What 'technical' things do you need to know as a Gaffer

D

DDirector

Veteran
As the title says, what are the Technical things you need to know as a gaffer?
I was asked this and was really confused. Asking about permits and the technical side... Um... what?
 
DDirector said:
As the title says, what are the Technical things you need to know as a gaffer?
I was asked this and was really confused. Asking about permits and the technical side... Um... what?
Click to expand...

you need to know:

1) technical specs of lighting instruments ( what they are, how they work, what they do, and everything else)
2) technical knowledge of power distribution and how power works (a serious understanding)
3) SAFETY; electricity kills. On normal productions, tow behind generators, because of their nature, are far more dangerous than wall power. Getting zapped by a 18amp wall outlet will seem pleasurable to being bit by 100+ amps.
4) how to run a lighting crew. Technical set etiquette and command.
5) yes, to a degree you need to know about the logistical needs and requirements for all things lighting. This includes where to best park generators, condors, how to run cable and etc. this type of responsibility gets very cozy with permits, logistics and management of like wise resources. So you may not have to know everything about those kinds of things but working with producers who do, you will know much about it because it pertains to you.
6) despite not being technical , I will state there is just as big of list for creative responsibilities! Gaffer is also a creative job! :)
 
I would also add that beside certain artistry there is something extremely pleasurable seeing an experienced gaffer work the crew and the set - they get stuff done with the least amount of lights, stands, cords etc.
 
Frankly I doubt anyone could produce a definitive list on this question for any job. It's like when you look at a college course for something you know about and discover many things are missing that you consider vital. Ryan's list is good as a starter. Multiply the list by ten and you start to get the feel of a good one!
 
A true experienced gaffer is worth their weight in gold. I'm a DP. When I want an 18k HMI down the block, the gaffer deals with all the logistics involved in making this happen quickly and safely. There is a lifetime of technical knowledge to be learned regarding electricity, generators, distrobution as well as the other side, which is lighting instruments and actual lighting practice. In the real world, there is a HUGE separation between the skill set of a gaffer on something like a reality tv show and a gaffer working in higher end commercials/industrials and features. The first time I worked as a DP on a high end production, I was blown away with how nice it was to be working with a "real" gaffer. Basically the DP and gaffer should be the 2 most technicaly knowledgable people on set. Although as the younger generation buys cameras and calls themselves a DP, I see a lot of older gaffers saving their butts. I could NEVER do the job of a pro gaffer, there is SO MUCH involved in larger setups it really is a super technical position, and one that can at the worst kill someone or burn something down, and at the least damage equipment and slow down production if not up to par with the level of production one is working in.
 
Not that it is relevant to the discussion, but since we are talking about being technical here, the nerd in me can't help but correct this statement:

"Getting zapped by a 18amp wall outlet will seem pleasurable to being bit by 100+ amps."

Touching a 120VAC 20 amp outlet will feel the same as touching a 120VAC 100 amp generator. It's the voltage that matters, not the amperes. 100 milliamps is enough to kill. Above that starts nerve damage and organ damage. 2 amps would provide serious organ damage, burns and probable death (it depends upon the route of the current) through the body.

But I do agree that a generator could be more dangerous than a wall outlet due to grounding issues.
 
Ryan Patrick O'Hara said:
you need to know:

1) technical specs of lighting instruments ( what they are, how they work, what they do, and everything else)
2) technical knowledge of power distribution and how power works (a serious understanding)
3) SAFETY; electricity kills. On normal productions, tow behind generators, because of their nature, are far more dangerous than wall power. Getting zapped by a 18amp wall outlet will seem pleasurable to being bit by 100+ amps.
4) how to run a lighting crew. Technical set etiquette and command.
5) yes, to a degree you need to know about the logistical needs and requirements for all things lighting. This includes where to best park generators, condors, how to run cable and etc. this type of responsibility gets very cozy with permits, logistics and management of like wise resources. So you may not have to know everything about those kinds of things but working with producers who do, you will know much about it because it pertains to you.
6) despite not being technical , I will state there is just as big of list for creative responsibilities! Gaffer is also a creative job! :)
Click to expand...

Wow. Really? I always thought Gaffer was an entry-level job or the guy that makes coffee for everybody else!
 
Paul F said:
Not that it is relevant to the discussion, but since we are talking about being technical here, the nerd in me can't help but correct this statement:

"Getting zapped by a 18amp wall outlet will seem pleasurable to being bit by 100+ amps."

Touching a 120VAC 20 amp outlet will feel the same as touching a 120VAC 100 amp generator. It's the voltage that matters, not the amperes. 100 milliamps is enough to kill. Above that starts nerve damage and organ damage. 2 amps would provide serious organ damage, burns and probable death (it depends upon the route of the current) through the body.

But I do agree that a generator could be more dangerous than a wall outlet due to grounding issues.
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Perfect example! Despite my comment being a bit brief while not really explaining why it would be worse, you are correct in that statement. I am still not 100% knowledgable in these matters and I'm a rather smart guy, I think. I would suppose it strengthens the importance of the gaffer's knowledge on set, as well as the best boy's careful tracking of power use and balance. Electricity is dangerous.

I've AC'd or DP'd several shoots with underwater lighting and lighting around the pool, and let me tell you, my life was in the hands of the gaffer. It's no joke (thank you GFCI's!)

Feel free to correct me again, but from my electric understanding, I said the original statement because typically, when using BIG lights and big generators, the danger (outside of improper grounding), is because larger generators are usually used in tandem with three phase distro, and larger units which often require 240v or more running through the lines. If anything, my 100amp example was too timid! I was just picking a bigger number but perhaps 500amps-1000amp generators (they get bigger than that) would have been much better examples, as they can use multiple 1,500amp+ generators on one show! If using generators of this size, you likely are getting three phase power with 240-480v running down the tracks.

Again, my knowledge is rather 101 in this department. I don't work electrical department and as an AC or DP, I rely on the good boys in 728 to keep me safe!



Again, this is borderline on my understanding and knowledge of such power systems, as I am not an electrician. On lower budget films where one is more simply plugging into an apartment wall outlet and keeping track of not popping an 20amp or less breaker, a gaffer is a much different and simpler electrician than one who needs to keep track of much more.
 
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Hey can any gaffer(s) here tell me if the lenses for ARRI 575w HMI PAR are same size as 1.2k HMI PAR? I have a dilemma I need to sort out - cheers!
 
I probably confused people saying the voltage is what matters and then explain what different amps do to a body. To clarify it, it takes voltage to make current flow. A 12v battery doesn't hurt at all because there is not enough voltage to drive any current through the body. Above 50 volts, things start getting serious.
 
starcentral said:
I thought its the current that kills you not the voltage.
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I was under a similar assumption- because static electricity, which everyone gets zapped by, can be several thousand volts- but there is not enough amperage to do any damage. I know I've been zapped by 220V at 15 amps several times, in a previous occupation working on commercial washers, and lived to tell about it. The biggest danger is not being able to let go, such as when in water, etc.
 
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