Entertainment lighting design

Specializing in Multi-camera television, streaming content, live events and award shows

The art of lighting

DCLighting, Inc. is a professional lighting company founded by Darren Langer. With over two decades in the lighting field, DCLighting has the most well-rounded lighting background in the entertainment industry. Darren’s extensive lighting experience ranges from reality shows, commercials, feature films, sitcoms and primetime network shows.

With the experience of a career ranging from visual effects, sitcoms, award shows, comedy specials, reality shows and being a gaffer and Lighting Director for some of Hollywood’s top lighting designers in the industry, Darren has learned many exceptional and creative lighting techniques, and is fortunate to have surrounded himself with the best in the business.

Our history

1987

The light bulb was invented.

1993

While living in a motel, Darren Langer met Joey Alvarado, and began working as a freelance intern for $50/day on assorted commercials and infomercials.

1994

Darren meets Jerry Watson, Oscar Dominguez and Dennis Weiler on MTV’s The Grind while muscling equipment through the sand on the beach.

1995

Darren worked with Jerry, Oscar and Dennis on 1-day commercials, infomercials, celebrity interviews, and various small projects, all while working out of a van. Later in 1995, Darren connected with the visual EFX team on the feature film, Apollo 13.

1996

Working with Oscar and Dennis, the team landed Saturday Night Special, where Darren met legendary lighting designers, Simon Miles and Tom Beck. Simon hired Oscar as his gaffer and the team took on some bigger projects.

While working on Mr. Show With Bob and David, Marisa Davis referred Darren to a new Nickelodeon show, All That. It was here than Darren landed his hours to become a union member.

Later in 1996, Darren worked as a grip/electric on his first feature films Tiger Heart and Woman Undone.

1998

Darren began to learn sitcom-style lighting on Joey’s show, NewsRadio. He also worked on The Jenny Mccarthy Show, a variety show with daily swing sets, where he learned how to light different scenes from day to day and help tell stories through lighting.

2000

Darren connected with an episodic team and worked on a sci-fi show, Seven Days, which gave Darren experience with single camera, interior/exterior and day/night lighting.

2002

From 2000 to 2002, Darren worked on Big Momma’s House, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Nutty Professor II, We Were Soldiers, Dragonfly and Bruce Almighty. Darren left Bruce Almighty to be the gaffer on Crank Yankers, a huge career decision, but one that worked out.

2003

Darren was asked by Allen Branton to gaff Pepsi Smash, a 100% music-based show with performances back to back. Darren continued to work with Allen on large award shows and NFL Kickoff, while still working with Oscar, Simon and Jerry when available.

2005

DCLighting was founded.

2010

From 2004 to 2010, DCLighting continued to work with Allen, Oscar and Simon on their shows.

2012

Darren was promoted to lighting director for Allen and Oscar, and became more involved in the design process and on focusing and balancing lights. Running a crew as a gaffer was a thing of the past.

2013

Darren started as lighting director for Matt Firestone on the Arsenio Hall Show, and then later transitioned to lighting designer. From then on, Darren continued working as a lighting director for Oscar and Allen, but gradually started designing his own projects.

2014

Darren continued working as lighting director for Allen Branton on various projects, including Miss America Competitions, The Concert For Valor and Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies.

2015

Darren continued to work with Allen Branton as lighting director on NBC’s The Wiz Live!, a mixture of theater and television, and where Darren received his first Emmy nomination.

2016

Brian Campbell asked Darren to help revamp the lighting of his show Entertainment Tonight, another once in a lifetime opportunity. The team at ET and CBS were ecstatic with the final product.

2017

DCLighting was asked to light the first talk show for Netflix, Chelsea, hosted by Chelsea Handler. It turned out a success and Netflix, Chelsea and her producers were extremely pleased with the outcome.

While working on ET and Chelsea, Darren collaborated again with Allen Branton on NBC’s next theatrical live production Hairspray Live!, lighting more than 20 different sets, consisting of day and night interior and exterior. The project earned Darren’s second career Emmy nomination.

2019

In 2019, DCLighting was asked to be part of The Kelly Clarkson Show. This was groundbreaking – DCLighting made it to the next level.

2020

DCLighting won their first Emmy award.

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