key grip

American  

noun

Movies.

1. the chief stagehand on a movie set.

---

key grip British  

noun

1. the person in charge of moving and setting up camera tracks and scenery in a film or television studio See also grip 1

---

Etymology

Origin of key grip

First recorded in 1975–80

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

key grip

“At first you’re like, ‘Oh, my God, wow, am I going to New Jersey now?’” said the show’s key grip Dennis Conrad, who lives across the river in New York.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026

Curtin was the set costumer, overseeing costumes and accessories, and Price was the key grip, who handled the non-electric support gear.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 27, 2023

"From key grip to best boy, everyone on the show has a fabulous recipe to share," the description of the book reads.

From Salon ● Oct. 12, 2022

But because I’m not a person who knows how to work the camera, I’m not a key grip, who sets everything up, makes everything move.

From Slate ● May 4, 2020

“Well, not exactly. But obviously it’s important, or else why would it be called key grip instead of average grip or not-so-critical grip?”

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---