Grip
The grip is responsible for the handling, installation, and dismantling of equipment required so that members of the camera department can achieve shots envisioned by the director. They operate under the supervision of the key grip.
More specifically, the grip non-exclusively performs most or all of the following tasks:
- moves, installs, and dismantles camera supports, tripods, cranes, dollies, etc., and for this purpose, notably uses framing wood, chains, cables, winches, rails, and scaffolding;
- operates, as needed, some of the equipment mentioned in the previous paragraph;
- adjusts, as needed, reflectors and light diffusion gels.
*Please note that the use of the masculine gender has been adopted for ease of reading and is not intended to be discriminatory.
Course plan
- What is a grip?
- Units of measurement: weights and counterweights
- Preparing a count: team and equipment
- Knowledge of equipment
- Diffusion and neutral density
- Light and shadow principles
- Carts (or dollies) and rails
- The work of the dolly pusher
- Camera cranes
- Camera heads
- Installation of Carol, Z and Ciseau lighting cranes
- Green screens and special effects (VFX)
- Lighting in preparation (or pre-lighting)
- Fall protection
- Safe use of a telescopic forklift truck
- Safe use of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and aerial work platforms
- Safe use of a forklift truck
- Working with water: rain, pool, boat and ice field
- Truck stowage, preventive and practical driving
- Working with drones and helicopters
- Camera-car safety code and the grip’ job
- Camera car: mounting the camera on the hood or door
- Tent making
- The grip’s work with the shoulder-mounted cameraman and Steadicam operator
- Final simulation
General skill courses
Here is the content of the general skill courses that takes place in the first hours of all training programs:
- Act respecting owners, operators and drivers of heavy vehicles (Bill 430)
- Awareness of the impact of filming on the living environment and residents
- First aid in the workplace
- Hazardous products and WHMIS
- History of Quebec cinema
- Introduction to the union – AQTIS 514 IATSE
- Masterclass conference, open to the public
- Notions of ecology: application of green sets
- Occupational Health and Safety on film sets
- Penal and criminal liability (Bill C-21)
- Personal responsibility and rental equipment
- Personal finances
- Presentation of key positions in production departments
- Presentation of the AQTIS-514-IATSE union agreement
- Prevention of physical and psychological harassment
- Preventive driving
- SAAQ Highway Code and general tie-downs
- Sanitary measures and the pandemic
- Teamwork, interdepartmental interaction and hierarchy
- The Actor’s role and relationship with the technical team
- The Producer’s role and relationship with his technical team
- Understanding direction and production documents