Gaffer

Gaffer
A specialized electrician, the gaffer is responsible for designing and executing the entire lighting plan on a film, TV or commercial production.

What a gaffer does: A gaffer manages the lighting on a movie but is also responsible for the lighting instruments and electrical equipment.

Who relies on gaffers: The director of photography is responsible for the overall lighting design of a production, but frequently delegates his day-to-day responsibilities to the gaffer, who supervises an assistant called the best boy, to help him implement the plan.

How to become a gaffer: Enrolling in a technical or vocational school to train as an electrician or getting a degree in stage lighting or film production can also give gaffers an extra edge.

How much a gaffer is paid: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a gaffer in 2014 was $41,780.

-Dana Meltzer Zipped