FILM TERM: Gaffer

WHAT: In motion picture and television production in the United States, the head of the lighting and electrical department is the Chief Lighting Technician, most commonly referred to as the Gaffer.

WHY: The Gaffer is one of two department heads responsible for light and shadow that report directly under the cinematographer, or Director of Photography. While the average citizen knows the term "grip," they often falsely attribute that name to all the people they see moving any equipment on a film set. The Gaffer's equal and head of the Grips is the Key Grip. Both the Gaffer and the Key Grip have their own respective "Best Boy" (yes, females too are called "Best Boys") who usually keep their equipment orders and personal in order.

It's not really that difficult to understand: to light a film or tv set, light and shadow is used to define objects that expose and are captured on film. Anyone on set you see moving a light or running power is a Set LIghting Technician (a.k.a. electrician or juicer) - they deal with light and answer to the Gaffer. The grips operate similiary, but tend to provide support equipment and deal with shadows - cutting the light with opaque materials, gels, or some sort of diffusion - they in turn answer to their boss: the Key Grip.

By the way, the photo is misleading: that guy wouldn't be a Gaffer: although films tend to be run slightly differently, on professional Hollywood film and television productions, the gaffer and key grip rarely move equipment. Just one of the perks of being boss.

/sms