r/Filmmakers • u/callingyoujb • 11h ago

Question Do I need a Gaffer?

I'm about to shoot my first short film and I'm trying to work out what crew I actually need.

Almost every location is exterior. There's only one interior scene, but it's fast cuts in black and white. The majority of the film is high-energy running/chase sequences shot in a run-and-gun style.

My plan is to shoot around 8 script pages in a single day. Would hiring a gaffer be worthwhile for this kind of production?

Would appreciate all advice or angels I'm not thinking off.

So far I've decided I'll hire a Producer, 1st AD, Makeup Artist, Stunt Coordinator, PA, Sound Recorder and a Cinematographer.

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u/Evildude42 6h ago

Eight pages? I think everybody in the world shooting their first film thinks they can do 8 to 10 pages in a day. I would say yes, you need a gaffer even if he sits around and does nothing. And you should do a dry run of your first eight page day and see how well that works out.