Film Vocabulary: Key Grip

Key Grip

Well, to know what a Key Grip is, you need to know what a grip is, so...

Grip

In the USA, a grip is a skilled person responsible for the set up, adjustment and maintenance of production equipment on the set. Their typical duties involve camera movement, lighting refinement, and mechanical rigging. In England, grips work exclusively with equipment that the camera is mounted on.

Okay, so back to Key Grip, A Key Grip is the chief of a group of grips, often doubling for a Construction co-ordinator and a backup for the camera crew, that also moves a dolly. Key grips work closely with the gaffer. So what is a gaffer? Well...