climb the ladder. You help them tell their story and they're going to
remember how you helped them out. It's going to help you move up the
ladder faster. Film is a collaborative art form."
"If a person specifically wants to be a gaffer," says Caldwell, "he or
she should first get in the field and work as an electrician and do some
rigging. You have to understand the concept of power and lighting. Find
somebody who is willing to teach you. There are a lot of older gaffers
who are willing to go for coffee and sit down and talk about their career,
what interested them in lighting, and points to remember. A lot of cam-
eramen wouldn't mind doing that also. Make friends with people at
lighting rental houses and learn the equipment. There is always new
equipment coming out--try to stay on the cutting edge."
Watch a lot of movies [and notice the lighting used]," adds Caldwell.
"There will be a time when somebody is going to refer to a classic [film]
in terms of the look they want. Persevere. Don't give up. There is going
to be a break, a recommendation. If someone comes with a great attitude,
even though they may not be the most experienced, the attitude is going
to make them fly."
Professional Profile: Russell Caldwell, Gaffer
Although he is a second-generation gaffer, Russell Caldwell did not
immediately follow his father into the business. Instead, the New York
native studied music at a junior college in Florida, intending to be a jazz
guitarist. On the road with a band, he relocated to Los Angeles, where his
father was already working,
and decided to make a career
change. "At the time, it was all
about the money for me. I real-
ized I could make more money
in film."
Through a friend of his
father, Caldwell was hired as a
spotlight operator on the series
Don Kirshner's Rock Concert. It
took four or five months to
accumulate his 90 days of
work, enabling him to join the
union. Soon he was being dis-
patched to jobs at MGM,
Paramount, Universal, and
Warner Brothers. Early on, he
What do you like
least about your job?
"What I like least is
the politics. That's a
whole other chapter."
--Russell Caldwell
What do you love most
about your job?
"What I love most is when we get to have
the set. The cameraman and I decide how we
want a certain scene to look. We've discussed
it, the rigging crew has put the lights in
place for us, and now we have a little bit of
time to create."--Russell Caldwell
VOICES OF
EXPERIENCE
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