Patrice Roblin Film & Television Lighting Services

The chief assistant, usually of the gaffer The origin of the term is from "pre-union" filming days when the line between grip and electric departments was less rigid. When the head of either department needed another body temporarily, he'd go the head of the other department and ask him to "lend me your best boy". By default the 2nd in charge of either department came to be known as best-boy. This term may also have been borrowed from early sailing and whaling crews, as sailors were often employed to set up and work rigging in theatres. There are no "best girls" per se; female chief assistants are also called "best boys".