When it comes to the television and film industry, commercials, and video productions, everyone knows that it takes a whole crew to complete a project. It takes a team to set the stage, turn on the lights, and make the on-screen stars shine. Often seen as the unsung hero, on-set grip and electric crew members serve as an essential foundation for film production.
What Is a Grip?
Film and TV grips are in charge of building, handling, and operating essential equipment for productions. Their main goal is to make sure that everything is ready to roll on set before the director says, “action.” They are responsible for camera and lighting equipment, cranes, dollies, temporary structures, and any other gear required for each scene. Not only do grips have to lift, move, and adjust equipment at every stage of the production, but they also have to ensure that everything is working properly and is well maintained before, during, and after use.
“A grip is someone who is willing and ready to do anything hands-on to prepare the set and keep it afloat. Anyone could be a grip, but it’s not for everyone,” says Romone Reeves, who graduated from Villa Maria College in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in digital filmmaking and on-set grip and electric certification. “I really enjoyed it, but it’s a lot of hard labor. The best way I can describe it is like Batman. Not everyone can protect Gotham, but somebody has to do it.”
Romone decided to enroll in the certificate program to widen his skillset as he follows his passion for filmmaking. “Going down the line, it could be a valuable skill to have when I’m on sets. I try to do many different things like certificate programs and freelance gigs so I can pick up tricks and tips, use them myself, and teach them to my friends.”
What Does a Grip Do On a Film Set?
Film grip set life looks different depending on the project. In general, the day starts with viewing the film schedule and preparing sets for upcoming scenes. That involves carrying equipment to the correct locations, unpacking equipment, and placing everything according to scene demands. Grips work with other production crews to rig cameras, build dollies and tracks, operate cranes, and manage pullers to capture footage just as the director envisions. Everything on a film set must follow a strict schedule to keep the project on track, so grips have to be organized and efficient every step of the way.
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Not only do grips have to lift, move, and adjust equipment at every stage of the production, but they also have to ensure that everything is working properly and is well maintained before, during, and after use.
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Once a scene has been set, grips stay on standby waiting for further direction. During filming, they are on alert looking for equipment mishaps or necessary adjustments. Grips must bring any issues to the director immediately and be ready to address them on the spot. Precious time can be wasted if these errors aren’t addressed, risking a production’s schedule. Vigilant film grips can save productions in these situations.
Types of On-Set Grip and Electric Crew Members
Key Grip
As the head of the grip department, key grips manage other film grips and electric crew members. They also work closely with the director to keep things running smoothly on set, including overseeing that all equipment performs and captures shots as intended.
Best Boy
Second in command, the best boy or boy grip presides over grip crew members. They handle most of the crew scheduling and tasking, ensuring that the right team is working with the correct equipment at the correct location. Best boys will also assist with general grip tasks.
Dolly Grip
Dolly grips are specifically designated to handle and operate camera dollies, the wheeled tracked platform that allows cameras to be pulled or pushed smoothly onset for scenes that require movement in the shot.
Company Grip
Sometimes called third grips, these crew members receive their tasks from the key grip and work on various aspects of the setup and teardown process.
Construction Grip
Construction grips are the central crew members building, adjusting, and dismantling platforms and sets. They also will remove any obstacles that interfere with filming.
Gaffer
Gaffers are the head of the electrical crew. They work closely with the director of photography and the key grip to position and control lighting on set.
Electric
Electric crew members handle any elements on set that require electricity, working closely with the gaffer while coordinating with grips.
How to Become a Grip
Becoming an on-set grip and electric crew member requires a lot of technical knowledge and experience. However, there are several ways to acquire those skills. Villa Maria College offers an On-Set Grip and Electric certificate program that allows students to learn key roles and duties from industry professionals at Buffalo’s own Buffalo FilmWorks in just two days.
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You get a lifetime of experience by having seasoned grips from the film industry teaching you with hands-on training.
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“I learned how to rig lights, run electricity, pretty much everything you could possibly learn about being a grip in those two days,” Romone shared. “You get a lifetime of experience by having seasoned grips from the film industry teaching you with hands-on training.”
