Grip (occupation)

The second function is to work closely with the electrical department to create lighting set-ups necessary for a shot under the direction of the director of photography.

This equipment, which includes tripods, dollies, tracks, jibs, cranes, and static rigs, is constructed of delicate yet heavy duty parts requiring a high level of experience to operate and move.

Every scene in a feature film is shot using one or more cameras, each mounted on highly complex, extremely expensive, heavy duty equipment.

In the "British System", adopted throughout Europe and the Commonwealth (excluding Canada), a grip is solely responsible for camera mounting and support.

Canadian grips may also belong to IATSE or to Canada's other professional trade unions including Toronto's Nabet 700, or Vancouver's ACFC.

This work is done by setting stands that hold flags, nets, diffusing materials or other gobos that control the quality, intensity, or shape of the light.

This is achieved by setting "solids", made of black fabric, either flags (up to 4' × 4') or rags (6' × 6' or larger) on the non-key light side or wherever the negative fill is desired.

Grips also rig picture cars on process trailers, placing camera and lights around the vehicle for driving shots.

If windows or other openings are not visible in a shot, the light may be blacked out with a cloth known as duvetyne or rags, and in rare cases, plastic sheeting.