Overview of the role
Reporting to the key grip, the grip trainee is an entry level role in high-end TV and scripted film with the remit of learning the essential skills that form the foundation of a grip’s responsibilities while gaining on-set experience. Working under constant supervision, grip trainees help to set up, dismantle and clean grip equipment. This role requires physical strength, technical curiosity, good timekeeping and an eagerness to work as part of a highly collaborative team in often challenging conditions.
The health and safety implications and dangers associated with grip equipment mean that grip trainees should never work without supervision.
Download the PDF version of this skills checklist.
Core responsibilities
These core responsibilities are provided as a guide and are not exhaustive. The exact responsibilities on a particular production will vary depending on the scale and budget band.
- Help to lay track that will allow silent tracking, even when the incline is steep
- Help to lay track and dancefloors that is stable, providing additional support over gaps or overhangs and vertical lifts when required
- Help to fit any required track end stops, safety stops or braking devices
- Help to secure track and dancefloors so they are safe and free from damage and people cannot accidentally trip
- Help to check that there are no cables or nearby items that will restrict dolly or crane movement or cause danger
- Help to assemble mounts, dollies and tracking platforms in the correct order, making adjustments to resolve any deficiencies in the surface on which they are being placed
- Help to position and balance mounts, levelling them through 360º when required
- Help to rig additional ropes, wires, ratchet straps and strops which secure cameras when working at height or in unstable conditions
- Help to check that equipment is secure, hydraulics and pressure safety devices are working, locking devices are in place and working and cables are protected
- Help to provide environmental protection for equipment and operators
- Help to test dollies and tracking platforms to demonstrate that they are safe for full travel and intended reach and free of obstructions and that cables are of adequate length
- Help to partially derig any aspects of grip equipment that requires it
- Help to secure grip equipment
- Help to cover any parts of grip equipment that requires it
- Help to dismantle equipment in the correct order
- Help to clean and check equipment, reporting any loss or damage
- Help to store any tools or consumables
- Help to complete any required paperwork and pack equipment for return to suppliers
- Help to double-check work area and location for equipment when derigging complete
- Ensure familiarity with latest versions of risk assessment method statements (RAMS)
- Work in line with industry-recognised and production-specific health and safety requirements, including when working at height or when equipment is near overhead lines or power cables
- Identify, mitigate and report any close calls, accidents or breaches to health and safety, rectifying issues to prevent reoccurrence when applicable
- Secure rigs when not in use
- Give clear notification about areas near equipment which people should not access
- Dress appropriately and use required personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Keep facilities and workstation clean and tidy
- Follow policies and report any bullying, harassment or mental health issues
- If in doubt, raise any safety concerns with head of department
- Describe learning needs to grips so that knowledge and practice to fill skill gaps is provided
- Ask questions about the reasons for particular activities and processes when the opportunity arises
- Practice the skills observed, seeking feedback when appropriate
- Evaluate learning and identify improvements for the future
Skills
Check out role specific skills, transferable skills and attributes for the role of grip trainee.
- Helping to configure grip equipment to achieve required camera movements
- Helping to rig, operate and derig grip equipment
- Lifting and manually handling heavy kit
- Communication: liaising with grips about learning needs and asking questions about grip activities and processes
- People skills and team working: working with colleagues to meet production requirements in often challenging conditions, offering and accepting support from colleagues without conflict
- Problem-solving: thinking creatively and logically to identify appropriate approaches to solve technical issues
- Securing work: collating proof of competency and experience, establishing and negotiating rate, and clarifying and approving deal memo and contract
- Organisation: good timekeeping and adherence to call times, keeping timesheets, preparing and submitting invoices and keeping records of income, expenditure, cash flow, insurance and tax
- Resilience, enthusiasm and curiosity: adapts positively to changing work priorities and patterns, ensuring deadlines continue to be met. Proactive and explores new ideas and non-standard ways of working which will enhance and deliver the best results for the production and increase their skills for the future
- Productivity: works with a high level of concentration and attention to detail, organises work efficiently and effectively and achieves required results within deadlines. Demonstrates the drive and energy to get things done in pressurised situations and escalates appropriately when necessary
- Ethics and integrity: honest and principled in all their actions and interactions. Respectful and inclusive of others, follows set etiquette and displays expected behaviours and meets the ethical requirements of their profession
- Flexibility: willing to both listen and respond to changing priorities and working requirements as required, while at all times maintaining high standards in a constantly changing production environment