rcpilz@ihuxj.UUCP (R. C. Pilz) (09/19/84)
I have a question about the credits seen at the end of several movies. Listed there are the actors, directors, stuntmen, etc... I can figure out what these people do in the movies. But what do the following people do? Key Grip? Or how about Best Boy? -- Just one of life's many mystries. ihuxj!rcpilz
adm@cbneb.UUCP (09/20/84)
...And have you noticed that there are ten times as many names on the credits than there used to be? Like third assistant to the secretary of the make-up man's cousin? Nowadays it takes longer to read the credits than it does to watch the movie! (Well, not quite, but you get the idea.)
adm@cbneb.UUCP (09/20/84)
My favorite people to look for at the end of movies are Key Grip, Gaffer, and
Best Boy. Now as far as I know (I may be wrong, though) the Key Grip is the
guy that runs around keeping cables out of the way (especially clear of the
cameras when they're rolling around during shooting). The Gaffer is the guy
up in the overhead "gaffing" who re-adjusts the lights for the particular
scenes. The Best Boy is the guy that is essentially a go-fer for some members
of the crew. I did once see a credit for "Key Grip Best Boy" which I thought
was going a bit too far, but then again, it must be fun to see your name on
the silver screen.
maybe they'll soon be putting the audience up there too!
Craig Votava
AT&T Bell Laboratories, Columbus
...ihnp4!cbnap!cmvayers@convex.UUCP (09/24/84)
`Key Grip' is responsible for making sure that the props, movable scenery, etc. is in the same place on repeated takes. Not exactly a small task... blues, II (Etc, and so on, and so forth...)
david@bragvax.UUCP (David DiGiacomo) (09/30/84)
There is an interesting reason for the proliferation of credits -- it typically takes 3 on-screen credits to qualify for membership in a craft guild. -- Do you want culture, or do you want slackness?
sdi@loral.UUCP () (10/03/84)
The "Best Boy" is the right hand man of the Head Gaffer. ie. the number two man in the lighting crew line up. -- **** I'm writing you to tell you I have nothing to say ****