Best Boy
Second-in-command to the gaffer (electric) or key grip who manages crew and equipment.
Definition
Best boy is the assistant department head who works directly under the gaffer (best boy electric) or key grip (best boy grip). Despite the historical title, best boys of any gender manage crew members, coordinate equipment rentals, handle logistics, and ensure their department runs smoothly during production.
The best boy electric assists the gaffer with lighting plans and manages the electrical crew, including setup, power distribution, and equipment maintenance. The best boy grip assists the key grip and oversees the grip crew responsible for camera support, lighting modification, and rigging. Both positions require strong organizational skills, crew management experience, and deep technical knowledge of film production equipment.
Why It Matters
Best boys are essential to production efficiency and crew morale. While gaffers and key grips focus on creative and technical decisions with the DP and director, best boys handle the logistical complexity that allows those creative choices to happen—coordinating equipment deliveries, managing crew schedules, and solving problems before they impact filming.
For aspiring cinematographers and grips, the best boy position is a critical career stepping stone. It provides experience managing crews and budgets while working closely with department heads. Many successful gaffers and key grips spent years as best boys, learning the leadership and logistics skills needed for the top positions.
The position also serves as a buffer between department heads and crew members. Best boys handle crew issues, time cards, and personnel matters, allowing gaffers and key grips to focus on supporting the director's vision. This organizational structure keeps departments running smoothly under the intense pressure of production schedules.
Examples in Practice
On a big-budget feature film, the best boy electric manages a crew of 15 electricians, coordinates rental equipment orders totaling $200,000, and oversees power distribution to a complex lighting setup. When the gaffer needs additional lights for a last-minute creative decision, the best boy immediately knows what equipment is available and coordinates the crew to implement the change within minutes.
A best boy grip working on a commercial handles an emergency when a crane rental falls through hours before a critical shot. They contact alternative vendors, negotiate rush delivery, and coordinate with the production manager to adjust the schedule. Their quick problem-solving prevents a costly production delay.
During a multi-location shoot, the best boy electric manages logistics for moving massive amounts of lighting equipment between five locations in three days. They create detailed load plans, coordinate trucks, and schedule crew to ensure every location is fully lit and ready before the camera crew arrives—keeping production on schedule and under budget.