A Guide to Filmmaking Grip Clamps

Let’s talk about the real backbone of any film set. It’s not the multi-thousand-dollar camera or the vintage anamorphic lens. It’s the gear that holds it all together — literally. We’re talking about grip clamps. These humble, often overlooked pieces of metal are some of the most crucial tools in a filmmaker’s arsenal. They are the unsung heroes, the workhorses that allow for creativity, speed, and safety.

A good filmmaking clamp can be the difference between getting that perfect, unconventional shot and spending frustrating hours trying to rig something that won’t hold. They are the foundation of on-set problem-solving. This article will dive into what these essential tools are, their myriad uses, and how modern innovations are finally solving some of their oldest frustrations.

WHAT ARE GRIP CLAMPS?

At their core, filmmaking clamps are precision-engineered devices designed to securely fasten gear to various surfaces. Their purpose is simple but vital: to hold something, somewhere it isn’t meant to be held. They allow cinematographers, gaffers, and grips to place cameras, lights, and modifiers in virtually any position imaginable. Far beyond the limitations of a standard light stand or tripod.

The film industry has a roster of legendary clamps, each with its specific strengths — from the versatile Cardellini clamp with its articulating jaws to the robust Mafer clamp and the ubiquitous Super Clamp (also known as a Convi Clamp), which has been a staple in grip trucks for decades. These tools are the language of rigging, enabling crews to build, modify, and secure their setups with confidence.

HOW ARE CLAMPS USED? THE ON-SET SCENARIOS

The use cases for clamps are nearly infinite, limited only by a filmmaker’s ingenuity. They are the ultimate problem-solvers.

LIGHTING WITH PRECISION

Need to hide a small LED light behind a bookshelf for a perfect eye light? Want to rig a larger light to a ceiling rafter to create a top-down effect? Clamps are the answer. They allow gaffers to place lights in tight or unconventional spaces where a stand would never fit. Use them to create more naturalistic and dynamic lighting schemes.

CAMERA & MONITOR RIGGING

Clamps are essential for securing cameras in unique positions for dynamic shots — inside a car, on a piece of machinery, or a low-angle shot attached to a skateboard. They are also crucial for rigging monitors for the director, producer, or focus puller, ensuring everyone has a clear view of the action without cluttering the set with stands.

SHAPING AND CONTROL

The art of cinematography is the art of controlling light. Clamps are indispensable for holding flags to cut light, securing bounce cards for soft fill, or positioning diffusion frames to soften a harsh source. They give filmmakers precise control over where light goes and, more importantly, where it doesn’t.

GENERAL UTILITY

Beyond lights and cameras, clamps are used for everything. They secure cables to prevent tripping hazards, hold props in place, and support backdrops. A good grip always has a few extra clamps on hand because you never know what problem you’ll need to solve next.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE CLAMP: ADDRESSING OLD FRUSTRATIONS

For all its utility, the traditional “super clamp” design has come with its share of on-set frustrations, which many of us have experienced firsthand. They can be heavy and clunky. They often lack mounting points, leading to accessories twisting loose at the worst possible moment. And who hasn’t wasted precious minutes during a shoot digging through a kit for that one specific ¼”-20 or ⅜”-16 bolt that seems to have vanished?

These small but persistent issues can slow down a production and compromise safety. This is where modern design, born from real-world experience, comes into play, aiming to perfect this essential tool.

A MODERN SOLUTION: THE KONDOR BLUE CINEJAWS

This evolution is perfectly embodied in the CineJaws by Kondor Blue, a tool designed in direct collaboration with DP and cinematographer Brady Bessette. They took the classic super clamp concept and redesigned it from the ground up to address the very frustrations filmmakers have dealt with for years.

The CineJaws set a new standard by focusing on solutions. Where traditional clamps can slip on certain surfaces, the CineJaws feature a massive clamping range from a paper-thin card up to 2-inch speed rail, locking down with serious force.

The most significant innovation addresses the problem of unreliable mounting points. Most clamps offer a simple threaded hole, leaving heavy accessories prone to twisting loose. The CineJaws integrates industry-standard NATO and ARRI-style anti-twist mounting locations. This allows you to attach monitors, arms, and other accessories with absolute confidence that they won’t shift or rotate. The removable 3mm anti-twist pins are even cleverly stored directly on the jaw so they never get lost.

Solving another common headache, the CineJaws feature onboard storage for spare ¼”-20 and ⅜”-16 bolts, ending the frantic mid-shoot search. Finally, acknowledging that on-set safety is paramount, there’s a large, integrated loop on the jaw perfect for connecting a safety cable, providing peace of mind when rigging expensive gear.

ADAPTING WITH BESSETTE CINEPINS That same philosophy of modernizing essential gear continues with the Bessette CinePins, another collaboration between Kondor Blue and Brady Bessette. As cameras and lights get smaller, traditional bulky hardware can be overkill. CinePins solve this by providing a compact, powerful baby pin that mounts directly to modern NATO rails or secure ARRI-style ⅜”-16 anti-twist points. This gives you the flexibility to rig a small camera, monitor, or LED panel directly into a grip head without needing a full-sized clamp. This makes an ideal solution for overhead rigs, car mounts, and other tight spaces where larger clamps won’t fit.

THE BOTTOM LINE: RELIABLE GEAR

Filmmaking clamps are foundational. They are the invisible architecture that supports our creative vision. While they may not be the most glamorous pieces of equipment, their reliability and functionality are absolutely critical to a safe, efficient, and creative set. Then, there are innovations like the Kondor Blue CineJaws. Born from the practical needs of working DPs like Brady Bessette, CineJaws result from a deep understanding of on-set challenges. They prove that even the most basic tools can be refined and perfected. This frees filmmakers from technical frustrations so they can focus on what truly matters: telling the story.