The term “grip” is derived from an older term in U.S. theatre where it designated stagehands who moved scenery. U.S. grips typically belong to the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).
What is the difference between a gaffer and a grip?
The gaffer is the head electrician in a movie crew; it’s her job to manage the lighting, making sure the levels are appropriate for the desired effect in the scene. The gaffer is assisted by the best boy, and may have a crew of electricians. A grip is also concerned with lighting, but from the mechanical side.
How did key grip get its name?
Where Does the Name Key Grip Come From? The term grip dates back to the days of traveling circuses. Some suggest the word was a slang name for a tool bag, something key grips need on set today. Others suggest that grip was a sailing term adopted by the many former sailors who moved to film work.
What does grip mean in film?
GRIP DEFINITION Film
A Grip is responsible for setting up, rigging, and striking lighting equipment on set. They are also responsible for keeping equipment organized, and sometimes equipment maintenance. A Key Grip in film is the boss of the Grips department.
Why are gaffers called gaffers?
The gaffer is the chief lighting technician on a set and is head of the electrical department.The name gaffer in Hollywood actually comes from British slang for a tool called the gaff, which was a hooked metal pole used in theatre to adjust the stage lights.
Who is a famous grip?
‘Chainsaw’ Tommy May, Famed Key Grip in Hollywood, Dies at 81. He teamed with Sam Peckinpah, Billy Wilder, John Frankenheimer, Blake Edwards and Vilmos Zigmond during a long, colorful career.
What does G&E stand for?
Grip and Electric departments
The Grip and Electric departments, collectively known as G&E, are amazing. During long scene setups, you could spend all day watching them place flags, lay track, strike lamps, drop scrims, and fly in sandbags.
How much do grips make an hour?
The key grip, who is charge of all grip duties on the set, makes an estimated $113,920 on a big-budget film, and perhaps $25 to $35 an hour for work on TV shows and low-budget films, according to Hollywood Reporter.
What is the difference between a grip and a key grip?
The grips (or grip crew) handle all the rigging work on a film set. The key grip is the leader of the grip crew. The best boy grip is the key grip’s second in command. The foreman of the grip crew.
How much does a grip get paid?
Once there be sure to join a union to ensure success and guarantee wages. On average, a key grip will make $37,000 per year. It’s not unheard of for a big Hollywood key grip to make between $80,000 and $100,000 per year, but the work is inconsistent. If there is no filming, there is no work.
What’s a grip slang?
(chiefly Southern California slang) A lot of something.(slang) As much as one can hold in a hand; a handful. I need to get a grip of nails for my project.
What does a gaffer do in film?
During filming, they work out the positioning of the lights and fastest way to change the lighting setups between shots. Gaffers mediate between the DoP and the rest of the lighting crew. They’re also responsible for safety and need to comply with the law on electricity, driving and employment.
How do you become a grip on a movie?
The best way to move up on any set is to start out as a production assistant. After surveying the wide variety of jobs, if you want to be a key grip, try to become an assistant in the camera department, or see if the grips have their own dedicated production assistant, depending on the size of the movie.
Why is the last shot called Martini?
Martini Shot (also called Window Shot) is a Hollywood term for the final shot set-up of the day. According to Dave Knox, author of the film industry slang guide Strike the Baby and Kill the Blonde, the Martini Shot was so named because “the next shot is out of a glass”, referring to a post-wrap drink.
What does an electrician do on a film set?
The Film Electrician lays cable and sets up lights for the Gaffer on a film set. There are two types: a Rigging Electric and an On-Set Electric.
What is the name of the gaffer’s assistant?
Best Boy. The Best Boy in the Electric department is the head assistant to the gaffer. They are the second in charge, typically watching over the electric truck and rentals, while managing and scheduling the rest of the electricians and lighting technicians.
Can a woman be best boy?
In a film crew there are two kinds of best boy: best boy electric and best boy grip. They are assistants to their department heads, the gaffer (in charge of electricals) and the key grip (lighting and rigging), respectively.A female who performs the duties of a best boy may be called best girl.
Are there any female best boys?
‘ By default the 2nd in charge of either department came to be known as best-boy. This term may also have been borrowed from early sailing and whaling crews, as sailors were often employed to set up and work rigging in theatres. There are no ‘best girls’ per se; female chief assistants are also called ‘Best Boys.
Are there female best boys?
The researchers, at the University of Southern California, provided the names of a female key grip and a few female best boy grips, who, as their head-scratcher job titles suggest, are also a rarity in the business: Of the 274 best boy grips on the top films from the last three years, only eight were women.
What does GNE mean in film?
Summary of Key Points
| GNE | |
|---|---|
| Definition: | Good Night and Everything |
| Type: | Abbreviation |
| Guessability: | 4: Difficult to guess |
| Typical Users: | Adults and Teenagers |
What is the best boy do?
A best boy is the first assistant to the grip crew or the lighting department and fills a number of roles on a television or film set. While the gaffer and key grips work closely with the director of photography (cinematographer), the best boys take care of everything topside to ensure a seamless production.
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