The Grip Book

I am probably not the best person to review this book because I bought it confused thinking that it was about using grip equipment creatively for photography and video production. I was thinking that it was, more or less, something in the line of Manfrotto's DYI pdf.What I found is an encyclopedia of equipment made for grips. Yes you read it right, GRIP is a job title in movie production. Grips are the individuals that build the cinematic stage, setup lighting and shooting platforms used in movie production. I was not aware that term was used to describe a position in the work crew of movie production until I bought this book.That being said the book covers an impressive collection of equipment ranging from bolts and brackets to cranes and platforms reaching 20 feet high in the air. As I go through the book, I sense it covers two areas. The first area includes Introduction, first chapter (Big Break), seventeenth (General Tricks of the Trade) and eightieth (The Rental House) chapters. All of those chapters describe the job of a grip and provide advice on how to be one and how to deal with employers and vendors.The second area includes all other chapters starting from chapter two (Essential equipments) and ending with chapter 19 (Field Operation). Within those chapters you will find detailed description of every imaginable grip tool including minibooms, fluid heads, butterflies, lifts, filters, expendables such as dulling spray, and much more. The descriptions along with reference for associated accessories are usually detailed and through. Some tools were left with very short descriptions. Such descriptions are only useful to identify the item, not much more.The book does not explain when to use grip tools. Rather, the author focuses on providing a complete description of what such tools are used for and in some cases how to technically operate them. Hence, this book is not a "how to" type of book, it's mainly a reference.

Most "film making" books don't bother to go over one of the most important aspects of making a movie: Grip World. I thought I was a pretty experienced film maker until my first day on a real movie set and realized I knew nothing. Although I am working in camera department as a cinematographer, it's critical I understand how to talk to my grip department. This book gave me a head start into learning their language and their tools. It won't teach you everything, and different crews will do things different then what this book teaches, but it's a good start. I have given copies of this book out to many of my crew members who are starting out in "real" movies for the first time like I was just a few years ago.

This is a very informative book for anyone that wants to get a general overview of what to expect from the tv/film business as for as the labor aspect is concerned . It let me know what to expect on a shoot an it gave me an overview of the equipment I would be seeing an the lexicon theta used for tools an film equipment . Overall I recommend this book to all just for general knowledge ,but also if you want to get into the buisness an become a professional in the grip department. This book I believe is essential . Also , it will make you a better grip .

If not, than this one isn't for you.It is a ok book, but majority of people that buy this kind of books wont get their hands on most of the equipment described in the Grip book. I found the lighting technician handbook much much better written, and more comprehensive. You can find a thing or two in the book, but if you are a low buget, small production guy, than it is not worth it. But also with it you get an access to their video tutorials, which is cool.

Came as described, no hassle, but with confidence.

I'm actually looking for a more in-depth grip book- this is a good glossary, but doesn't instruct on things like the best method for tying off an overhead/butterfly, or always setting a gobo arm to be self-tightening. Also this is pre-LED, so it needs an update.

Comprehensive

Must have book for anyone interested, considering or curious about what the craft of gripping entails.Great resource from a gentleman in the field. Whom I've had the pleasure of meeting.

This book is written in a casual yet informative manner that covers all aspects of gripping. My only complaint would be too much time spent on overview of the film industry, set ettiquette, etc. This is supposed to be a grip book, and many people who will buy this book are already working in the film business, so there's little need for more than a couple of pages of film industry overview.

I love it because I am a grip and the book is written for grips. I can always have it with me. I learn something new every time I pick it up. I recommend it to anyone working as a grip.

All went really well! Could not ask for more

Very helpful, I had already been gripping for a couple months, this helped define in greater detail all the little things that are only learnt on the job after awhile.