1. The Grip Department The Complete Guide to Film & Digital Production:
The People and The Process
Lorene M. Wales, Ph.D.
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2. 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.
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3. 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.
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4. 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.
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5. Other Grip Dept. Personnel
Best Boy
Company Grips
Dolly Grip
Crane Operator
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6. Grip Hierarchy Key Grip Best Boy Grips Crane Operators Dolly Grip
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7. The Electric Department
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8. 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.
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9. 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.
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10. Other Lighting Personnel
Best Boy Electric
Electricians/Lamp Operators
Generator Operator
Rigging Crew
Speed of the crew
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11. Lighting Hierarchy Gaffer Best Boy Electrics Electrics
Generator Operator
Rigging Gaffer
Rigging Best Boy
Rigging Electrics
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12. The Grip Package The Grip Package The Lighting Package
Laying Dolly Track
Truck Wrap
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13. 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.
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