Best Boy Guide – What is a Best Boy in Filmmaking?

Ever found yourself sitting through the film credits, coffee in hand, wondering what on earth a “Best Boy” is? Join the club, mate. The title sounds like something you’d give your favourite golden retriever rather than a crucial film crew member. But don’t be fooled by the slightly daft moniker – these folks are absolutely essential to getting those blockbusters (and arthouse darlings) onto your screens.

Let’s peel back the curtain on one of filmmaking’s most misleadingly-named yet vital roles, shall we?

In this article, we will take a look at what a Best Boy is and what they do. Additionally, we will go through how to become a Best Boy, their salary, and where you can find a job. 

Be sure to stick around until the very end so you don’t miss out on any key information!

What Is A Best Boy in Film Production?

A Best Boy is essentially the second-in-command – the trusty lieutenant, if you will – to either the Gaffer (lighting department chief) or the Key Grip (rigging supremo) on a film set. Much like how Batman needs Robin to handle the admin while he’s off being broody, these department heads need someone to manage the nitty-gritty while they focus on the creative stuff.

There are two flavours of Best Boy on a film set:

1. Best Boy Electric: The Gaffer’s right-hand person who manages all things electrical and lighting-related.
   
2. Best Boy Grip: The Key Grip’s assistant who oversees rigging, camera movement equipment, and basically anything that holds something else up.
   

Despite the confusingly gendered title (which dates back to old-school apprenticeship systems when a master would ask for their “best boy”), the role of a best boy is open to all genders. Women who take on this role are still called “Best Boys” – because nothing makes sense in the film industry, and we like it that way, thank you very much.

What Does A Best Boy Actually Do?

The Best Boy’s job is a bit like being a circus juggler – except instead of flaming torches, they’re juggling crew management, equipment inventory, safety protocols, and a mountain of paperwork, all while trying not to spill their lukewarm coffee.

Best Boy Electric Responsibilities

The Best Boy Electric translates the Gaffer’s artistic vision into practical reality by:

• Managing the electrical crew – assigning tasks, solving problems, and generally playing den mother to a bunch of sleep-deprived technicians
• Tracking and maintaining all lighting equipment (and trust me, there’s a LOT of it)
• Ensuring everyone follows safety protocols (because no one wants an electrocuted cinematographer)
• Ordering additional gear as needed
• Being the liaison between the electrical department and other departments
• Handling rental paperwork, timesheets, and budgeting (the glamorous side of filmmaking, clearly)
• Troubleshooting technical issues faster than you can say “where’s the gaffer tape?”

When the Director of Photography whispers something to the Gaffer about needing “moody, low-key lighting with a subtle blue wash,” it’s the Best Boy Electric who makes sure the crew has the right gear to make that artistic vision a reality.

Best Boy Grip Responsibilities

Meanwhile, the Best Boy Grip is busy:

• Managing the grip department crew – organising tasks and workflow
• Keeping inventory of all grip equipment (dollies, cranes, stands, clamps – essentially anything that moves or holds cameras and lights)
• Anticipating what the Key Grip will need before they even ask
• Knowing exactly where every piece of equipment is at all times (almost supernaturally)
• Coordinating with other departments for smooth day-to-day operation
• Making sure equipment is properly maintained, repaired, and returned
• Dealing with administrative tasks like crew timesheets and equipment rental paperwork

The Best Boy Grip must have an encyclopedic knowledge of what gear is available and where it is at all times. When the Key Grip gets a request from the cinematographer to “get a camera on that building across the street, yesterday,” the Best Boy is already ten steps ahead, organising the crew and equipment needed to make it happen.

The Different Types of Best Boys

Let’s take a closer look at our two Best Boy variants and what makes them tick.

Best Boy Electric: Masters of the Current

The Best Boy Electric lives in a world of watts, volts, and amps. Their natural habitat is the generator truck, surrounded by cables thicker than your arm and enough power to light up a small town.

This role is particularly demanding because it combines technical electrical knowledge with people management skills. One minute they’re calculating load balances to avoid blowing the generator, and the next they’re resolving crew disputes or negotiating with location managers about power access.

Safety is paramount in this role. A Best Boy Electric is responsible for ensuring nobody gets a nasty shock – both literally (electrical safety) and figuratively (preventing damage to expensive equipment). They’re constantly vigilant about proper grounding, load distribution, and making sure no one does anything daft with the equipment.

When the Gaffer gets an instruction from the Director of Photography about the lighting setup needed, they’ll communicate this to the Best Boy, who then orchestrates the electrical crew to make it happen safely and efficiently.

Best Boy Grip: Kings and Queens of Rigging

The Best Boy Grip’s domain is anything that supports or moves cameras and lights. Think dollies, cranes, jibs, stands, clamps, and various contraptions that look like they belong in a medieval torture chamber but are somehow essential for getting that perfect tracking shot.

They need to be part engineer, part problem-solver, and part magician. When the director suddenly decides they need a camera suspended upside down from the ceiling while simultaneously tracking sideways (because, art), it’s the Best Boy Grip who helps figure out how to make this seemingly impossible request happen.

The grip department works in close concert with the electrical team – while the electricians provide the lights, the grips shape and control that light using flags, scrims, and diffusion frames. The Best Boy Grip ensures all these tools are available and that the crew knows how to deploy them.

When the director needs more light in a scene, the Gaffer and electrical work crew set up the lights, while the Key Grip and grip team shape and control that light. The Best Boys from both departments ensure this complex dance happens smoothly and safely.

Best Boy Grip

How To Become A Best Boy

How to Become a Best Boy

Nobody leaves film school saying, “I want to be a Best Boy when I grow up!” It’s a position you evolve into after paying your dues in the industry. Here’s the typical career trajectory:

1. Start as a Production Assistant or Runner: Making tea and fetching bacon sandwiches for cranky crew members at 4 am builds character.
   
2. Move up to Company Grip or Electrical Assistant: Learning the basics while lugging increasingly heavy equipment around increasingly implausible locations.
   
3. Prove your competence: Show you can be trusted with more responsibility without accidentally setting things on fire or dropping expensive cameras.
   
4. Get tapped for Best Boy on smaller projects: This might actually be a step down in terms of production budget but a step up in responsibility. Student films and indies are common training grounds.
   
5. Build your reputation: Work your way up to larger productions as you gain experience and industry contacts.
   

The film industry is notoriously nepotistic, so networking is crucial. Buy established grip and electric departments a pint and pick their brains. Most are happy to share wisdom with newcomers who show genuine interest and work ethic.

Essential Skills & Experience

To thrive as a Best Boy, you’ll need:

• Technical knowledge: Understanding of electrical systems or rigging techniques, depending on your specialisation
• Physical stamina: Long days (we’re talking 12+ hours) of active, sometimes heavy work
• Problem-solving abilities: The ability to MacGyver solutions with gaffer tape and pure willpower
• People management skills: Coordinating crews requires diplomacy and clear communication
• Basic math & physics understanding: Calculating loads, weights, and electrical requirements is part of the job
• Organisational prowess: Keeping track of equipment, crew, and schedules is essential
• Patience of a saint: Dealing with creative types can test even the most zen individual

While formal education isn’t strictly necessary, a background in practical physics, electrical engineering, or technical theatre can provide a useful foundation for knowledge. However, most of the real learning happens on set.

Qualifications: Do You Need a Degree?

The short answer? No. The film industry generally values practical experience over academic qualifications. That said, certain educational pathways can give you a leg up:

• Technical theater courses: Provide hands-on experience with full understanding of lighting and rigging
• Film school: Can offer networking opportunities and basic technical training
• Electrical certifications: Understanding of electrical systems is vital for Best Boy Electrics
• Physics or engineering background: Helps with understanding the mechanical principles for grip work

The most valuable qualification is on-set experience. Start small, learn constantly, and work your way up. Many successful Best Boys began their careers as runners or production assistants and learned the ropes (sometimes literally) from more experienced crew members.

Breaking In Without Formal Qualifications

If university isn’t your thing, fear not! The film industry has plenty of room for self-taught talent. Here’s how to break in:

• Volunteer on student films: They’re always desperate for crew and it’s a low-stakes environment to learn
• Network, network, network: The film industry runs on relationships. Attend industry events, join film Facebook groups, and make yourself known
• Be honest about your skills: Don’t oversell your experience; people respect honesty and willingness to learn
• Develop a strong work ethic: Being reliable, punctual, and hardworking goes a long way
• Stay physically fit: The job is demanding, and stamina is essential
• Move to a production hub: London, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff, or Bristol will offer more opportunities than smaller towns

Be prepared for feast-or-famine work patterns at first. You might work 13 days straight followed by weeks of nothing. Financial planning is crucial; most newbies aim to save enough to cover 2-3 months of expenses for those inevitable dry spells.

Best Boy Salary: What’s the Damage?

The financial reward for babysitting expensive equipment and sleep-deprived crew members? Pretty decent, actually.

In the UK, Best Boys typically earn between £250-£400 per day, depending on the project size and budget. On major feature films or high-end TV, this can rise to £450-£500+ per day. Annual earnings vary widely based on how consistently you work, but experienced Best Boys working regularly might take home £50,000-£80,000 annually.

Starting rates are lower, of course. Entry-level grips or electrical assistants might begin at around £150-£200 per day, working up as they gain experience and reputation.

Union rates (through BECTU) provide some standardization, but many productions negotiate rates directly, especially for smaller independent projects. Commercial and corporate work often pays better day rates than indie films but offers less consistent employment.

For those just starting out, be prepared to work on low or no-budget projects to build experience. Consider it an investment in your future earning potential.

You can find Best Boy movie jobs on any job searching platform. An alternative way is to get in touch with smaller, local directors and see if they need a hand working on set.

This is a great way to slowly build your network and gain experience. 

You could also reach out to Grip Companies who will employ you if you’re looking for an entry-level position as a grip. 

Where to Find Best Boy Jobs

Finding work as a Best Boy relies heavily on reputation and word-of-mouth, but there are some structured approaches:

• Production directories: Listings in The Knowledge, Production Base, or Mandy
• Industry Facebook groups: Many cities have film crew groups where jobs are posted
• BECTU union connections: Membership can provide job leads and networking
• Production companies: Reach out directly to production managers at busy companies
• Rental houses: Befriend staff at equipment rental facilities; they often hear about upcoming productions
• Film commissions: Regional film offices sometimes maintain crew databases

Once established, most Best Boys find work through previous contacts. The production manager or Gaffer/Key Grip you worked with last month might call you for their next project if you impressed them.

Don’t underestimate the importance of being pleasant to work with. In a business where people spend 12+ hour days together in high-pressure situations, personality matters almost as much as skill. The most successful Best Boys combine technical proficiency with good humor and a collaborative attitude.

The Future of the Best Boy Role

As with many film industry positions, technology is changing aspects of the Best Boy role. LED lighting is revolutionising how sets are lit, requiring new skills and knowledge. Remote-controlled camera rigs and drones are expanding the grip department’s purview.

However, the fundamentals remain: managing crew, solving problems, and ensuring departments run smoothly will always be essential, regardless of technological advances. The title may be quaint, but the role remains vital to efficient production.

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