Lighting Director
Active in the world of live entertainment and television since 1985, Marc-Olivier Dufour brings 40 years of experience as a lighting professional. Driven by a passion for light, he has carved out a respected place in the industry thanks to his versatility, creativity, and strong team spirit.
He began his career at the Grand Théâtre of the Cité des jeunes in Vaudreuil, a forward-thinking high school recognized in Quebec, where he combined studies with his first hands-on lighting experiences. He later pursued college studies in the arts with a theatre focus at Cégep de Valleyfield and quickly joined the Valspec team. As head of lighting at the Salle Albert-Dumouchel, a major touring venue, Marc-Olivier seized every opportunity to learn from the experienced lighting designers who passed through.
He then shifted his academic focus to film at Cégep Saint-Laurent, drawn by the power of the image—a natural evolution for someone with lighting in his blood. While still in school, he began working in television, starting with night pre-lighting for major shows such as La Petite Vie, Chambres en ville, D’amour et d’amitié, and La Maison Deschênes. Not yet 20 years old, Marc-Olivier already knew where he was headed: he wanted to become a lighting director.
He has since worked on numerous television productions including ZAP, Les Débrouillards, Sur la piste, Watatatow (a ten-year engagement, progressing from board operator to lighting director), La revanche des nerds, 1, 2, 3 Géant, Les Argonautes, and Il était une fois dans le trouble. He also served as director of photography for the science show Génial. His portfolio includes major national and international events such as Pope Francis’ visit to Canada, the G7 Summit (2018), and the Olympic Games in Sydney and Athens (for France Télévisions). In the sports world, he has lit broadcasts for the Montreal Alouettes at Molson Stadium, the Davis Cup, and the Fed Cup.
Marc-Olivier also works in the corporate sector, designing and directing lighting for a wide range of events for clients such as Témoin Production, Kiwanis International, the National Funeral Directors Association, Administaff, Aldo, Clairol, and more. These projects have taken him around the globe—an aspect of the job he fully embraces.
To this day, Marc-Olivier stands out for his technical expertise, artistic eye, and collaborative mindset. What continues to drive him? A love for light… and a passion for doing the job right.