SCENE 01 / GRIP EQUIPMENT SERVICES
Grip Services
Professional grip crews and equipment for camera and lighting support across Japan.
Grip kit services give the support hardware and rigging that shape light and place cameras on set. In Japan, grip teams work at Toho Studios, Nikkatsu Studios, and across Tokyo's production sites, bringing careful Japanese craft to camera support and rigging.
We source grip kit and skilled grip crews who know Japanese production culture and safety standards. Packages come ready from Tokyo rental houses like NAC Image Technology, and our team sets up the gear to your key grip's specs.
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 Grips And Grip Packages Across Japan
Grip work in Japan is precision work. The narrow service alleys behind Shibuya, the guarded stone paths around Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto, the rooftop weight limits on Yokohama high-rises, and the timber floors of Asakusa machiya houses each call for a key grip who plans rigging by the millimetre.
Our key grips come up through Toho Studios, Nikkatsu, and the Tokyo commercial circuit. Each one runs a team of best-boy grips, dolly grips, and rigging grips. They arrive with safety sums and load schedules already cleared with the site owner before the truck rolls.
Kit comes from Hibino, Imagica, and NAC Image Technology in Tokyo and the Yodoyabashi rental net in Osaka. That covers full Fisher and Chapman dolly track, Technocrane and Movi-Crane jib packages, and process trailers for road runs along the Pacific coast. We add scaffolding and truss systems for stage builds, plus the standard C-stand, flag, silk, and bounce stock you need for daily set work.
Specialty rigs for Mount Fuji altitude shoots, Setouchi marine platforms, and Hokkaido sub-zero conditions are quoted from the same net. All rigging carries the right Japanese safety sign-off, and certified rigging leads approve every overhead job.
Grip bookings live and die by the calendar in Japan. Dolly track, cranes, and rigging crews thin out fast across Golden Week in May and the Obon week in August. We lock key grips and grip trucks well before those windows. Crew rosters follow the Japanese Labor Standards Act, so prep, turnaround, and overtime stay compliant. Every grip quote carries the 10 percent consumption tax in JPY, with English-language liaison from the first scout onward.
Smooth grip work protects the finish, not just the take. Our dolly grips and crane ops rehearse each move with the camera team, so repeats hold their marks across coverage. That continuity matters once footage reaches Imagica, Sony PCL, or OmnibusJapan for the grade. A locked-off Akasaka interior and a tracking Yokohama exterior cut together clean. Steady, repeatable camera support keeps the colorist and VFX teams working from frames that already match.
FAQ
Our Grip Network
What does a grip department do?
The grip department supports both camera and lighting. The crew runs dollies, cranes, and camera support gear for camera moves. They also handle all non-electrical lighting support, such as stands, rigging, diffusion frames, flags, and bounce or 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 gear 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 gear, flags, diffusion frames. The gaffer supervises electrics. The key grip supervises grip.
What equipment is included in grip packages?
Grip packages mostly have C-stands, flags, nets, silks, bounce boards, apple boxes, sandbags, clamps, and basic rigging. Dollies, cranes, and specialty gear are mostly extra items quoted separately.
Do your grips have rigging certifications?
Yes. Our rigging grips hold the right certifications for overhead work, truss systems, and safety rigging. Certified rigging supervisors oversee complex work and meet industry safety standards.
Can you provide grip trucks with equipment?
We set up complete grip truck packages through our rental partners. Each one comes with the truck, a driver, and a full grip kit. We book crew separately to match your production's needs.
Related Services
Productions in Japan 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.