The path to becoming a gaffer isn’t just about understanding electricity and knowing which end of a light to point at the actor. It’s a unique combination of technical knowledge, creative problem-solving, leadership ability, and interpersonal skills that takes years to develop. For those looking to climb the ladder from set electric to best boy to gaffer, here are the essential competencies you’ll want to master.
Electrical Knowledge That Keeps Everyone Safe
Before anything else, you need to become the electrical safety expert on set. This isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of the entire job.
You’ll want to understand load calculations, how to safely distribute power, the difference between single-phase and three-phase power, and how to read electrical panels. You should know amp draw for every light in your package and be able to calculate whether a location’s electrical service can handle your needs without tripping breakers or worse.
Try to get comfortable with tie-in procedures if you’re planning to work on larger productions. Make sure you understand proper grounding techniques and know what to do in electrical emergencies. A gaffer who causes a power outage or, worse, creates a safety hazard won’t be working for long.
I’d recommend taking formal electrical training or working with experienced electricians to build this knowledge. Production companies are increasingly requiring proof of electrical safety certification, and for good reason.
The Art of Lighting Ratios and Exposure
Technical knowledge means nothing if you can’t create the images the DP envisions. You need to understand how light behaves, how to measure it accurately, and how to create specific moods through careful control of ratios.
You’ll want to learn to use a light meter instinctively. Try to understand the relationship between key, fill, and backlight, and how different ratios create different emotional effects, from the flat, even lighting of comedy to the dramatic shadows of film noir.
I’d suggest studying how light interacts with different surfaces. Make sure you understand color temperature and how to match or intentionally contrast different sources. Learn the qualities of hard versus soft light and when each is appropriate.
A great exercise I was inspired to try by Tyler Kashke, a well-known and trusted gaffer in Denver, was to watch films with the sound off and analyze the lighting. You can take screenshots of frames and then create diagrams of where the lights must be placed. This helps to build a visual library in your head of lighting setups that create specific looks.
Equipment Mastery Across Technologies
The lighting world has transformed dramatically over the past decade, and you’ll need to stay current with the tools of the trade.
You should try to become fluent in traditional tungsten fixtures, HMIs, fluorescents, and the growing array of LED technology. Make sure you understand the advantages and limitations of each, and know which fixtures are appropriate for different scenarios and budgets.
Try to stay current with new technologies like RGB and RGBW LEDs, wireless DMX control, and emerging innovations. But don’t abandon knowledge of older technologies because you’ll still encounter them on sets, and they each have situations where they remain the best choice.
Beyond lights themselves, you’ll want to master the grip equipment that shapes and controls them. Flags, cutters, scrims, diffusion, and reflectors – the whole gamut. Make sure you know the differences between single and double nets, solid flags versus cutters, and when to use each modifier.
Leadership and Crew Management
As a gaffer, you’re running a department. This means managing best boys, electricians, and sometimes large crews across multiple units. Leadership skills matter as much as lighting knowledge.
You’ll need to learn to delegate effectively. Your best boy electric should be your right hand, handling logistics while you focus on the creative aspects. Try to build trust with your crew through clear communication and consistent expectations.
I’d recommend developing your ability to stay calm under pressure. Productions run into problems constantly, including time crunches, last-minute changes, and the unfortunate equipment failures that keep you on your toes. Your crew takes their cues from you. If you panic, they panic. If you’re solution-focused and unflappable, they’ll follow that lead.
Make sure you treat your crew well. Remember their names, acknowledge good work, and take care of them on long days. The best gaffers build reputations not just for great lighting but for being good people to work with. That reputation leads to more work.
Communication and Collaboration
Gaffers sit at a crucial intersection on set, translating between the DP’s creative vision and the electric crew’s practical execution.
Learn to ask the right questions. When a DP says they want something “moody,” dig deeper. What references do they have in mind? What emotional tone are they going for? What specific lighting ratios or qualities will achieve that?
You may want to develop shorthand communication with DPs you work with regularly, but also be able to work with new collaborators who have different vocabularies and approaches.
You’ll also communicate with other departments, coordinating with grips on light placement and modification, working with production to understand schedule constraints, and collaborating with the art department when practicals will be important to the lighting scheme.
Problem-Solving Under Constraints
Every production has limitations, from budget to time, available power, or location constraints. Great gaffers are creative problem-solvers who find ways to achieve the desired look regardless of restrictions.
This skill is truly developed through experience, but you can accelerate your learning by seeking out challenging projects. Low-budget productions, where you have to be resourceful, build these muscles faster than well-funded sets (where you can solve everything by throwing money at it).
Try to learn to see solutions instead of obstacles. Can’t get power to a location? Consider battery-powered options. Don’t have the budget for expensive fixtures? Master bouncing and diffusing more affordable lights.
The Continuous Learning Mindset
As with all things, having a passion for learning is important for growth. Technology changes, techniques evolve, and visual tastes shift. The best gaffers never stop learning.
To stay in the know, try to stay connected to the industry through forums, workshops, and conversations with other gaffers. Watch everything you can and analyze how it’s lit. Experiment with new equipment when opportunities arise.
I’d also recommend building relationships with rental houses so you can stay current on new inventory. Ask questions and have a healthy curiosity about why certain creative choices were made on productions you admire.
Lighting Your Path Forward
Becoming a gaffer goes beyond having technical competence. You’re continually developing a comprehensive expertise that combines both craft and interpersonal skills. Focus on building core competencies while seeking out mentors who can guide your development, and remember that every day on set is an opportunity to learn.
Where the real gap is between a good electric and a great gaffer often comes down to less tangible skills, such as communication, leadership, and creative problem-solving. Master the technical fundamentals, then focus on developing these human skills that will set you apart in a competitive field.