Grip (job)

In the U.S. and Canada, grips are lighting and rigging technicians in the filmmaking and video production industries. They constitute their own department on a film set and are directed by a key grip. Grips have two main functions. The first is to work closely with the camera department to provide camera support, especially if the camera is mounted to a dolly, crane, or in an unusual position, such as the top of a ladder. Some grips may specialize in operating camera dollies or camera cranes. The second main function of grips is to work closely with the electrical department to create lighting set-ups necessary for a shot under the direction of the Director of Photography.

"Grips' responsibility is to build and maintain all the equipment that supports cameras. This equipment, which includes tripods, dollies, tracks, jibs, cranes, and static rigs, is constructed of delicate yet heavy duty parts requiring a high level of experience to operate and move. Every scene in a feature film is shot using one or more cameras, each mounted on highly complex, extremely expensive, heavy duty equipment. Grips assemble this equipment according to meticulous specifications and push, pull, mount or hang it from a variety of settings. The equipment can be as basic as a tripod standing on a studio floor, to hazardous operations such as mounting a camera on a 100 ft crane, or hanging it from a helicopter swooping above a mountain range." ^[1]

"Good Grips perform a crucial role in ensuring that the artifice of film is maintained, and that camera moves are as seamless as possible. Grips are usually requested by the DoP or the camera operator. Although the work is physically demanding and the hours are long, the work can be very rewarding. Many Grips work on both commercials and features." ^[2]

In the UK, Australia and most parts of Europe, grips are not involved in lighting. In the "British System", adopted throughout Europe and the British Commonwealth (excluding Canada), a grip is solely responsible for camera mounting and support.

The term 'grip' dates back to the early era of the circus. From there it was used in vaudeville and then in today's film sound stages and sets. Some have suggested the name comes from the 1930s-40s slang term for a tool bag or "grip" that these technicians use to carry their tools to work. Another popular theory states that in the days of hand-cranked cameras, it would be necessary for a few burly men to hang on to the tripod legs to stop excessive movement of the camera. These men became known as the 'good grips'- as they were constantly being instructed to 'keep a good grip on the tripod'.

U.S. grips typically belong to the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Canadian grips may also belong to IATSE or to Canada's other professional trade unions including Toronto's Nabet 700, or Vancouver's ACFC. British grips usually belong to BECTU (Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph & Theatre Union).

Lighting

On all union jobs, grips do not touch the lights themselves. The placement of lighting instruments and the power distribution to deliver electricity is handled by the electricians who work under a gaffer. Grips handle all of the non-electrical equipment that modifies the light. This work is done by setting stands that hold flags, nets, diffusing materials or other gobos that control the quality, intensity, or shape of the light.

Grips also set "passive fill" which is a term for the reflected light that is "bounced" back onto a subject on the fill or non key light side. The first choice for most film-makers' fill is a product known in the US as beadboard and called "poly", short for polystyrene, in Europe. It is actually rigid insulation made for the construction trade, but was adopted to the film trade because of its "true-white" color and "soft" bounce.

Grips may also be called on to set "negative fill", which is the reduction of ambient or non-directional light, such as ambient sunlight, to raise contrast on the subject. This is achieved by setting "solids", made of black fabric, either flags (up to 4'x4') or rags (6'x6' or larger) on the non key light side or wherever the negative fill is desired.

When shooting day exteriors, grips perform similar functions, but with the sun as the primary light source. Grips use overhead frames up to 20'x20' or larger for the shaping or filtering of sunlight. The lighting set-ups for these exterior shots can become quite extensive, and the use of boom lifts known as "condors" is common. Condors are especially useful at night when they are rigged to raise lights or diffusing material up to 120 feet in the air to create moon-effect lighting.

Rigging

Grips also satisfy rigging needs on set. Examples of a simple rigs include the menace arm, which allows a light to be boomed over set using one stand, or a goalposts that span over top of set using two stands. More advanced rigs can include working with pulleys, steel cable or trusses. Grips are also called on to rig picture cars on process trailers, placing camera and lights all around the vehicle for driving shots. This often includes the use of hood mounts, side mounts, suction cup mounts and other proprietary clamps to attach film equipment to vehicles, without causing damage to the vehicle.

Grips are also called on for "blackouts" and "tenting-out" windows and doors. When shooting interiors day-for-night on location, grips need to cut all the daylight entering onto set. If windows or other openings are not visible in shot, the light may be simply blacked out with a cloth known as duvetyne or rags, and in rare cases, plastic sheeting. However, when windows or doors are seen from camera, black out tents must be created outside of windows to allow lights to be placed outside, or green screens to be seen through the window, lit only by lights placed by electricians.

Safety

Grips are also responsible for safety on the set as it relates to the force of gravity. Insofar as stands, ladders, scaffolds, and overhead rigs are properly installed, grips are charged with making them safe because the other crew members will invariably have to climb on, walk around, or otherwise negotiate the different grip set-ups. The key grip may even be held responsible for injuries that happen on set, especially if the injury is caused by a lighting instrument falling down onto somebody.

Tools

A grip uses some tools typically used by mechanics and construction workers. As in those vocations, grips need hand tools at the ready and most carry the following items: a razor knife, an eight-inch adjustable crescent wrench, a 25-foot tape measure, a 3/16" hex speed-wrench, a multitool, a small flashlight, a permanent ink marker, and work gloves. Additionally, a grip will also carry a torpedo level, spring clamps, and a roll of 2" black paper tape or gaffer's tape on his or her belt.

Types of Grips

• key grip or first company grip—the boss or head of the grip department
• best boy grip or second company grip—this is the key grip's right hand man or woman. He or she will act on behalf of the key grip in areas such as booking crew and equipment rental
• 3rd grip, company grip or gang grip—the majority of grips fit into this category. They work on set under the direction of the key
• construction grip—Constructs and dismantles the set. On the sound stage, construction grips are responsible for laying out, building, moving, and adjusting major set pieces (e.g. walls, ceiling flats) when something needs to be moved to get a camera or lights into position. Construction grips also build decks and platforms. This job is exclusively practiced in the New York area.
• dolly grip—operates the dollies and sometimes camera cranes. He or she is a first hire, like the key grip

1. ^ "Grip". Media Match Inc. http://www.media-match.com/usa/jobtypes/grip-jobs-402724.php. Retrieved 26 April 2011. 
2. ^ "Grip". Media Match Inc. http://www.media-match.com/usa/jobtypes/grip-jobs-402724.php. Retrieved 26 April 2011. 

"Grip". Media Match Inc. http://www.media-match.com/usa/jobtypes/grip-jobs-402724.php. Retrieved 26 April 2011.