The director wants the camera to look in through a third-floor window while the actors argue inside. There is no room for a crane in the narrow street. The key grip walks around the building for ten minutes and comes back with a plan for a scaffold on the opposite pavement. The key grip leads the crew that makes the camera go anywhere the story needs it.

What a key grip does

The key grip works for the director of photography. Grips handle two things. They build and move the supports for the camera, such as tripods, dollies (wheeled platforms on track), cranes and car rigs. And they shape the light with flags, frames and diffusion, while the gaffer and electricians handle the lamps and the power.

The key grip joins in pre-production for scouts and camera plans, works out how each difficult shot can be rigged safely, and makes the grip equipment list. On set they lead the grips, including the dolly grip and the best boy grip.

Responsibilities

  • Plan camera supports and rigs for each scene with the DoP
  • Draw up the grip equipment list and crew needs
  • Rig cranes, track, car mounts and scaffolding safely
  • Shape light with flags, frames and diffusion in support of the gaffer
  • Lead the grip crew on set
  • Check that rigs are secure for cast and crew
  • Plan pre-rigging and wrapping of complex sets

How the role touches the budget

In a similar way to the gaffer. The grip package, cranes, specialist rigs, scaffolding and extra grips on big days come from the key grip's plan. The production manager agrees these with them in pre-production, and anything extra goes through the production office before it is booked.

How people become key grips

Most key grips started as grip, often from a background in construction, rigging or theatre. They learn the equipment on set and move up through best boy grip or dolly grip. Safety knowledge, especially about working at height and with heavy loads, is a large part of the job.

US and UK differences

In the US, grips also handle much of the light shaping, which is why the department is called grip and electric. In the UK and parts of Europe, electricians often do more of that themselves and grips focus on camera movement and rigging.