Talk:Gaffer (occupation)/Archives/2009

Re-do! this article is filled with errors.
This article needs help! It is full of errors and is generally confusing. The Gaffer/Chief Lighting technician is a well respected position in Hollywood and the article should reflect the extensive artistic skill, technical knowledge, and managerial effort that the job requires.

"Many gaffers are expected to own a truck complete with most basic lighting equipment and then rent extra lighting equipment as needed."

Not only is this untrue, it gives a false impression of the job and the nature of the film business in general.

"The black tape which is used for temporary fixing of cables etc is thereby known as gaffer tape."

Gaffers tape is a cloth tape and is NOT used for fixing electrical cables.

"depending on the size of the job, crew members who are called "electricians", although not all of them are trained as electricians in the usual sense of the term. Colloquially they are known as 'sparks'."

90% of film crews have electricians. While it is true that they are not journeyman electricians they do skilled electrical work, and I feel this is phrased in slightly derogatory way. Also as far as I know they term "sparks" is primarily used in England. In the United States they are called electricians, Set lighting technicians, electrical lighting technicians, lamp operators, set electricians, etc. Colloquially they are called juicers. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.83.36.180 (talk) 08:32, 19 October 2009 (UTC)