11 December 2008
Meet the Crew: The Gaffer
Posted by admin under: Black Site; Filmmaking; Indiependent Film; Movie .
Today, we will focus on another crew member on my film, The Gaffer. We had two gaffers on the film. Clayton Combe is first up.
What’s your job on this film?
I was the Gaffer on the film which means I worked with the Director of Photography to light the shots and was also the head of the electric department.
How did you get into this position?
I started off as a grip and then worked my way into the electrical department, with the ultimate goal of being a DP. Because so much of shooting is working with light, I got into Gaffing to learn more about the behavior of light and how to achieve certain effects firsthand. Now that I shoot more, I realize that my technical knowledge is absolutely invaluable to DPing efficiently.
What do you like best about it?
I enjoy being so hands-on, and keeping track of all the little things that are happening. And depending on the DP, I usually have a good amount of artistic freedom, which makes the experience more rewarding for me.
What do you like least about it?
The other side of that coin is that I don’t have final say on lighting, the DP does. Sometimes it’s tough to not do what I think works best, but again, it’s part of the job and sometimes the most important thing to do is to step back and let it go.
What advice you have for somebody who wants to get into this?
Keep your eyes and ears open. As you work your way up, you’re going to work under a lot of people who are very good at what they do, so figure out how they’re solving certain problems and creating certain effects. Listen to them call for a particular rig or type of light, and learn its name. If it’s a good time, ask your immediate superior a question or two. And above all, be nice. I will always hire people who bring a good vibe to set, even if they might not be as experienced.
How can people reach you or see more of your work?
All of my contact info and equipment package is available on my website. You can also see my DP Reel by going here.