Gaffer's Tape (also call Gaff Tape) gets its name from the motion picture industry position of a Gaffer. This is normally the lead electrician on a movie set, who is responsible for laying down electrical cables. The best way to keep those cables in place it to stick them down with some kind of tape. Electrical tape and Duct Tape are definitely not the solution. Electrical tape has a solid plastic backing and Duct Tape has a vinyl backing. Both do not tear as easily and have one big problem: they are shiny and will reflect. True gaffer's tape is cloth backed and can be torn easily and has a matte finish. Accept no substitutes.
The tape comes in a variety of colors, thicknesses, and even different adhesion strengths. The tape originally got it start by a company called Permacel, who currently makes 350 different kinds of tape. Permacel was originally a division of Johnson and Johnson, and created a spin off of its surgical tape with paper backing called masking tape. The Permacel division was bought by Avery in 1982 and by Nitto Denko in 1988. It is still considered the premium brand in Hollywood, although cloth tape is available from a number of manufacturers. The matte black version has found its way into just about every production company, because of its remarkable variety of uses. We've compiled just a few:
Spike It
Right after locking down electrical cables, perhaps the next most common use for gaffer's tape is “spiking” a set. This is the term used when you take a small piece of tape a put it on the floor that marks where an actor, a prop, or a piece if equipment is supposed to go. The ½-inch roll of tape is sometimes referred to as “spike tape.” It's not uncommon to see many different colors and patterns found on the floor of a studio or a stage. In the theater, it is often used only for rehearsals, but removed, and the stage cleaned, before a performance.
Stop it
In a similar way, if you need a piece of rolling equipment to stop rolling, grab that tape. You can roll a piece around a pen or a pencil then tape it to the floor to stop something. Two can be used to “chock” a wheel like they do with trucks or aircraft. Believe it or not, a piece reversed on itself can be used to halt a lightweight or tabletop dolly in a move. If you need a camera to stop in a precise spot, try this.
Flag It
There is a reason why the matte black version is so poplar. The black color is perfect to use for blocking out unwanted light. You can wrap a piece of cardboard in gaffer's tape and you've created a “flag.” Flags are used by pros to better control a light. For example, you've lit a room, and there's just too much light hitting something in the background. Hang a flag in a strategic place, so the light won't hit it, but the flag is out of the shot. Gaffer's tape flags are a perfect solution, because you can cut the cardboard to any shape of size. A similar solution can be used to cut camera lens flare, the streaks of light that are seen when too much light hits the lens. Simply tape a flag to the front of your camera above the lens hood. One Hollywood cinematographer told me that he has created a full matte box (a large lens hood with flags used on film cameras) from a cardboard box and gaffer's tape. It worked perfectly until they could get a proper one.
Lock It
Another common use, is to take a small piece of tape, and keep something in place. You can reverse the tape on itself to create double stick piece, or wad it up in reverse so it looks like a piece of gum. Either way, you can use the sticky stuff to keep props in place, hang a small light or microphone, or even keep a picture straight. One trick here: If you have especially strong tape, and need to be able to remove it without marring a surface, stick it to your hand a bit. The oils from your hand will make it less adhesive. It's also very common to use a bit of gaffer's tape to hide a microphone inside someone's clothing if you don't want it to been seen.
GoPro It
You may not have realized it (and the GoPro company probably didn't intend it), but the GoPro action camera came with a gaffer's tape mounting solution. The top of the box has a plastic mount stuck right to a square of cardboard. Don't toss it! Cut the box top off and stash it in your bag. When you need to mount that camera on a flat surface temporarily, gaffer's tape that cardboard, and mount your action camera. This can be a great solution for walls, tabletops, bookshelves, on the dash of a car, etc.
Pack It
Finally, as essential as gaffer's tape can be, it might be difficult to pack a huge roll. Try removing the cardboard by wrapping it onto something smaller like a dowel. A few yards won't take up that much space. Better yet, split the tape down the middle and roll it onto something. A one-inch roll can become two ½-inch rolls etc. You can even pull a few strips off and stick them to something plastic like the inside of a hard shell case. It might even be a good idea to stick a few small pieces to a plastic card that you carry in your wallet. (That may also help you stay on target with your spending.)
If you have unique ways of using gaffer's tape, we'd love to hear about it. Put your ideas in the comments section below. (Please no arts and crafts projects.)
