During filming, the key grip helps the director of photography to achieve their shots. They work with a grip team to hire, plan, and set up all equipment the camera attaches to. It’s an important job role that requires various technical skills and extensive equipment knowledge.
To learn more about becoming a key grip, keep reading. This page explains the role’s main responsibilities, necessary skills and training, pay expectations, and more.
What Is a Key Grip?
The key grip is responsible for everything the camera grips onto, such as tripods, dolly tracks, cranes, and car rigs. It’s their job to make sure that the director of photography (DOP) can get the shot they want.
During prep, the key grip attends location scouts and makes technical plans to shoot the film. They are also responsible for all camera support and safety.
The grip is also responsible for buying or renting equipment and organizing how to transport it to the set. On large film sets, the key grip employs a team of assistants for the grip department. They must do all of this within the film’s budget set out by the producer.
On shooting days, the key grip is on set early to set up the equipment. They watch the director’s rehearsal and provide advice on how to shoot the scene. If the grip finds any health and safety issues, they report immediately to the 1st AD and fix it. They might also cut a shot if they think it’s potentially dangerous.
Their responsibilities can change depending on the country and budget. For example, the grip can aid with lighting and general stagehand work in the U.S. In contrast, the grip does not touch any lighting equipment on UK sets.
What Does a Key Grip Do?
| Pre-production | – Attend location scouting – Determine what equipment to rent – Transport equipment – Hire the key grip department – Manage the budget |
| Production | – Work with DOP to plan shots – Watch blocking and set up equipment per scene – Manage equipment safety – Pack up equipment at the end of each shooting day |
| Post-production | – Return rented equipment |
How to Become a Key Grip
Essential key grip skills:
- Knowledge of camera support gear
- Film set health and safety awareness
- Physical strength and stamina
- Organization and planning
- Budget management
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving
- Communication
The key grip is a technical and physically demanding job role. To do well, you’ll need to learn a variety of skills, including rigging and problem solving. It is also a role that requires strong teamwork and communication.
While you don’t need a formal education to do the job, an apprenticeship will help you develop this extensive skill set. It would also be beneficial to get certified in health and safety.
It’s also common to start as a grip trainee, grip assistant, or production assistant before landing a key grip role. On large sets, in particular, grip teams are needed to help transport, lift, and look after equipment, so it’s a good way to get practice and exposure to the lead role.
Finding Key Grip Jobs
Like most film crew roles, the key grip is a self-employed freelancer, which means working project to project on short-term contracts.
At the start of your career, you can use film job sites to look for key grip and assistant positions. You might also find work placements as a trainee or shadowing a professional key grip there.
Luckily, this role is in demand in the film industry, so if you have talent, there will be lots of work for you. This will come in handy later on, too, as the networking you do throughout your career will open up more job opportunities for you.
How Much Money Do Key Grips Make?
Minimum pay rate for key grips: $43.86/hour
Production crew rates can vary quite a bit. Factors that impact your pay include the type of project you’re working on, production budget, your work experience, location, and more.