SCENE 01 / GRIP EQUIPMENT SERVICES
Grip Services
Professional grip crews and equipment for camera and lighting support across Ireland.
Grip equipment services provide the mechanical support hardware and rigging that shapes light and positions cameras on set. In Ireland, grip teams work at Ardmore Studios, Troy Studios, and on location across Ireland's dramatic landscapes, using specialized rigging for precise camera placements in often challenging weather.
We source grip equipment and experienced grip crews who understand Ireland's demanding outdoor conditions. With packages available from Dublin-based rental houses, our team coordinates equipment with your key grip's specifications, ensuring all hardware meets Irish production 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
Key-grip rosters with Chapman Pro dollies, Fisher 10/11, Mo-Sys VP grip integration and ARRI grip truck packages
Here is how this works in practice. Ireland's grip-department bench runs through ISC and IATSE Local 600-equivalent rosters with credits anchoring the largest global productions to shoot Ireland. Game of Thrones Northern Ireland (Titanic Studios Belfast + Paint Hall + Tollymore Forest + Castle Ward Winterfell + Cushendun Caves + Carnlough Harbour + Downhill Beach Dragonstone across all 8 seasons) drove the largest sustained grip-truck deployment in Irish-The North production history. With multi-truck mobile grip packages crossing the border under the CTA seamless plan. Vikings and Vikings Valhalla at Ashford Studios brought longboat-deck rigging, Wicklow river-mouth dolly track and Atlantic exterior crane work.
Here is the short of it. Foundation Apple TV+ at Troy Studios Limerick added LED virtual-production grip integration (Mo-Sys camera-tracking-aware dolly and crane work). Star Wars The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi Skellig Michael UNESCO needed custom-engineered rigging under strict heritage-site protocol. Branagh's Belfast, Banshees of Inisherin, Normal People HBO, The Tudors, The Wonder, Brooklyn, Once. Sing Street. In the Name of the Father. Michael Collins, The Commitments and Excalibur round out the senior grip-bench credit history.
Here is the breakdown. Gear flow runs Chapman Pro dollies, Fisher 10/11 dollies, Panther dollies. Chapman cranes (Hustler IV + Hybrid IV + 18-foot + 24-foot configurations) and ARRI grip truck packages through TVM Ireland, Pyramid Camera, Ardmore Rentals and Camera Hire Belfast. Specialty rigging covers tracking-vehicle camera car mounts, Russian Arm and Edge Arm articulating-car rigs imported via TVM Ireland's cross-border London plan, plus the Black Arm 24' for tight-radius car work.
Here is what that looks like on the ground. Wire-cam and cable-cam systems flow through Spydercam (imported via TVM Ireland) and Newton remote heads at Aviva Stadium, Croke Park, 3Arena Dublin, SSE Arena Belfast and Marlay Park live-event rigging. Atlantic maritime conditions drive grip protocols. Sandbag-weighted stands on exposed Wild Atlantic Way exteriors. IP-rated motor housings on cranes during wet shoots. Heritage UNESCO zone protocols (Skellig Michael + Giant's Causeway + Newgrange Brú na Bóinne) limiting wheeled-dolly track placement. Section 481 32% relief plus 40% regional uplift covers key-grip day rates and grip truck rental.
CTA seamless cross-border plan let grip trucks move between Dublin and Belfast blocks on the same shoot day under common-travel customs.
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 Ireland 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.