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Gaffer

Head of Lighting on UK film/TV: designs the lighting approach with the DoP, runs the department, owns power/safety culture and signs off kit and labour.

Duties

• Read the call sheet and sides before arriving
• Maintain radio/set etiquette and H&S
• Hand over notes/kit status at wrap
• Design lighting with DoP
• Budget lamps and labour
• Lead best boy and sparks
• Sign off OT and safety

Reports to

Director of Photography; production on deal/budget

Works with

DoP, Best Boy, Console Op, Key Grip, Production Designer, Locations, Production

Career path

Best Boy → Gaffer

Day to day

Recce with DoP; plan looks and labour; hire Best Boy and key sparks; walk sets; shape key/fill/back; manage OT and moves; protect budget and H&S; wrap hires.

Call times

Lighting/pre-light call is often earlier than general unit; shoot sparks usually match unit call (commonly 07:00–08:00 on UK drama) and wrap after camera unless a lighting wrap is called. Night exteriors flip the day — always read the call sheet header.

What to wear

Blacks; boots; smart enough for director's village when needed.

Tools & kit

Light meter (optional), radio, plans, vendor accounts.

Tips

Confirm title, agreement, budget band, prep/wrap and kit fee on the deal memo before accepting. We never invent Bectu figures — check bectu.org.uk ratecards / your branch.

Software

• Lightwright
• ShotDeck
• PureRef
• Frame.io for dailies context (paid)
• Lightwright / Vectorworks / CAD plot PDFs
• Shared call sheets (StudioBinder / Yamdu / PDF)
• ShotDeck / PureRef for look refs
• DMX desk familiarity (ETC Eos, grandMA basics)

Related roles

Director of Photography, Best Boy (Lighting)

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