Key grip
Encyclopedia
In the United States and many parts of the world in film-making, the key grip is the head of the grip
department and chief rigging technician on the set. Using light, he or she is in charge of the shadows of light, the movement of the camera, the placing of cameras on any stationary, moving, flying, or floating surface--anywhere a camera is to work. As a supervisor, the key grip directs the crew of grips, many with specialized skills such as dolly grips, crane operators, or special equipment operators. The key grip is sometimes credited as the "first company grip." In Great Britain
the "grips" are part of the camera department exclusively and are not generally responsible for regular grip duties as they are in the United States.
In Australia
and New Zealand
the key grip generally owns the grip equipment, often consisting of dollies, track, cranes, camera cars, and insert trailers.
Additionally, the key grip is frequently asked to be the safety monitor of the film set. However, changes in the film and television worlds have created lasting change in crew responsibilities. Any union production crews working under the "Hollywood" umbrella are now required to take Occupational Safety and Health Administration
-style certified courses in safety. The First AD (first assistant director
) is responsible for the safe operation of the set. The Key Grip no longer has that distinction in the newer Hollywood policy.
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...
department and chief rigging technician on the set. Using light, he or she is in charge of the shadows of light, the movement of the camera, the placing of cameras on any stationary, moving, flying, or floating surface--anywhere a camera is to work. As a supervisor, the key grip directs the crew of grips, many with specialized skills such as dolly grips, crane operators, or special equipment operators. The key grip is sometimes credited as the "first company grip." In Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
the "grips" are part of the camera department exclusively and are not generally responsible for regular grip duties as they are in the United States.
In Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
the key grip generally owns the grip equipment, often consisting of dollies, track, cranes, camera cars, and insert trailers.
Additionally, the key grip is frequently asked to be the safety monitor of the film set. However, changes in the film and television worlds have created lasting change in crew responsibilities. Any union production crews working under the "Hollywood" umbrella are now required to take Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Labor. It was created by Congress of the United States under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, signed by President Richard M. Nixon, on December 29, 1970...
-style certified courses in safety. The First AD (first assistant director
Assistant director
The role of an Assistant director include tracking daily progress against the filming production schedule, arranging logistics, preparing daily call sheets, checking cast and crew, maintaining order on the set. They also have to take care of health and safety of the crew...
) is responsible for the safe operation of the set. The Key Grip no longer has that distinction in the newer Hollywood policy.