One Ton Grip Package Help

J

James Thayer

Active member
So by the grace of God I am going to be on the premiere episode of the 48 Hour Film Showdown (www.48hourfilmshowdown.com).

I think I will end up being the editor for my team, which is good and all because I have a ton of experience editing. My only problem is, I will probably end up being a grip on set during production because of this. I've never been a grip before as my altogether job. I've always helped the grips on small productions I directed or DP'd, but never fully.

On the show we are given a 1 ton grip package as part of our resources. This package comes with a ton of clamps, C stands, sand bags, scrims and flags etc. Frankly, I'm a newb with just about all of the items. Yes, i've done construction on houses before and I know what all of those basically do, but I'm in experienced with them.

Clamps:

Furniture Clamp, C Clamp, Super Clamp, Cortalini (sp) clamp. When do I use which one?

What is the difference between a scrim and a flag?

Baby pins...do they require an adapter to put a light or camera on one?

Any information you can give me about this kit would be appreciated.

thanks,

James
 
Get "The Grip Book" by Michael Uva

I've got this and actually stick it in with all my supplies each time I grip.
 
Oh, and there is no such thing as a stupid question. An inexperienced grip that doesn't ask questions IS STUPID.
 
The grips' jobs are:
camera support (dollies, camera rigs, cranes, cars, tripods, platforms)
shaping light- putting things in front of lights, like flags and nets and "cookies" (patterns),
supporting all other departments in building and safety issues.
attach all manner of things to each other.
Make sure the set is safe, and that nobody gets killed.
(Be able to say no to an overstimulated producer or director.)


As for clamps- think about the materials you're attaching to, what you need to support, pad where necessary, use your common sense.
Use the Cardelini for attaching to angled edges, pipes, and ladders (for e.g. put a camera on top of a ladder.)
Use the furniture clamp- to attach to ducts, beams, square-cornered objects. Studded C-clamps for grabbing all sorts of things...Pipe-clamps for pipes, round things, etc.
Tape is your friend. The right kind of tape in the right place is a beautiful thing.
Spring-clamps -for quick or delicate work, different-sized openings, different strengths...

most of these clamps will be used to hang lights, to rig things, to connect things. Almost all clamps will have a way to connect to a baby pin or a junior receiver-- those are the two sizes for most lights, and to connect to stands
--although I haven't been on shoots with rented lights lately so I have no idea about any new, L.E.D. or what-have-you lights.

a scrim is a metal screen, with color-coded ring, that slides just in front of the light, red= cuts 1 stop, green cuts 1/2 stop.The nets are coded the same and come in many sizes. On a bigger shoot (with an electric department and a grip department) , the electricians would handle scrims (or screens), as they go directly on the lights. The grips would deal with nets, flags, bounces, etc., and most things that don't require electrical power.

Use safety cables and rope safeties early and often. Don't let outdoor frames become sails. Develop a fondness for sand-bags, too. Make everything nice and safe. Get someone with experience handling this gear and gripping to show you how it's used.


Also: Check out this book: The Set Technician's lighting manual, Harry Box
Cheers,
 
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