Grip for Hire

A key grip is the head of the grip department and the chief rigging technician on set. The key grip oversees all camera support equipment (tripods, dollies, cranes, jibs, and Steadicam rigs), manages the construction of overhead frames and diffusion rigs, and coordinates with the gaffer to modify and shape light using flags, silks, and cutters. On larger productions, the key grip supervises a full grip crew — including best boy grip and dolly grips — and is responsible for set safety regarding rigging and equipment.

Grips and gaffers both work in the lighting and camera support departments, but they have distinct responsibilities. The gaffer (chief lighting technician) designs and executes the lighting plan — choosing fixtures, setting lamp positions, and shaping the look of a scene. The grip department handles physical rigging and camera support: they build the rigs that hold lights and cameras, operate dollies and cranes, and use flags and diffusion to modify how light falls on a subject. In short, gaffers power and place lights; grips rig and physically control equipment. On most professional sets, the two departments work side by side.

A standard grip package booked through Assignment Desk typically includes: dolly and track, C-stands, apple boxes, sandbags, overheads (frames and silks for diffusion), flags and cutters, grip heads, and basic rigging hardware. Key grips with larger packages may also supply camera cranes, jibs, or specialty rigs. Equipment scope is confirmed during the booking process — submit your shoot brief and specify any specialty rigging requirements.

Grip day rates through Assignment Desk typically range from $350–$600/day for a general grip on a standard 10-hour production day. A key grip — who heads the department and often supplies a full grip package — typically runs $500–$900/day depending on the market and equipment included. Best boy grips and dolly grips fall in a similar range to general grips. Assignment Desk provides transparent itemized quotes — submit your brief for crew names, credentials, and exact rates within 60 minutes.

Assignment Desk staffs grip crew in 24+ US markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, Houston, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Boston, Denver, Seattle, Nashville, Charlotte, Phoenix, Indianapolis, Detroit, Minneapolis, Tampa, and more. Click any city in the coverage grid below for local crew profiles.

Submit your shoot brief at assignmentdesk.com/hire-a-crew — include the shoot date, city, positions needed (key grip, dolly grip, etc.), any specialty rigging requirements, and production type. A coordinator reviews your brief, matches qualified grip crew from the local market, and confirms crew names and credentials. Most bookings are confirmed within 60 minutes. Same-day grip crew is available in major US markets for urgent shoots.