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.

Whats the difference between a gaffer and key grip?

The roles of a grip, including a key grip, and a gaffer are often confused. However, the gaffer is the only person who touches the lighting. When key grips deal with lighting, they are not touching the lighting itself. They set up skeletons and rigs for the gaffer to hang their lights.

Is gaffer above key grip?

The key grip works with the gaffer to convert lighting positions. The key grip is also responsible for the budget of the set, including estimates for building costs.

What does a movie grip do?

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.

What is a grip and a 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. In short, the best boy acts as the foreman for the department.

Ep 07: Grip and Electric explained

What is a key boy?

Keyboy definition

A hotel or motel employee in charge of room keys. Possibly a synonym for a hotel/motel front desk clerk. noun.

How much does a grip make per day?

While a film grip's salary is dependent on experience and working conditions (budget, location, hours of work, union status), a 2019 report from Career Trend found that an average salary for grips is $30,000, while dolly grips earn between $200 and $300 per shooting day, according to Saddleback University.

Why is it called best boy?

Legend has it they were called 'best boys' because, back in the day, the people rigging up lighting, electricity or cameras would yell out for a bit of assistance by asking someone to send them 'their best boy'. As in, the best qualified person from their team for the job at hand.

How much money does a best boy grip make?

According to Forbes, a best boy grip can expect to make $50,00 to $75,000 if they're working regularly. A key grip can expect to make between $60,000 to $100,000 a year. All grips are governed by IATSE, and on union shoots, may find themselves subject to union payment rules.

What does ACE stand for in movie credits?

American Cinema Editors — A.C.E.

The organization votes members based on their professional achievements and their commitment to editing motion pictures.

What does G and E stand for in film?

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.

What's a best boy in film?

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.

What is a dolly grip in film?

In cinematography, the dolly grip is a dedicated technician trained to operate the camera dolly. This technician places, levels, and moves the dolly track, then pushes and pulls the dolly and usually a camera operator and camera assistant as riders.

How much do gaffers make?

Gaffer salary

According to Careers In Film, the average annual salary for a gaffer is approximately $54,700. The salary range for gaffers runs from $19,000 to $129,000. If you're in the union, that number will go up based on the number of jobs you work.

What is a swing in film crew?

In film-making, a swing gang is one or more persons who make last-minute changes on a film set. This may include construction of new portions of a set the director requests or simply striking large furniture at a set decorator's request. The swing gang is part of the set dressing department.

What is the highest paid job in the film industry?

Is being a grip hard?

Gripping is easily one of the most physically demanding jobs on the entire set, but muscles alone won't get you a callback for more work.

What education do you need to be a gaffer?

While there are no specific education requirements for gaffers, a bachelor's degree in stage lighting or film production can give prospective candidates an edge. Coursework includes stage and costume design, technical production and sound studies.

Why do they clap before filming?

The main purpose is to tell the post-production team when the camera has started (and stopped) recording. That might seem like an obvious function, but there's actually a bit more to it than that. The “clap” of the clapperboard is what the editor uses to find where the video and audio of each take are synchronized.

Who is the most important person in filmmaking?

The Director is in control of all creative aspects of the film. They are the primary person responsible for the storytelling, creative decisions and acting of the film. The 1st Assistant Director is in charge of basically running the set.

What is considered the typical shooting ratio for television commercials?

Super 16 is currently the most common shooting format for many independent films, television productions, advertising, music videos, and documentaries. On the left is a 16 mm strip with the common aspect ratios outlined: 1.66:1 in red, 1.78:1 (16x9) in cyan, and 1.85:1 in yellow.

How do you become a grip?

Like many aspiring film workers, grips often get their start by applying for entry-level jobs as grip assistants, production assistants or other low-level jobs on a film set. If you study film in school, taking part in student productions will help you network and gain experience.

How do I become a Bestboy?

How much does a 1st AC make?

The average annual salary for a working First AC is approximately $100,000. The salary range for a First AC runs from $70,000 to $250,000. First ACs are represented by their union, which will determine hourly or weekly minimum rates and set rules regarding overtime.

How much does a dolly grip make?

The salaries of Dolly Grips in the US range from $29,686 to $42,312 , with a median salary of $33,777 . The middle 57% of Dolly Grips makes between $33,777 and $36,483, with the top 86% making $42,312.