Dennis Fraser
Family name: Fraser
Awards/Honours: MBE (1993)
Work area/Craft/Role: Grip, Union (NATTKE & BECTU)
Industry: Film
Company: Chapman UK / Chapman Leonard
Websites: British Cinematographer, IMDb
Interview date(s): 10 April 2015
Interviewer(s): Martin Spence, Dave Wyatt
Production Media: video
Duration (mins): 38
Dennis Fraser "father of the grip". Dennis started his career as a labourer /stage hand in the studios. Gripping then was done by whichever stage hand was on hand to pull the camera around the set.. Dennis worked for recognition of the grip as a profession with help and some times problems with the union NATTKE on the way.. After doing over 100 films including Kelly's Heroes and Fiddler on the Roof. he retired to open a hire company for film equipment. He instigated training schemes and qualifications for grips to enhance the position of the grip on a film. He is forthright on his comments about TV as opposed to film but is now regarded worldwide to be at the top of the world of Grips. Dennis is seen at the end of the film in his premises showing equipment used circa 2015.
Dennis Fraser left school at age 15 with little formal education, but he was good with his hands and keen to work in film. British Cinematographer+2Champman/Leonard UK+2
He began his film career as a stage-hand / painter’s labourer at the National Studios, and then moved to MGM Studios in the UK, where he began to pick up “grip” type tasks. British Cinematographer+2Champman/Leonard UK+2
Career Development & Achievements
Over many decades, Fraser became one of the UK’s leading Key Grips — the senior grip on set — working with top directors and cinematographers. British Cinematographer+2historyproject.org.uk+2
He worked on over 100 films, including some very well-known titles such as Where Eagles Dare (1968), Fiddler on the Roof (1971), Chariots of Fire (1981), Firefox (1982), Pearl Harbor (2001). Champman/Leonard UK+2British Cinematographer+2
Contribution to the Grip Profession & Industry Standards
Fraser is credited with leading efforts to professionalize the grip department in UK film/TV:
• He was instrumental in creating and promoting NVQ qualifications for grips and crane technicians, through BECTU’s Grips Branch. This elevated the standards, safety, recognition, and formal status of grips. historyproject.org.uk+3British Cinematographer+3Champman/Leonard UK+3
• He helped set up training schemes, apprenticeships, and formal assessments so grips could be certified. historyproject.org.uk+2gripsbranch.org.uk+2He founded or co-founded / ran grip equipment / rental / support infrastructure:
• He started Grip House, a hire company / facility for grip equipment. historyproject.org.uk+3British Cinematographer+3Champman/Leonard UK+3
• Later, he became Managing Director (or similar senior role) for Chapman/Leonard UK (also known as Chapman UK), a major grip / camera support / rental business, bringing US-made equipment and workshop-scale operations, etc. Champman/Leonard UK+2British Cinematographer+2
Honours & Recognition
Awarded an MBE in 1993 for services to the film industry. historyproject.org.uk+2British Cinematographer+2
Multiple lifetime achievement awards: from the UK Grips & Crane Technicians Branch, from Skillset, etc. British Cinematographer+2gripsbranch.org.uk+2
Honorary membership / recognition from bodies like the British Society of Cinematographers (BSC), British Academy / Guild of British Camera Technicians, etc. British Cinematographer+2Champman/Leonard UK+2
Style, Philosophy & Personal Traits
Known for being “solid professional,” reliable even on difficult shoots. Directors and cinematographers appreciated his ability to solve problems on set with minimal fuss. British Cinematographer+1
Emphasis on safety, quality, and maintaining high standards of equipment and crew training. British Cinematographer+1
Strong belief in teaching and passing on the craft: mentoring younger grips, pushing for formal qualifications so that people entering the trade would know what is required of them. historyproject.org.uk+2British Cinematographer+2
Later Years & Retirement
Fraser formally retired from his role at Chapman UK on 29 September 2023. gripsbranch.org.uk+2Champman/Leonard UK+2
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