Introduction
If we talk about television and film, we usually think of actors, directors and writers the most. Nonetheless, many unnoticed professionals make each big scene a reality. Kevin Corbishley was a light rigger whose talent and skill quietly impacted the appearance of some of Britain’s best-known TV series, such as Ghosts and Call the Midwife. It pays tribute to his achievements, looks at his career and explains why lighting professionals matter in telling a story through film.
What Was Kevin Corbishley?
Kevin Corbishley (1965–2022) was a British expert in setting up and operating lighting systems for television. His many important projects allowed him to help generate strong settings and improve how stories were told. Even though not many recognized his name, his work greatly improved the appearance of some of the world’s best-loved animated shows.
How to Start Your Career in this Profession
Kevin’s early history is private, but his road into the industry follows the route of numerous craftspeople who become masters by working closely with the tools. Both the artistic and mechanical sides of lighting must be understood by those in the light rigging role.
What Is a Light Rigger and What Makes Them Important?
It is important to learn about light rigging before we look at Kevin’s work further.
A light rigger applies the lighting and electrical equipment on locations and stages, making sure the director and cinematographer’s lighting plans are faithful and safe.
Effects on Production:
The lighting design greatly changes the mood, tone and story visuals of a production. Good lighting brings out feelings in viewers, highlights what deserves their attention and supports the story.
Collaboration:
Getting instructions from the art department, camera group and directors, light riggers address both their creative and everyday requirements.
Because of Kevin’s knowledge, all the lights on hard sets were both correctly organized and pleasing to the eye.
Kevin Corbishley’s Greatest Accomplishments
- Starting in 2020, Call the Midwife ended in 2022.
One of Kevin’s major works was on Call the Midwife, a BBC drama about London’s East End after the war.
He was a standby rigger for the camera and electrical team.
Series credit: Added to the credits for 15 episodes from Series 10 and 11 and the 2020 Christmas Special.
His job made the style of the show correct and helped achieve the stylish, soft lighting that everyone enjoyed.
Tribute: Following his death, the Call the Midwife group paid him tribute on the show, showing their deep care for him. - After Season 2, the show began to explore ghosts.
Ghosts, which has a mix of comedy and ghost stories, was another show Kevin helped create.
Task: As a light rigger, he helped create both funny and spooky tones using lighting.
How he lit, the performances made each show look special and fitted the story without pulling the audience’s focus from the actors’ work.
Acknowledgment: Kevin was honored during the Season 4 premiere in a way that’s quite uncommon for the show. - Anna Karenina came out in 2012.
Along with education, Kevin made his mark in feature films by being part of Joe Wright’s extravagant Anna Karenina.
Part of the job is working within the lighting department of the art team.
Problem: Recreating the grandeur and intense feelings in Tolstoy’s novel required very detailed lighting for the film.
The ambitious lighting schemes were made possible because of Kevin’s technical work.
What Effect Did Kevin Corbishley Have on British Television?
Even though Kevin didn’t get credit on screen, the effects of his effort were easily noticed in the film.
By rigging and lighting sets well, he allowed directors and cinematographers to attain their original ideas with ease.
When crews and actors are safe because of proper rigging, operations can move ahead without interruptions.
Many tributes from Kevin’s colleagues demonstrate the high esteem he held with them both in his work and in his personal life.
The Wider Importance: Why the Roles You Can’t See On Stage Matter
The People Who Make Film and TV Work
It proves that key people behind movies and TV shows rarely appear before cameras but are crucial to their success.
Different positions among the crew, for example, riggers, grips, sound engineers and set designers, ensure production works smoothly.
Viewers may not notice it, but good lighting affects how scenes feel to them.
Statistics: Jobs for Industry Workers in Technology
The technical crew sector in the UK has seen an increase of 12% over the past 5 years, says the UK Screen Alliance.
The British Film Institute points out that technical staff behind the scenes make up over half of the people involved in a production.
What Does Kevin Corbishley’s Career Teach Us?
Focused on their Work
Kevin’s work showed the type of dedication technical jobs require:
- Keeping up with technology at all times.
- Working together successfully among different departments.
- Breaching the imagined with the reality takes creative work.
Being Known for Understanding and Kindness
The two shows demonstrated that Kevin’s character was valued as much as his skills, helping us realize teamwork and professionalism go together.
FAQs About Kevin Corbishley
- How did Kevin Corbishley die?
A report about his death came out in early 2022, but the public has been given few specific details to protect his family’s privacy. - Why did Call the Midwife rely on Kevin Corbishley?
He set up the lighting equipment to make the show look as real and historic as it did. - What did the industry do to celebrate Kevin Corbishley?
The influence Richard English had can be seen in two episodes about him by Call the Midwife and Ghosts.
Conclusion: Remembering Kevin Corbishley’s Contributions
Behind the best TV and movie scenes are talented and hardworking groups, as Kevin Corbishley’s career reveals. He was a master of lighting and rigging, which helped make the images people cherished on British television, despite often being overlooked.
We should be grateful to those who bring the stories on paper to life for audiences to watch. The images of gentle lighting, shadow placement and everyone fortunate to collaborate with him all carry on Kevin’s legacy.
