Dillon C Novak Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 I have gripped at least twelve short films, and one music video in the last year, around 40 days total. They all have been FSU thesis films and had a fair lighting/grip package. I have now been asked to Key Grip Saturday and Sunday on a professional music video with pay. There will be a gene truck, and some fairly large HMI units. If there are any Key Grips out there, or even Best Boy Grips, I would love to hear what advice you would have from unloading, to setting up a 10K hmi on a (crank)ovator. Or even any first time rookie mistakes. Where not to get side tracked on a task? Where I should manage my grips? Where does the line cross when dealing with electricity? Does the key grips job end where the distrobox begins when striking the HMI units? Anything I should bring in my tool belt? I have a decent amount that I usually carry with me when best boy, but if there's anything extra.. Thanks guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Rosenbloom Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 If it has a plug, it's for the electrics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onno Perdijk Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 addition to: if it has a plug: its electric if it needs a sandbag; its for the grips if it is in shot and does not speak nor move: its Art if it is in shot and does note speak but does move: ist AD if it is in shot and does speak: its for the Director Like the old roady song: If it is liquid, drink it if it is warm, eat it, if it moves, **(obscenity removed)** it, anything else: throw it in the truck... good luck, Onno 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Harper Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 If you're a Key Grip, you won't have to worry about touching the lights. (If you it's a small shoot where everyone does everything, my best advice is to make sure to have the light on the tail gate of the truck, move the crank up to the gate and load the light from off of the gate onto the stand. It's a lot easier to lift up and over than to lift the whole light from the ground to over the stand and down.) The biggest thing as a Key Grip is to make sure that things are safe. Don't put up a 20x20 without a lot of weight and ropes tying it off. Have some extra hands stand on the stands if need be. Always make sure the producers have courtesy flags set for them at video village and make sure the lens isn't getting pinged with light. Other than that, have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Rosenbloom Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Okay. I just finished DP-ing a short with a very nice, but inexperienced crew. Here's my advice: When using a c-stand, EXTEND THE ARM ONLY WHEN NECESSARY!! WTF are you doing extending the arm every single time?? Keep the rigging as simple and compact as possible, and try not to turn the set into an obstacle course. Level the big lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert duke Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 Okay. I just finished DP-ing a short with a very nice, but inexperienced crew. Here's my advice: When using a c-stand, EXTEND THE ARM ONLY WHEN NECESSARY!! WTF are you doing extending the arm every single time?? Keep the rigging as simple and compact as possible, and try not to turn the set into an obstacle course. Level the big lights. John, the arm is your first riser. isnt it embarassing when you raise a flag up and you a 12" shy and you have to lower the whole stand to get the arm up. If the gear is worth it salt use the arm first, it is your first riser. I agree keep is simple and clean. work to make the set work for everyone safely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sanjay Sami Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 (edited) I have gripped at least twelve short films, and one music video in the last year, around 40 days total. They all have been FSU thesis films and had a fair lighting/grip package. I have now been asked to Key Grip Saturday and Sunday on a professional music video with pay. There will be a gene truck, and some fairly large HMI units. If there are any Key Grips out there, or even Best Boy Grips, I would love to hear what advice you would have from unloading, to setting up a 10K hmi on a (crank)ovator. Or even any first time rookie mistakes. Where not to get side tracked on a task? Where I should manage my grips? Where does the line cross when dealing with electricity? Does the key grips job end where the distrobox begins when striking the HMI units? Anything I should bring in my tool belt? I have a decent amount that I usually carry with me when best boy, but if there's anything extra.. Thanks guys. What are you being asked to do ? I have never been asked to load or setup 10k's on a crankovator. Toolbelt ? get a good walkie talkie. Get a good dolly grip. If you get a good crew, your job as key grip is to stay out of their way. Stand by the DP, try and anticipate his needs. Look for what he likes by way of shaping his light and diffusion. Try and stay one step ahead. Do not try and come across as more experienced than you are ... thats a set up for trouble. Try and enjoy yourself, and make sure you work as a team with your grips. Without them you are f---ked ! Why does your profile say you are a director ? Edited October 21, 2011 by Sanjay Sami Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillon C Novak Posted October 21, 2011 Author Share Posted October 21, 2011 The shoot went well for anyone that was curious. I was just psyching myself up. We didn't do anything I didn't already know. We played around with a 6K, 2.5K, 800 Joker. The rest was overheads and mirror boards. Here's the completed video if anyone is interested. I also dolly gripped. Fun shoot! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BClFpTijh1Y Why does your profile say you are a director ? I also direct music videos. (http://montaukfilm.com/) Different aspects of film attract me, and one of them happens to actually pay a day rate. Thanks guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sanjay Sami Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Different aspects of film attract me, and one of them happens to actually pay a day rate. Thanks guys! Which one ? The directors day rate should be better I would guess :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillon C Novak Posted October 21, 2011 Author Share Posted October 21, 2011 (edited) Which one ? The directors day rate should be better I would guess :rolleyes: Nope. Gripping/Gaffing. Music videos are usually underbudget and over delivered. When it's your own project you want to see succeed, as a director, you're willing to make more sacrifices and deals in order to have a good video for your reel/resume. :( (In hopes that one day it will be you that gets hired by Atlantic, Capitol records, etc.) Edited October 21, 2011 by Dillon C Novak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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