Best Boy Electric

Learn the duties and responsibilities of the Best Boy Electric.

Best Boy Electric

Developed by Jason Tomaric, FilmSkills
ABOUT THIS LESSON
If we look at the structure of the electric department, the head of the department is the gaffer, who works directly with the cinematographer as the chief lighting technician. The gaffer translates the director and cinematographer's vision into the actual lights used to create the desired cinematic look on set. Below the Gaffer is the Best Boy Electric, who serves as the administrator of the electric department.
 
In this lesson, we're going to look at the role of the Best Boy Electric both on and off the set.
  • 10:32 video that takes you into the world of the Best Boy Electric
  • Illustrated companion guide
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
  • The role of the Best Boy Electric on set
  • How the Best Boy Electric relates to the gaffer and electric department
  • How the Best Boy Electric's job changes depending on the budget of the project
ABOUT THE LESSON AUTHOR
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Jason Tomaric

Jason Tomaric

Director, Cinematographer Los Angeles, California
Jason J. Tomaric is an Emmy, Telly, and CINE Award-winning director and cinematographer of four internationally-distributed feature films, dozens of national television commercials, music videos, and the largest film training content library in the world, published author of 8 books - used in many top universities, and creator of AccuSkills.com, an industry-changing learning management platform. 
 
Jason has worked in Los Angeles and around the world in over 20 countries. His clients include Disney, NBC/Universal, National Geographic, McDonald’s, Toyota, Scion, Microsoft, and Paul Mitchell, with narrative work screened at Sundance, Slamdance, and South by Southwest film festivals as well as on Netflix and on all broadcast networks.
 
Jason has taught and/or guest lectured at some of the nation's most prestigious film schools including UCLA, Columbia College, John Carroll University, Kent State University, San Francisco State, University of Notre Dame, and numerous film festivals.
 
Jason has written eight industry-defining books, all sold in bookstores, and used in film schools around the world. The American Society of Cinematographers hails Jason's books - "There are no wasted words in Tomaric's tome, which concisely summarizes each facet of the director's craft.  It's difficult to think of a step in the process that Tomaric fails to address." 
 
Jason’s DVD training series on Hollywood film production have trained filmmakers in over 40 countries, with distributors in Europe, Hong Kong, New York and Australia.
 
In 2010, Jason launched FilmSkills, which combines the world’s largest film training video library with his proprietary learning management system.  Adopted by 47 universities within the first year, FilmSkills is now the leading industry-standard training solution for motion picture and television production.
 
In 2015, Jason launched AccuSkills.com, an industry-changing learning management platform that bridges the gap between academia and industry.
CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS LESSON
Dan Riffel

Dan Riffel

Gaffer, "Iron Man", "G.I. Joe," "Hancock," "Spiderman 3," "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" and "Charlie's Angels"
Dan is a Los Angeles-based gaffer with numerous A-list credits including Battleship, Cowboys and Aliens, Iron Man 1 & 2, G.I. Joe, The Mummy, Hancock, Live Free or Dir Harder, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Spider Man 2 & 3, Charlie's Angels, and many more.
Ed Joyce

Ed Joyce

Gaffer, National Geographic, "Fred and Vinnie," and "Smiley"
Ed Joyce is a Los Angeles-based gaffer whose credits include National Geographic
Harry C. Box

Harry C. Box

Camera Operator, "Heroes," "Brothers and Sisters," and Author of "The Set Lighting Technician's Handbook"

Harry C. Box has worked in television and motion picture production since 1989. Over the years he has done substantial work as a lighting technician, gaffer, camera operator, director of photography, and as an educator. His recent credits include network and cable television series, such as "Heroes" (NBC), "Brothers and Sisters" (ABC), and "Everybody Hates Chris" (CW). He has worked on major motion pictures, independent feature films, telefilms, documentaries, music videos, commercials, and industrials. Harry has also written "The Set Lighting Technician's Handbook," now in its fourth edition.

Mike Uva

Mike Uva

Key Grip "Nip/Tuck", “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, "Everybody Hates Chris", and author "Uva's Grip Book"
Michael G. Uva is a well-respected Key Grip in Hollywood, with over 20 years of experience in film, TV movies, and commercials to his credit, including the recent hit shows "Nip/Tuck," “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, and "Everybody Hates Chris." He is the author of The Grip Book.
Rick Taylor

Rick Taylor

Camera Operator, "Don Jon", "The Price of Happiness", "Timecode", "Perfect Game", "Team Knight Rider", "Ghostbusters" and "He-Man"
Rick Taylor is a Los-Angeles based Camera Operator and Cinematographer whose credits include On the Lot, The Price of Happiness, Timecode, Perfect Game, Team Knight Rider, Ghostbusters and He-Man