What is a Dolly Grip & What Role Do they Perform on Set?

When exploring “what is a dolly grip”? You discover, that they are responsible for operating the camera dolly on the film set. This individual works with the camera operator and the camera assistant to ensure they get to where they need to be on the film set in order to capture footage during the specified take on set. Dolly grips have various responsibilities in order to fulfill their very important role on set.

Without the dolly grip, the dolly track would be a complex piece of machinery that few other members of the film crew or set would know just how to operate. A dolly grip is responsible for the placement of the dolly track.

This includes constructing the track, placing it in the appropriate manner on a level surface, and testing to ensure that the camera dolly will be able to smoothly maneuver along the track to get to the appropriate location at the appropriate time to capture the desired footage.

Dolly Grip Responsibilities

The dolly grip is charged with constructing the track for the camera dolly and is also responsible for operating the dolly which transports usually a camera operator and camera assistant while capturing footage.

Dolly grips are also responsible for operating the boom of the dolly in situations where a boom is used. Dolly grips are not always operating the camera dolly along a track though.

In film scenes that involve the camera operator to hold the camera on the shoulders and move along the set the dolly grip will help to produce smooth complex movements while ensuring the camera operator’s safety.

The camera operator is unable to pay attention to where they are moving. Therefore the dolly grip is responsible for silently directing the camera operator through the scene in a way that ensures appropriate image capture without interruption.

Dolly Grip Skills

Dolly grips work with the camera operator and various other members of the film set. Therefore they must have strong people skills and the ability to follow directions.

Also the ability to deliver instructions to others both by voice and silently in the case of helping the camera operator navigate the set while shooting.

Dolly grips may also possess the following skills:

-Agility and able to work well under pressure.

-Able to work long, strenuous hours on set.

-Ability to construct tracks and various other machines or working parts of the set.

-People skills with a strong ability both to lead and to be led.

-Ability to follow a blueprint or other instructions when building.