Head machinist

Find out more about the job of stagehand, his role and his missions.

In film and television, the head stagehand is in charge of the machinery department on a set.

The head machinist ensures camera movement with all the means at his disposal, and ensures the safety of the film set.

The machinist's role and responsibilities

He manages the grip team. He is involved in production as soon as the choice of sets has been approved by the director and cinematographer. His work, in conjunction with that of the cinematographer and the electrician, is essentially focused on the technical feasibility of the shoot in terms of setting up dollies or cranes, and setting up towers or offsets for the camera or certain lighting equipment.

During filming, the head grip is responsible for all equipment directly linked to the camera and its movements: stands, dolly rails, carts, cranes. Among other things, he is responsible for transporting and installing them, and for ensuring their safety, particularly in the case of "dangerous" set-ups. The grip team is responsible for setting up the various dollies, whose movement is regulated by the head grip according to the cameraman's and director's instructions.

The machinists have at their disposal a whole range of construction equipment (wood and metal) which is used by the crew to level the ground beneath the dolly tracks, and which they transport from set to set.

The other cinema jobs

Programs offered at ESRA Paris

The school offers post-baccalaureate Programs in all three audiovisual fields. These Programs award a state-approved degree recognized by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.