Published: August 27, 2025 | Last Updated: August 28, 2025
What is A best boy? job description & Definition
A best boy is the lead assistant to either the gaffer (chief lighting technician) or the key grip (rigging head), coordinating crew, equipment, scheduling, budgets, and safety for their department. As a Best Boy, you work behind the scenes to keep the lighting or rigging team running. Your tasks include hiring crew, ordering gear, planning call times, and enforcing safety rules.
The title covers two roles: best boy electric, who supports the gaffer, and best boy grip, who assists the key grip. Both roles require technical knowledge and the ability to manage people and gear under pressure.
Best Boy Electric vs. Best Boy Grip: Department Roles Explained
There are two types of best boys. One works in the lighting department and the other in rigging. Each job involves different tools, but both support the department head and help keep the set running smoothly.
- Best Boy Electric: You support the gaffer. You manage the lighting crew, run cables, set up generators, and order lights. You make sure everything is safe and works correctly.
- Best Boy Grip: You assist the key grip. You handle rigging gear like dollies, flags, and cranes. You ensure the setups are secure and match the director‘s desired look.
Best Boy Responsibilities on Set and Behind the Scenes
As best boy, your job combines hands-on setup with office work. You lead your crew on set and handle planning, gear, and communication off set.
On-Set Duties: Lighting and Rigging Setup
On set, you arrive early, check the call sheet, and make sure everything is ready. You assign jobs to the crew based on the day’s shots. If something breaks, you fix it or find a workaround. When the gaffer or key grip is busy, you take charge to keep the setup moving.
Admin Tasks: Scheduling, Gear, and Paperwork
Off set, you manage rentals, returns, and crew paperwork. You track inventory, complete timecards, and talk with the production office about permits and planning. You also set the next day’s schedule and plan who and what is needed on location.
Film Crew Safety: Enforcing Codes and Protocols
You’re responsible for safety in your department. That means ensuring that all lights, cables, and rigs comply with union rules and safety codes. You respond to issues fast and file reports if anything goes wrong. A safe set starts with your decisions.
Best Boy Skills and Qualifications for Film Work
You need to be physically strong, technically skilled, and a good leader. You lift gear, solve problems on the fly, and keep your team working together. You also need to know how lighting gear, power, and rigging systems work. Good communication helps you work with other departments and fix problems before they cause delays.
Some productions require a licensed electrician for best boy electric. Courses in film lighting, electrical work, or rigging can help, but most learning happens on set.
How to Become a Best Boy in Film Production
Most best boys start as production assistants, lighting techs, or grips. You move up by showing you understand how the department works. Gaffers and key grips promote crew they trust.
Joining a union like IATSE can help you get steady work, better pay, and access to training. Many best boys live in cities like Los Angeles, Atlanta, or Vancouver, where more shoots happen.
Student films and low-budget projects help you build skills early. After a few years of learning and proving yourself, you can step into the best boy role. From there, you can grow into a department head like gaffer or key grip.
Best Boy Salary, Hours, and Working Conditions
Best boys are usually paid by the hour. Rates depend on experience, project size, and union status. Union members tend to earn more and work steadier jobs.
- Union rate: $40/hour or $80,000–$130,000/year
- Non-union rate: $25–$35/hour or $50,000–$80,000/year
- Canada average: $57,000/year, ranging from $50,000–$100,000
You often work 12–16-hour days. The job is physical. You may need to lift 50–100 pounds and move fast between setups. Breaks between jobs are common, so strong connections and union membership help keep you working.
Real-World Examples of Best Boys on Set
On a night exterior, you might arrive before sunrise to prep lights, cable, and generators. If the shot changes, you reassign crew and reset the power.
When it rains, you drop flags and protect gear. If the gaffer steps away, you stay in charge. You handle problems fast and quietly, so the shoot doesn’t stop.
Summing Up
A best boy is the lead assistant to the gaffer or key grip. You manage crew, equipment, safety, and scheduling in your department. You’re the person who keeps everything running between setup and wrap. The job is tough but rewarding. With the right training and attitude, it can lead to a strong career in lighting or rigging.
Read Next: Not sure who does what on set?
Check out our Crew Roles & Equipment section to learn how each department runs, from lighting and sound to camera rigs and on-set protocols.
For a full behind-the-scenes breakdown, explore the entire Production archive and see how everything comes together during the shoot.
