The Grip Department The Complete Guide to Film & Digital Production: The People and The Process Lorene M. Wales, Ph.D. © 2017 Taylor & Francis

Key Grip – Pre-Production Puts together and orders the grip package. Coordinates getting the grip truck to the location. Hires the best boy grip and company grips. © 2017 Taylor & Francis

Key Grip – Production & Wrap Sets flags, nets, and silks. Blocks out windows with black material called, black wrap when needed. Gets rid of flares for the camera by placing flags in the way of the glare source. Never leaves the camera without another grip standing by to assist. Supervises laying the dolly track. May be needed to help set up a jib or a crane. © 2017 Taylor & Francis

Key Grip - Wrap Makes sure all grip equipment is accounted for and in good working order. Makes sure the grip truck is returned to the grip company. © 2017 Taylor & Francis

Other Grip Dept. Personnel Best Boy Company Grips Dolly Grip Crane Operator © 2017 Taylor & Francis

Grip Hierarchy Key Grip Best Boy Grips Crane Operators Dolly Grip © 2017 Taylor & Francis

The Electric Department © 2017 Taylor & Francis

Gaffer Has several meetings with the D.P. to discuss the vision. Goes over lighting grids with the D.P. Puts together and orders the lighting package. Hires the lighting team. Makes sure the lighting package is in order when it arrives. Orders expendables. © 2017 Taylor & Francis

Gaffer - Production Wrap At the beginning of the shooting day, coordinates the first lighting set up. May need to tie in. May keep an electric on each light, until the lighting is set. Takes meter readings and confers with the DP. Continues to oversee the lighting team. Wrap Makes sure the lighting package is returned in good working order. © 2017 Taylor & Francis

Other Lighting Personnel Best Boy Electric Electricians/Lamp Operators Generator Operator Rigging Crew Speed of the crew © 2017 Taylor & Francis

Lighting Hierarchy Gaffer Best Boy Electrics Electrics Generator Operator Rigging Gaffer Rigging Best Boy Rigging Electrics © 2017 Taylor & Francis

The Grip Package The Grip Package The Lighting Package Laying Dolly Track Truck Wrap © 2017 Taylor & Francis

Conclusion The grip and electric departments support the camera team and DP by providing rigging and lighting for the scene. The gaffer and key grip work directly under the DP to lead their teams in this support. The speed of these crews is very important. These departments use various methods to make sure lighting and grip support is quick and efficient. Grip and lighting equipment is rented in packages, and while there are some standards, each package is different based on the needs of the shoot. © 2017 Taylor & Francis