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On a bustling film set, the unique titles for crew members often have historical roots that accurately describe their functions. The gaffer, for instance, is the chief lighting technician, making "electrician" a fitting, simple description. This individual is responsible for designing and executing the lighting plan for a production, essentially painting with light to create the mood and atmosphere of each scene. The term "gaffer" is believed to have originated from the theater, possibly from the "gaff," a hooked pole used to adjust stage lights. The gaffer directs a team that handles all electrical equipment required to power the lights and the rest of the set.
Working in tandem with the electrical department is the grip department. Grips are the on-set technicians responsible for building and maintaining all the equipment that supports the cameras and lighting, such as tripods, dollies, and cranes. They handle all the non-electrical aspects of setting up the shot, which makes "general purpose handyman" an apt description of their versatile and physical role. The term "grip" was borrowed from the theater, where it referred to stagehands who handled the shifting of scenery. A key grip is the head of this department, working to solve the complex mechanical problems of getting the camera exactly where it needs to be.
Both the gaffer and the key grip have a chief assistant known as the "best boy." This person acts as the foreman for their respective department, handling the scheduling of crew, ordering and inventory of equipment, and other logistical tasks. The title "best boy" is thought to have originated in the early days of filmmaking when the head of one department would ask to borrow the "best boy" from another crew for a task. The term is used for the assistant to either the key grip or the gaffer and is applied to any gender.
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