GRIP COURSE
Shaping the Light
The Grip Session training is run just like a real filming day, you will receive a “call sheet,” with a call time and location. When you arrive (early), you will be assigned a walkie talkie. You will then be mentored through every step, of every role, of every phase of the grip department’s day - how and when to use every piece of gear – right up to “That’s a wrap, strike it, and put it all back in the truck!” At The Film Foundry, we don’t simply train you how to place gear around a set, but we help you develop the intuition necessary to anticipate what to do when, and importantly, when not to do anything and just stay attentive, watch, and listen. We could give you a book about how to be a grip, but The Film Foundry prioritizes hands on teaching! We will teach you industry standards through realistic instruction gathered from our years of experience, and all the things you really need to know to succeed as a professional film Grip.
ABOUT THE 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.
This course, taught by Daniel Wall, is an intensive 8 weekend course which will have you ready to jump onto a film set!
Funding options are available. Get in touch or register today!
WHAT WILL I LEARN IN THE GRIP COURSE?
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 technique
WHAT WILL EACH SESSION HOLD?
Begin your Acting Career!
SESSION 1: INTRO AUDITIONS
GOALS:
Mock Auditions:
Each student will be provided a monologue on the Thursday before the first class (July 28th).
Afterwards, we will review those tapes with the class, and this will be where we can start the discussion of on-camera techniques
You will assemble a sample folder for you to use as an actor
SESSION 2: ACTING AS A BUSINESS
GOALS:
Overview of previous week
Get to learn the business of acting, from the forms/paperwork to your demo reel!
Practice table reads in a two person scene
SESSION 3: TWO PERSON SCENE SET UP
GOALS:
Learn about Camera Call Time
Movement Exercises
Delve into character intentions
Review a script for your filming in session 4!
SESSION 4: CYC WALL CAR SCENE
GOALS:
Practice a one person scene focusing on:
Technicalities and direction
Movement and lines
Character Intentions
SESSION 5: ACTING FOR THE GENRE
GOALS: SAFETY
Learn more about movie genres, and the production team that creates the genre
Discuss what genre you would like and gain an understanding of the art of acting in the genre
Review script for Session 6!
SESSION 6: SPOKESPERSON, INTERVIEWS, AND PR/MEDIA TRAINING
GOALS:
Film Spokesperson commercial on green screen or CYC
Film Mock Interviews
Practice PR/Media Training
SESSION 7: COMMERCIAL EXPERIENCE
GOALS:
Create a real commercial!
Prepare a monologue for the final class session
SESSION 8: FINISH DEMO REEL AND CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
GOALS:
Recap of last 7 weeks
Exit Monologue/Mock Audition
Certificate of Completion
ONCE YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE COURSE, YOU WILL BE ON YOUR WAY TO BEING QUALIFIED FOR THE FOLLOWING ROLES:
Entertainment Industry:
• Gaffer
• Best Boy
• Key Grip
• Dolly Grip
• Grip
• Film Electrician
• Large Venue/Specialty Lighting & Rigging
Multi-faceted positions:
• Independent productions
• Community service productions (churches and non-profits)
• Local commercial
• Local broadcast
• Basic electric in local soundstage productions or in metropolitan areas
• Local TV access stations,
• Small business marketing
• Training videos
• Infomercials
• Local theatre companies
• Streaming prosumer productions
• Set lighting technician
• Managing safety practices of the electrical department (requires solid work experience)
• Lighting Programmers