Behind the Scenes with a Grip
Ever wondered what it would be like working in the film industry? From pre to post production, there’s something for everyone on set, in the edit suite, and beyond. BEHIND THE SCENES brings you into the heart of the media arts industry, introducing you to career paths you may have never considered before or thought possible.
Behind the Scenes with a Grip
There are countless tasks that go into making a movie, television episode, or commercial: the directors, the actors, and the sets or locations. However, there is one key part of the filmmaking process that these projects could not exist without—the cameras that are used to film them and the people that set up this equipment who are called Grips. Behind the scenes these people are responsible for setting up, rigging, and striking lighting equipment on set needed to capture your favorite action scenes and dramatic moments. They are also responsible for keeping equipment organized, and sometimes equipment maintenance. A Key Grip in film production is the head of the Grips department and Dolly Grips assist the Camera department by physically moving the dolly which supports the camera equipment. A good way to remember this is to think, “Grips rig the set to roll.”
We got to sit down with Paul Riikonen, an experienced Grip who specializes in commercials and he explained his journey on how he became a grip, “I was at the University of Western Ontario and as I was finishing up there, friends of mine [had] come to Toronto and gotten into the business...and…they needed someone to come into the production office [to help]…it was just a four-month gig, so, that’s where I started.” In many industry professions creating connections is very important and Paul is an excellent example of how you can use these connections to build your career.
To be good at your job, a Grip must be a problem solver, not easily rattled, energetic and flexible both, physically and mentally. Another important aspect in a career as a Grip is to be resilient and able to keep up your stamina. Long hours and stress are a huge part of the job, in addition to the many physical demands of managing everything from C-47s (clothespins) to giant “fly swatters” diffusing the entire set. The “ability to work those long hours and physicality [of the position],” are two of the main points Paul highlighted as being critical aspects of what it takes to be successful in a career as a Grip. The carrying and loading of heavy equipment requires those in the role to keep in shape.
Working with cameras along with the rest of the various aspects of the Grip’s role require a large amount of flexibility with the cast and crew, as the vision for the end-product is vital to the project. Paul highlighted that at the end of the day you are working with artists, and it is what is inside of their mind that needs to come out in the end, requiring you to adapt to new instructions and the ability to change what is needed on a dime from those in the creative position. All combined, the job takes a person of not only healthy and strong physical shape, but people with a solid and healthy mindset to handle those long hours and the demands placed upon them.
We at DRIFF would like to thank Paul for sitting down with us and giving us a further insight into not only what it is a Grip does, but the multifaceted skills and abilities required to do the job well and have a successful and long career in the field.
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Hope Wilson is a writer and film enthusiast from Southern Ontario.
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Want to become part of a local film community or attend a film festival near you? The Durham Region International Film Festival’s events include an annual fall film festival in Durham Region, summer drive-in movie screenings in Whitby and DRIFF in a Jiff short film screenings in Oshawa. Visit driff.ca, become a DRIFF insider or follow us on social media at @catchthedriff for all the details.