Lighting big events for television presents plenty of challenges to the TV Lighting Designer, and not always in ways you might expect. Bernie Davis talks through a few of his experiences in Royal Opera House, Royal Albert Hall, Drury Lane and beyond.
Bernie Davis started life in the BBC TV Outside Broadcasts to become one of their senior lighting directors. Since leaving the BBC Bernie has become has been an established TV Lighting Designer for over twenty-five years working on many of the highest-profile programmes ranging from events in cathedrals and palaces, to concerts and light entertainment shows, plays, opera and ballets from The National Theatre and Covent Garden.
He has lit several royal weddings, including the most recent one at St. George’s Chapel Windsor, and Festival of Remembrance from the Royal Albert Hall. He has also designed the lighting for the Royal Variety Performance a record eight times, and this year is currently working on his twenty-sixth season of the BBC Proms.
His work has been acknowledged by prestigious industry awards including those from the Royal Television Society, BAFTA, and The Knight of Illumination.
