New apprenticeship scheme for film camera grips launched

A new film industry apprenticeship scheme has been launched by Film & Television Freelance Training (FT2) to train four film camera grips on an 18-month pilot training programme.
The scheme is funded by the Skillset Film Skills Fund as part of 'A Bigger Future', the UK film skills strategy.
Dennis Fraser, Chairman of ASPEC, explained the need for this new initiative: "As a grip who has worked in the industry for over 50 years, I feel it is very important for an apprenticeship scheme to be established for grips. With health and safety being so prominent in the industry these days, grips coming into the industry need to be fully trained in this area."
Judy Counihan, Director of Film at Skillset, said: "UK film has been crying out for a scheme like this for far too long and it's great that, with the support of A Bigger Future, it can finally get off the ground. It will make a big difference to the individual careers of the trainee grips taking part and to the industry that depends on their skills."
This will be salaried training for people aged 22 plus who are good with their hands, inventive, good at problem solving, have an understanding of how to work with heavy and potentially dangerous equipment and are determined to pursue a career as a freelance film camera grip.
They are likely to have had previous experience in the film industry (such as a rigger, camera truck driver or stagehand) or mechanical engineering, carpentry or model making experience. Apprentices will be based at grip hire companies to learn maintenance on the range of grip equipment and will be attached to feature films and attend masterclasses where they will be trained by established grip practitioners.
The scheme is managed by FT2 and supported by facility companies including Arri Media, JDC, Panavision, Take 2 Film Services, Technovision and VFG.
Sharon Goode, Director of FT2, said: "FT2 is delighted to be working with Dennis Fraser and ASPEC to deliver this pilot apprenticeship scheme. Properly trained and experienced grips are vital for a safe and productive film industry."
(GB)