Key grip skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

1 min read

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical key grip skills. We ranked the top skills for key grips based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 29.5% of key grip resumes contained gaffer as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a key grip needs to be successful in the workplace.

9 key grip skills for your resume and career

1. Gaffer

Here's how key grips use gaffer:

Handled Key Grip duties during fall shooting, and handled Gaffer duties during spring shooting.
Implemented the lighting setup designed by the director of photography and gaffer.

2. Production Equipment

Production equipment in limited terms is used to define any type of machinery or equipment used in the production of a video or film. Basic production equipment includes a camera, tripod, lighting kit, camera light, short term microphone, light reflector, boom pole, shock mount, audio cables, wireless microphone, headphones, portable digital audio recorder, camera lenses, extra batteries, external hard drive, and DSLR shoulder mount rig.

Here's how key grips use production equipment:

Make sure all lighting, electrical and other production equipment is set up and ready to go.

3. Music Videos

Music videos are short films or videos that feature a song and imagery and are produced either for artistic or promotional purposes.

Here's how key grips use music videos:

Key Grip handling and setting up lighting equipment on Music Video, Brave, by Stelouse produced by Fenzfilms.
Filmed local performances, sold merchandise, assisted in the production of music videos and contribute with viral marketing ideas.

4. DP

Here's how key grips use dp:

Worked closely with the DP, and helped with Camera movements when needed (Dolly).
Worked with DP to create the aesthetic of the film using lighting.

5. JIB

Here's how key grips use jib:

Grip, dolly operator, assistant jib operator, camera assistant.
Experience setting up scaffolding, stands, gels, cookies, and 10 and 25-foot jib arms.

6. Arri

Here's how key grips use arri:

Worked with the cinematographer to achieve the right look for the film in terms of lighting (ARRI, Kino).
Worked with Arri, Mole Richardson, and Sunray lights on set.

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7. Reality

Here's how key grips use reality:

Work directly with the Director of Photography to translate creative vision into photographable reality.
Lead grip for a virtual reality promo ad/Commercial - River Studios (Rothenburg ventures)

8. Video Production

Here's how key grips use video production:

Created high quality matte paintings for a highly stylized video production at University of Advancing Technology.
Helped in the video production with key grip, lighting and sound crew.

9. Sound Equipment

Here's how key grips use sound equipment:

Operated sound equipment and grip equipment while working with director

What skills help Key Grips find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

List of key grip skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a key grip resume and required skills for a key grip to have include:

Gaffer
Production Equipment
Music Videos

DP
JIB
Arri

Reality
Video Production
Sound Equipment

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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