Grip/Electrician/Generator Operator

Next Class: October 11 – October 23, 2010

Week 1: Monday – Thursday (5:30pm-9:30pm)

Week 2: Monday – Thursday (5:30pm-9:30pm), and Saturday (8:00am-4:00pm)

This class is designed to teach each student the basic skill sets necessary to work in an entry-level position in the Grip or Electric Departments and to become a certified Generator Operator on Feature Films, Television, and Commercial Productions. In addition to 40 hours of classroom time, graduates can be placed in a 20 hour film production or industry related internship upon completion of this course. After the initial 20 hour internship, there may be additional internship or job placement assistance based upon previous internship/classroom performance.

The program begins with an overview of the Hollywood and Independent Film Production Model and Organizational Chart, so students can understand what each department does and how all departments work together during a production. We then introduce the student to the duties and responsibilities of the typical entry-level position on a film set, the Production Assistant (“PA”). PA’s are required to have a working knowledge of the tools of communication and organization on a film (call sheets, location maps, base camps) set as well as understanding the chain of command and basic on-set etiquette. A student will typically be required to succeed as a PA before being offered an opportunity to move up to the grip and electric departments on a film set.

We will then move to a hands-on introduction to the Electrician’s tool set, including generators, distribution boxes and cable, then moving onto tungsten units, HMI units, florescent units, LED units, and specialty units. A special emphasis will be given to the safe and proper operation and maintenance of Generators, which is a job skill in short supply currently in Michigan.

Moving onto the Grip department, we will introduce the student to c-stands, flags, scrims, diffusion, gels, and other tools to shape light. The building of frames, bounce tabs, grifs, overhead rigging, block and falls, and other basic Grip techniques will be covered. We then address camera platforms including tripods, dollies, cranes, camera cars as well as specialty rigs like sliders, jib arms, car mounts, and steadicams. Learning to use these tools properly and safely is the educational objective here.

In our final class, Students will participate in a “model” digital production at FIT’s facilities, working side by side with industry professionals in order to gain hands-on experience utilizing the tools we have learned. Students will rotate through all three job categories so they can understand how these disciplines work together on a film set.  Students will also have an opportunity to meet with a representative from IATSE Local 38 to hear their perspective on union membership.

The Grip/Electric/Generator Operator Class is taught in 40 hours, over a two-week period. Classes are held at the FIT Studio Classroom in Ferndale, with hands-on access to the largest inventory of Film Production Equipment in the State of Michigan.