Gaffing 101

[THiNSPiRiT]

I was just reading a thread that spoke a great deal about lighting and electrics and how careful you should be with them. I was just thinking it would be a good idea for one of you knowledgeable guys to post a small tutorial or safety guide when it comes to lighting and gaffing. This might not only help those who aren't licensed electricians understand things better, but probably save a few lives in the process.

[J_Barnes]

Would have been a good chapter for that "Video Guide" slapdragon was promising. The problem is that "Gaffing" is a huge subject to tackle in a tutorial...like "assistant camera" or "post production supervisor".

Also, I'm reluctant personally to try and tackle some sort of all-encompasing safety guide because it presents significant liability and responsability. People need to understand that the safest thing to do in all situations is to hire someone experienced.

It's easier to tackle subject oriented questions...so perhaps there might be some very specific practice or theory you'd like to explore?

[THiNSPiRiT]

Perhaps just a little explanation of typical residencial circuitry and the causes of dangerous situations. It would take on much less responsibility and liability if the small guide or tutorial was explaining the things not to do as opposed to the things to do. This way you cover your ass. You are telling people not to do certain things that could get themselves hurt or property damaged.

Telling people how to do things would be a bad idea, but telling someone that a household has a certain number of amps running through it and if you overload that you risk damaging your household and explain circuit breakers and fuses and the like.

It's more of a what not to do tutorial than what to do. Also, alternatives to high-risk situations would be good. Explaining kinoflos and practicals and such as alternatives to use for stylistic reasons that will make their shoots much safer to work on. I'm sure there are a great deal of people on here that would be interested in that as they do not have access to the licensed professionals needed for anything bigger.

People are going to try things regardless... giving them other options however that are in fact safe would be better. It's like how people tell teenagers abstinence is the best way to protect yourself against STDs and pregnancy and not giving them any other ways to protect themselves. They're going to do it anyway no matter what you say but you can offer safe alternatives.

[J_Barnes]

Hmm...I don't claim to be an expert on anything, so I'll see what I can write up this weekend and if anyone wants to add to it, that's fine. Maybe I'll make a few illustrations if we can find a place to host the pictures.

(I need to get myself a hosting company someday)

Okay, electrical, here I come.

[THiNSPiRiT]

I can host the pictures on my site if you'd like. I just got a new host. Good bandwidth for the buck and i have it for a whole year... just let me know when you've got something and we'll try to arrange it...