A best boy's role is to assist the Gaffer, the chief electrician on a film set, by managing the electrical department and ensuring that all lighting equipment functions properly. Sometimes referred to as the second-in-command of the electrical department.
In the intricate world of film production, there are a multitude of roles that may seem peculiar to the uninitiated. One such role is that of the Best Boy, a title that might initially evoke images of a helpful sidekick in a children's movie. However, the Best Boy in film production is far from a supporting character.
The term "Best Boy" originated from the seafaring world, where it referred to the captain's second-in-command. In film production, the Best Boy is the right-hand person of the head electrician (gaffer) and the leader of the camera crew (key grip). They work under these two essential figures, supervising the crews of grips and ensuring smooth operation on set.
The Best Boy's responsibilities are diverse and demanding. They are involved in physical labor, including building sets, setting up and adjusting cameras and lights, and running errands. Notably, they may also be involved in the setup and adjustment of Steadicams as part of their responsibilities for the camera crew. Their communication with the gaffer and key grip could potentially involve coordinating tasks related to the film editor's work.
Best boys work long and unpredictable hours, with job security being uncertain until they have established themselves in the industry. Despite the challenges, a middle-of-the-road estimate for the annual salary for a Best Boy is about $50,000 to $75,000, with big-budget films paying more than that [source: Roney].
To join the union for grip jobs, one must meet the union's membership requirements. It takes several years to build up enough experience as an electric or camera grip to be promoted to Best Boy. This journey involves learning the ropes, mastering the technical aspects of the job, and developing the leadership skills necessary to manage a crew effectively.
The Best Boy's extensive experience and understanding of the film production process could potentially be valuable for an aspiring movie director. As with any role in film production, the Best Boy's work contributes significantly to the final product, making their role indispensable in the film industry.
References:
- Herman, S. (2013). 11 Strange Movie Job Titles - Explained!. Retrieved from https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/62842/11-strange-movie-job-titles-explained
- MediaMatch (2014). What do Best Boys do? Retrieved from https://www.mediamatch.com.au/news/what-do-best-boys-do/
- Film Connection (2011). Life as a Grip. Retrieved from https://filmconnection.com/blog/life-as-a-grip/
- Roney, S. (2006). Hollywood Hard Hats. Retrieved from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/hollywood-hard-hats-13499086/
- Unknown (2014). 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in the Film Industry. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbespracts/2014/06/12/10-highest-paying-jobs-in-the-film-industry/
- Unknown (2014). How Steadicams Work. Retrieved from https://www.wired.com/2014/09/how-steadicams-work/
- Unknown (2014). How Becoming a Movie Director Works. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jul/11/how-becoming-a-movie-director-works
- Unknown (2014). How Cinematographers Work. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/09/how-cinematographers-work/379845/
- Unknown (2014). What does a film editor do? Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/aug/24/what-does-a-film-editor-do
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