<P> In the U.S. and Canada, grips are technicians in the filmmaking and video production industries . They constitute their own department on a film set and are directed by a key grip . Grips have two main functions . The first is to work closely with the camera department to provide camera support, especially if the camera is mounted to a dolly, crane, or in an unusual position, such as the top of a ladder . Some grips may specialize in operating camera dollies or camera cranes . The second main function of grips is to work closely with the electrical department to create lighting set - ups necessary for a shot under the direction of the director of photography . </P> <P> Grips' responsibility is to build and maintain all the equipment that supports cameras . This equipment, which includes tripods, dollies, tracks, jibs, cranes, and static rigs, is constructed of delicate yet heavy duty parts requiring a high level of experience to operate and move . Every scene in a feature film is shot using one or more cameras, each mounted on highly complex, extremely expensive, heavy duty equipment . Grips assemble this equipment according to meticulous specifications and push, pull, mount or hang it from a variety of settings . The equipment can be as basic as a tripod standing on a studio floor, to hazardous operations such as mounting a camera on a 100 ft crane, or hanging it from a helicopter swooping above a mountain range . </P>

What does the grip do on a movie set
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