Film 101: What's a best boy? For starters, it has nothing to do with a wedding party
Learn about the critical set role — and no, it's not always a boy — in the latest lesson from The Filmmakers
No, a best boy is not a groom's right hand pre-teen in a wedding party. At least, not on a film crew, where they actually act as assistants to department heads, like the gaffer and the key grip.
Think of it this way: if the gaffer and the key grip are the owner of the store, the best boy is the manager. She (yes, despite the title, they aren't always boys) or he is responsible for everything from hiring to scheduling crew to renting equipment and workplace safety. What else do they do? We'll let Film 101 host Amanda Parris take things from here...
Previously covered on Film 101:
Film 101: Who makes every movie star shine, from their smiles to their six-pack abs?
Film 101: How do you mic a sex scene? Send in the boom mic operator
Watch The Filmmakers this Saturday at 9 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC Television, or stream it at cbc.ca/watch. After this week's episode, stick around to watch Don McKellar's Last Night.