ACT Academy

ACT Academy educates to instill an understanding of the fundamental workflow of ACT Entertainment technologies and to inspire users to evolve creatively with them. Act Academy offers both online and in-person instruction, including MA online, and Visual Productions. Some are free of charge, others have a fee.

American DJ Lighting Stay Connected Series

The Stay Connected Video Educational Series is a video series with a specific focus to provide an opportunity for lighting and event professionals to upskill from the safety and comfort of their own homes.

ARRI Academy

Offering a wide range of multi-day training courses, individual sessions, and educational events, ARRI Academy is the best route for users of all abilities to gain hands-on knowledge of ARRI products and workflows, and build their on-set confidence. Certificate courses have a fee, but the website has many free resources.

Astera Software Academy

Improve your knowledge with the Astera Academy. This is for all of you—beginner and advanced—who want to learn more about Astera software and hardware. You’ll find a wide range of tutorials and walkthroughs on Astera software and hardware.

Avolites

Improve or update your lighting and video control skills via online webchat and free tutorials on their website and YouTube Channel for both Titan and Ai platforms.

Blackout Lighting Console

Used and endorsed by experts in TV, film, and live events across the globe, Blackout is the go-to DMX control solution trusted by industry professionals for unmatched reliability and performance. See their YouTube channel for more tutorials.

Capture Student Edition

The free version of this lighting design software may be used for any purpose, educational or not. Find their online tutorials here.

Cast Software

CAST is hosting a variety of training options for BlackTrax and wysiwyg users of all levels. Free online training and in-person training for a fee are available.

ChamSys Training Academy

ChamSys in-person training instills confidence by providing personalized hands-on instruction to ChamSys operators around the world. Free online training courses run throughout the week, with a range of courses from introductory sessions to their lighting control software to more advanced sessions suited to existing users.

Chauvet Professional

How-to tutorials, lighting design beginner tips, and lighting and programming control videos.

Chroma-Q

Chroma-Q’s training webinars on several lighting topics are available on their YouTube channel.

City Theatrical

City Theatrical's product training videos on YouTube.

ETC Learning Stage and Video Tutorials

ETC’s library of online classes on the ETC Learning Stage is available for free. You can earn ETCP renewal credits or just improve your lighting tool kit of knowledge. You can also find ETC video tutorials here. This High End Systems link gives you tutorials for the Hog 4.

HARMAN Professional Training

A wide variety of online courses, webinars, and certification classes covering audio, lighting, and video.

INNOVA

The online, on-demand learning platform brought to you by ESTA and USITT is offering free courses in powered hoist systems, theatrical fog, lighting control systems, wire rope ladders, and more. Whether you are seeking continuing education credits or simply wish to increase your knowledge, INNOVA’s programming allows you to view courses from anywhere at any time.

Leprecon

Introductory training videos on their XC350 Console. Good tips and techniques on their dimmer systems, too. Please note that Leprecon has discontinued all products as of May 2025, but as their products are still used in the field, the links are still active.

L8 (Previously LIGHTCONVERSE TOOLS)

YouTube tutorials for previz lighting software.

LiteGear Live Archive

Community outreach portal hosting panel discussions to educate and discuss all things related to Set Lighting. Conversations with Cinematographers, Gaffers, Rigging Gaffers, Fixtures Technicians, Programmers, and many more. They share behind-the-scenes photographs, production stills, and clips, all while chatting in real time with the filmmakers who made it happen.

MA University

Get tips and tricks from MA experts on your MA product. MA offers free e-learning as well as hands-on training.

MA2 Tutorial

Learn to program a show from scratch in this YouTube crash course from Christian Jackson.

Matthews Studio Equipment

This connects you with a ”Griptionary” of grip definitions and a YouTube channel that includes lighting and camera support for the professional production industry. Matthews Studio Equipment includes grip gear, lighting accessories, and camera support equipment for the Theatrical, Television, Motion Picture, and Imaging Industries.

Moviola Filmmaker Video Courses

Comprehensive video-based training designed to equip you for professional filmmaking as quickly as possible. Subjects include screenwriting, lighting, sound, production, and more.  Each lesson is deeply condensed to get you up to speed on the topic in the time it takes to sip an overpriced latte.

MZed

There are a lot of lessons at MZed that you can watch for free without having to purchase a course or enroll in an MZed Pro subscription. The only requirement is to create a login, which you can do here. Courses free to stream include the first lesson of Cinema Sound (Recording: Process, Perfection, and Purpose) - an hour-and-a-half lesson on recording theory and Hollywood secrets in quality audio production; a 20-minute lesson on “free lensing” from Philip Bloom’s Cinematic Masterclass; and more.