Gaffer

The job

Head of lighting. In prep you work up the lighting design with the DoP, recce, plan power and gennies, order kit and hire your crew.

On the shoot you turn the DoP's intent into lamps, positions and levels, and run the sparks. You answer for the department's electrical safety, agree the lighting budget with the production manager, and plan pre-rigs with the rigging gaffer.

A typical day

On set early with the DoP and best boy.
Watch blocking and plan the lighting.
Brief the sparks and light the set, checking on the monitor.
During takes, watch for problems and adjust.
Between setups, plan the next with the DoP.
At wrap, plan tomorrow's power and kit with the best boy.

Lighting is often the longest part of a setup, so pre-rig where you can. When the 1st AD asks how long you need, give an honest answer and keep to it.

Skills

A strong visual sense for light.
Deep knowledge of fixtures, power and control.
Leading and hiring a crew.
Budgeting and planning.
Close collaboration with the DoP.

Who you report to

You report to the DoP and production manager. The best boy, sparks, desk operator and rigging gaffer report to you.

How people get in

Gaffers come up through the department: trainee, spark, chargehand and best boy. A DoP who trusts you often makes the step possible. ScreenSkills publishes a gaffer profile and skills checklist.

Next step up

Gaffer on larger productions. Some gaffers become DoPs.

The gaffer lights the set to the DoP's design.