Ranking System

Starlight uses a tier-based ranking system to match crew members with the right jobs. Each rank reflects tested skill level, experience, and reliability — not seniority or time on the platform.

NEW

TIER 1

TIER 2

TIER 3

TIER 4

TIER 5

STAFF

Unranked

Build your skills to rank up

Unranked

Untested & Unvetted

This is the default rank assigned to every brand-new account. An Unranked person could be any skill level — they simply haven't been tested or vetted yet. They could be a complete newbie or a seasoned A-Rank professional who just signed up.

What to Expect

No assumptions are made about skill level
Must complete onboarding and initial assessment
Will be evaluated and placed into an appropriate rank

D-Rank

Entry level professional

D-Rank

Beginner — Willing to Learn

D-Rank is the beginner tier. This could be a lighting tech with zero experience or someone with a few months under their belt. They will have passed our safety exam, but expectations should be set accordingly — D-Rank means beginner.

What to Expect

Has passed the Starlight safety exam
Expectations should be low — this is a learning phase
Most D-Ranks will be placed in stagehand and general labor roles until they develop skills
All D-Rank skills pay the same base rate (lowest pay tier)

Restrictions

No D-Rank is ever sent on a rigging job — they must hold a higher rank in another skill and have completed serious safety training before qualifying for rigging work

Pay: This is our lowest pay tier. All D-Rank skills pay the same rate.

C-Rank

Solid foundation

C-Rank

Competent — Solid Fundamentals

A C-Rank crew member has demonstrated competence in their skill. Think of this as an L2 lighting tech or a trained video tech. They typically have at least a year of experience in their field or can demonstrate deeper knowledge through assessment.

What to Expect

Should be able to handle all setup tasks for their department — addressing lights, Art-Net addressing, cable runs, equipment prep
Not expected to solo-run a console like a GrandMA, but could possibly handle it

Examples by Department

Audio

Can run an analog board and mic a band, possibly with supervision

Video

Can build and program a video wall

Lighting

Handles all setup and prep, comparable to an L2

B-Rank

Experienced professional

B-Rank

Specialist — Journeyman Level

A B-Rank tech should be able to run the department on a mid-sized show. They operate at a journeyman level — reliable, skilled, and ready to lead their area.

What to Expect

Can independently run their department on a mid-tier show
Should have their own tools and equipment
May own their own console or computer for their discipline
Should be a leader on-site and able to direct others in their department
Handles journeyman-level work across their skill set

Examples by Department

Video

Can handle advanced mapping and projection work

A-Rank

Elite professional

A-Rank

Master — Top Regular Tier

A-Rank is the highest regular crew tier. These are masters of their craft with the equivalent of roughly 8+ years of on-the-job training. They run the show.

What to Expect

Equivalent to ~8+ years of hands-on experience
Fully capable of running large-scale productions in their discipline
The go-to person when things need to get done right
Highest standard rank — this is the top of the regular progression

SPECIAL GRADE

Anomaly - Among the best

S-Rank

Special Grade — Industry Elite

S-Rank is Special Grade. These are masters who are recognized in their field for being among the best. They receive awards and industry recognition for their work. This tier must be issued — you cannot test into it.

What to Expect

Recognized by the industry for exceptional work
Award winners and leaders in their field
This rank must be issued by Starlight — it cannot be self-assessed or tested into

Legendary

Legendary - Beyond classification

Legendary

Staff Badge — Not a Crew Rank

Legendary is a second badge reserved exclusively for Starlight staff and administrators. It is not a crew rank — it indicates internal platform authority.

What to Expect

Reserved for Starlight staff and administrators only
This is not part of the crew ranking progression
Indicates platform administrative authority

Ranks are assigned per-skill. A crew member can hold different ranks in different disciplines (e.g., B-Rank in Audio, C-Rank in Lighting).

Questions about the ranking system? Contact us

Ranking System

Starlight uses a tier-based ranking system to match crew members with the right jobs. Each rank reflects tested skill level, experience, and reliability — not seniority or time on the platform.

NEW

TIER 1

TIER 2

TIER 3

TIER 4

TIER 5

STAFF

Unranked

Build your skills to rank up

Unranked

Untested & Unvetted

What to Expect

No assumptions are made about skill level
Must complete onboarding and initial assessment
Will be evaluated and placed into an appropriate rank

D-Rank

Entry level professional

D-Rank

Beginner — Willing to Learn

What to Expect

Has passed the Starlight safety exam
Expectations should be low — this is a learning phase
Most D-Ranks will be placed in stagehand and general labor roles until they develop skills
All D-Rank skills pay the same base rate (lowest pay tier)

Restrictions

No D-Rank is ever sent on a rigging job — they must hold a higher rank in another skill and have completed serious safety training before qualifying for rigging work

Pay: This is our lowest pay tier. All D-Rank skills pay the same rate.

C-Rank

Solid foundation

C-Rank

Competent — Solid Fundamentals

What to Expect

Should be able to handle all setup tasks for their department — addressing lights, Art-Net addressing, cable runs, equipment prep
Not expected to solo-run a console like a GrandMA, but could possibly handle it

Examples by Department

Audio

Can run an analog board and mic a band, possibly with supervision

Video

Can build and program a video wall

Lighting

Handles all setup and prep, comparable to an L2

B-Rank

Experienced professional

B-Rank

Specialist — Journeyman Level

A B-Rank tech should be able to run the department on a mid-sized show. They operate at a journeyman level — reliable, skilled, and ready to lead their area.

What to Expect

Can independently run their department on a mid-tier show
Should have their own tools and equipment
May own their own console or computer for their discipline
Should be a leader on-site and able to direct others in their department
Handles journeyman-level work across their skill set

Examples by Department

Video

Can handle advanced mapping and projection work

A-Rank

Elite professional

A-Rank

Master — Top Regular Tier

A-Rank is the highest regular crew tier. These are masters of their craft with the equivalent of roughly 8+ years of on-the-job training. They run the show.

What to Expect

Equivalent to ~8+ years of hands-on experience
Fully capable of running large-scale productions in their discipline
The go-to person when things need to get done right
Highest standard rank — this is the top of the regular progression

SPECIAL GRADE

Anomaly - Among the best

S-Rank

Special Grade — Industry Elite

What to Expect

Recognized by the industry for exceptional work
Award winners and leaders in their field
This rank must be issued by Starlight — it cannot be self-assessed or tested into

Legendary

Legendary - Beyond classification

Legendary

Staff Badge — Not a Crew Rank

Legendary is a second badge reserved exclusively for Starlight staff and administrators. It is not a crew rank — it indicates internal platform authority.

What to Expect

Reserved for Starlight staff and administrators only
This is not part of the crew ranking progression
Indicates platform administrative authority

Ranks are assigned per-skill. A crew member can hold different ranks in different disciplines (e.g., B-Rank in Audio, C-Rank in Lighting).

Questions about the ranking system? Contact us