Lighting Director
Having worked in the entertainment and television industry since 1985, Marc Olivier Dufour has over 35 years of lighting experience to his credit.
He began his career modestly enough as an assistant lighting technician at the Grand Théâtre de la Cité des jeunes in Vaudreuil, an avant garde high school recognized in Québec. He successfully completed high school while being able to combine his studies and a love of light.
He stayed on at the Grand Théâtre in Vaudreuil as technical director and lighting designer while pursuing his studies at the CEGEP level. He opted for the Cégep de Valleyfield, which offered an arts concentration with a theatre option. It only took him a few weeks to get a job with Valspec, the company that manages the Salle Albert Dumouchel at the Cégep de Valleyfield, a venue where many touring shows make a stop. As lighting manager, Marc Olivier made the most of this opportunity to broaden his knowledge by keeping company with well known lighting designers who would pass through on tours.
Marc Oliver continued his studies at the Cégep Saint Laurent, where he reoriented his interests toward cinema, a significant change and a sign of the times ahead when he would feel a strong need to work with images. It was instinctive; it was in his blood.
While still a student, Marc Olivier began working in television. At first, he was assigned to night pre lighting for comedies, teen and adult dramas. At not even 20 years of age, Marc Olivier already knew what he wanted to be . . . a lighting director!
Gradually, he began to make his way on his career path. He worked on the sound stages of information programs for young people and teens; he collaborated on special events, such as the gala commemorating the 350th anniversary of the City of Montréal and a number of television series for teens, an area in which Marc Olivier worked for a period of 10 years, initially as a lighting console operator and, in later years, as a director of photography. He was also the director of photography for specialized computer science shows and magazine style shows, as well as for the Olympic Games in Sydney and Athens (with France Télévision). Most recently, he was part of the lighting director team, with TSN, for the Grey Cup.
Over the years, his career has also led him to work in the corporate field as a lighting designer and director of photography, namely for Kiwanis International, the National Funeral Directors Association, Administaff, Aldo, Clairol and other companies. Working on these events has involved travelling around the world, and Marc Olivier doesn’t mind that one bit.
Without a doubt, Marc Olivier demonstrates versatility and tremendous creativity, but his two passions, light and team spirit, have guided his achievements. That’s what drives him to reach for new heights at every event.