Complete set of mechanical support equipment — a rental-assembled kit of stands, dollies, and accessories.
Technical Details
A full-featured grip package typically includes 12-15 different tripod types (from baby legs with 30cm to high rollers with 4.8m extension height), 20-40 meters of dolly track in 1-3 meter segments, as well as hydraulic and mechanical crane systems up to 9 meters boom length. Specialized components include Steadicam vest systems, motorized sliders from 1-6 meters in length, and remote heads with 360° rotation for payloads of 25-150 kg. Modern grip packages increasingly integrate motion control systems with programmable movement sequences and repeater functions.
History & Development
The standardized grip package was established in 1935 in the major Hollywood studios when RKO Pictures first defined uniform equipment sets for different production sizes. Chapman Leonard introduced hydraulic crane systems in 1963, which reduced the weight of grip packages by 40%. With the introduction of carbon fiber components from 1995 and digital motion control systems since 2008, modular package structures have evolved, enabling project-specific configurations.
Practical Application in Film
For "Birdman" (2014), Emmanuel Lubezki used a minimally equipped grip package with only Steadicam and Technocrane for continuous sequence shots. "Mad Max: Fury Road" (2015), on the other hand, required an expanded 8-ton package with special vehicle rigs and gyro-stabilized remote heads. Low-budget productions often work with reduced 800kg packages, limited to sliders, standard tripods, and basic dolly systems.
Comparison & Alternatives
Grip packages differ from camera packages by focusing on movement and stabilization rather than image capture. Virtual production studios reduce traditional grip equipment by up to 60%, as LED walls favor fixed camera positions. Drone systems are increasingly replacing crane and cable rig setups for aerial shots, while gimbal systems are displacing mechanical Steadicam rigs in weight classes under 5kg. The decision between traditional and digital grip solutions depends on budget, shooting time, and desired visual aesthetic.