Key Grip
Learn the duties and responsibilities of the Key GripKey Grip
Developed by Jason Tomaric, FilmSkillsABOUT THIS LESSON
There are three departments that answer directly to the director of photography: the camera department headed by the camera operator, the electric department headed by the gaffer, and the grip department headed by the key grip. In this lesson, we take an in-depth look into the duties and responsibilities of the key grip.
- 17:07 video that walks you through the Key Grip's role on set
- Illustrated companion guide
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
- The role of the grip department
- The role of the Key Grip
- How a Key Grip preps a production
- The Key Grip's duties on set
- The Key Grip's relationship with the DP
- The Key Grip's relationship with the Gaffer
ABOUT THE LESSON AUTHOR
Jason Tomaric
Director, Cinematographer Los Angeles, CaliforniaJason J. Tomaric is an Emmy, Telly, and CINE Award-winning director and cinematographer of four internationally-distributed feature films, dozens of national television commercials, music videos, and the largest film training content library in the world, published author of 8 books - used in many top universities, and creator of AccuSkills.com, an industry-changing learning management platform.
Jason has worked in Los Angeles and around the world in over 20 countries. His clients include Disney, NBC/Universal, National Geographic, McDonald’s, Toyota, Scion, Microsoft, and Paul Mitchell, with narrative work screened at Sundance, Slamdance, and South by Southwest film festivals as well as on Netflix and on all broadcast networks.
Jason has taught and/or guest lectured at some of the nation's most prestigious film schools including UCLA, Columbia College, John Carroll University, Kent State University, San Francisco State, University of Notre Dame, and numerous film festivals.
Jason has written eight industry-defining books, all sold in bookstores, and used in film schools around the world. The American Society of Cinematographers hails Jason's books - "There are no wasted words in Tomaric's tome, which concisely summarizes each facet of the director's craft. It's difficult to think of a step in the process that Tomaric fails to address."
Jason’s DVD training series on Hollywood film production have trained filmmakers in over 40 countries, with distributors in Europe, Hong Kong, New York and Australia.
In 2010, Jason launched FilmSkills, which combines the world’s largest film training video library with his proprietary learning management system. Adopted by 47 universities within the first year, FilmSkills is now the leading industry-standard training solution for motion picture and television production.
In 2015, Jason launched AccuSkills.com, an industry-changing learning management platform that bridges the gap between academia and industry.
CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS LESSON
Blain Brown
Cinematographer, Author, "Cinematography: Theory and Practice" and "Motion Picture and Video Lighting"Blain Brown is a Director of Photography based in the Los Angeles area. He has been Director of Photography on 14 feature films as well as national commercials, promotional films, industrials, music videos and documentaries. He has worked all over the U.S. and throughout the world as well. He has completed projects as a director, editor and screenwriter. Blain has written two of the most industry-defining cinematography book of this decade, "Cinematography: Theory and PRactice," and "Motion Picture and Video Lighting."
Charles Rose
Cinematographer, "Screamers", "Dark Reel", "Showgirls 2", and "Trafficking"Charles Rose is a Los Angeles-based cinematographer and instructor at LA Film School. His credits incude Showgirls 2, Dark Reel, Screamers, Temptation, Trafficking and Star Struck.
David Stump, ASC
Academy Award and Emmy-winning cinematographer, "A Quantum of Solace", "Flight Plan", "Fantastic Four", and "X-Men"David Stump, ASC, works on numerous motion pictures and television productions as Director of Photography, as Visual Effects Director of Photography and as a Visual Effects Supervisor, garnering Emmy nominations and an Academy Award for Scientific and Technical Achievement for Camera Data Capture Techniques. His credits include such projects as James Bond 22 A Quantum of Solace, Flight Plan, Fantastic Four, X-Men 1 & 2, Into the Blue, Garfield, Panic Room, Deep Blue Sea, Batman Forever, Hollow Man, Men of Honor, Stuart Little, The Sphere, Contact, Batman & Robin, Mars Attacks, Executive Decision, Stargate, Free Willy, and What Love Is, among others.
A member of the Producer's Guild of America (PGA), the Visual Effects Society (VES), the Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers (SMPTE), the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), Stump has been involved in Digital Visual Effects for over 20 years, since the advent of Computer Generated Images for film. He has also been involved in shooting High Definition images for many years and has been an advisor and consultant to numerous HD camera manufacturers. In 2001 he was accepted for full membership into the American Society of Cinematographers, where he is currently chairman of the Camera Subcommittee of the ASC Technical Committee. His work there helps to shape the future of digital cinematography, by bringing together working cinematographers with the builders of their tools. He is currently working on a book that will demystify digital and high definition cinematography.
Ed Joyce
Gaffer, National Geographic, "Fred and Vinnie," and "Smiley"Ed Joyce is a Los Angeles-based gaffer whose credits include National Geographic
Harry C. Box
Camera Operator, "Heroes," "Brothers and Sisters," and Author of "The Set Lighting Technician's Handbook"Harry C. Box has worked in television and motion picture production since 1989. Over the years he has done substantial work as a lighting technician, gaffer, camera operator, director of photography, and as an educator. His recent credits include network and cable television series, such as "Heroes" (NBC), "Brothers and Sisters" (ABC), and "Everybody Hates Chris" (CW). He has worked on major motion pictures, independent feature films, telefilms, documentaries, music videos, commercials, and industrials. Harry has also written "The Set Lighting Technician's Handbook," now in its fourth edition.
Jason J. Tomaric
Emmy-winning director/CinematographerJason J.Tomaric is a multiple Emmy, Telly and CINE Award-winning director and cinematographer. With four feature films, sixty commercials, music videos and an educational DVD series on the market, Jason's approach to filmmaking has made for a successful, fulfilling career. Jason has worked in over 20 countries as a director and has taught at some of the nation's most prestigious film schools including UCLA and the New York Film Academy. Jason's book, "Filmmaking"(Focal Press) is available in bookstores worldwide.
Jason is also the creator of FilmSkills.
Mike Uva
Key Grip "Nip/Tuck", “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, "Everybody Hates Chris", and author "Uva's Grip Book"Michael G. Uva is a well-respected Key Grip in Hollywood, with over 20 years of experience in film, TV movies, and commercials to his credit, including the recent hit shows "Nip/Tuck," “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, and "Everybody Hates Chris." He is the author of The Grip Book.
Richard Mall
Academy Award winner, Key Grip, "Iron Man 1 & 2," "Avatar," "Twilight," "GI:Joe," and "The Italian Job,"Richard Mall is one of Hollywood's most accomplished key grips. With over 78 feature film credits on his resume including Avatar, Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Gi: Joe, Gulliver's Travels, Twilight, XXX: State of the Union, The Italian Job, The Majestic and What Lies Beneath, Richard's contribution to modern cinema is apparent. In 2013, Richard won the Academy Award, Technical Achievement Award for the design and development of the Matthews Max Menace Arm.