Studio Electrical Lighting Technicians (IATSE Local 728)

Overview

The Studio Electrical Lighting Technicians, operating as IATSE Local 728, is the union representing gaffers, best boy electricians, generator operators, and electrical lighting technicians working in motion picture and television production in the Los Angeles jurisdiction. Founded in 1938, Local 728 covers the electrical and lighting department crew responsible for planning, rigging, and operating the lighting that the director of photography designs for any production.

The gaffer -- the head of the electrical department and the DP's primary collaborator in implementing the lighting design -- holds the highest classification within Local 728. The best boy electric (the gaffer's chief assistant and the department's logistics coordinator) and the electrical crew who rig, operate, and strike lights throughout the shooting day are all covered under Local 728's collective agreement.

Gaffer and Best Boy Responsibilities

The gaffer translates the director of photography's lighting vision into practical electrical plans: determining which fixtures to use, how to rig them, how to power them, and how to operate them during shooting. This requires both creative visual sensitivity -- understanding the DP's intentions from a brief look or conversation -- and deep technical knowledge of electrical systems, fixture specifications, and rigging methods. Experienced gaffers are among the most technically sophisticated crew members on any production.

The best boy electric manages the department's logistics: ordering equipment, tracking inventory, managing the electrical crew roster, overseeing the equipment truck, and coordinating with the production office on electrical department costs. The best boy's organizational role complements the gaffer's creative and technical leadership, ensuring the department functions efficiently throughout the production.

Regional Jurisdiction

Local 728's jurisdiction covers the Los Angeles area specifically. Productions shooting in other parts of the United States work under different IATSE locals -- Local 52 in New York, Local 481 in New England, Local 600's electrical jurisdiction in some areas -- each with their own rates and working conditions. For productions moving between locations, understanding which local has jurisdiction in each shooting location is essential compliance planning.

What Filmmakers Should Know

For directors and DPs, the gaffer is one of the most critical crew relationships. A gaffer who understands the DP's visual language and can anticipate lighting needs before being asked makes the shooting day significantly more efficient. The investment in a senior, experienced gaffer pays dividends throughout principal photography.

For producers, understanding Local 728 rates by classification -- gaffer, best boy, electricians at various experience levels -- and the overtime and meal penalty provisions of the IATSE agreement is essential for accurate below-the-line budget construction.

See Also

For the grip department that works alongside the electrical department on set, see Grips (IATSE Local 80) in this directory. For the broader IATSE structure, see IATSE in this directory.