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Gaffer is British slang for "grandfather" and is meant as a term of respect. In the early days of the movie industry, the lighting equipment was often huge and extremely heavy. The only people experienced in moving that kind of stuff around were longshoremen - the dock workers who load cargo onto ships. These guys were unionized and worked in highly structured teams. At the top was the older and more experienced "grandfather" or - Gaffer. Of course, that meant his most experienced apprentice was - can you guess? - his Best Boy.
Today the term Chief Lighting Technician is often replacing that of Gaffer, but the duties are the same. The Gaffer is head of the lighting department, and one of the most crucial people on the movie or TV production set. He and his crew, referred to as Electricians, Electrics or Lamp Operators are responsible for running all the electrical cable and placing the lights. The Gaffer confers with the Director of Photography or D.P. to determine what sort of lighting effects are needed and devises ways to create those effects.
The equipment and techniques for using it have changed greatly since those early days, but generally the work is the same. Since film images (or TV pictures) are nothing without light, you can see that the work of the Gaffer, his Best Boy, and the other Electricians is pivotal. By the way, in television, the top lighting person is often a cross between that of a D.P. and the Gaffer and he or she is usually referred to as the Lighting Director. Gaffers tape is an important tool for these key lighting personnel.
Whether the job is a feature film or an industrial video on a low budget, the Gaffer must have an extensive knowledge of the film stock or video cameras being used, the lighting equipment and techniques employed, and effective leadership principles. It is of paramount importance that they be able to accurately estimate the time required for a particular setup in order that actors and other principals may be scheduled.
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