SCENE 01 / GRIP EQUIPMENT SERVICES
Grip Services
Professional grip crews and equipment for camera and lighting support across Germany.
Here is how this works in practice. Grip kit services give the mechanical support hardware and rigging that shapes light and positions cameras on set. In Germany, grip teams work at Studio Babelsberg, Bavaria Film Studios, and Studio Hamburg, using stands, flags, frames, dollies, and specialized rigging for precise camera placements on both German and global shoots.
Here is the short of it. We source grip kit and skilled grip crews who know the physical demands of pro set work. With packages ready from ARRI Rental, MBF Filmtechnik, and other German rental houses, our team sets up gear with your key grip's specs, making sure all hardware meets German BG safety standards.
Capabilities
Grip Department Solutions
From dolly operation to complex rigging, we provide experienced grip professionals and complete equipment packages for productions of any scale.
01
Camera Support
- Dolly and track systems
- Crane and jib operation
- Slider and motion control
- Specialty camera mounts
- Vehicle camera rigs
Camera Movement
02
Lighting Support
- Stands and rigging
- Diffusion and flag work
- Overhead frames
- Silk and bounce control
- Negative fill setups
Light Control
03
Rigging
- Truss and grid systems
- Safety rigging
- Overhead installations
- Set piece mounting
- Specialty rigging solutions
Structural Support
04
Specialty Grip
- Car and vehicle mounts
- Process trailer operation
- Greenscreen support
- Rain and wind effects
- Mechanical effects support
Specialty Solutions
On Location
Babelsberg + Bavaria Film Grip Pools, ARRI Munich Stands & Mathews / Avenger Heritage
Here is how this works in practice. Grip kit services across Germany operate from one of the deepest gear pools in continental Europe, anchored at Studio Babelsberg Potsdam (world's first large-scale studio since 1912) and Bavaria Film Studios Geiselgasteig Munich, with MMC Studios Köln, Studio Hamburg, Tempelhof Studios Berlin, and Studio Berlin Adlershof rounding out the national infrastructure.
Here is what that looks like on the ground. We field Avenger + Mathews + Matthellini C-stands + flag arms in full taxonomy, Magliner carts, MovieTech / Egripment / J.L. Fisher dollies, Chapman/Leonard PeeWee + Hybrid + Hustler IV + Super PeeWee 4 dollies, Fisher Model 11 + Model 23 cranes, GFM / Movietech tracks, and Russian Arm via Filmotechnic Munich + Filmotechnic Berlin.
ARRI Trinity 5-axis stabilization (Curt O. Schaller, Munich) anchors specialty handheld work. Grip departments work the full ARRI Master Wheels remote-head ecosystem and pair with Bickers Action UK cross-border supplements on action features.
Here is the short of it. Heritage Babelsberg global shoots (Inglourious Basterds 2009 Görlitz, Cloud Atlas 2012, The Grand Budapest Hotel 2014 Görliwood, Bridge of Spies 2015 Spielberg, Captain America: Civil War 2016 Leipzig/Halle airport, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, The Queen's Gambit 2020 Netflix, Matrix Resurrections 2021, Wonka 2023, Argylle 2024) plus All Quiet on the Western Front 2022 (Berger, 4 Oscars including Best Production Design) and Babylon Berlin (Tykwer 2017+) set up the grip-department workflow now standard on each DFFF + GMPF rebates project.
Here is the breakdown. Key grips and best-boy grips hold BG ETEM + VBG film-crew safety certifications, carry KSK (Künstlersozialkasse) freelance sign-ups, and operate under bilingual Hochdeutsch + English direction. We set up Mathews / Avenger / Filmotechnic supplements same-week from London + Vienna under EU Schengen free movement via Frankfurt FRA + Munich MUC + Berlin BER + Köln-Bonn CGN cargo corridors. This has ata carnet processing through German Zollverwaltung for non-EU gear arriving with visiting US shoots.
FAQ
Our Grip Network
What does a grip department do?
Here is the breakdown. The grip department supports both camera and lighting. They operate dollies, cranes, and camera support gear for camera moves. They also handle all non-electrical lighting support: stands, rigging, diffusion frames, flags, and bounce/negative fill.
What positions are in a grip department?
Key Grip leads the department and works closely with the gaffer and DP. Best Boy Grip manages gear and logistics. Dolly Grip operates camera dollies. Company Grips handle general grip work. Rigging Grips focus on pre-rigging and construction.
When do I need a grip vs. an electrician?
Electricians handle anything electrical—lights, power distribution, cables. Grips handle physical support and rigging—stands, camera movement gear, flags, diffusion frames. The gaffer supervises electrics. The key grip supervises grip.
What equipment is included in grip packages?
Grip packages mostly have C-stands, flags, nets, silks, bounce boards, apple boxes, sandbags, clamps, and basic rigging. Dollies, cranes, and specialty gear are mostly extra items quoted separately.
Do your grips have rigging certifications?
Yes. Our rigging grips hold appropriate certifications for overhead work, truss systems, and safety rigging. Complex rigging work is supervised by certified rigging supervisors meeting industry safety needs.
Can you provide grip trucks with equipment?
We set up complete grip truck packages through our rental partners. These have the truck, driver, and full grip kit. Crew is booked separately based on your production's needs.
Related Services
Productions in Germany that need this often pair it with Portable Power Solutions, Gaffer & Lighting Services, and LED Lighting Systems for full coverage. Most projects also draw on Lighting & Grip and Green Screen Filming.
On Set
Need a Grip Team?
Tell us about your production and we'll recommend the right key grip and crew for your needs.