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Systemwide Series Concepts / Job Specifications < Class D - Communication, Arts and Graphics Scene Technician
University of California Series Concepts
Class Specifications - D.25
Senior Scene Technician - 6332
Scene Technician - 6333
Assistant Scene Technician - 6334
April, 1975
SERIES CONCEPT
Scene Technicians construct or supervise the construction, painting, and lighting of stage settings for campus theatrical events and other fine arts presentations; supervise students in these activities in accordance with instructional aims of the department; organize, train, supervise, and participate in crews for the presentation of fine arts presentations; and perform other related duties as required.
The series includes positions which range in level of skills from the trainee to the Senior Technician who is required to design from rough drawings without detailed instructions and to complete the fabrication, painting and lighting of stage sets.
CLASS CONCEPTS
Senior Scene TechnicianUnder general supervision incumbents make blueprints from designers' sketches and construct stage settings from scenic designs and plans; organize, train and supervise grip, lighting, prop, and fly crews; maintain theatrical rigging, lighting, and drapery equipment; mount settings on movable platforms; install stage hand rigging and counterweight systems; devise simple sound amplifying systems; and mix and apply paints used in scenic decorations.
Incumbents typically instruct students in the solution of technical problems encountered in lighting, set design, construction, special effects, sound, and properties for theater, concert or motion picture productions; supervise Scene Technicians, Assistants and student crews; evaluate students' work for grading purposes; may act as a substitute or replacement during the absence of student designers; and are assigned responsibility for safety and fire control in stage area or studio.
Examples of assignments allocated to this level of difficulty and responsibility are:
- Participates in meetings with faculty and takes notes on general production outlines of scenery, sound effects, and lighting requirements.
- Prepares detailed plans for production, including scene drawings, cost and time figures, personnel needs, and after clearance from the production manager, produces the scenic materials needed.
- aints murals, grained-wood affects, marbleizing, conventional ornaments, cycloramas, portraits statuary, free-hand flowers, trees, etc.
- Inspects and performs major maintenance and repair on rigging and lighting
Scene Technician
Under supervision incumbents construct stage settings and paint scenic decorations; arrange lighting and sound equipment for special effects; move scenery and stage sets; may supervise Assistant Scene Technicians, helpers, and students assigned to painting, lighting, or construction crews; may grade students' work in laboratory courses; serve as crew head on minor productions; and may be assigned responsibility for safety and fire control in stage or studio.
Examples of duties allocated to this level of difficulty and responsibility are
- Constructs and paints scenery and properties; assists in planning scenic changes and organization of backstage personnel; and constructs stage properties from designers' sketches.
- Arranges electrical circuits for stage lighting; assembles sound systems; and rigs and mounts scenery and lights.
- Assists in the maintenance of shop, rigging, and lighting equipment.
- Operates props, grips and lights at productions requiring a single operator.
Assistant Scene Technician
Under close supervision of a higher level technician incumbents assist in the pre-assembly work for dramatic arts presentations; assist in the construction of stage and scenery settings; assemble and disassemble lighting arrangements for specific setting; may be assigned entire lighting responsibility for a small production; operate dimmer; set up and check for proper functioning of the amplifying equipment and/or loudspeakers, microphones, or recording equipment; move scenes; and operate scenery lines and backstage counterweight systems.
Examples of assignments allocated to this level of difficulty and responsibility are:
- Serves as a crew member in presentations requiring changes in scenery, lighting, props, sound, or as a crew member loading in and striking scenery.
- Assists technicians in arranging stage lighting, assembling sound systems and mounting lights.
- Assists in the construction of stage and/or scenery from instructions and/or drawings.
- Disassembles stage settings.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Senior Scene Technician
Two years of college and three years of experience in theater production; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledges and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.
Scene Technician
Two years of college and one year of experience in theater production; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledges and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.
Assistant Scene Technician
Two years of college or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledges abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position. Two years of experience in theater production may be substituted for two years of college.
