Gaffer
A Gaffer is the head electrician on a film or television set who manages all the lighting. Think of them as the lighting manager who works closely with the cinematographer (the person in charge of how the film looks) to create the right mood and atmosphere through lighting. They lead a team of lighting technicians, plan where lights should go, ensure electrical safety, and coordinate power distribution on set. This role is crucial in both small independent films and large Hollywood productions. Sometimes they might be called "Chief Lighting Technician" or "Lighting Director," but "Gaffer" is the traditional and most commonly used term in the industry.
Examples in Resumes
Served as Gaffer on award-winning independent film, managing a team of 5 lighting technicians
Chief Lighting Technician for major network television series, coordinating complex lighting setups
Gaffer for national commercial campaigns, designing and implementing lighting schemes
Typical job title: "Gaffers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Gaffers
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle lighting a complex night exterior scene with multiple moving actors?
Expected Answer: A senior gaffer should explain their approach to balancing multiple light sources, managing power distribution, ensuring safety, and coordinating with the cinematographer while staying within budget and schedule constraints.
Q: Tell me about a challenging situation you've faced when lighting a major production and how you solved it.
Expected Answer: Looking for answers that demonstrate leadership, problem-solving abilities, technical knowledge, and experience with large-scale productions.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What factors do you consider when planning lighting equipment needs for a production?
Expected Answer: Should discuss budget considerations, location requirements, power availability, weather conditions, and coordination with other departments.
Q: How do you manage your lighting crew and delegate responsibilities?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate leadership skills, crew management experience, and ability to coordinate team efforts effectively.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic types of lighting equipment you're familiar with?
Expected Answer: Should be able to describe common lighting fixtures, their uses, and basic setup procedures.
Q: How do you ensure electrical safety on set?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of basic electrical safety principles, proper cable management, and standard safety protocols.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-3 years)
- Basic lighting equipment setup and maintenance
- Understanding of electrical safety
- Cable management and organization
- Following lighting plans
Mid (3-7 years)
- Creating lighting plans
- Managing small lighting crews
- Complex lighting setups
- Budget management
Senior (7+ years)
- Leading large lighting departments
- Complex production planning
- Advanced technical problem-solving
- Mentoring junior crew members
Red Flags to Watch For
- Lack of electrical safety knowledge
- No experience with professional lighting equipment
- Poor communication skills
- No understanding of production hierarchy
- Missing union certifications (in markets where required)
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