The Best Boy Electric assists the gaffer, oversees daily electrical operations on set, acts as foreman, and delegates tasks to the electrical crew.
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Working Life
The Best Boy Electric supports the gaffer in the electrical department. They run the day-to-day electrical operations, working effectively as the foreman for the department on set, and delegating various tasks to all members of the electrical crew.
Role and Responsibilities
- Meet with the production manager and gaffer in advance of filming to plan the shoot and produce costings according to the schedule and budget.
- Liaise with other departments, including location and construction, to plan the shoot.
- Ensure all relevant equipment is in optimum working order before and throughout the production.
- Work closely with the gaffer during the shoot, providing status reports and ensuring that all work is being carried out to budget and to schedule as planned.
- They must produce timesheets and working schedules and implement a full stock take of all equipment before, during, and after the production.
Works with
- Gaffer
- Director of Photography
- All of the Lighting Department
Qualities - Best Boy Electric (Assistant Chief Electrician)
Is this role right for me?
For this role, you need:
A high level of experience as a senior electrician with a knowledge of film industry standards and set up.
An ability to understand the gaffer’s visualisation of the production and the knowledge and team-management skills to communicate and realise it.
Proficiency with relevant electrical equipment, the requirements from various departments, and the latest technological advances.
The ability to communicate effectively within the department and with other departments, including through the use of technical drawings.
IT, administrative, and office management skills.
The ability to take on the gaffer role as needed, for example on second unit or a crossover shoot.
Interests - Best Boy Electric (Assistant Chief Electrician)
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Entry / Progression - Best Boy Electric (Assistant Chief Electrician)
Education Route: You need to be a fully qualified electrician.
Career Path to Best Boy Electric: There is no usual career path to the occupation of best boy. Often, they will have worked their way through the lighting Department. Working your way up through the electrical department is essential with lots of on-set experience on productions.
Career Path from Best Boy Electric: Gaffer (Chief Lighting Technician), Lighting Designer, Electrical Department Head, Director of Photography.
