Grip

In the U.S. and Canada, grips are lighting and rigging technicians in the film and video industries. They make up their own department on a film set and are led by a key grip. Grips have two main functions. The first is to work closely with the camera department, especially if the camera is mounted to a dolly, crane or other unusual position. Some grips may specialize in operating camera doll or camera crane. The second is to work closely with the electrical department to put in the lighting set-ups necessary for a shot. In the U.K., Australia and most parts of Europe, grips are not involved in lighting. In the "British System", adopted throughout Europe and the British Commonwealth (excluding Canada), a grip is solely responsible for camera mounting and support. The term 'grip' dates back to the early era of the circus. From there it was used in vaudeville and then in today's film sound stage and sets. Some have suggested the name comes from the 1930s-40 slang term for a tool bag... full article at wikipedia