Who leads the lighting department and designs lights for each film set?

The leader of the lighting department in film production is the gaffer. This role involves not only designing the lighting setup for each scene but also being responsible for managing the entire lighting crew. The gaffer works closely with the cinematographer to understand the visual goals for each shot and ensures that the lights are positioned and adjusted accordingly to achieve the desired effects, mood, and atmosphere.

The responsibilities of the gaffer typically include selecting the type of lights to use, determining the placement of those lights, and overseeing the operation of the lighting equipment during filming. This position is crucial, as effective lighting significantly impacts the story being told through the visuals, adding depth and dimension to the scenes.

Other roles listed, like the film editor, location manager, and sound designer, focus on different aspects of film production. The film editor is responsible for assembling the shots after filming, the location manager organizes filming locations, and the sound designer handles the auditory elements. Hence, they do not engage directly with lighting design for the sets.