Gaffer
A Gaffer is the head electrician on a film, television, or video production set who manages all the lighting. Think of them as the lighting department boss who works closely with the cinematographer (the person in charge of how the film looks). They make sure all the lights are set up correctly, safely, and create the right mood for each scene. It's similar to being a lighting designer in theater, but with more technical requirements for camera work. They need to understand both creative lighting and practical electrical work to make sure everything runs smoothly and safely on set.
Examples in Resumes
Served as Gaffer on major feature film productions, managing crews of up to 15 lighting technicians
Chief Gaffer for television series, responsible for creating dramatic lighting effects within budget
Lead Gaffer on commercial shoots, coordinating power distribution and lighting setups
Typical job title: "Gaffers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Gaffers
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Online Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you handle complex lighting setups with multiple power sources on location?
Expected Answer: A senior gaffer should discuss power management, generator coordination, backup plans, safety protocols, and how to distribute power efficiently while staying within location limitations and production requirements.
Q: How do you approach lighting a night exterior scene with multiple moving actors?
Expected Answer: Should explain planning process, including power requirements, light placement strategies, safety considerations, and how to maintain consistent lighting while accommodating actor movement and camera angles.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What factors do you consider when choosing between different types of lighting fixtures?
Expected Answer: Should discuss budget considerations, power consumption, color temperature, intensity control, setup time, and how different lights affect the mood of a scene.
Q: How do you communicate lighting plans with the cinematographer and other departments?
Expected Answer: Should explain their process for creating lighting diagrams, coordinating with other departments, and maintaining clear communication during setup and filming.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic safety protocols when setting up lighting equipment?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of basic electrical safety, proper cable management, secure mounting of lights, and understanding of load balancing.
Q: Can you explain the difference between hard and soft light sources?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain basic lighting concepts, including how different light qualities affect the look of a scene and basic equipment used to achieve these effects.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic electrical safety knowledge
- Understanding of common lighting equipment
- Cable management and organization
- Basic light meter operation
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced lighting techniques
- Power distribution management
- Crew supervision
- Budget management
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex lighting design
- Department management
- Emergency problem-solving
- Advanced technical planning
Red Flags to Watch For
- Lack of basic electrical safety knowledge
- No experience with professional lighting equipment
- Poor communication skills
- No understanding of power distribution
- No experience working with film crews
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