Chuck Finch
Chuck Finch
Biography
Chuck Finch is a British gaffer. Beginning his career in the early 1990s, he served as gaffer or chief lighting technician on a range of productions, including Patriot Games (1992), This Boy’s Life (1993), Son of the Pink Panther (1993), and Hamlet (1990). Despite the often behind-the-scenes nature of his work, Chuck Finch has been praised by prominent cinematographers for his artistry and dependability. Seamus McGarvey described him as “one of the rare gaffers who is as happy on a tiny set, painting with a few small light sources, as he is on a huge stage with thousands of lights.” He praised how “he treats everything as one… he knows the story and helps the light fuse with it.” John Mathieson recalled working with Finch on Kingdom of Heaven (2005): they spent 144 days filming in the Moroccan desert, lighting a quarter-mile wall and managing thousands of extras and massive cavalry scenes. Even in such high-pressure circumstances, Finch “didn’t complain once” and provided steady confidence to the team. His combination of affability, discipline, and clarity—being “very social… but when he raises his voice and says he wants the set cleared, people listen”—makes him a much-sought gaffer on both sides of the Atlantic. In 2006, Chuck Finch was honoured with the Michael Balcon Award (Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema) at the BAFTA Awards, a prestigious recognition of his outstanding service to the film industry. His extensive body of work, collaborative spirit, and technical excellence solidify his reputation as one of the foremost gaffers in contemporary cinema.
Personal Info
Known For
Lighting
Known Credits
90
Gender
Male
Birthday
Birthday not available
Place of Birth
Not available
Crew

2025

Jurassic World Rebirth Chief Lighting Technician

2024

Gladiator II Gaffer

2021

Cruella Gaffer

2017

Darkest Hour Gaffer

2017

Justice League Gaffer

2015

Jupiter Ascending Gaffer

2015

Pan Gaffer

2014

Edge of Tomorrow Gaffer

2012

Anna Karenina Gaffer

2012

Dark Shadows Gaffer

2011

W.E. Gaffer

2009

Sherlock Holmes Gaffer

2009

Dorian Gray Gaffer

2008

10,000 BC Gaffer

2008

Inkheart Gaffer

2008

City of Ember Gaffer

2007

Across the Universe Chief Lighting Technician

2006

Eragon Gaffer

2006

The Good Shepherd Gaffer

2005

Kingdom of Heaven Gaffer

2004

Troy Gaffer

2003

Sylvia Gaffer

2002

The Four Feathers Gaffer

2001

Iris Gaffer

2001

Planet of the Apes Gaffer

2001

Zoe Gaffer

2000

Not I Gaffer

2000

Chocolat Gaffer

2000

Stardom Gaffer

1999

The End of the Affair Chief Lighting Technician

1999

Felicia's Journey Gaffer

1999

David Copperfield Gaffer

1998

Little Voice Gaffer

1998

Lost in Space Gaffer

1997

G.I. Jane Gaffer

1997

The Odyssey Gaffer

1996

Daylight Gaffer

1996

White Squall Gaffer

1995

Braveheart Gaffer

1995

Twelve Monkeys Chief Lighting Technician

1995

Funny Bones Gaffer

1995

First Knight Gaffer

1993

Shadowlands Gaffer

1993

This Boy's Life Chief Lighting Technician

1992

Patriot Games Gaffer

1992

Year of the Comet Gaffer

1992

Shining Through Gaffer

1991

London Kills Me Gaffer

1991

Eye of the Widow Gaffer

1991

Mister Johnson Gaffer

1990

Hamlet Gaffer

1990

Memphis Belle Gaffer

1989

Batman Gaffer

1987

Hope and Glory Gaffer

1986

Instant Justice Gaffer

1985

Wetherby Gaffer

1985

Brazil Best Boy Electric

1984

Blame It on Rio Gaffer

1982

The Missionary Gaffer

1981

Shock Treatment Electrician

1978

The Boys from Brazil Electrician