ABSTRACT
Grip equipment and the art of gripping are poorly understood elements in filmmaking. The grips use C-stands and flags and nets to help shape and cut the light on a movie set. Gaffers are the chief lighting person, and the key grip works either under or alongside the gaffer. SnapGrids and honeycombs help control spill light, along with blackwrap. Learning to be a great grip is virtually entirely learned on set. Lefty-loosy righty-tighty is the first rule to remember when setting a C-stand – let the gobo head want to tighten it itself. Dolly grips push the camera dolly around, often a Fisher 10 or 11 dolly, and may be responsible for complicated moves on dance floor or track. Doorway dollies are a more basic, easy-to-use dolly. Key grips often share the responsibility for monitoring safety on the set with the 1st AD. Grip trucks are often combo trucks with both lights and grip equipment.
