gaffer

A gaffer is the chief lighting technician on film, television, and often stage productions. They are responsible for realizing the lighting plan created by the director of photography (DP), translating mood, time of day, and scene requirements into practical illumination on set or stage.

The gaffer leads the electrical department, supervising the lighting crew and coordinating with the camera team and grips. They select lighting instruments, rig and place fixtures, manage power distribution and dimming, and adjust color temperature, diffusion, and practicals to match the DP’s vision. They also handle safety, regulatory compliance, and logistics, including weather considerations and production schedules, while ensuring that equipment is properly maintained and inventoried.

Gaffer tape, a heavy-duty, cloth-backed tape named for the role, is commonly used on sets to secure cables, mask discontinuities, and fasten lighting accessories. It is valued for its strength, durability, and low reflectivity, and comes in various colors for marking and organizational purposes.

In broader English usage, gaffer is a colloquial term for a boss or foreman, particularly in British English. The word can also refer to an older man or authority figure in informal speech. While most often associated with the film and television industries, the term has permeated general vernacular and appears in literature and media.

In theatre, the role is similar but may be described as a lighting supervisor or senior electrician, with close collaboration with the stage manager and lighting designer to realize the production’s brightness, mood, and safety requirements.