"Kill the Houselights"- When lighting a set, one of the first things to do is to "Kill the Houselights". Turn off any overhead lights, regular lamps etc. Then the electric dept. (lighting crew) can light without any stray light contaminating the set.
Electrics, Electricians, Electric Department- Film speak for the Lighting crew on a film. The head Electric is the Gaffer. His foreman is know as the Best Boy Electric. Their crew are Electrics. They are also called "Juicers".
Grips- Grips are the brothers and sisters of the Electrics. While Electrics handle lighting gear and power, Grips handle a variety of rigging jobs. It includes shading lights with a variety of grip gear; operating camera dollies & cranes; rigging cameras to just about anything (cars, trains, roller coasters, trees etc.); and building or rigging anything that we need to complete the shots. They are part mad scientist, part construction worker. If you remember the 1980's show "Mac Guyver" you may consider Grips to be the real life Mac Guyver. The head of the Grip department is the Key Grip. The foreman is the Best Boy Grip. The others are Grips. They are also referred to as Hammers.
A lot of people incorrectly refer to both crews as Grips. Or incorrectly refer to all of the electrics as "Gaffers". Learn the roles, it will help you to better understand the process of filmmaking.
Professional Union crews traditionally have clearly defined differences as Grips and Electrics. It gets a bit muddled on non-union and low-budget gigs because they may not be able to afford the classic distinction.
Both Electric and Grip Department are under the supervision of the D.P. (Director of Photography or Cinematographer). In the United Kingdom the D.P. is referred to as the Lighting Cameraman. Same job, different title.
As a filmmaker, you will run into situations where there are several versions of film slang for the same thing. Be open minded on set and ASK! If you tell someone, "I was taught that this is a widget not a gidget, you're wrong!", you might just get kicked in the teeth. You also reveal ignorance instead of desire to understand.
Electrics, Electricians, Electric Department- Film speak for the Lighting crew on a film. The head Electric is the Gaffer. His foreman is know as the Best Boy Electric. Their crew are Electrics. They are also called "Juicers".
Grips- Grips are the brothers and sisters of the Electrics. While Electrics handle lighting gear and power, Grips handle a variety of rigging jobs. It includes shading lights with a variety of grip gear; operating camera dollies & cranes; rigging cameras to just about anything (cars, trains, roller coasters, trees etc.); and building or rigging anything that we need to complete the shots. They are part mad scientist, part construction worker. If you remember the 1980's show "Mac Guyver" you may consider Grips to be the real life Mac Guyver. The head of the Grip department is the Key Grip. The foreman is the Best Boy Grip. The others are Grips. They are also referred to as Hammers.
A lot of people incorrectly refer to both crews as Grips. Or incorrectly refer to all of the electrics as "Gaffers". Learn the roles, it will help you to better understand the process of filmmaking.
Professional Union crews traditionally have clearly defined differences as Grips and Electrics. It gets a bit muddled on non-union and low-budget gigs because they may not be able to afford the classic distinction.
Both Electric and Grip Department are under the supervision of the D.P. (Director of Photography or Cinematographer). In the United Kingdom the D.P. is referred to as the Lighting Cameraman. Same job, different title.
As a filmmaker, you will run into situations where there are several versions of film slang for the same thing. Be open minded on set and ASK! If you tell someone, "I was taught that this is a widget not a gidget, you're wrong!", you might just get kicked in the teeth. You also reveal ignorance instead of desire to understand.
No comments:
Post a Comment