The Grips Branch is a dedicated branch of the trade union Bectu, specifically for Grips and Crane Technicians working within the film and TV industry in the UK. We advocate for fair working conditions, provide support and resources for our members, and work to uphold the standards of our profession.

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You can join online or by phone on 020 7346 0900 www.bectu.org.uk/join

You need to be a member of BECTU before joining the Grip Branch. Visit the Sign-Up Page. (www.gripsbranch.org.uk/sign-up) You will be asked to provide a valid BECTU membership number. Once we receive your application, we will check your membership status, details and process it accordingly. Please do not sign-up via this page if you want to become a Grip Trainee. You will need to apply to become a Trainee here. (www.gripsbranch.org.uk/becoming-a-trainee)

Please contact one of the great Diary Services to find excellent Grips and Technicians. If you have had no luck doing this and wish to submit a job advertisement via our membership please click below. Please ensure rates comply with our rate card. If they don’t, they will not be submitted.

If your issue relates to a job offering rate below the rate card or not adhering to Terms and Conditions, please use the "Report a Job" button in the members area or via the App. If your issue relates to Terms and Conditions on an existing job, please use the Discussion Forum or post about it in a relevant Community Group, to discuss and report the issue. If its urgent or relates to anything else, please contact us directly via the website's contact button, App chat or email (info@gripsbranch.org.uk).

Click the button in the bottom right hand corner of the screen labelled "Member's Chat", or if you're on your mobile the speech bubble icon. Then from the list, click on "Grip's Branch UK" at the top of the list. Type your message in the box and press "Enter" Alternatively you can email us at info@gripsbranch.org.uk

Any Grip, Crane Technician, or certified Trainee is eligible to join the Grips Branch, provided they have worked in the UK Film Industry and can prove this.

Members have access to resources, negotiation support, training programmes, networking events, and a supportive community of Grips and Crane Technicians. There are also benefits through Bectu Plus & Prospect Plus. Bectu Plus Benefits: Discounts and Offers: Members can access savings on Apple products, travel insurance, gym memberships, airport parking, foreign exchange services, and various leisure activities. (BECTU) Health and Dental Plans: These plans reimburse members for everyday medical expenses not covered by the NHS, such as visits to opticians, dentists, and physiotherapists. (BECTU) Legal Support: Bectu provides assistance with workplace issues, including legal representation in cases of unfair dismissal or discrimination. (BECTU) Career Development: The union offers training courses and networking opportunities to support members’ professional growth. (BECTU) Prospect Plus Benefits: Household Savings: Members enjoy deals on cinema tickets, household appliances, car hire, insurance, and a variety of shopping discounts. (Prospect) Health and Wellbeing: Prospect Plus provides access to gym and spa memberships, wellness plans, and coaching services. Health and dental plans offer reimbursements for visits to opticians, dentists, and physiotherapists. (Prospect) Financial Advice: Members can receive complimentary financial reviews from approved providers and access free debt advice services. (Prospect) Legal Services: Prospect offers a 24-hour legal helpline, personal injury schemes, and a free will-writing service. (Prospect) Both Bectu Plus and Prospect Plus aim to provide comprehensive support to their members, enhancing their professional lives and offering valuable personal benefits.

Yes, we host several events throughout the year. At the start one each year we hold our AGM, in April sees the Nick Cupac Memorial Ride, then in May we have the Veteran's Lunch. There is usually another Branch meeting in the Summer. Other events happen sporadically, and we're open to anyone else suggesting ideas and organizing events on behalf of the branch.

The Grips Branch operates democratically, with decisions made through member feedback, committee discussions, and online votes. Members are encouraged to voice their opinions in our discussion forum.

Yes! We value member input. If you have an idea for an initiative, please reach out to a branch representative or attend one of our meetings to discuss it with the committee.

The Grips Branch UK offers the following qualifications: Level 2 Grip: Focuses on static mounts, basic flat track laying, camera dollies, and remote heads and systems. Level 2 Crane Technician: Covers best practices, laying basic crane track, rigging camera cranes (modular and telescopic), and rigging remote head systems (including stabilised systems). Advanced Level 3 Grip: Encompasses advanced tracking, crane operating, advanced rigging, and tracking vehicles. (Grips Branch)

To apply for any of these qualifications, please contact Martin Horsted at Bucks College Group or submit an enquiry through the Grips Branch UK website. (Grips Branch)

When you receive your portfolio, you will be expected to immediately begin to put it together. You have a tight timeframe of 12 months to complete your qualification, so its important to get going as soon as possible. You should also make contact with your assessor unless they've contacted you already, and set out your in-person assessments. The sooner they are completed the sooner you can get all the other questions you have answered to complete your portfolio.

To enroll in the Level 2 Grip qualification, you should have: At least 2 years of experience working as a grip. Five references: one from a Camera Operator or Director of Photography and four from Certified Level 3 Grips. Optionally, a Basic Grip Skills Certificate. (Grips Branch)

The assessment includes: Three work-based assessments covering all units of the qualification. Completion of logbooks and provision of photographic evidence for each unit. The qualification typically takes approximately 12 months to complete. (Grips Branch)

After completing the Level 2 Grip qualification, you will be qualified to: Rig bazookas, tripods, tri-hats, and other static mounts. Lay straight and curved track. Rig the dolly with one or multiple cameras. Track the camera on a dolly. Rig un-stabilised 2-axis remote head systems and jib arms up to 21 feet. (Grips Branch)

To enrol in the Level 2 Crane Technician qualification, you should have: At least 2 years of experience working as an uncertified technician. Five references from Certified Level 3 Grips. (Grips Branch)

The assessment includes: Three work-based assessments covering all units of the qualification. Completion of logbooks and provision of photographic evidence for each unit. The qualification typically takes approximately 12 months to complete. (Grips Branch)

After completing the Level 2 Crane Technician qualification, you will be qualified to: Lay basic crane track. Track the base of a crane. Set up camera cranes of any size, provided there is a sufficient number of technicians present. Rig remote heads and stabilised remote heads following specific training. (Grips Branch)

To enroll in the Advanced Level 3 Grip qualification, you should have: Completed the Level 2 Diploma in professional competence for Grips 6 references in total; 4 x Director of Photography and 2 x Camera Operators

The assessment includes: Four work-based assessments covering all units of the qualification. Completion of logbooks and provision of photographic evidence for each unit. The qualification typically takes approximately 12 months to complete. (Grips Branch)

After completing the Advanced Level 3 Grip qualification, you will be qualified to: Operate advanced tracking systems. Operate cranes. Perform advanced rigging tasks. Rig tracking vehicles. (Grips Branch)

Yes, these qualifications are nationally recognised within the UK film and television industry, demonstrating a high level of competence and professionalism. (Grips Branch)

These vocational qualifications are designed for professionals working as Grips or Crane Technicians in the film and television industry. They validate expertise and competency, potentially leading to greater job opportunities and higher pay. (Grips Branch)

Detailed information about each qualification, including modules and assessment criteria, is available on the Grips Branch UK website under the ‘Qualifications’ section. (Grips Branch)

In order to change your badge please contact us with evidence of why you need to change your badge. We endearvour to automatically change badges when we're informed of Trainees progressing to Uncertified Grips, Qualifcations that have been passed and other factors.

You must have signed up via the website before downloading the app. Visit the App Store on your smart phone and search for "Grips Branch UK".

You can manage your notifications from within the app. Press on the notifications icon in the top right corner of the screen. Then press three dots in the same place and select "Notification Settings." Please be careful not to turn off Announcements as thats the system we will be using to notify mobile app users of urgent Branch business.

You can manage the e-mails you recieve in your members settings. Make sure you're logged in, and select your name at the top of the page (in the navigation menu on mobiles). Select "Notification Settings". Then switch off the notifications you do not want to receive. You will still receive certain emails from the Grips Branch as part of the terms and conditions of your membership. This will never be Spam or advertising for 3rd Parties.

Ensure your email and password are entered correctly. If the issue persists, try the “Forgot Password” option to reset your login. For additional help, contact us using the contact feature on the website.

Our Trainee intake is closed for 2024. Please check back for our 2025 intake opening.

The Purple Badge programme has transitioned to the Basic Grip Skills Certificate. Former Purple Badge holders can download a certificate affirming their non-trainee status, available through our portal.

We suggest that you start entering into your log book from the first job you have done. The format is monthly, in order to help you to get as much detail into it as you can. This will help you to record your training for use in your qualification portfolio. If a job lasts 3 weeks, then that is 1 post. If a job is 12 weeks, then that job would be posted over 3 posts in order to record the detail. If you have done several jobs in a month, just log them all in 1 post, listing the names and Grips you worked with. Try and log the number of days worked as accurately as you can so we can assess whether you’ve achieved the minimum number of days we recommend to progress. Remember, its not just about length of traineeship, quality is important, so the more grips you work with and the more different types of jobs you do, the better your learning will be. Mix it up and good luck.