What Is a Gaffer? A Breakdown of Lighting Crews & Services

Most jobs on a film set make sense at first glance. The camera operator operates the camera. Sound mixers record the sound. Producers… well, that one depends on the day. But “gaffer” is one of those titles that tends to confuse people outside production.

A gaffer, also known as the chief lighting technician, is the head of the lighting and electrical department. They work directly with the DP (director of photography) to build the lighting setups that bring the project’s visual approach to life. It’s considered one of the most technical and creative roles on a set.

A good lighting technician works at the intersection of engineering and artistry, from managing power to shaping contrast, and much more. Ultimately, their role is to safely light a scene and build an environment where the camera captures something intentional and true to the story’s tone and narrative.

The Role of a Gaffer in Film & Video Production

Every production, whether a documentary, commercial, or narrative film, needs someone in charge of the lighting department. The gaffer leads that team. They translate the visual plan into a lighting design that is both achievable and safe.

The work begins long before the first stand is unfolded. On location scouts, the gaffer studies the location: how natural light enters the space, where power is available, what rigging points exist, and what potential hazards might come up. A good scout can save hours on shoot day. It’s much easier to make lighting decisions in a quiet room with a tape measure than while a crew waits for direction.

Once shooting begins, the gaffer directs the electric, ensuring each fixture is positioned, shaped, and powered correctly. They troubleshoot issues as they arise: flicker, color shifts, reflections, strange shadows, or blown circuits.

For example, as a gaffer, I would go to the key grip and say something like "Hey buddy... the DP wants to put a light way up there, points with a laser,  what's the best way to get that done?" And then the grip team will rig the point, and the electric team will hang the light and run the power.

A gaffer always has one eye on the monitor and one eye on the department. They listen to the DP, keep safety in check, and make decisions that balance speed, artistry, and technical precision.

Working With the DP

The relationship between the gaffer and the DP is one of the most important collaborative dynamics on set. Some DPs come with very detailed lighting diagrams; others describe a feeling or show a reference image and trust the gaffer to engineer the best approach. Either way, the gaffer’s job is to interpret the intent and build a lighting plan that fits the schedule, crew size, location restrictions, and available equipment.

The gaffer also keeps an eye on continuity. If a scene is shot over eight hours, the light needs to match from the first angle to the last. That often means balancing natural light, controlling windows, or adding artificial sources that stay consistent as the day shifts.

When the DP asks for a change, the gaffer makes it happen in a way that’s efficient and safe for the crew. Sometimes that means moving a single light. Sometimes it means rebuilding the entire setup. The goal is always the same: create a cohesive, purposeful image that supports the story.

Lighting Crews: Who Does What?

A lighting crew includes several key positions that support the gaffer. Each role has a specific responsibility, and when everyone works in sync, the set runs smoothly.

The Best Boy Electric manages the electrical crew, handles rentals and returns, oversees equipment logistics, and keeps the department running efficiently. Similarly, the Best Boy Grip manages the logistics and physical setup for the grip team, ensuring all the necessary stands, frames, and modifiers are available and maintained.

Electricians set lights, run cable, operate dimmer boards, and handle anything related to power distribution or fixtures. They understand the behavior of different lamps and know how to work safely with high-wattage equipment and complex control systems.

The Grip Department, while not technically “electric,” works closely with the gaffer under the direction of the key grip. Grips shape, control, and modify light using flags, diffusion, overheads, frames, and rigging. If a lamp needs to be softened, angled, blocked, or boomed out over a doorway, the grip team makes it possible. They are also responsible for camera support, including dollies, jibs, sliders, rickshaws, etc.

The Gaffer keeps both creative goals and real-world constraints in mind, guiding the entire process from pre-production through wrap. When they ask for the effect, the electricians supply the lamp and power. Grips then provide the tool to deliver the light, such as the stand, truss, or crane, and place all the necessary modifiers. 

This clear division of labor (power vs. physics) is essential for efficient work. Together, these departments create the look of the video or film production.

Safety (The Invisible Part of the Job)

A big part of being a gaffer is keeping people safe on set. Lighting gear is heavy, hot, expensive, and powered by high voltage. A rigged light falling from a ceiling or a cable pulling in the wrong direction can injure someone in seconds.

While the key grip is truly the safety master on set, evaluating every rig, stand, and mounting point, gaffers are specifically responsible for the electrical safety on the set. They inspect cables and monitor the power being drawn from each circuit. 

The best lighting setups don’t mean much if the crew is at risk. A gaffer knows that artistry only works when safety comes first.

Technical Knowledge of a Gaffer

Lighting setups are equal parts physics and intuition. A gaffer builds a deep understanding of how different fixtures behave, the way color temperatures interact, and how power distribution works across a location.

They know how to calculate amperage, avoid overloading circuits, and plan cable runs that won’t trip the crew – or be seen in shots later in the day, a mistake you only make once :( They know when it’s time to bring in wireless DMX to manage lights of different brands or when they’re placed in hard-to-reach spots. They can troubleshoot flicker in high-speed shots, balance mixed lighting sources, and shape light to feel believable.

This blend of technical mastery and creative instinct is what makes a good gaffer invaluable.

Problem-Solving on a Set

Even with meticulous planning, something always changes on the day: the sun moves behind a building, the interviewee sits in the wrong chair, a practical lamp flickers, or the room that looked great during the scout suddenly feels flat on camera.

A gaffer thrives in these moments. They adjust, adapt, and find solutions quickly. Sometimes it’s adding negative fill to shape a face. Sometimes it’s bouncing a single LED into the ceiling to lift shadows. Sometimes it’s moving the entire setup to a different corner of the room.

Production rarely unfolds exactly as planned. A gaffer’s experience is what keeps the workflow smooth and the images consistent.

The Gear Gaffers Rely On

Every gaffer develops a toolkit shaped by their style and the needs of the projects they work on. Some prefer big, punchy sources like HMIs for naturalistic daylight. Others rely heavily on modern LED point sources and soft panels.

My go-to interview setup, for example, usually involves a soft book light, a LiteMat for hair light, and a practical tucked into the background for dimension. For commercial sets or more stylized work, I’ll reach for equipment like Aputure point-source LEDs, Creamsource Vortex units, Titan Tubes, and a full spread of diffusion frames.

This is where strong local resources matter. Reliable lighting equipment and grip trucks give production teams the flexibility to build complete lighting packages tailored to each project without overloading the budget.

When Should You Hire a Gaffer?

You don’t need to be shooting a massive production to benefit from a gaffer. I always joke that a good gaffer and colorist can make any DP look good 😂 But even a simple two-person interview or a branded content shoot gains clarity and polish with the right lighting support!

A gaffer ensures that every shot feels intentional and that the lighting choice supports the story. If your project involves multiple locations, mixed lighting conditions, or a specific visual mood, bringing on a gaffer can make the entire process more efficient.

The Unseen Art: Why Good Gaffing Goes Unnoticed

A gaffer is both a technician and an artist. They bridge the gap between creative vision and real-world execution. Good lighting doesn’t draw attention to itself. It simply feels right. And a good gaffer knows how to build that look in a way that’s safe and repeatable.

If you’re filming in Colorado and need professional lighting or a full G&E package, explore our lighting rentals and grip truck rentals in Denver for gear that supports productions large and small across the state.

Tyler Kaschke is a freelance gaffer with a grip truck based in Lafayette, Colorado, serving Boulder, Denver, Golden, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, and the Rocky Mountain region at large.