Junior grip
Creative and design
Level 2 -
Build, maintain and move grip equipment during productions.
Reference: OCC1318
Status:
Technical Education Products
Employers involved in creating the standard:
Alpha Grips Ltd, Arri Rental, BECTU Certified Branch representative, Chapman UK, Hartswood Films, ITV Studios, MovieTech Pinewood Studios, Panavision London, Pixipixel Rental Limited, Red Planet Pictures, Screen Skills, Warner Brothers
Summary
This occupation is found in the film and TV sectors and work can be carried out either on set or on location. Depending on the production requirements, conditions on location can be demanding and include extreme terrain, climates or weather conditions. Employers can be large or small equipment rental houses - that rent out equipment to the film and TV industry, film or TV production companies or film or TV studios. However, the vast majority of the sector is freelance – employed for the duration of specific productions.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to build, maintain and move grip equipment during productions, so that the position and movement required by cameras are achievable. This can include equipment such as track, dollies, cranes and jib arms. This is a specialised role which involves constructing and operating bespoke machinery. A grip will select and obtain suitable equipment, materials and consumables. They will also lay track and install rigging mounts, dollies, platforms, cranes, jib arms and remote-controlled heads before filming commences. During filming this involves tracking cameras, dollies, cranes and jib arms so that desired shots are obtained. After filming it involves dismantling, cleaning and returning equipment. All work is carried out as part of a team. As grips need to set things up before filming can commence, it can involve working long and irregular hours. It involves working at height and working outdoors. It may also involve working away from home for periods of time. Driving is typically required as part of this role but is not an entry requirement for the apprenticeship.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with other grips and other members of the camera department. They report to the key grip, who is in charge of their work. In addition, they need to interact with members of stunt, lighting and art departments on productions, as well as cast members, equipment hire ordering companies and delivery staff.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for the health and safety of every aspect of their work. This is particularly important given the high-risk nature of the role as grip equipment and its operation has the potential to be very dangerous. A high level of professionalism is expected, and they are responsible for the quality of their work and completing their work to production timescales. Problem-solving is a key part of the role as is engineering knowledge as they may be required to lay track in complex and extreme situations. Communication and team-working is essential to the role. Grips will typically report to the key grip for each job. They work in teams and may refer to team members who have more experience than them or give support to those with less experience. Teams are supervised by the key grip. They will be responsible for the grip or crane equipment and the tools they use for assembly and dismantling it. They will be responsible for keeping the kit in good order, cleaning it and returning it in good condition to the equipment hire company. They are also responsible for reporting any loss or damage when it is finished with. There are no statutory or regulatory entry requirements for these occupations, but insurance typically dictates that entrants are likely to be at least 18.
Employers involved in creating the standard:
Alpha Grips Ltd, Arri Rental, BECTU Certified Branch representative, Chapman UK, Hartswood Films, ITV Studios, MovieTech Pinewood Studios, Panavision London, Pixipixel Rental Limited, Red Planet Pictures, Screen Skills, Warner Brothers
Typical job titles include:
Keywords:
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
Duties
Duty D1
Work effectively with the key grip, colleagues from own and other departments and suppliers, following established set etiquette.
Duty D2
Be aware of and follow current risk assessments for productions, anticipating, minimising and responding to the hazards associated with the handling, movement and fixing of heavy and moving equipment.
Duty D3
Identify any aspects of planned grip activity that could cause a hazard to own or other departments, documenting this and bringing it to the attention of the key grip.
Duty D4
Work as part of a team to select and obtain suitable equipment, materials and consumables, checking it on delivery, ensuring suitable safety certificates and dealing with any problems.
Duty D5
Work under supervision, as part of a team to lay track for camera dollies or camera cranes, assessing the suitability of the surface on which the track will be used, and the type of track relative to the sizes and weights of the equipment to be carried.
Duty D6
Work under supervision, as part of a team to rig static mounts, camera dollies and tracking platforms selecting the correct camera mounts for the weight and balance of cameras and for the production needs of shots.
Duty D7
Work under supervision, as part of a team to rig camera cranes and jib arms that are suitable for use in prevailing environmental conditions, anticipating the public’s, the performers and the crew’s special safety requirements regarding the equipment.
Duty D8
Work under supervision, with the head tech to rig remotely controlled heads and systems on mountings (including cranes), within the weight parameters of mountings to be used.
Duty D9
Work under supervision, as part of a team to mount internal or external camera mounts on or in vehicles, without damage to vehicles.
Duty D10
Work under supervision, as part of a team to rig tracking cars and trailers (travelling platform), selecting the right type of camera mounting, crane, or jib arm, and fixing the whole mount without causing any damage or endangering others.
Duty D11
Work under supervision, as part of a team to track cameras along tracks or other suitable surfaces to meet shot requirements.
Duty D12
Work under supervision, as part of a team to track and swing cranes and jib arms to meet shot requirements, taking account of the limitations of rigs within their operating environment.
Duty D13
Work under supervision, as part of a team to elevate and track camera dollies to meet shot requirements, taking account of the operation and limitations of the equipment.
Duty D14
Work under supervision, as part of a team to dismantle, clean and arrange for the return of equipment to suppliers in good condition, reporting any loss or damage when it is finished with.
Duty D15
Manage work as a freelancer, in line with legal requirements and sector recognised practice, to ensure continued employment in the industry.
Occupational Progression
This occupational progression map shows technical occupations that have transferable knowledge and skills.
In this map, the focused occupation is highlighted in yellow. The arrows indicate where transferable knowledge and skills exist between two occupations. This map shows some of the strongest progression links between the focused occupation and other occupations.
It is anticipated that individuals would be required to undertake further learning or training to progress to and from occupations. To find out more about an occupation featured in the progression map, including the learning options available, click the occupation.
Progression decisions have been reached by comparing the knowledge and skills statements between occupational standards, combined with individualised learner movement data.
Creative and design