Sometimes the Gaffer also goes by “Chief Lighting Technician”. On the filmmaking set, the Gaffer is the top dog in the electrical department. Not only does he/she take responsibility for the carrying out of the production’s lighting but he/she can also be very involved in all aspects of set design to create the best light. Why would anyone use this foreign term “Gaffer”, and where does it come from? Gaffer is supposedly a respectful term for and older man, used in traditional British English (anyone has a different version, feel free to jump in and comment next to this article). Since the Gaffer is an important person on a film, in charge of the team of lighting electricians and all that goes along with that responsibility, this is probably where the term comes from.
Gaffers need to know natural light (sunset, sunrises etc) and need to know how to best transform each part of a day into a completely different one. I.e. what equipment do we need to create a sunset even though it is actually sunrise outside? How can we create the kind of light experienced when walking in a tunnel deep under ground even though we are actually filming in a studio on the 7th floor?
The Gaffer usually answers to the Director or the Cinematographer, depending on the size and scope of the production. He/she usually works with the grips and have interns or assistants to help do the ‘dirty work’ of running errands, fixing basic equipment etc.
Good skills to have if you are considering a career as a Gaffer:
People skills (not only do you need to work with the DOP you also need to work with almost everyone else on the set, depending on the size and scope of the production)
Technical skills (knowing lighting equipment and other equipment related to a shoot is crucial if you are to be in the midst of it)
Leadership skills (you need to inspire, motivate and guide a team of lighting technicians, not to mention the interns or runners who will make miracles happen for you every day)
Time management (keeping everything ready in time for each take, know how long it should take your team to get a set ready and the equipment in place can make or break your link in the chain)
Ways to become a Gaffer: Take a job as a Gaffer runner, or Gaffer trainee and learn from the best that you can possibly get close to.
Take a job in a lighting equipment rental or sales studio and learn all you can about lighting gear there, then take the plunge and apply for jobs.
Take courses in lighting equipment, watch online tutorials and read books on film and light work.
GOOD LUCK!
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