Grip

Career Guide

A Grip works on film, television, and commercial sets to safely build and move equipment that supports the camera and lighting teams. The job focuses on physical setup, problem solving on set, and keeping people and gear safe while shots are captured.

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Key Responsibilities

Set up and break down camera support equipment
Build and place stands, flags, and light control tools
Move and secure dollies, tracks, and cranes
Rig equipment safely using approved hardware
Sandbag and stabilize stands to prevent tipping
Work with the camera team to achieve shot movement
Work with the lighting team to shape and block light
Inspect gear for damage and report issues
Follow safety procedures for lifting and working at height
Keep the set organized and clear of trip hazards
Load and unload trucks and carts
Label, store, and maintain grip equipment

Top Skills for Success

Set Safety

Heavy Lifting

Spatial Awareness

Problem Solving

Teamwork

Time Management

Equipment Handling

Rigging

C-Stand Operation

Flagging

Dolly Operation

Track Laying

Camera Support Setup

Knots

Hardware Knowledge

Union Set Etiquette

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Key Grip

Best Boy Grip

Dolly Grip

Rigging Grip

Grip Department Lead

Transition Opportunities

Gaffer

Camera Operator Lighting Technician Stagehand

Production Safety Coordinator

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Rigging SafetyLoad Rating AwarenessSet CommunicationGear IdentificationPaperwork AccuracyTime Estimation

Development SuggestionsBuild a strong safety foundation first, then expand rigging and camera support skills. Ask to shadow a Key Grip, practice gear identification through rental house time, and keep a simple personal checklist for builds and breakdowns to improve speed and accuracy.

Market Intelligence Report

Grip is part of the DevOps & Reliability Engineering category.Explore our market intelligence report to see how AI and hiring demand are shifting for these roles.

See the market intelligence report

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelUSD 40,000 to 55,000

Mid LevelUSD 55,000 to 80,000

Senior LevelUSD 80,000 to 120,000

Growth Trend

Demand is steady and project based. Hiring rises with production volume in major hubs and drops during slowdowns. Union shows and large commercial shoots typically pay more and offer more consistent standards.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

NetflixDisneyWarner Bros. DiscoveryNBCUniversalParamountAmazon MGM StudiosApple TV+Sony Pictures EntertainmentFox EntertainmentLionsgate

Industry Sectors

Film ProductionTelevision ProductionCommercial ProductionStreaming ContentLive EventsCorporate VideoBranded ContentMusic Video ProductionEquipment Rental Houses

Recommended Next Steps

Create a one page resume listing set credits, role, and dates

Get basic safety training focused on set work and lifting

Spend time at a grip rental house to learn equipment names and use

Find local production networking groups and job boards for day calls

Ask to shadow a Key Grip for one full day to learn workflows

Build a small personal kit such as gloves, multi tool, tape measure, and headlamp

Document your best builds with short notes on the problem and the solution

If applicable in your region, learn the union entry path and required hours