Tungsten

Term from Cinematography industry explained for recruiters

Tungsten refers to a specific type of lighting used in film, video, and photography. It's a warm-colored artificial light that's commonly used on film sets and in studios. When someone mentions Tungsten in their resume, they're usually talking about their experience with professional lighting equipment and setups. This type of lighting is also sometimes called "hot lights" or "incandescent lighting." Understanding Tungsten lighting is important because it affects how colors appear on camera and requires specific knowledge to balance it with other light sources like daylight or LED lights.

Examples in Resumes

Managed Tungsten lighting setups for major commercial productions

Balanced Tungsten and natural light for documentary interviews

Operated Tungsten lighting kits on television studio productions

Typical job title: "Lighting Technicians"

Also try searching for:

Gaffer Lighting Director Director of Photography Film Electrician Best Boy Electric Set Lighting Technician Studio Lighting Operator

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you handle mixing Tungsten lighting with daylight on a complex shoot?

Expected Answer: A senior lighting professional should explain how they use color temperature correction, gels, and light placement to balance different light sources, and mention experience managing large lighting setups with multiple crew members.

Q: What's your approach to lighting a night exterior scene with Tungsten lights?

Expected Answer: They should discuss power management, light positioning, safety considerations, and how to achieve natural-looking nighttime lighting while managing crew and equipment efficiently.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What safety precautions do you take when working with Tungsten lights?

Expected Answer: Should mention heat management, proper cable handling, use of safety cables, power distribution, and basic electrical safety protocols.

Q: How do you determine the right mix of Tungsten and other light sources for different shooting situations?

Expected Answer: Should explain basic light metering, color temperature matching, and how to achieve desired moods through different lighting combinations.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What's the main difference between Tungsten and LED lights?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain basic differences in terms of heat output, power consumption, and color temperature, even if not deeply technical.

Q: Can you describe the basic setup of a Tungsten lighting kit?

Expected Answer: Should know common light sizes, basic stand setup, safety procedures, and fundamental accessories like barn doors and scrims.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic light setup and safety
  • Cable management
  • Understanding of basic color temperature
  • Equipment maintenance

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Complex lighting setups
  • Power distribution
  • Color correction techniques
  • Working with various light sources

Senior (5+ years)

  • Advanced lighting design
  • Crew management
  • Budget planning
  • Complex production lighting

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No knowledge of basic electrical safety
  • Unfamiliarity with industry-standard lighting equipment
  • Lack of experience with different shooting environments
  • No understanding of color temperature and light mixing