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Behind the scenes with Gaffervan at Chatham Docks

Lighting Gaffer
with Kit

London-based Gaffer owner/op with film lighting & grip for hire.

With over 20 years of experience, I provide UK-wide professional lighting services for commercials, branded content, corporate videos, tv, film, docs, and social media productions.

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London Film Gaffer

I'm Will Knights, founder of Gaffervan.com

I'm a film lighting expert with 20+ years industry experience in the lighting department.

Over the years I've collaborated on loads of interesting and high profile productions, and have built-up a great network of lighting crew and department heads.

I like to think I'm easy to work with and have good problem-solving skills, and of course, I'm passionate about my craft and doing great work with my collaborators.

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Simple Approach.
A Freelance Gaffer, Van & Kit.

A one-stop-shop approach which includes an experienced commercial film/tv lighting technician, van, and G&E package.

Lighting hire is offered on either a line item basis, or as a bundled box rental fee for an agreed inventory. This approach keeps your equipment rental costs scalable, whilst ensuring that we have the tools on-hand to get the job done.

FAQs

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On-Set Lighting Expertise

Me and my crew cater for a wide-range of productions from small indie jobs to high profile commercial productions. We handle transportation and power logistics.

I'm IPAF 3a + 3b licensed to operate mobile elevated work platforms.

Lighting Equipment Hire

My lighting package includes a range of industry standard fixtures, you'd expect to find on most sets. High-output / high fidelity LEDs from brands like Creamsource, Astera, Aputure, Nanlite, Nanlux. I also carry a range of lighting control accessories, textiles & grip.

My Kit

FAQ

The Answers You Need

I'm an owner/operator lighting technician with a 1 ton Grip & Electric package, so I'm able to cover a range of productions. Typically, I work on short-form productions, with corresponding crew sizes. These might be branded jobs, small/medium commercials, documentaries, broadcast, music videos and indie features.

What type of shoots do you cover?

I have a Standard Working Day Rate card. Equipment rental fees are projected based on discussions with the DP and Producer, to establish the needs of the production. Equipment rental fees are invoiced separately from Crew Day Rates. Kit rental is on a price per item per day basis, or an agreed buy-out fee for my G&E van and lighting inventory. Contact me for my latest rate card for my kit list.

How do your fees work?

It starts with a conversation, typically I might speak with the DP, to establish the look and objectives for the lighting. From this I prepare a projected quote made-up of the lighting tools I think we'll require. As this is a projected kit list, it can change, but it forms the basis for a plan, both in terms of cost but also what approach is taken on the day.

How do I budget?

Parking and power. I work out of my lighting & grip van, therefore it's desirable myself and any crew, are able to access gaffervan throughout the production. Please make enquiries with your base and/or location to ensure there's adequate parking, loading & possibly elevator facilities. I also require power for lighting, this can sometimes involve large electrical loads, so getting an early understanding of the available power outlets and geography of your chosen location, can help me plan the electrical distribution for your production, and identify any possible issues, that would need to be figured out before the shoot.

Which pre-production logistics are important to the lighting team?

Absolutely, let me know what you need. I can source this as a cross-hire service (up to a certain scale) through my rental house connections, and provide as one seamless service.

Can you source additional lighting equipment?

Yep. I have a large, and long standing, network of fellow lighting professionals, covering a range of roles, and experience, in the lighting/electric dept.

Can you source additional crew?

I'm based in Greater London, however I'm happy to travel throughout the UK. I charge for mileage and any additional travel related expenses.

Which areas do you cover?

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One Ton G&E van.
A one stop shop for your lighting needs.

Gaffervan comes with an impressive inventory of high-quality film lighting & grip instruments. My packages are designed to support small to medium size productions, looking for an agile, yet well-equipped lighting inventory for their production.

I've invested in the latest LED lighting tools & industry-standard grip equipment, to help streamline our work on set, provide reliability & efficiency, and offer DoPs and Producers an inventory to support their creative & budgetary needs.

My Kit