The 2nd Electric (Second Electric) is the person that keeps the lighting department running behind the scenes.
You may still hear this role referred to as Best Boy Electric, especially on older call sheets or in casual conversation. Traditionally, that was the industry term. Increasingly, many crews and productions are moving toward 2nd Electric or Assistant Chief Lighting Technician as clearer, non-gendered titles that better describe the actual function of the job. Regardless of the name used, the responsibilities and expectations remain the same.
While the Gaffer works with the cinematographer to shape light and solve creative problems, the Second Electric handles the systems that make that work possible: crew coordination, power distribution logistics, equipment management, pre-lighting, and communication with production. When the lighting department runs smoothly, it’s usually because the Second Electric saw problems coming and dealt with them before anyone else had to.
This role demands a deep understanding of lighting gear, power, and set workflow, along with the ability to manage people and make fast decisions under pressure. If you’re considering the move into Second Electric—or want to understand what the job actually involves—this guide breaks down the responsibilities, expectations, and on-set realities of one of the most demanding positions in the lighting department.
What Is a Second Electric?
The Second Electric is the right hand of the Gaffer — the person who runs the lighting crew, manages the gear, and keeps power flowing safely and efficiently.
It’s one of the most technical and demanding positions on set. You’re juggling logistics, leadership, and constant troubleshooting, often while the Gaffer is on the floor shaping light with the cinematographer.
If the Gaffer is the department’s creative lead, the Second Electric is its operations manager — responsible for making sure everything works, everyone shows up, and every lamp strikes on cue.
Key Responsibilities
1. Running the Crew
You help the Gaffer manage the lighting technicians — assigning tasks, delegating setups, handling crew calls, and making sure everyone knows the plan. On smaller productions, you may also jump in as a hands-on tech.
2. Paperwork & Department Logistics
From time sheets and deal memos to gear orders and daily logs, you handle the admin side that keeps the department functional. It’s not glamorous, but it’s a critical part of the job.
3. Crew Management & Scheduling
You hire day players, coordinate shifts, and make sure the crew matches the shooting schedule. This often means long phone calls with production, rental houses, and the Gaffer to stay ahead of changes.
4. Gear Orders, Inventory & Returns
You maintain the department’s inventory, track damaged gear, arrange pickups and returns, and coordinate last-minute additions. You’ll become best friends with the rental house.
5. Pre-Lighting & Rigging
A huge part of your job is prepping sets — sometimes days before principal photography begins. You’ll lead the team that rigs cable runs, installs distro, or sets base lighting. Efficiency here saves hours later.
6. Acting as Department Liaison
The Gaffer doesn’t always have time to deal with the Production Manager or AD team. You often serve as the lighting department’s point of contact — coordinating load-ins, call times, and truck moves.
7. Maintenance & Repairs
From swapping a burned-out ballast to fixing a fried dimmer, you’re the department’s first line of defense. You won’t rebuild a SkyPanel from scratch, but knowing your way around a multimeter matters.
Skills You Need
Technical Knowledge
You’re expected to understand electrical distribution, load balancing, DMX systems, and safe rigging practices. If you don’t know the difference between a lunchbox and a snakebite connector, learn fast.
Problem-Solving
Things break constantly. Generators trip, distro overheats, ballasts buzz, and power gets lost mid-take. You’re expected to stay calm, diagnose, and fix it — ideally before anyone else notices.
Communication
You’ll be in constant contact with ADs, production, grips, and the camera team. Clear, concise communication avoids mistakes that cost time and money.
Attention to Detail
You’re managing paperwork, cables, and people simultaneously. One wrong line on a call sheet or one mislabeled distro can derail a day. Precision is your safety net.
Prep & Production Meetings
You’ll often have a few days (or even weeks) of prep before shooting. Use that time wisely.
Read the script. Understand the tone, schedule, and lighting demands.
Watch reference materials. Anything the DP or director provides can guide gear choices.
Attend production meetings. Ask questions early to prevent headaches later.
Finalize equipment lists. Double-check everything with the Gaffer and rental house.
Build a Second Electric binder. Keep all essential paperwork in one place — schedules, call sheets, contacts, gear manifests, and notes. Digital copies are great, but a binder never dies on set.
If you’re lucky enough to have an office, post a wall calendar with shoot days, rig days, and crew shifts clearly marked. Everyone will thank you.
The Tech Scout
The tech scout is your chance to see the actual spaces you’ll be powering and lighting. Pay attention to the details most people miss.
Identify power sources and safe cable runs.
Confirm generator placement and parking.
Note where distro, 4-ways, and stingers can live safely.
Coordinate with grips on rigging points for overheads, fixtures, or diffusion.
Ask about practicals — what stays, what gets replaced, and what needs dimming.
Watch for special equipment needs (lifts, dimmers, cable ramps, etc.).
Bring your notes, photos, and diagrams to prep. These will save your life once shooting starts.
On Set as a Second Electric
At call time, your first move is staging gear and running cable so your team is ready when the Gaffer calls for power. Once the floor is lit and running, you pivot into logistics mode — paperwork, schedules, equipment tracking, and department communication.
Avoid stepping on the Gaffer’s toes when it comes to creative decisions. Your focus is execution — making sure their plan happens safely and efficiently.
As the day rolls on:
Check distro regularly.
Watch for overheating or overloaded lines.
Track what gear moves between sets.
Keep communication tight with grips, camera, and ADs.
If you’re pre-lighting the next location, get there early, coordinate truck moves, and make sure the space is ready for your team. Even half an hour of early prep can save production hours later.\
Must Have Tools for 2nd Electrics (Best Boys):
Clamp Meter
Measures AC/DC voltage, AC current, and resistance. Also use these to test diodes and continuity
C-Wrench
8 or 10 inch crescent wrenches are usually standard. If trying to be light weight look for a 6 inch crescent wrench with a wide jaw. You can even carry a smaller wrench if it makes sense.
Multitool (Leatherman)
Leatherman is just about industry standard. Feel free to purchase a lower end multitool if you don’t want to spend too much, but be sure it can do everything you need.
Screw Driver
Having a screwdriver is always handle, you might be doing rewiring, or god knows what on set. Pic quics are my fav because you can use them as a drill bit in a pinch.
Knife
You’ll be using a knife everyday on set, so be sure to get some extra blades for it. Be careful though, they are razor sharp! There are two basic version, retractable and foldable.
A Line Tester / Circuit Tester
A line tester will let you know if a wire has a current flowing through it. Great for quick troubleshooting. A circuit tester plugs in to an Edison and tells you if its hot, it will also let you know if the ground is correct and polarization. You can also get one with the GFCI tester built-in.
Clothes Pegs
C-47s, Clothes Pegs, bullets, what ever you call them. Did you know you can pull one apart and use for very tiny precise leveling or flip them backwards (c-74) and use them to pull scrims out of hot lights? Get the heavy-duty ones, it’s worth it.
2 Inch Black Paper Tape
It didn’t make the main list of bonus because it is considered an expandable and is usually provided on most jobs. Clothes pegs are also an expandable, but they are so important to the job that they had to make the main list.
Stripper, Cutter and Crimper
Use these to make repairs, build special fixtures and more.
Electronics Tool Kit
One of these can be a great thing to keep stashed away for a rainy day. As a best boy electric you never know when you might have to do some very precise repairs.
Final Thoughts
The Second Electric is one of the hardest-working roles on set. You’re the backbone of the lighting department — a mix of electrician, manager, and problem-solver. When you’re good at it, you make everyone’s job easier, from the Gaffer to the PA.
If you want to stand out, focus on organization, consistency, and communication. Those three things will get you rehired faster than any fancy resume.
