Dolly grip - wikipedia Dolly grip Camera dolly mounted on track with an Arriflex D - 21 camera During filming of The Alamo, a tracking shot was used during a battle scene Fisher dolly on track Tow Dolly In cinematography, the dolly grip is a dedicated technician trained to operate the camera dolly. This technician places, levels, and moves the dolly track, then pushes and pulls the dolly and usually a camera operator and camera assistant as riders. If the dolly has a moveable vertical axis, such as a hydraulic arm, then the dolly grip also operates the `` boom ''. If both axes are used simultaneously, this type of dolly shot is known as a compound move. A dolly grip must work closely with the camera crew to perfect these complex movements ( cinematic techniques ) during rehearsals. Focusing the lens is critical to capturing a sharp image, so a dolly grip must hit his or her marks in concert with a camera assistant who pulls focus. It is a skill that experience can hone to a point, but the best dolly grips are known for their `` touch, '' and that makes them highly sought - after. A dolly grip is also employed when the camera is operated in handheld mode ( on the operator 's shoulders or literally in their hands ). While the camera operator is moving with the camera, the dolly grip is responsible for the operator 's safety, helping the operator to `` blindly '' negotiate sometimes complicated environments. The dolly grip silently directs the operator ( through gentle touches, nudges, pulls and pushes ) away from walls and other obstacles that the operator can not see while concentrating on the image in the camera viewfinder. The same is true when the camera is operated with a Steadicam or similar body - mounted stabilization tool. Although dolly grips are hired by and under a key grip, they are paid the same as ( or more than ) a best boy grip, who is the second - in - command. Dolly grips may also push a wheeled platform holding the microphone and boom operator. Crane operators in the film industry are specially trained film crew. They are normally grips. Some shots require the camera to move. This can be done several ways, one of which is to use a camera crane. There are many types of camera cranes, most being a counterbalanced arm on a pivot, whilst others are hydraulic. Cranes can be used to lift the camera, and often the camera operator and assistant also, quickly into the air. The crane operator sets up and operates the camera crane so that the camera arrives at the right spot. This can be difficult since the camera may be a long distance from the operator. References Jump up ^ filmproductionroles.com Grip Jump up ^ dollygrippery.net Dollygrippery, The definitive site on camera movement Jump up ^ dollygrippery.net Dollygrippery, Dolly Grip Job Description, January 03, 2010 External links wordpress.com, Production Team & Crew Glossary Film crew ( filmmaking ) Above the line Actor Leading actor Movie star Superstar Supporting actor Character actor Cameo actors Film director Screenwriter Film producer Executive producer Line producer Below the line Pre-production Unit production manager Production coordinator Production accountant Assistant director Script supervisor Script coordinator Casting director Production assistant Location manager Location scout Storyboard Storyboard artist Production design Production designer Art director Costume designer Greensman Hairdresser Make - up artist Set decorator Set dresser Property master / mistress ( `` props '' ) Weapons master Visual Art Matte painter Illustrator Scenic design Photography Cinematographer / Director of photography Camera operator Focus puller Clapper loader Steadicam Digital imaging technician Second unit Gaffer Best boy ( electrical ) Lighting technician Key grip Best boy ( grip ) Grip Dolly grip Sound Director of audiography Production sound mixer Boom operator Utility sound technician Dialogue editor Re-recording mixer Foley artist Composer Music supervisor Music editor Orchestrator Special effects Special effects supervisor Visual effects supervisor Animation Animator Visual effects Modeling Rigging Layout artist Talent Acting coach Body double Dialect coach Movement director Choreographer Extra Talent agent Actor ( voice ) Cast member Stand - in Acting instructor Stunt double Stunt performer Post-production Film editor Sound editor Colorist Animator Technical director Visual effects VFX creative director Visual effects editor Compositor Computer - generated imagery Rendering Other Unit still photographer Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dolly_grip&oldid=819963770 '' Categories : Film production Filmmaking occupations Talk About Wikipedia Español Русский Svenska Edit links This page was last edited on 12 January 2018, at 07 : 51 ( UTC ). 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Question: what does a dolly grip do on a film set
Answer: a dedicated technician trained to operate the camera dolly