Meet the Gaffer

Luke Seerveld – Creator of Meet the Gaffer

Luke Seerveld has worked as a gaffer, or Chief Lighting Technician, for more than 30 years in and around the Bay Area. In his role, he collaborates closely with camera operators to design lighting setups for film and video production. Early in his career, he worked on major motion pictures featuring actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito, Michael Douglas, Eddie Murphy, and Robert DeNiro. However, when he and his wife, Jan, welcomed their daughter, Luke, intentionally decided to shift his focus toward projects that allowed him to be home, specifically, high-end commercials and corporate videos.

Over the years, he has worked on visual campaigns for numerous Silicon Valley giants as well as startups, lighting CEOs, celebrities, and everyday individuals in support of advertising, storytelling, and advocacy. Notably, he conducted all the San Francisco-based interviews for the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma. In addition to his hands-on production work, Luke also began investing in lighting and grip equipment to augment his income, and continues to operate out of a 2-ton box truck.

In the last decade, Luke has built a loyal following through his YouTube channel, Meet the Gaffer, which now features over 350 episodes. The channel provides insights into lighting design, side-by-side comparisons of modern and traditional gear, and an authentic behind-the-scenes look at how sets come together. Today, Luke is regarded not only as a working professional but also as a lighting educator and ambassador, sharing his knowledge with the next generation of visual storytellers.