Best boy for hire in the UK
The best boy is the gaffer's or key grip's second — running the crew, the truck and the gear so lighting and grip keep pace with the shoot.
Are you a best boy? Get listed and take work near you
Post the role, your postcode and your rate. The nearest best boy is asked first — within 19 miles, or further for anyone who has said they travel — and if they pass it moves to the next nearest. Nothing is charged unless someone accepts.
Be the first best boy here
No best boy has published a profile yet — the crew side is new. Post your request anyway: it pings everyone online nearby, and if you work as a best boy, set up your profile to be the first listed.
What a best boy does on a shoot
- Seconds the gaffer or key grip so the department keeps pace with the shoot.
- Runs the truck and the order — what gets rigged, where, and when.
- Handles timesheets, kit lists and getting the gear back in one piece.
Gear a best boy usually needs
Crew and kit are hired separately on Picturental. If the production is supplying the package, these are the categories this role tends to work from.
How hiring a best boy works
- 1
Post the role
Say you need a best boy, where the shoot is, the dates and the rate you're offering.
- 2
The nearest is asked first
The closest best boy gets it alone, and it widens to the next nearest every 60 seconds until someone accepts.
- 3
First to accept takes it
The job locks to them, you swap details, and you rate each other afterwards.
Hiring a best boy
- Do I need a best boy?
- Once the lighting or grip department is more than two or three people, yes — somebody has to run the truck and the crew while the gaffer or key grip is on set. On a small shoot you can skip it.
- Is a best boy lighting or grip?
- Both exist. A best boy electric works under the gaffer, a best boy grip under the key grip. Say which department you are crewing when you post.