9 Jobs In Filmmaking You May Not Have Understood

5. Grip

scorpio-23-ft-telescopic-crane_1 Grips are a different breed of people from most people on a set. The easiest (and most reductive) way to explain their job is that they are the muscle of the camera crew. They turn up with their own massive trucks full of equipment. They work very closely with camera crews and provide the tracks and cranes used to achieve those more complex shots. The job is simultaneously heavy duty and delicate as the equipment that comes with the camera is exactly so. An attention to detail as well physical strength are imperative as a lot of the equipment used by a grip has the potential to be extremely dangerous. Because of this, a grip will also often have an eye on the safety of others, making sure that that particularly nervous and clumsy 'runner' isn't about to get smooshed by the crane and the camera. Oh, and a Grip is always one of the most jovial people on set. Not sure why, but it has always been that way for me anyways.
 
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Patrick Dane is someone who spends too much of his time looking at screens. Usually can be seen pretending he works as a film and game blogger, short film director, PA, 1st AD and scriptwriter. Known to frequent London screening rooms, expensive hotels, couches, Costa coffee and his bedroom. If found, could you please return to the internet.