Key grip

Common card · No. 210524

A key grip is a senior role on movie sets, involved with a wide variety of behind-the-scenes tasks. The key grip supervises grip crews who support camera and lighting technicians; assesses what equipment is necessary for each shooting location; coordinates the transportation of this equipment and its setup; and arranges the general movement and positioning of the camera and collaborating with the director of photography. The key grip relies on the best boy as their foreperson to supervise the grip crew. Industry myths vary as to the origins of the name "grip". Some say it originated from the early days of the film industry when a production crew consisted of a director, camera person, assistants and workers. Workers acted as handymen, setting up all equipment needed, working from a kit, container or bag containing their tools. This bag was known as a "grip" and, as the industry evolved and workers began to separate into specialized groups, the name grip stuck with those that worked on rigging...

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