreviations though. (??MRSL ??)

 

EDIT: See also http://www.blue-room.org.uk/index.php?showtopic=9981

[SimonW]

Theatrical Management Assocation fees... their fees are the same Equity's, it seems.

 

You should be aware that the Equity/TMA fees are minimum permitted fees - they are very

much on the low side. As others have indicated the ALD does publish a list of suggested fees

for members, these are higher than the Equity/TMA minimums.

 

You could try speaking to Geoff at the ALD office - I'm not sure what the official position is on distributing

that document.

 

Simon.