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STAGE AND SCREENWhat does a "best boy" do for his living and what is a "chief grip"?
THE BEST BOY is a senior electrician on a film crew, coming second in the hierarchy to the "gaffer", the chief electrician. The electricians are responsible for the technical side of the lighting and are known as the "sparks" in this country or "juicers" in the US. In the US the chief carpenter on the set is sometimes known as the "key grip" but here the term refers to the head of the team known as "grips", which is responsible for the camera support equipment (tripods, etc). This includes pushing the "dolly" for a tracking shot, an important job as the grips are in direct contact with the shot and one little jolt is seen by everyone! The terminology often reflects the traditions of sexist hierarchy which were very common in the industry. Things are changing, so it is possible to have mature women as best boys, or mature men as continuity girls. We still use portable lights known as "blondes" and "redheads".
Nick Burton, lecturer, Department of Radio, Film and Television, Christ Church College, Canterbury.
I don't know abou best boy but gaffer comes from the time when the canals were built by families of Irish people. The supervisor was usually the grandad hence "Gaffer". Eventually 'gaffer tape' was used on many stages and film sets and still is.
