Production Glossary


Gaffer

In the production industry, the gaffer, also known as the Chief Lighting Technician is the person who is in charge of the execution and sometimes the design of the lighting for the production.  Responsibilities of gaffers include coordinating the lighting job, knowing and sometimes selecting the appropriate color of plastic sheeting, also known as a color gel, to put on the lights or windows to create a specific ambience or mood.  A good gaffer can help create the illusion of daybreak or a beautiful sunset by simply altering the lighting.  Gaffers help create the illusion of the passage of night into day and day into night.  

The gaffers work closely with the key grip, who is responsible for some of the lighting equipment used, and the best boy, who is the gaffer's assistant.  A gaffer typically reports directly to the Director of Photography, or Lighting Director.  The Director of Photography is ultimately responsible for the overall lighting design, but may delegate many responsibilities to the gaffer depending on their working relationship and the experience of the gaffer.

Another common term associated with the gaffer is gaffer tape, which is just one of many types of tape that is used on the set.

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