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Gaffer |
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Description Lighting plays a crucial role in the "look" and "feel" of films and theatrical productions. Gaffers work behind the scenes of productions as electricians, creating lighting and special lighting effects to enhance the visual impact of the show. They usually set up, maintain and operate light fixtures, control devices, and the associated electrical and rigging equipment used for television, motion picture, and theater and stage productions. Gaffer is British slang for "grandfather" and is meant as a term of respect. Sometimes called lighting technicians, they use lighting fixtures, color filters, patterns, light modifiers and various methods of control and manipulation to create different lighting effects. Gaffers have to find electrical power sources and then transport portable generators or power transformers to and from the set each day. In the early days of the film industry, the lighting equipment was often huge and extremely heavy. Nowadays, the gaffer has assistants, called Best Boys, to help with the equipment. They are in charge of all the electrical aspects of a film set, making sure that everything that needs power, including the film trailers and the craft service truck, has it. They organize the power distribution through many cables and wires, which are always scattered around a film set. So, if you were to walk around a set, you would have to be careful not to trip over the various wires. In theater, gaffers must figure out how to hide these wires behind stage. Even an indoor set can cause difficulties for a gaffer. Lighting each set is dependent upon the 'feeling' the director wishes to create. Gaffers must be able to respond quickly and know how to brighten up or dim a specific scene as required by a director. Also, there may be a research aspect involved in each project, depending on the subject matter and historical significance, etc. Gaffers need to understand lighting in relation to the historical context and desired ambience of each production. When working on smaller productions gaffers may have a bigger say in the artistic qualities of the lighting and attend production meetings to discuss lighting needs and special effects with directors. Gaffers are also in charge of many other different kinds of equipment, including adapters, supporting fixtures and connectors, as well as the lights themselves. They also deal with the maintenance of electrical equipment, which requires the use of hand tools and a specialized electrical knowledge. Many gaffers supply their own tools on sets. Gaffers are required to constantly update their knowledge and stay current with any new technologies in the film, television and theater industries. |
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Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics, 2002, http://www.bls.gov/oes/2002/oes_nat.htm |
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