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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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52119.02 – Key grips

Key grips supervise grips, gaffers and stagehands who rig, place, move and dismantle lights, sets, backdrops, scenery and other stage equipment.

Overview

Example job titles

  • First grip
  • Key grip

Core competencies

  • Quality Control Testing to ensure all equipment functions correctly and safely before being used in production
  • Time Management to coordinate equipment setup, ensure timely execution of filming schedules, and support the production team's needs without delays
  • Spatial Visualization to plan the arrangement of equipment and set pieces to optimize space and ensure everything fits without obstructing other elements of the production
  • Spatial Orientation to orient themselves within the space of a production set, which includes understanding the layout of equipment, set pieces and personnel
  • Collaboration to work closely with various departments, including the director, cinematographer, set designers and lighting technicians, in order to meet the creative and technical requirements of the production
  • Knowledge in Electrical and Electronics to safely supervise the rigging and operation of lighting systems, stage equipment and electronic devices

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Supervise grips, gaffers and stagehands who rig, place, move and dismantle lights, sets, backdrops, scenery and other stage equipment.

Additional information

  • There may be an overlap in duties among occupations in this unit group, depending on the size of the production or broadcasting studio.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Audio and video recording technicians (52113)
  • Broadcast technicians (52112)
  • Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators (53111)
  • Lighting designer (in 53123.01 Theatre designers)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

5 – Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major group

52 – Technical occupations in art, culture and sport

Sub-major group

521 – Technical occupations in art and culture

Minor group

5211 – Technical occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts

Unit group

52119 – Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts

Occupational profile

52119.02 – Key grips

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.