Question 1

What is the single biggest suggestion you would give to someone wanting to get into this career?

Greg Flores · Accepted Answer

“People forget that there are always multiple ways of learning to do something. Working on a film set is an opportunity to constantly be learning, even when someone has been a veteran. Whether they’ve worked in the Grip Department for a long time or are just starting out it’s important for a person to be proactive in their career.
“If they want to learn techno crane then talk to an operator and learn it. Get to understand how it works and its applications. This methodology can be expanded to any sub-department under the Grip heading. What is important is to keep growing and learning. It’s also the best way to maintain job security. The more things a person can do, the more gigs they can land.”

Question 2

What’s the #1 mistake people make when trying to get into this career?

Greg Flores · Accepted Answer

“The biggest mistake people make is saying that they already know how to do something. People never know when they’re going to be surprised by knowledge. Even if it is true and there’s nothing new to learn, it shuts down the relationship. The filmmaking process itself is all about collaborating and learning so having a bad attitude and pushing people away is antithetical to making a good film.
“It’s good to always ask questions in a polite manner and never be arrogant. This may seem simple, but it’s surprising how many people can’t get it and become their own worst enemy.”

Question 3

What is the question people should ask about this career but rarely do?

Greg Flores · Accepted Answer

“Is there a way to make more money in the grip industry besides just working?
“The best way to be financially successful in the grip industry is to own gear. It can be rented to production, giving the owner additional revenue while they’re working the job. It can take hard work. Anyone interested needs to learn how to manage a grip truck and repair equipment.
“With more experience working on set, equipment owners will know what gear to buy. As more revenue comes in then more gear can be purchased, resulting in the ability to do box truck rentals. The extra effort is worth it in the long run because having more money coming in allows the owner to be more selective about the jobs they’ll take within the Grip Department, which can help propel their career.”

Question 4

If you could describe in one word what makes you successful, what would it be?

Greg Flores · Accepted Answer

“Inspired.”

Question 5

Why is it called a Key Grip?

Anna Keizer · Accepted Answer

Before the jobs on a production set became specialized, the people working on it who were tasked with setting up, moving, and breaking down the equipment would have with them a bag – often referred to as a grip – filled with the tools to do so.
Once formal roles were put in place for productions, the term grip stuck with the individuals in charge of the rigging for a film. The Key Grip is the person in charge of that department.

Question 6

What is a Key Grip salary?

Anna Keizer · Accepted Answer

It’s extremely challenging to provide a singular salary figure for a Key Grip on account of the many factors that impact what a person in that role can make.
For instance, how veteran is the Key Grip? What types of productions are they working on? What is the budget for a given production? And perhaps most important, is the Key Grip a union member?
The answers to all of the above questions will impact a Key Grip’s overall salary. With that being said, the annual range for a Key Grip can be anywhere from $41,000 to $131,000.

Question 7

What does a Grip and Key Grip do?

Anna Keizer · Accepted Answer

All Grips on a set are tasked with the setup, moving, and breaking down of the rigging on a set for cameras and other equipment. The Key Grip is the person who heads this particular department.

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