The grip crew is led by someone called the key grip, who coordinates all rigging needs on a movie set in much the same way the gaffer coordinates the lighting needs. Works with the gaffer in order to convert … In England grips are exclusively part of the camera department and are not responsible for shaping light or supporting the electric department. A Big Ben is cheeseboro clamp with a 1-1/8" pin attached. The best boys supervise the crews of grips that work under the gaffer and key grip. With the aid of the best boy and the other grips the grip department supports camera, lighting and often times art department. Best Boys ensure that equipment is ordered, arrange its delivery, and ensure that it arrives in the right place at the right time. The key grip is supposed to run the grip crew, which includes people like a crane operator and rigging grips. Best Boys coordinate the team of lighting technicians, and deal with all the logistics and paperwork relating to the role. They usually get tapped for a new job from a best boy they've worked with before, so a good attitude and pleasant demeanor tend to come in handy just as much as "good touch" does.

Being a key grip is a tough job that requires a lot of technical knowledge, creativity and a sharp eye. Aside from building sets, they set up and adjust cameras and lights, build lighting rigs and camera dollies, and run errands for the key grip and gaffer. It can serve a variety of purposes including using it with pipe to create a temporary overhead grid.


The best boy is a supervisor responsible for ensuring that all required lighting equipment and appropriate personnel are on set for each shot—his or her most important piece of gear is a phone, not a pair of gloves. - The best boys are assistants to the department heads gaffer and key grip. Big Ben. The grip crew also has a crew member whose job title is “best boy,” often referred to as the “best boy grip,” and is not to be confused with the gaffer’s best boy, the best boy electric. This role is not to be confused with the best boy grip, under the key grip. The key grip executes the tasks demanded by the cinematographer in terms of lighting and camera movement. Blonde. - Grips are lighting and rigging technicians, some grips specialize in working with the camera dolly and cranes, some work more closely with the electric department to put up lights necessary for various shots. Dolly grips can make about $35,000 for a 12-week shoot, about the same pay grade as a best boy (the second-in-command to the key grip) [source: Dzyak]. The grips are responsible for most of the physical labor that's needed on a shoot.

They liaise between the production office and the lighting company, and relay information for the gaffer. Duties. Best Person (formerly known as Best Boy) Gaffers and Key Grips each may utilize a Best Person, who serves as second in command for their department, coordinating personnel and equipment.