For film enthusiasts who have ever wondered, “How did they make that shot happen?”: the grip department is usually the answer. The Key Grip, who heads the department, makes the impossible happen on a regular basis. Having worked on film sets, I have seen Key Grips perform the wizardry to translate the dreams of the Director of Photography into steel rigging, clamps, lighting, and camera attachments points. Not only that, they do it with safety at the forefront of their mind.
What is a Key Grip?
A Key Grip is a vital member of a film or television production crew who is responsible for managing all aspects of the camera and lighting equipment. The key grip works closely with the Director of -Photography and Gaffer to ensure that the lighting and camera setups are executed smoothly and efficiently, while also ensuring the safety of the crew and actors on set.
Key Grip Job Expectations
Key Grips have a variety of duties. They are responsible for setting up and operating complex camera equipment. They are also in charge of light-modifying equipment and any rigging of lights or camera. On top of these responsibilities, the Key Grip is also in charge of making sure that the set is run safely. Below is a summary of the Key Grip’s many responsibilities on set.
Manage the Grip Department
The Key Grip is responsible for managing the grip department, which includes best boys, dolly grips, and other grips who work under their direction. They are responsible for ensuring that the grip crew is organized, efficient, and working together effectively to execute the camera and lighting setups.
Set up Camera Equipment
Key Grips are responsible for rigging and setting up all camera equipment. This includes building and modifying camera mounts, such as cranes and dollies, setting up tripods and sliders, and ensuring that all equipment is secure and safe to use.
Operate Specialized Camera Equipment
Key Grips also operate specialized camera equipment, such as cranes, dollies, and other devices used for camera movement. They are responsible for ensuring that the camera movements are smooth and coordinated with the action on set.
Manage and Set up Light-Modifying Equipment
The Key Grip works closely with the Director of Photography and gaffer to manage the lighting equipment. They are responsible for modifying the lights, ensuring that flags, diffusion, gels, and other light modifying equipment is positioned correctly.
Ensure Safety on Set
One of the most important responsibilities of a Key Grip is to ensure the safety of the crew and actors on set. This includes ensuring that all equipment is properly secured and that everyone is following safety protocols.
Skills Required to be a Key Grip
Being a Key Grip requires a diverse set of skills, including technical expertise, physical dexterity, creative problem-solving, effective communication, time management, and safety awareness.
Key Grips must have a deep understanding of the equipment they work with, including cameras, tripods, dollies, and cranes, among others. They must be able to troubleshoot and solve technical problems quickly and efficiently. The job of a Key Grip is physically demanding, requiring them to lift, carry, and move heavy equipment regularly. They must have excellent strength, stamina, and coordination to handle this work safely.
Key Grips often need to devise innovative solutions to achieve the desired visual effects for a particular shot. For example, they must be able to safely rig cameras to car rigs so that the camera remains stable and safe and doesn’t put anyone at risk. Very often, they need to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to overcome obstacles. They must be able to communicate effectively with other members of the crew, including the Director of Photography, Camera Operators, and Gaffers. They must be able to understand and follow instructions, as well as give clear and concise directions to their team.
Film and television productions run on tight schedules. Key Grips needs manage their time to ensure that their work is completed on time and within budget. Key Grips must also be vigilant about safety on set. They ensure that all equipment is secured correctly and that everyone is working in a safe environment. In summary, Key Grips must have a combination of technical, physical, creative, communication, time management, and safety skills to succeed in their role.
Key Grip vs. Gaffer
The Key Grip and the Gaffer are both heads of their respective departments. The Gaffer is in charge of the lighting department and is responsible for all electricity and lighting on set. Together, the Key Grip and Gaffer execute the lighting plans of the Director of Photography. They work closely to ensure that the lighting on set is well-placed and the equipment is safely rigged. Where they differ is that the Key Grip does not handle the power, and the Gaffer has nothing to do with the camera department.
What is a Grip Truck?
A grip truck is a specially designed truck that is used to transport grip equipment, such as lighting stands, clamps, dollies, track, and rigging equipment. The grip truck is also used to transport other items like tents, tables, and chairs used for crew and talent. It is an essential part of any film production. It allows the grip department to easily transport and set up equipment on location or on set.
Tools for a Key Grip
A Key Grip has a wide range of tools and equipment at their disposal to achieve their job. Here are some of the most common tools used by a grip in film:
Light Modifiers
Flags, scrims, and diffusers are the prevue of the Grip department. They are used to control lights by making hard light softer, keep light from spilling onto parts of the set where it isn’t wanted, or reduce the intensity of the light.
Clamps
Clamps are used to secure equipment to surfaces, such as pipes or walls. There are various types of clamps, such as Mafer clamps, cardellini clamps, pipe clamps, and much more.
Apple boxes
Apple boxes are different sized wooden boxes. They are named as follows: pancake (the thinnest), ¼ apple, ½ apple, full apple. These can be used as risers or to level surfaces. They are also used to reduce height disparities between shorter and taller actors. Apple box use is a serious point of contention. Full apples (the largest size) are often used as seats and can disappear into the furthest reaches of the set when seating is limited.
Grip heads
Grip heads are used to attach grip equipment, such as flags or scrims, to C-stands or other support systems.
Speed rail
Speed rail is a lightweight, durable pipe that can be used to build custom support structures for lighting or camera equipment. This is the Lego blocks of the grip department and are used to make incredible setups possible.
Sandbags
Sandbags are used to secure stands, grip equipment, and other objects. They are also used to balance lighting fixtures and other equipment on uneven surfaces.
Safety Equipment
Safety equipment, such as safety cables, ropes, and harnesses, are used to ensure that equipment does not fall or cause injury to the crew or talent.
These are just a small selection of the many tools that a grip uses on a film set. The grip must have a good understanding of how to use each tool and how to safely rig equipment. Good communication with the rest of the production team is essential to ensure that everything runs smoothly and safely.
How to Become a Key Grip
This role requires a large breadth of knowledge in terms of how to rig, how to safely set up and operate extremely heavy and dangerous equipment. It is therefore a position that you must work your way up to after gaining many years of experience. Besides the knowledge required, it is also a very physical job that requires lifting heavy equipment sometimes over rough terrain, such as sand.
Gain Experience
The path to becoming a Key Grip is to get experience on set. Naturally, a Grip department would be best. Although you can also start out in either the camera or lighting department to learn about camera setups and how lighting on set is managed. In the beginning, you will likely work on smaller productions, which usually won’t have highly technical and very expensive equipment. This will allow you to understand the basics and build your knowledge base. As you get more experience, you will hopefully work on larger productions, getting more experience with more complicated setups, and working with more specialized equipment.
Get Certified
One good way to get your foot in the door is to get certified. Organizations like the Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP) offer certifications for rigging and electrical skills. This can help someone demonstrate their expertise and stand out to potential employers.
Once you have enough knowledge to move up the ladder in the Grip department, you can become a Best Boy. This is a very old-fashioned name: I have heard of non-male crew members being called Best Girl, or not minding and also being called Best Boy. This position is responsible for coordinating and managing the Grip team, as well as the budget and scheduling for the Grip department. They also communicate with other departments to ensure that all equipment is in place and ready for filming.
Conclusion
The Key Grip’s job is extremely demanding — both physically and mentally — and requires a variety of knowledge and skill. When you get to see what they do, they are basically using steel pipe like they were Lincoln Logs to create car rigs for cameras, overhead rigs for lights, and much, much more.
