Key Grip
The head of the grip department on a film set, responsible for camera support equipment, rigging, and light modification.
Definition
The key grip leads the grip department, which handles all non-electrical equipment on set. This includes camera dollies, cranes, jibs, mounting systems, and light-shaping tools like flags, silks, and diffusion frames. While the gaffer controls light sources, the key grip controls how that light is shaped and modified.
The key grip works directly with the cinematographer and gaffer to create the desired visual look. They are also responsible for set safety, ensuring that all rigging, overhead equipment, and camera support systems are secure.
Why It Matters
The grip department is essential to both the visual quality and physical safety of a production. Camera movement systems and light modification tools are what separate amateur-looking footage from professional cinematography.
A skilled key grip enables shots that would otherwise be impossible or dangerous. Their rigging knowledge allows cameras to be mounted in unconventional positions, and their light-shaping skills give the DP precise control over the final image.
Examples in Practice
A key grip designs a custom dolly track system for a long tracking shot through a restaurant, creating a seamless two-minute take that becomes the film's most celebrated sequence.
On an outdoor shoot, the key grip rigs a 20x20-foot silk overhead to diffuse harsh sunlight, creating soft, flattering light for the actors without any artificial lighting.
A key grip builds a car-mounted camera rig for a driving dialogue scene, ensuring the actors are safe while the camera captures dynamic angles at highway speed.