SCENE 01 / GRIP EQUIPMENT SERVICES
Grip Services
Professional grip crews and equipment for camera and lighting support across Germany.
Grip equipment services provide 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 international productions.
We source grip equipment and experienced grip crews who understand the physical demands of professional set work. With packages available from ARRI Rental, MBF Filmtechnik, and other German rental houses, our team coordinates equipment with your key grip's specifications, ensuring 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.
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 productions (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+) established the grip-department workflow now standard on every DFFF + GMPF rebate project.
Here is the breakdown. Key grips and best-boy grips hold BG ETEM + VBG film-crew safety certifications, carry KSK (Künstlersozialkasse) freelance registration, 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 includes ata carnet processing through German Zollverwaltung for non-EU gear arriving with visiting US productions.
FAQ
Our Grip Network
What does a grip department do?
The grip department supports both camera and lighting. They operate dollies, cranes, and camera support equipment 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 equipment 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 equipment, flags, diffusion frames. The gaffer supervises electrics; the key grip supervises grip.
What equipment is included in grip packages?
Grip packages typically include C-stands, flags, nets, silks, bounce boards, apple boxes, sandbags, clamps, and basic rigging. Dollies, cranes, and specialty equipment are usually additional 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 requirements.
Can you provide grip trucks with equipment?
We coordinate complete grip truck packages through our rental partners. These include the truck, driver, and comprehensive grip equipment. 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.