In the UK we generally have Gaffers and Sparks in charge of both stands, rigging and electric. 'Grips' are in charge of rigging for camera movement- so dolly, jib etc.
Love the videos. You mention Gaffer as an old theatre term, in truth the profession goes all the way back to whaling ships. When hemp and counter weight rigging systems became common in theatres they would employ sailors as they were experienced with rope and rigging. The sailors also re-purposed several tools from sailing for use in theatre. The "Gaff" is a tool used by whalers to bring the carcass of the whale close to the ship. I sometimes laugh to myself what a strange thread of history has brought me to the mid-bridge of a theatre poking at battens with a hooked painter's pole.
GroupSoliloquy hahaha yea, what’s been really great about starting this channel is all the history I sometimes learn when I go to research what I’m talking about. Thanks for the history man. I’m sure the viewers will love seeing this information. I know I did!
Thanks for making these videos. I'm glad I found you. I always thought the G & E stuff was industry secrets that had a secret society to keep competition away. Being a lone wolf in my backwoods town of Bemidji, MN and not working on sets with a proper crew I appreciate learning some of the industry language and tips. Wanting to being a DP I have to learn to shape light by myself. I like the dry humor. Thanks a lot and hope you keep making videos. Hope we can connect sometime.
"WOOF" comes from old RCA radio and television engineers. It is an homage to "Nipper the Wonder Dog", the dog on the RCA Victor logo. The RCA/NBC building used to have a giant statue of the dog and the record player at the top of the building.
Great video! Question: So if I'm the DP and I'm lighting the dinner scene on a giant movie set. I bring my gaffer and Key grip aside and I tell them "So we're looking for a warm tungsten, warmer than 3200k. Our key will be motivated by a chandlier over the dinner table, the edge light on this side of the table will be coming from the kitchen, and the edge light from that side will be motivated from the window/moonlight." What comes next? They know my vision. I'm assuming they'd ask me something like "Do you want Mikel blue or white?" But after that, then what? How do the Gaffer and Key grip interact at that point?
In German, a "Gaffer" roughly translates to "someone who watches", but in a naughty way. Like watching women undress through binoculars. And growing up, I always read "Gaffer" in movie credits and was really confused.
lol. that's pretty funny. But in all seriousness, the movie industry practically has it's own language. There's a book called Movie Speak by Tony Bill (he worked on the movie Flyboys.) It helps explain the phrases and terms used in the industry. Also, it's not that expensive.
What's usually the differences between a grip package and a lighting package in terms of stands? Like are the majority of the stands on a set supplied by the grip package or does the lighting package come with its own stands for all of its fixtures?
On large productions grips don't touch electric, but most of those people aren't looking for advice here, they're gone through union training or have years of experience. On indie production it is Very common for grips to touch electric and vice versa.
great job with you channel im an aspiring dp/c and ill love seeing more of your episodes they are really helpful , thanks a lot for your time and effort
Must know the name of the song in the background during the "football play" on the set you described. LOL. Everytime I hear it nobody around me knows the name. Feel like the world is playing a big joke on me. Help...PLEASE! lol Great video by the way! You've gained a new subscriber.
Wow. . You saved my life by this tiny informative video! Is there a similar channel runs by a gaffer for people who want to learn more about lighting? Thank you so much :)
Oum look up some of my friends. “Meet the Gaffer” with Luke Seerveld, “Burnies Apple box” with Craig Burnie Burns, www.gripsupport.com, and Matthews studio equipments channel with Martin
Hey thanks for the explanation. :) Was just wondering if you know about this subject in the "British System"? (I'm in Australia). I've been a stills photographer for a bunch of years, and am moving in to motion. But in the stills world, we operate the camera, as well as position, AND modify the lights. So I was just wondering where someone like me would best fit in on a motion shoot. I feel like I could be handy in any department (but there's definitely gaps in my knowledge in the film world - mostly to do with the electric side of things, and also just procedures and best practice).
I doubt I'll get an answer to this but, Would the key grip be in charge of safety set alongside the first AD. Also let's say a camera operator is walking backwards handheld with the key grip be responsible for the safety of that operator through guidance and an extra set of eyes And of course everyone is in charge of safety.
Yes and yes. For example, I was working on a show where we were using pneumatic canons on set and we were trying to protect our dolly grips from being blasted with lexan. The key can also be part responsible for spotting an operator as well as we are not just lighting, but we also are camera support. We literally protect them from wind. Like when a steadicam is shooting outside we use a double net to protect the operator for wind, while another grip watches the operators back. Also fun fact, most people think the AC does these things, but when an operator is using a camera on their shoulders, Dolly grips are who hold the camera between takes. If the operator drops the camera off their shoulder due to miscommunication of handing the camera off, it falls on the dolly grip. Hope this helps
@GripTips This helps out tremendously. I'm on smaller indie film sets, so I haven't gotten to that caliber of something similar to what you're speaking of. But things like making sure the camera operator is safe for steadicam, handheld, etc., I understood to be a part of being the key grip. But from your explanation, it seems more of yes, it's the key grip's responsibility, but it extends over to other grips in the event that the key grip is also participating in some sort of camera support. I also didn't know that grips were an extension of support for the camera team, and the tip you provided with using a double to knock off wind from the operator is great, thanks. I didn't realize that grips would take the camera from the operator between breaks, especially since, at least within the sets that I've been on, the 1st AC would keep from their chairs to the camera. Thanks
Hahaha I appreciate that. We’re not affiliated but they definitely inspired me but I think our humor is similar, I think I get my delivery inspo from Ryan.
its a lens that you throw in front of a light that spreads the light rays (for lack of a better term) in a wide spread. almost like the knob on the back of a tungsten light. spot to flood. stipple is basically a flood.
Aha thanks. Just curious, how would that work? Will the lighting crew bring their own stands in their truck? Or do the grips bring them? Or is it just 1 whole equipment package that grips/electricians use? Here in The Netherlands we do everything as an electrician. Power, fixtures, stands, rigging, sand, condor work, etc. And we bring our own truck(s) and generators. The grippers mostly do dolly/crane stuff and bring that with them in their truck.
Jeroen Zwart in my experience, it varies from set to set. In LA it’s very divided as to who brings what on what and does what. Grips have their truck, electricians have theirs. This is more of a Union way/ bigger budget kind of way. But everything else will vary per production. Which means less budget for labor and consolidating for budget. I’m very use to that style but would love to be on more of the bigger budget stuff just so that I’m not killing myself doing everything and the safety of the crew is better because their isn’t a haul ass for cheap feel. At the same time?... the day goes by quicker ☺️
Nobody watches new movies or shows anymore so there''s that. Pretty soon the director will have to grip and gaff while directing. That's what I do when my wife and I make "movies". 😅
You say you aren’t sexist, yet every other role you mention contains a male pronoun. The little pink bow on Best Girl doesn’t really support your claim either. I only point this out because I teach on a Film Degree with a pretty even split of male and female (with a few non-binary students thrown in) Watching videos claimed “not-sexist” and seeing all roles male-ified - this would most likely alienate a female cinematographer student. Shame though, because your descriptions and illustrations are apt and clear. Just food for thought.
Dave, can't get enough of these videos. Keep up the stellar work!
DSLR Video Shooter thanks man, will do after I get off this shoot
+thanks homie, there will be more. I just gotta get through this shoot I'm on first. DSLR Video Shooter
Same. Awesome channel 🤙🏾🤙🏾
7years later and this is on point. Came looking for a refresher and found this gold. This was entertaining and well taught.
Love the videos, Mr. Gosling
In the UK we generally have Gaffers and Sparks in charge of both stands, rigging and electric. 'Grips' are in charge of rigging for camera movement- so dolly, jib etc.
Sam Baker Yeah the same here in Denmark. I wouldn’t trust a grip with one of my lights were I’m from😁
Love the videos. You mention Gaffer as an old theatre term, in truth the profession goes all the way back to whaling ships. When hemp and counter weight rigging systems became common in theatres they would employ sailors as they were experienced with rope and rigging. The sailors also re-purposed several tools from sailing for use in theatre. The "Gaff" is a tool used by whalers to bring the carcass of the whale close to the ship.
I sometimes laugh to myself what a strange thread of history has brought me to the mid-bridge of a theatre poking at battens with a hooked painter's pole.
GroupSoliloquy hahaha yea, what’s been really great about starting this channel is all the history I sometimes learn when I go to research what I’m talking about. Thanks for the history man. I’m sure the viewers will love seeing this information. I know I did!
Happy to have found this after combing through some confusing and conflicting articles. Excellent stuff. 👌🏾👌🏾
Thanks for making these videos. I'm glad I found you. I always thought the G & E stuff was industry secrets that had a secret society to keep competition away. Being a lone wolf in my backwoods town of Bemidji, MN and not working on sets with a proper crew I appreciate learning some of the industry language and tips. Wanting to being a DP I have to learn to shape light by myself. I like the dry humor.
Thanks a lot and hope you keep making videos. Hope we can connect sometime.
Super helpful, man thanks. I'm sharing a bunch of your videos with people trying to get into film. You've created a magnificent learning resource.
much appreciated man. Love hearing that. Super rewarding. Glad I could help
Thank you for the breakdown. Your video is packed full of info. I subscribbled.
Woof is pretty much universal to every department.
_cameraboy Never ever heard of that before now.
Man that animation was genius. Excellent work.
“Woof” 86 that
As a location owner, I highly recommend these!
your intro music and graphics reminds me of Film Riot's, but I'm not complaining at all.
Jayson Carey I thought the same thing
"WOOF" comes from old RCA radio and television engineers. It is an homage to "Nipper the Wonder Dog", the dog on the RCA Victor logo. The RCA/NBC building used to have a giant statue of the dog and the record player at the top of the building.
Awesome visuals fellas :)
fellas? its just me hahaha. thanks man
Great video! Question: So if I'm the DP and I'm lighting the dinner scene on a giant movie set. I bring my gaffer and Key grip aside and I tell them "So we're looking for a warm tungsten, warmer than 3200k. Our key will be motivated by a chandlier over the dinner table, the edge light on this side of the table will be coming from the kitchen, and the edge light from that side will be motivated from the window/moonlight."
What comes next? They know my vision. I'm assuming they'd ask me something like "Do you want Mikel blue or white?" But after that, then what? How do the Gaffer and Key grip interact at that point?
Awesome! Loved it!
great use of your sound track! Keep it up.
love it
In German, a "Gaffer" roughly translates to "someone who watches", but in a naughty way. Like watching women undress through binoculars. And growing up, I always read "Gaffer" in movie credits and was really confused.
lol. that's pretty funny. But in all seriousness, the movie industry practically has it's own language. There's a book called Movie Speak by Tony Bill (he worked on the movie Flyboys.) It helps explain the phrases and terms used in the industry. Also, it's not that expensive.
In Deutschland Gaffer ist ein Oberbeleuchter
What's usually the differences between a grip package and a lighting package in terms of stands? Like are the majority of the stands on a set supplied by the grip package or does the lighting package come with its own stands for all of its fixtures?
On large productions grips don't touch electric, but most of those people aren't looking for advice here, they're gone through union training or have years of experience. On indie production it is Very common for grips to touch electric and vice versa.
great job with you channel im an aspiring dp/c and ill love seeing more of your episodes they are really helpful , thanks a lot for your time and effort
no prob ;)
Very well presented Gratful;ly yours!
Best Boy should be called "Light Chief" IMO. Buzz...your best girl...woof. Nice insight into the COC.
Well that would be quite confusing because another name for a Gaffer is a Chief Lighting Tech.
That was awesome, man!
Beautiful.
loved it!
Great Video!
Great channel but consider a playlist with the episodes in order
subbed bro
TastefulMusic thanks bro
@@GripTips კახაბერი im this and i add u on facebook amazing man !
REALLY great video!
Amazing, industry level content in this channel. Congratulations!
In England(UK) a Gaffer is a boss of a company (slang ) Also a coach/manager of a soccer team
This is awesome
Gaffer in German is similar in meaning to peeping tom or creep. Pronunciation: “Guffah”
I'm just going to go with Gripper and Key Gaff. I like that better, I think.
AWSOME!
Such great video's
Hahahaha, "no, it is not a guy with a bunch of tape" xD, i seriously thought that at the beggining, xD
Fernando Quant RS hahaha so did I
Must know the name of the song in the background during the "football play" on the set you described. LOL. Everytime I hear it nobody around me knows the name. Feel like the world is playing a big joke on me. Help...PLEASE! lol
Great video by the way! You've gained a new subscriber.
Carmen habanera is the name
Woof haha lol 😂 thanks for the Advice 😋 Buddy 👌
This was best video 😂🔥
Wow. . You saved my life by this tiny informative video! Is there a similar channel runs by a gaffer for people who want to learn more about lighting? Thank you so much :)
Oum look up some of my friends. “Meet the Gaffer” with Luke Seerveld, “Burnies Apple box” with Craig Burnie Burns, www.gripsupport.com, and Matthews studio equipments channel with Martin
Thz zbrooo
dope! 👌
fun fact: in german gaffer is the expression for someone who looks at something or someone constantly in a very inappropriate situation :)
Linus Reuer ha!
SUSBCRIBED!!!!!!
Hey thanks for the explanation. :) Was just wondering if you know about this subject in the "British System"? (I'm in Australia).
I've been a stills photographer for a bunch of years, and am moving in to motion. But in the stills world, we operate the camera, as well as position, AND modify the lights. So I was just wondering where someone like me would best fit in on a motion shoot. I feel like I could be handy in any department (but there's definitely gaps in my knowledge in the film world - mostly to do with the electric side of things, and also just procedures and best practice).
thank u
I doubt I'll get an answer to this but, Would the key grip be in charge of safety set alongside the first AD.
Also let's say a camera operator is walking backwards handheld with the key grip be responsible for the safety of that operator through guidance and an extra set of eyes
And of course everyone is in charge of safety.
Yes and yes.
For example, I was working on a show where we were using pneumatic canons on set and we were trying to protect our dolly grips from being blasted with lexan.
The key can also be part responsible for spotting an operator as well as we are not just lighting, but we also are camera support. We literally protect them from wind. Like when a steadicam is shooting outside we use a double net to protect the operator for wind, while another grip watches the operators back.
Also fun fact, most people think the AC does these things, but when an operator is using a camera on their shoulders, Dolly grips are who hold the camera between takes. If the operator drops the camera off their shoulder due to miscommunication of handing the camera off, it falls on the dolly grip.
Hope this helps
@GripTips This helps out tremendously. I'm on smaller indie film sets, so I haven't gotten to that caliber of something similar to what you're speaking of.
But things like making sure the camera operator is safe for steadicam, handheld, etc., I understood to be a part of being the key grip. But from your explanation, it seems more of yes, it's the key grip's responsibility, but it extends over to other grips in the event that the key grip is also participating in some sort of camera support.
I also didn't know that grips were an extension of support for the camera team, and the tip you provided with using a double to knock off wind from the operator is great, thanks.
I didn't realize that grips would take the camera from the operator between breaks, especially since, at least within the sets that I've been on, the 1st AC would keep from their chairs to the camera.
Thanks
@@philderp3326 sure thing, if you have any other questions or wanna chat, hit me up on Facebook and I’ll answer ☺️
This is like film riot for grips. Are you guys affiliated in anyway?
I love this channel and you’re making me want to be a grip instead of a DoP
Hahaha I appreciate that. We’re not affiliated but they definitely inspired me but I think our humor is similar, I think I get my delivery inspo from Ryan.
@@GripTips i thought it was an extension to the channel at first, it’s perfect! Keep the videos coming I love it!
@@skatepark02 workin at it when I can
Whats a stipple?? Love the vids! Watching through all of them right now!
its a lens that you throw in front of a light that spreads the light rays (for lack of a better term) in a wide spread. almost like the knob on the back of a tungsten light. spot to flood. stipple is basically a flood.
Can I have some more sir.
Cool channel!
So when the lighting technicians put the light in its place, do they also place the stand? Lets say its a combo stand with the 1200.
Jeroen Zwart in a perfect word yes but sometimes it doesn’t always happen that way.
Aha thanks. Just curious, how would that work? Will the lighting crew bring their own stands in their truck? Or do the grips bring them? Or is it just 1 whole equipment package that grips/electricians use?
Here in The Netherlands we do everything as an electrician. Power, fixtures, stands, rigging, sand, condor work, etc. And we bring our own truck(s) and generators. The grippers mostly do dolly/crane stuff and bring that with them in their truck.
Jeroen Zwart in my experience, it varies from set to set. In LA it’s very divided as to who brings what on what and does what. Grips have their truck, electricians have theirs. This is more of a Union way/ bigger budget kind of way. But everything else will vary per production. Which means less budget for labor and consolidating for budget. I’m very use to that style but would love to be on more of the bigger budget stuff just so that I’m not killing myself doing everything and the safety of the crew is better because their isn’t a haul ass for cheap feel. At the same time?... the day goes by quicker ☺️
Good insights, thanks for the info and good luck with the channel!
Wrong in the first statement. Gaffer and Key Grip.
the rock song that startedthe video
Phenyo Motalaute my buddies disbanded band. “Making moves” - Andreyka
I have never seen a grip handle a scrim. That's strictly a juicer's job.
Grip Tips.
Rib Tips.
"we're not sexist here"... but, the director, the dp, the gaffer and the key grip are all men. No shade just pointing out unconscious biases. love x
Shoulda been called "I Dream of G&E".
Eugene Ivashchenko ......damn it
hey I'm your tape guy I got white tape pink tape black tape.... I'm your tape guy.... with a bunch of tape
Why you look like Ryan Gosling?
J. Montrice somebody has to
Nobody watches new movies or shows anymore so there''s that. Pretty soon the director will have to grip and gaff while directing. That's what I do when my wife and I make "movies". 😅
Disney, Amazon, Pixar, everyone is laying off people right now. Not to be negative, but its a fact jack.
"We're not sexist"
how do movies even get made... barely
woof?
woof.
Christian Bale needs to watch this video.
You say you aren’t sexist, yet every other role you mention contains a male pronoun. The little pink bow on Best Girl doesn’t really support your claim either.
I only point this out because I teach on a Film Degree with a pretty even split of male and female (with a few non-binary students thrown in)
Watching videos claimed “not-sexist” and seeing all roles male-ified - this would most likely alienate a female cinematographer student.
Shame though, because your descriptions and illustrations are apt and clear.
Just food for thought.