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A gaffer is responsible for lighting design and execution on a film or TV set, working closely with the director and cinematographer. They often own a truck full of special lighting equipment and peripherals and receive on-the-job training. The term “gaffer” originally referred to an older male authority figure but is now used for men and women in the position of head lighting technician.
A gaffer is the person in charge of lighting a film or television set. She is also called the head of lighting technicians. The gaffer is technically responsible for all power and electrical functions of the fixture, but is most commonly associated with lighting that creates special effects and illusions. Their work often includes lighting design and execution.
From pre-production to final cutting, the gaffer is critical to making production a success. She talks with the cinematographer and director before production begins. They assess the electrical needs on the set and take note of scenes or effects that may require special equipment or additional power sources.
Once the assembly is in place, the gaffer moves on to a more supervisory role. She studies the script and confirms what mood and effects the director and cinematographer are trying to create. Electricians are directed by the gaffer to generate a wide range of lighting effects.
Special lighting effect requirements vary tremendously depending on the production. They can range from something as simple as creating a person’s silhouette on the wall to a grand task like turning night into day. Other lighting challenges might involve creating the illusion of flickering lights on a flying plane or the dimly lit interior of a car driving down a desolate road.
Typically, gaffers are expected to own a truck full of special lighting equipment and peripherals. Trucks often have boxes full of plastic, shading tools and reflective materials to create a multitude of lighting images. One of the popular devices gaffers use is different colored plastic sheets applied to windows or lights to create images of rising suns and midday.
A gaffer usually receives most of his training on the job. If she lacks experience, she will likely be hired as an electric lighting technician, often referred to as a rigger. The rigger, the lowest ranked electrical worker, is responsible for connecting all the power to the fixture and placing the lights in the correct locations. In addition to climbing in and out of dirty places, the automaker needs to withstand the heat from the lights it is placing around the device. Most employers prefer to hire people with some education or related experience.
The word gaffer comes from the British English for chief or older man. It was originally used in the 19th century as a term of respect for an older man in a village, usually a person in charge of workers. Despite its original reference to a male authority figure, it is now used to refer to a man or woman in the position of head lighting technician.
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