Grip Course

The Grip Department is overseen by the Key Grip and are responsible for setting up, rigging, and striking equipment. A grips main goal is to “shape the light” on a production set. There are also many points of crossover within the grip department. Most commonly, grips can be associated with Gaffers as Grip-Electric and the Key as Riggers. There are also grips working with the camera crews building tracks, mounting multiple rigs on moving autos, and setting up crane shots. Grips play a vital role within any production.

Key Take Aways: 

• Breakdown of grips roles and responsibilities
• Basic equipment & tools
• Walkie-talkie intro & etiquette
• Run through a day in the life of a grip
• Grip truck
• Best boy position and duties
• Build production set ups using grip equipment
• Learn the “shaping of light”
• Expendables
• Grip Gear
• Diffusion, gels & frames
• Bounce and diffuse light
• Equipment organization
• Reflecting light
• Overheads, knots, SAFETY
• Ladder safety
• Hang grip gear from a grid
• Laying dolly track
• Level track and maintenance
• Dolly and jib movements
• Rigging techniques