Lighting and Grip Depts - what DO they do p.

1. Crew Responsibilities
a) What are the roles?
Electrical
hookup to mains board
run out to distribution ("dizzy") board (if there is one)
plug in various lights
position lights
run out c-stands
lensers
rags
Grips - get the camera where you want it
help w/ camera setup
stix moved
camera rigs
dolly & tracks setup
push dolly
an art to it
when and how fast
gazelle consciousness
feather in
fingers, wrists, arms, body
feather out
body, arms, wrists, fingers
easy-ups / umbrellas
assist electrical with building of frames
apple boxes
rostrums
might help to put up a goal post
on a windy day, they'll help with tie-offs & such
b) What part does the position play in the crew as a whole?
Gaffer
Head Electrician
Stands by Camera and Implements DOP's lighting wishes
Also offers-up ideas to DOP
Also hands-on lighting
Best Boy Electric
Organizes Electrical equipment and tasks
Makes sure power requirements are met and safety adhered to
In charge of correct Power Routing (amperage not overloaded)
plus everything Lighting Assistant does
Lighting Assistant (a.k.a. Sparky, LxAssist, Lamp Operator)
Runs cable
Sets and focuses lights
Sets C-stands, cutters, net, diffusion, gels
Key Grip
Head Grip - supervises and does rigging, dolly track laying, PUSHES DOLLY
Stands by Camera and Implements DOP's lighting wishes
Best Boy Grip (not always staffed as such)
Organizes Grip equipment and tasks
Grip
Hands-on for Grip Dept
Swing (aka Utility)
Bridging the gap between Grip & Electrical - works both departments

f) Keys: always standing next to DOP - ears open

1) communicating with your crew
 Lighting and Grip Depts - what DO they do p. 2

2. Equipment
a) What are the pieces? What are your tools?
Electric
Pieces
Lighting Units
Extension cords ("stingers")
C-Stands
Flags
Diffusion
Gels
Pegs (clothespins) ("C-47's")
Bounce material (usually polystyrene)
Poly clamps
Spring clips (grip clips)

Your tools
Gaffer
Meters [incident, reflective (spot), colour temp]
Pan Glass
plus Lighting Assistant tools
Lighting Assistant
Heavy gloves
needlenose pliers
sunglasses

Grip
Pieces
Apple Boxes (apples)
Sandbags
Dolly + Dolly track (+turnbuckles)
Wedges
Level (s)

Your tools
Heavy gloves
Big pliers
Hammer
Cordless drill/screwdriver + drywall screws

b) where does it live?

c) organization

3. Set Protocol
a) Hustle
faster than anyone else; calm, confident vibe
b) Quiet
c) Positive
"can-do" attitude
d) Sensitive
tuned-in
walk on eggshels
e) The Dance

- Dan Wagner