So you wanna be a rigger?

What’s the job?
Riggers are the people who lay the power cables needed on a set, erect scaffold towers, rig-up the tracks for cameras, camera mountings, cranes and dollies. On an outside broadcast, they’ll also run the generator vans that supply the power to the production crew.

So a rigger is just a glorified dogsbody?
Not at all: riggers need to be adept in construction, and dealing with electrics. Awareness of health and safety issues is paramount in the work of the rigger: dealing with power cables and temporary structures can be potentially lethal when left in inexperienced hands!

Where do riggers work?
All the major television companies employ crews of riggers who work on several productions during a working week. There is also a large pool of freelance riggers who work on short-term contracts, particularly on film sets.

Qualifications
There are no set qualifications required for becoming a rigger, as training is generally acquired ‘on the job’. Having said that, GCSEs in maths, physics, or electronics will be looked upon favourably, as will a BTEC diploma in electrical engineering. You might have to produce a doctor’s note to testify to your physical fitness. A Class 1 HGV driving licence is also handy.

Getting the job
In the absence of formal training opportunities within the industry, anybody considering a career as a rigger should contact BECTU – The Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union – for information and advice. See Links for website address.

Glamour rating
What do you think? Generally, the rigger is in, out and off to the next job before any sniff of a chance of rubbing shoulders with the stars. There can be a lot of travelling and staying away from home.

Future prospects
Hard to say: rationalisation within the bigger companies has meant that more and more riggers, like other workers in the industry, are going freelance, on short-term contracts.

Related occupation
Scenic operatives set, rig, strike and dress the sets in a studio. They also erect rostra and seating, and paint floors and scenery.