What department is responsible for lighting the set?

Author: Karianne Harvey  |  Last update: Wednesday, December 31, 2025

The Gaffer is the chief lighting technician on a film production and works under the direction of the Director of Photography (DP). The gaffer is responsible for the design and execution of the lighting plan, and is in charge of the lighting crew on set.

Who is responsible for lighting on set?

In film and television crews, the gaffer or chief lighting technician is the head electrician, responsible for the execution (and sometimes the design) of the lighting plan for a production. The gaffer's assistant is the best boy electric.

What is the lighting department called?

On the set of a film production or television production, the electrical department manages and runs the lighting during every scene. Leading the electrical department is a person called the “gaffer.”

Who sets up the lights on set?

Gaffers work closely with the director of photography (DoP) to bring to life the overall look of a film by creating and controlling light. They work with the DoP to understand the desired light effects and figure out how to achieve them.

What does a lighting technician do on set?

A theatre Lighting Technician (LT) prepares and operates the lighting system for a production. They make the lighting effects for live theatre productions based on the designs created by the Lighting Designer (LD).

What A Gaffer Does On Set: Crew Breakdown

What team is the lighting technician a part of?

Lighting technicians are members of the lighting crew who set up, rig, program, monitor, repair, and operate lighting equipment to enhance events and performances.

Who controls the lighting?

In a theater production, lighting technicians work under the lighting designer and master electrician. In video, television, and film productions, lighting technicians work under the direction of the gaffer or chief lighting technician who takes their direction from the cinematographer.

Who is responsible for lighting?

Yes, tenants are responsible for changing light bulbs, as they are considered part of the daily upkeep of their rental space.

What does the grip department do?

Grips make sure that what the director and director of photography (DoP) want to achieve on a shoot is possible. While directors think of the artistry of the shots, grips work out how they are going to move the cameras to make that happen.

What is the difference between a gaffer and a lighting technician?

A gaffer is the head of the electrical department. They may also be referred to as the Chief Lighting Technician. The gaffer is responsible for designing and executing the lighting plan. They work directly with the Director of Photography to achieve the desired look.

What does a gaffer do on set?

A Gaffer is responsible for running the Grip/Electric crew and overseeing all the lighting equipment. Also known as the Chief Lighting Technician, the Gaffer works directly with the cinematographer to provide the lights and electricity needed for a given set-up.

What department is lighting?

The Director of Photography (DP) is the head of the Light Department and is responsible for the overall look and feel of a film production. The DP works closely with the director to determine the visual style and tone of the film, and then leads the lighting crew in bringing that vision to life.

What is the difference between a lighting director and a lighting technician?

What is the difference between a lighting technician and a lighting director? Lighting technicians are also called 'sparks' and are responsible for setting up and operating equipment under the supervision of a Lighting Director.

Who determines the lighting setup for a scene?

That job almost always falls to the cinematographer or director of photography (DP), who decides what cameras to use, with which lenses, and how to best light the scene. In pre-production, the cinematographer and director discuss the meaning of each scene and how it helps to tell the story.

Who sets lighting standards?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for ensuring workplace safety, including issues related to lighting.

What's the difference between a gaffer and a grip?

Next, the gaffer designs a lighting scheme that enables that vision. The grips, then, are the ones who work with the gaffer to execute the design. While gaffers can be hands-on, especially on small productions, it's typically the grips that do the physical work to ensure a scene is appropriately lit.

What does a best boy do on set?

A Best Boy is the assistant to either the Gaffer or Key Grip on set. This means that there are two types of Best Boys: one for electric (Gaffer) and one for lighting/rigging (Key Grip). As the assistants, they are effectively the foreman for their respective departments.

Who leads the grip department?

Key Grip. As the head of the grip department, key grips manage other film grips and electric crew members. They also work closely with the director to keep things running smoothly on set, including overseeing that all equipment performs and captures shots as intended.

Who does the lighting on a film set?

Gaffer. Gaffers are in charge of all the electrical work on a production, leading the team of technicians who install the lighting equipment and arrange the power supply in order to create the designed lighting effects.

Who is responsible for lightning?

Lightning is caused due to the accumulation of electric charge in the clouds. As the charge density increases, air can no longer stop the flow of charges, and hence, a lightning bolt strikes the earth.

Who is responsible for the design installation and operation of the lighting?

The Lighting Designer is responsible for the design, installation, and operation of the lighting and special electrical effects used in the production.

What is the biggest responsibility of a tenant?

The biggest responsibility of a tenant is typically to pay rent on time and in full. Rent payment is the primary obligation of a tenant, and failing to do so can lead to various consequences, including eviction.

What controls the lighting?

Common types of lighting controls include: Dimmers. Motion sensors, occupancy sensors, and photosensors. Timers.

What division is lighting controls?

The Division 26 lighting controls contractor shall be responsible for the complete installation, sequences of operation (SOOs), programming, and exposing all BACnet points for read/write or integration through open protocols.

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