Key Grip

The Key Grip serves as the head of the grip department on a film set, leading a team that includes Best Boy Grips and Grip Assistants. They are responsible for supervising the grip department’s activities, working closely with the Director of Photography (DOP) to execute camera movement and placement tasks. Key Grips coordinate rigging and are instrumental in planning the grip department’s activities. They assemble their grip crew, identify equipment requirements, and find creative rigging solutions for specific filming needs, playing a pivotal role in ensuring smooth camera operations.

Professional competences:
• Previous practical experience and proficiency in use of grip equipment.
• Ability to work at heights and in confined spaces, certificate confirming completion of Mountain Training – work up to 3m height, preferably Industrial Mountain Training certificate.
• Certificate confirming knowledge of Lift Operator – operate lifting device.
• Advanced electrical, mechanical, and carpentry skills – operate, lift, adjust equipment.
• Knowledge of the film-making process and awareness of the industry specifics – advanced knowledge of film making’s pre-production, production, and post-production stages.
• Knowledge of film departments’ work specifics – deep understanding of work of the grip and camera department.
• Safety on Set – ensures safe operation of equipment of the grip department.
• Working with call sheets and other production documentation.
• Doing location scouting.
• Budgeting and planning – familiarity with production times, equipment costs, and grip department crew rates.
• Legislation and contracting – expertise in related legislation, ability to work with contracts and documents.
• Culturally competent – good understanding of both the set culture as well as the country where the production takes place.