Pierce McFarlane graduated from Creative Lighting Control in 2020. He told us a little about his current role as Lighting Vision Supervisor for BBC Studioworks / Eastenders and how his time at Rose Bruford College helped him establish a career in Lighting.

 

WHAT DOES YOUR CURRENT JOB INVOLVE?

 

I work alongside with the Lighting Director the light the scenes for Eastenders. My role entails controlling LED and Tungsten lights, Racking cameras (white balance, black levels, iris exposure). Identifying reflections, shadows and mics in shot. Adjusting iris exposure for faces and tweaking colours.

 

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THE ROLE AND HOW DO YOU APPLY WHAT YOU LEARNT AT ROSE BRUFORD DAY-TO-DAY?

 

What most excited me was working for a well known TV soap and doing lighting as a career, which is what I wanted to do since coming into the industry.

 

My learning and training from Rose Bruford has helped me get this job and be competent and confident to be able to do it to a good standard in the industry.

 

I also work with the lighting company PRG in my spare time each year as a lighting tech at the ‘Wireless Festival’. My role is to help set up the lighting rig, run cables, and desk operation at FOH during the show. This is my favourite festival and I absolutely love working on this each year.

 

WHAT DID YOU MOST ENJOY ABOUT STUDYING AT ROSE BRUFORD?

 

I most enjoyed programming lighting for shows and then being able to see pictures of the work everyone has created together as creatives. This also helped me build a portfolio.

 

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO ANYONE CONSIDERING OR STUDYING ON THIS COURSE NOW?

 

Study as hard as you can, learn your craft as much as you can and be a good people person with good communication. People like people who they can get on and work with, especially for long periods of time.

 

Network and build contacts whilst being a student. Take on work experience and any other external opportunities that come your way. You’ll be remembered and there may be other potential jobs/work that could come from it.

 

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SAY?

 

A big thanks to Rose Bruford for the training, industry professionals that came in to teach and my tutors Enrique and Rachel for the support with everything.